Liza Chambers and Lucas Welch

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2004

Liza Chambers and Lucas Welch

Soliya

http://www.soliya.net

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Community Improvement & Economic Development, Non-Violence

The Bold Idea:

Tensions between people in the United States and the Muslim World have reached dangerous heights. Yet people in these respective communities generally do not have opportunities to communicate directly with one another effectively. Efforts to bring these groups together have been limited by high costs and logistical constraints. In response, Soliya aims to build intercultural understanding between young adults in the US and predominantly Muslim countries in the Middle East and galvanize them to become agents of change in their societies.

Soliya is developing a global network of young adults and empowering them to bridge the divide between the "West" and the "Arab & Muslim World."  Using the latest in “social media” technologies and cutting-edge methodologies, Soliya is providing a new intercultural generation of young adults with the skills, knowledge and relationships they need to develop a nuanced understanding of the issues that divide them.  By offering unique training, tools and opportunities to convey this understanding to their broader communities, Soliya is empowering these young adults to play a constructive role in creating a more informed, just and peaceful global society.

Biography:

Liza’s and Lucas’ careers, both graduates of Brown University, have been guided by a deep interest in the relationship between the US and the Muslim World. Liza, also a graduate from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, has extensive experience in conflict resolution and youth education work. Lucas’ career has focused on media and intercultural communication, including working as a producer for ABC News and teaching at Birzeit University in the Palestinian Territories.

In an interview, Liza and Lucas talk to Echoing Green about starting Soliya and their hopes for the future.

Moment of Obligation: When and why did you decide to start your organization?
In the wake of September 11th, the lack of constructive communication between the US and the Muslim World was deeply unsettling to both Lucas and Liza. Lucas left his job at ABC News soon thereafter to start Soliya, with the belief that the creative use of new media technologies could help bridge that divide. Liza continued her work as a facilitator and conflict resolution skills trainer, but attempted to shift her focus more directly towards the relationship between the US and the Muslim World. Lucas & Liza met in the summer of 2003, right after Liza left her job in order to pursue her dream of working full-time to improve US-Muslim World relations. They quickly saw that they had a common vision and complementary skill-sets and decided to work together.

Who do you look up to and why?
Liza: I lived and worked in South Africa in 1994 and 1995 right after the end of apartheid and have returned periodically ever since. I have deep respect for so many people there who were part of the struggle against apartheid and the transition to genuine democracy. In addition to the well-known figures, who I do respect deeply, like Nelson Mandela or Desmond Tutu, I think of individuals with enormous integrity who have made improving South Africa their life-work without ever demanding recognition, like my former boss, Martin Mulcahy. I also have to say, though this may be cliché, that the other person I look up to tremendously is my mother. She is a woman of strength, courage and integrity, who never stops growing and learning.

Lucas: Bono for his passion. Kofi Annan for his grace. Nelson Mandela for his forgiveness.

A snapshot in ten years: What is your dream of what's happening? What impact has your organization had?
Our dream is of a world where people can communicate directly with each other when there is misunderstanding between them and have the skills and the knowledge they need to do so effectively. In this dream, Soliya has nurtured the establishment of a new generation of “intercultural ambassadors” with key media-production, leadership and communication skills, a deep understanding of international issues, and the ability to look critically at themselves and their own societies. These young adults have not only built a bridge between the US & the Muslim World, they have become agents for change within their own countries, promoting understanding, awareness, and constructive global engagement.

What's in your CD player right now?
Liza: Sibongile Khumalo, Indigo Girls, Lauryn Hill

Lucas: Thievery Corporation, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Hotel Costes

What are a few book recommendations (pleasure, work and anything in between)?

• Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution by Howard Rheingold
• Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny by Robert Wright
• The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence, and the Will of the People by Jonathan Schell
• Networks and Netwars: The Future of Terror, Crime, and Militancy edited by John Arquilla and David F. Ronfeldt
• Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software by Steven Johnson
• Mediating Dangerously by Kenneth Cloake
• When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron

What websites do you go to often (work and personal)?

• BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk
• Cursor, www.cursor.org
• The Onion, www.theonion.com

Quick piece of advice for people starting social change organizations:
Get a "real" job. Chances are that it will take a lot longer than you think to get to the point where you’re able to sustain yourself through your work. While it will be draining to have a job while trying to move the organization forward, our guess is that it’s good training for the demands you will face when it is up and running. We also think it’s very important to do something other than write proposals even if not what you intend to do once you are appropriately funded. It will give you credibility with potential funding sources and remind you of why you started down this road in the first place. With that said, it’s also important to develop a core group of people who keep you focused on your vision. They can help you develop and refine your ideas and they can help keep your vision alive on days (or weeks) when you feel tired or discouraged.