robin lim's address to italian parliament - November 5, 2006
Robin Lim - Speech to Parliament of Italy
Oct. 5, 2006
Assalamualaikum, Om Shanti, Blessings of Peace.
My honored hosts and hostesses, of the Chamber of Deputies, of the beautiful
country of Italy. Thank you for welcoming me here today. I accept your
hospitality on behalf of Ikatan Bidan Indonesia, (Indonesian Midwives'
Association), as well as the families, mothers and babies I serve in
Indonesia.
It seems Alexander Langer Foundation has chosen to honor my work with the
families suffering economically due to terrorism in Bali and the survivors
of the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh because Bumi Sehat Foundation believes
that peace begins with the smallest citizen, peace begins with babies.
Research has now shown us what midwives have always known: that there is an
exact connection between women, peace and the environment. This is
fortunately still part of Indonesian tradition and culture. We must remember
that birth trauma interferes with the connection between heart and mind. It
is this connection that is necessary for individuals to grow into the caring
citizens of earth who protect one another and their environment.
Gentle birth - heals Mother Earth.
We can only protect the future generations from trauma at birth by
protecting the mothers in pregnancy, birth and post partum.
We must encourage the loving involvement of fathers in the creative process
of bearing children. Society, beginning with its leaders, both political and
religious, must honor the role of mother and father. We must recognize the
value of mothers' work, for on the lap of mother children learn love and
compassion, they learn to care for all living things and for our precious
planet.
We must fiercely promote and protect breastfeeding. These simple steps lay
the foundation for optimal human life. How beautiful our planet will be,
when every individual can live his or her full potential, just by keeping
life simple and natural. In the words of Alexander Langer, "Peace between
humans and nature will be attained when we learn to live simply."
I believe that this must become a reality in all countries and cultures
throughout our planet for environmental balance, peace and nonviolence to
succeed.
The good news is that gentle, natural birth and feeding children at the
breast is a very inexpensive model of care.
It seems that Italy is making progress towards caring for each and every
mother and precious child. For this you must be very proud.
Caring for pregnant women is not so easy in countries and places where the
people are malnourished, victims of conflict and natural disasters, yet it
can and must be achieved.
Every child we help into the world gently and every child we breastfeed is a
victory toward a healthy society. Because I believe the preservation of our
planet and world peace can be reached in baby steps.
Oct. 5, 2006
Assalamualaikum, Om Shanti, Blessings of Peace.
My honored hosts and hostesses, of the Chamber of Deputies, of the beautiful
country of Italy. Thank you for welcoming me here today. I accept your
hospitality on behalf of Ikatan Bidan Indonesia, (Indonesian Midwives'
Association), as well as the families, mothers and babies I serve in
Indonesia.
It seems Alexander Langer Foundation has chosen to honor my work with the
families suffering economically due to terrorism in Bali and the survivors
of the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh because Bumi Sehat Foundation believes
that peace begins with the smallest citizen, peace begins with babies.
Research has now shown us what midwives have always known: that there is an
exact connection between women, peace and the environment. This is
fortunately still part of Indonesian tradition and culture. We must remember
that birth trauma interferes with the connection between heart and mind. It
is this connection that is necessary for individuals to grow into the caring
citizens of earth who protect one another and their environment.
Gentle birth - heals Mother Earth.
We can only protect the future generations from trauma at birth by
protecting the mothers in pregnancy, birth and post partum.
We must encourage the loving involvement of fathers in the creative process
of bearing children. Society, beginning with its leaders, both political and
religious, must honor the role of mother and father. We must recognize the
value of mothers' work, for on the lap of mother children learn love and
compassion, they learn to care for all living things and for our precious
planet.
We must fiercely promote and protect breastfeeding. These simple steps lay
the foundation for optimal human life. How beautiful our planet will be,
when every individual can live his or her full potential, just by keeping
life simple and natural. In the words of Alexander Langer, "Peace between
humans and nature will be attained when we learn to live simply."
I believe that this must become a reality in all countries and cultures
throughout our planet for environmental balance, peace and nonviolence to
succeed.
The good news is that gentle, natural birth and feeding children at the
breast is a very inexpensive model of care.
It seems that Italy is making progress towards caring for each and every
mother and precious child. For this you must be very proud.
Caring for pregnant women is not so easy in countries and places where the
people are malnourished, victims of conflict and natural disasters, yet it
can and must be achieved.
Every child we help into the world gently and every child we breastfeed is a
victory toward a healthy society. Because I believe the preservation of our
planet and world peace can be reached in baby steps.