“I believe we need to talk the language of peace with the person,
in the person’s language.” ---------------------- Mobina Jaffer

Languages and peace are not usually uttered in the same sentence; nevertheless, Senator Mobina Jaffer did not hesitate to associate them in her candid interview with us. A charismatic and brilliant lawyer, a woman of deep compassion and generosity, Ms. Jaffer is well known in the spheres of law, politics, peace mediation, social justice, community and advocacy for women refugees, and these represent a few of the causes that have benefited from her tireless giving.

Born in Uganda, Senator Jaffer experienced first-hand the plight of refugee claimants. After completing studies in law in England and Canada, she focused on Canada’s immigration rules and procedures and began advocating for judicial reforms to improve the circumstances of refugees. She has worked extensively to educate legislators on the particular issues facing women refugees or women living in zones of conflict. Her endeavors have led her to places like Israel and Darfur to promote peace.

In Canada, the Senator devotes herself to justice and peace through her involvement in a vast array of organizations such as: the YWCA of Canada, the Aga Khan National Conciliation and Arbitration Board, the Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women, the New Door Transition Home, the Hastings Institute, a promoter of multiculturalism, and the Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of British Columbia and the Yukon.

Senator Jaffer cites education as the key element to foster sharing and understanding amongst people. When asked what advice she would offer to the youth, the leaders of the future, she stated: “Never give up on education. If any young people are listening to me, I would say two things to them. One is: beg, borrow, but get a maximum education. Get grants; get relatives to pay because you will be able to pay back ten fold. The second thing is: Don’t stop learning languages, because the more languages we know the better understanding we have for each other. I believe we need to talk the language of peace with the person, in the person’s language. And so if I had to live my life again, I would learn more languages.”

Canada is truly blessed to have such compassionate and exemplary leaders who put the greater good above all in the spirit of service and dedication to humankind.

For more information, please visit Senator Jaffer’s web-site: http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb/senate/isenator_det.asp?senator_id=168&sortord

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