I believe it is possible for ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. For me, the difference between an "ordinary" and an "extraordinary" person is not the title that person might have, but what they do to make the world a better place for us all.
I have no idea why people choose to do what they do. When I was a kid I didnt know what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I did know what I didnt want to do. I didnt want to grow up, have kids, get married, the whole white picket fence thing. And I certainly didnt think about being an activist. I didnt even really know what one was.
My older brother was born deaf. Growing up, I ended up defending him and I often think that is what started me on my path to whatever it is I am today.
When I was approached with the idea of trying to create a landmine campaign, we were just three people in a small office in Washington DC in late 1991. I certainly had more than a few ideas about how to begin a campaign, but what if nobody cared? What if nobody responded? But I knew the only way to answer those questions was to accept the challenge.
If I have any power as an individual, its because I work with other individuals in countries all over the world. We are ordinary people： My friend Jemma from Armenia； Paul from Canada； Kosal, a landmine survivor from Cambodia； Haboubba from Lebanon； Christian from Norway； Diana from Colombia； Margaret, another landmine survivor from Uganda； and thousands more. Weve all worked together to bring about extraordinary change. The landmine campaign is not just about landmines —— its about the power of individuals to work with governments in a different way.
I believe in both my right and my responsibility to work to create a world that doesnt glorify violence and war, but where we seek different solutions to our common problems. I believe that these days, daring to voice your opinion, daring to find out information from a variety of sources, can be an act of courage.
展开
