Reconciliation as a critical component of peacebuilding project usually does not get prioritized; to imagine reconciliation in tandem with philanthropy will sound preposterous to many. Let us re-imagine: “money” is the mover and shaker of everything, big and small, of significant and insignificant. Everything is a commodity which necessitates monetary transaction of high-significant or low-significant value. Use of money is a symbolic manifestation of the meaningfulness, commitment and engagement we attribute to any activity we engage in, whether material, emotional or intellectual. Peacebuilding is a lifetime ever-evolving project with many components to ti, some very visible, others are not visible, some demonstrable, others very subtle, but crucial linchpins.
The arduous project of peacebuilding requires infrastructures, which demand time, effort and dedication; infrastructures are not visible and play a critical role in the background to keep the project flourishing. Reconciliation is a sine qua non foundational infrastructure, for peacebuilding, which requires ongoing maintenance and refurbishing as the signs of the times call.
Philanthropy evokes images of large sums of money, which only very few may choose to share, better called donate, with full public display and recognition with much fanfare. That philanthropy is for the rich is a misnomer, and that philanthropy is “big money” is gross caricature. The etymology of philanthropy is instructive: philos” meaning “love” and “anthropos” meaning “man” or “humanity.” Philanthropy is the “love of humanity.” Love must be demonstrated and is demonstrable through symbols, and money is one of the most potent symbols which engages the giver with the recipient and vice versa. It is not the quantity of the money given, but the sense of investment of oneself in someone or in something for the common and greater good. It is a tie-in or buy-in or a knot, whichever imagery is helpful to visualize the commitment to keep building the greater good.
Reconciliation is not an alluring idea to most people. It is usually associated with religious-spiritual domain. It invokes penitentiary moods, recognition of fragility and culpability, willingness to make amends and take essential steps to build a better future. It is a call for introspection and determination to hold hands with the other to keep building a harmonious community. Reconciliation is not a one-time activity, but an ongoing ritual to forge better relationships. Reconciliation rituals are necessary components of civil society as civic engagement without naming these activities as reconciliation exercises. Reconciliation activity is not in its identification or naming, but in the intentionality and humility to heal the wounds and welcome the other.
Reconciliation is a community event, which demands investment of time, personnel and money. Bringing a group of people together costs money. Hospitality, an important component of reconciliation costs money, thus philanthropy in smaller denominations go a long way to build and to keep rebuilding the critical infrastructures. Conflicts have memory and too often long memories, which get churned on frequently at slightest provocations, thus conflict resolution exercises and reconciliation rituals are indispensable.
Philanthropy is voluntary, yet a sign of our care for others. It is an expression of our care for humanity through big or small financial donations, services or goods. It is the underlying essential activity needed for reconciliatory peacebuilding. Philanthropy is the means in which people are engaged in constructing peace and building the greater common good. Everyone, therefore, ought to be engaged in reconciliation, not necessarily by doing the professional work themselves, rather by financially supporting organizations engaged in that work. That work is ongoing and requires tremendous support. Philanthropy and reconciliation are intertwined. Smaller the philanthropy the better it is because more people get involved with their small, affordable but meaningful contributions, as fully invested stakeholders, instead of a few big donors throwing their weight, in community building leading to, as Baruch Spinoza would say: “Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.”