{"id":1876,"date":"2026-07-06T22:15:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T22:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/?p=1876"},"modified":"2026-07-06T22:15:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T22:15:40","slug":"letters-beyond-borders-building-peace-justice-and-strong-institutions-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/letters-beyond-borders-building-peace-justice-and-strong-institutions-together\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters Beyond Borders: Building Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Together"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This letter exchange between Steve Austin Francis from India and Lucien Kalunga from the Democratic Republic of Congo explores Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Through thoughtful reflections and personal perspectives, they examine conflict, justice, governance, corruption, digital transformation, youth engagement, and social inclusion, highlighting both the universal nature of these challenges and the importance of citizen participation in building peaceful, just, and resilient societies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LETTER 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEVE AUSTIN FRANCIS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Lucien Kalunga,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to development, most discussion tends to lean towards economic growth, infrastructure or sustainability of the environment. However, under the surface of manifested improvements, lies a rather hidden cornerstone the existence of peace, justice, and robust institutions. Understanding this, the UN presented Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) as a key pillar in the 2030 Agenda. In comparison to other goals, SDG 16 is about systems, values, and structures that enable sustainable development to be achieved in the first place. In its simplest form, SDG 16 is all about building societies where people are secure, laws are enforced equality, and institutions are transparent and accountable. Such aspects might be abstract, yet the unavailability is too conspicuous. Areas afflicted by war, lack of democracy, or poor governance tend to have poverty, inequality and instability cycles. Recent estimates in the world indicate that more than 110 million individuals have been forcibly displaced as a result of conflict and violence-an eye-opener that highlights just how tenuous peace is in most locations on earth. Peace in the sense of SDG 16 does not only mean the absence of war. It entails the absence of fear, violence and exploitation in daily life. Crime, domestic violence and social unrest are all types of social fabric eaters of a country. Indicatively, the countries that have serious homicide challenges have tendencies of reducing investor trust and lost opportunities in developing the economy. Conversely, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda depicts how a nation can undergo peace-building and reconciliation in order to be transformed. With the help of community-based justice systems and institutional changes, Rwanda has restored trust and relative stability, making it possible to resume a steady economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interwoven and complementary of peace is the concept of justice. 16 SDG is focused on equality and justice to all people, but it is one of the greatest challenges worldwide. It is reckoned that more than 5 billion people do not have real access to justice because of either financial means, the complexity of the process, or because the system is just inefficient. The judicial systems in most of these countries have piles of delays and back books and justice is not just inaccessible, but also ineffective. An example is the implementation of fast-track courts and digital case management systems in India to overcome these issues such as a more general trend to reform judicial systems throughout the world. Assuring fair and timely justice is however, still a thorn in the flesh. Strong institutions are the third pillar of the SDG 16 and is possibly the most important one. Institutions are the supporting systems of governance which determines the manner in which policies are realized, and resources are allocated. Even the well-designed policies would not deliver results when the institutions are weak or corrupt. Corruption especially, is still crippling the development activities of the world. The amount of the problem is remarkable: about 5 percent of world GDP is lost to corruption, and each year bribes paid are estimated to be up to 1 trillion dollars. More than monetary loss, corruption damages the trustfulness of people and exacerbates inequality. Positively, this has been shown to be possible, particularly by the example of a few nations which have strengthened their institutions by incorporating innovations and a strong political determination. An example is Estonia which has become a leader in digital governance worldwide. It has minimized chances of corruption as it has been used to digitalize the public services and enhanced efficiency by minimizing human intervention. On the same note, India has been benefiting through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system which has been using the digital infrastructure to see that the beneficiaries receive the government subsidies directly without any leakages and increasing transparency. Technology has emerged as an effective facilitator of SDG 16 in recent years. Digital tools are changing the workings of governments with e-governance sites and blockchain-based record systems. These innovations are not just efficient but also ensure accountability as they are able to provide transparent and traceable systems. Nevertheless, they also come with new challenges, including those of cybersecurity threats and data privacy, and they should be put into consideration carefully. Inclusivity is another key aspect of SDG 16. Effective institutions should embody diversity of the communities they represent. The inclusive decision-making process guarantees that the disempowered groups of women, minorities, and disadvantaged in the economy have representation in the government. Initiatives like gender quotas in political representation have proved to have encouraging outcomes in terms of inclusiveness. However, obstacles and social inequalities are still present in order to restrict the participation in most regions of the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The contribution of the private sector in the progress of SDG 16 is in the limelight. Businesses are economic institutions but also powerful players in the formulation of governance and ethical principles. Institutional integrity is facilitated by corporate practices like transparency reporting, anti-corruption practices, or even compliance with Environmental, social and Governance (ESG) practices. The demonstration of what can be accomplished by ethical governance by companies such as Microsoft and Unilever has shown that corporate reputation as well as trust of the society can be intensified, which supports the assumption that sustainable development is a joint command. Although there is an evidenced improvement, SDG 16 is still challenging to attain. The non-democratic atmosphere, laxity in law enforcement, and the emergence of fake news has played a role in losing trust in institutions. Moreover, there is the emergence of cybercrime and digital fraud due to the rapid advancement of technology and providing new grounds of concern to policymakers. All these issues need to be addressed with a multi-layered solution, which involves legal changes, the use of the newest technological advances, and active participation of the citizens. Moving forward, the way forward to SDG 16 is fortified cooperation at every stage; local, national, international. Governments need to invest into efficiency of judicial system, implement anti-corruption strategies and enhance transparency. Peacekeeping and capacity-building must be reinforced through actions by international organizations. Meanwhile, the citizenry should not be ignorant and passive, since it should compel institutions to be held accountable and seek justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To sum up, SDG 16 is the veil of architecture of the sustainable world. It is the structure under which all other development initiatives are being backed solidly and as such progress is attained and maintained. High uncertainty and rapid changes in this period make the pressing need of a peaceful society, a just court system, and solid institutions more urgent than ever. With the focus on these values, the world community will be able to establish a future that will be not only prosperous but also just, inclusive, and resilient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanking you,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve Austin Francis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LETTER 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LUCIEN KALUNGA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bukavu, le 24 Avril 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cher Steve Austin,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai lu ta lettre avec beaucoup d\u2019attention, et je dois te dire qu\u2019elle m\u2019a profond\u00e9ment touch\u00e9. La mani\u00e8re dont tu d\u00e9cris l\u2019ODD 16, non pas comme un simple objectif administratif mais comme une architecture invisible qui soutient tout le reste, m\u2019a vraiment parl\u00e9. Ici, en R\u00e9publique D\u00e9mocratique du Congo, nous vivons chaque jour la v\u00e9rit\u00e9 de ce que tu affirmes : sans paix, sans justice, sans institutions solides, tout le reste vacille.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tu sais, quand tu \u00e9cris que plus de 110 millions de personnes sont d\u00e9plac\u00e9es de force dans le monde \u00e0 cause des conflits, je ne vois pas seulement un chiffre. Je pense \u00e0 Goma, \u00e0 Beni, \u00e0 Bunagana, \u00e0 Kasika, \u00e0 toutes ces r\u00e9gions de l\u2019Est de mon pays o\u00f9 des familles enti\u00e8res fuient les violences, parfois pour la deuxi\u00e8me ou la troisi\u00e8me fois de leur vie. La paix, ici, n\u2019est pas une abstraction. C\u2019est le visage d\u2019une m\u00e8re qui marche des jours entiers avec ses enfants pour trouver un abri pr\u00e9caire dans un camp de d\u00e9plac\u00e9s. Mon pays, porte le poids de d\u00e9cennies de conflits qui ont fractur\u00e9 le tissu social. Mais ce que ta lettre m\u2019a rappel\u00e9, c\u2019est qu\u2019il ne suffit pas de d\u00e9poser les armes. La paix v\u00e9ritable, celle qui enl\u00e8ve la peur du quotidien, est encore devant nous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tu \u00e9voques le Rwanda et son chemin de justice transitionnelle apr\u00e8s le g\u00e9nocide. Cela a fait \u00e9cho en moi, car la RDC essaie, elle aussi, d\u2019emprunter ce chemin difficile. Ici, nous parlons beaucoup de justice transitionnelle : comment reconstruire une nation quand les blessures sont encore ouvertes, quand les auteurs de violences vivent parfois \u00e0 c\u00f4t\u00e9 de leurs victimes ? Des ateliers de r\u00e9flexion sont men\u00e9s, notamment par les autorit\u00e9s et les organisations de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 civile, pour poser les piliers de cette justice qui doit \u00eatre \u00e0 la fois exigeante et r\u00e9paratrice. On y parle de v\u00e9rit\u00e9, de justice, de r\u00e9paration et de garanties de non-r\u00e9p\u00e9tition. Ce sont des mots presque trop techniques pour ce qu\u2019ils recouvrent : des familles qui veulent savoir o\u00f9 sont leurs morts, des femmes viol\u00e9es qui attendent r\u00e9paration, des communaut\u00e9s qui refusent que l\u2019horreur recommence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mais la justice en RDC, c\u2019est un combat contre des obstacles immenses. Des efforts existent : des dizaines de jugements ont \u00e9t\u00e9 rendus pour des crimes internationaux depuis une vingtaine d\u2019ann\u00e9es. Pourtant, quand je regarde la r\u00e9alit\u00e9 en face, je vois des tribunaux qui manquent de moyens, des proc\u00e8s qui tra\u00eenent pendant des ann\u00e9es, des victimes qui ne re\u00e7oivent jamais les r\u00e9parations promises, et l\u2019ombre de la corruption qui plane sur tout cela. La justice est trop souvent une promesse lointaine, surtout pour les plus pauvres. Cela me rend admiratif des exemples que tu cites dans ta lettre, comme la mise en place des tribunaux acc\u00e9l\u00e9r\u00e9s et de syst\u00e8me de gestion num\u00e9rique des dossiers judiciaires dans votre pays l\u2019Inde. Dis-moi, Steve, ces r\u00e9formes changent-elles vraiment la vie des gens ordinaires chez toi ? Est-ce que la num\u00e9risation de la justice profite au paysan qui vit loin des villes, ou bien cr\u00e9e-t-elle une nouvelle fracture entre ceux qui ont acc\u00e8s \u00e0 la technologie et les autres ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai aussi \u00e9t\u00e9 frapp\u00e9 par ta r\u00e9flexion sur les institutions solides comme troisi\u00e8me pilier. En RDC, nous savons intimement ce que signifie la faiblesse institutionnelle. La corruption, dont tu parles si justement, est un poison lent. Elle d\u00e9tourne les ressources qui devraient construire des \u00e9coles et des h\u00f4pitaux, elle \u00e9rode la confiance des citoyens, elle fait douter de la possibilit\u00e9 m\u00eame d\u2019un avenir commun. Pourtant, des voix s\u2019\u00e9l\u00e8vent, des initiatives existent. Les organisations de la Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Civile, travaille sans rel\u00e2che pour renforcer la cohabitation pacifique et pour que les citoyens, et en particulier les femmes, prennent leur place dans les d\u00e9cisions. Nous apprenons que les institutions ne se r\u00e9forment pas seulement d\u2019en haut, par des lois, mais aussi d\u2019en bas, par une exigence citoyenne quotidienne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ta lettre m\u2019a beaucoup fait r\u00e9fl\u00e9chir sur la coop\u00e9ration dont tu parles en conclusion. Nous sommes tous dans le m\u00eame bateau, n\u2019est-ce pas ? Nos pays, la RDC, l\u2019Inde, ont des histoires diff\u00e9rentes, des d\u00e9fis diff\u00e9rents, mais je retrouve dans tes mots la m\u00eame urgence et le m\u00eame espoir qui nous animent ici. Construire des soci\u00e9t\u00e9s paisibles, justes et inclusives est un travail de chaque instant, et ce travail nous lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019aimerais beaucoup en savoir plus sur ce que tu vis concr\u00e8tement. Dans ta ville, comment la gouvernance num\u00e9rique se traduit-elle au quotidien ? As-tu le sentiment que la confiance dans les institutions grandit ? Et comment la question de l\u2019inclusion des minorit\u00e9s est-elle v\u00e9cue dans un pays \u00e0 la diversit\u00e9 aussi immense que le tien ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je te remercie, Steve, pour le s\u00e9rieux et la profondeur de ton partage. Je sens que nos \u00e9changes pourront nous aider \u00e0 mieux comprendre non seulement le monde, mais aussi nos propres pays, vus \u00e0 travers le regard d\u2019un ami lointain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avec toute mon amiti\u00e9,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucien Kalunga<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LETTER 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEVE AUSTIN FRANCIS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Lucien Kalunga,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopefully this letter reaches you in good health and great cheer and happy spirits. In my previous letter, I outlined the SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) in greater detail and showed its context and importance. While I was investigating this aim, however, I came to understand that SDG 16 is not just a government or legal issue, but one that is very linked to the lives of ordinary folks. It shapes trust in our communities, trust in relationships with others and a strong trust in institutions. With each turning over of the brain around this objective, I realize that there is a misunderstanding about peace. Peace, many think of as the “lack of war” is not enough. It is possible for a society not be at war and injustice, discrimination, corruption or violence to exist in the homes and communities within that society. Real peace is born where the people feel secure and respected and heard. Constructed, of course, not solely by legislation and policy, and through empathy, equality, and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I experience it in India, without strong institutions, there is no hope in the transformation of the society. In all countries, over the years digital governance efforts have contributed to enhance transparency and access. Digital systems including online public grievance portals, digital identity systems and direct benefit transfers have minimised corruption and boosted efficiency of welfare programmes. While on the surface level these are administrative changes, for millions of people, these changes are about dignity and fairness. As long as government aid is delivered directly to the target population without being misused, timeliness builds confidence in the institutions. Profitable developments albeit hindered by notable world challenges remain. Public hesitation over government policies is appreciated as they fuel corruption, lack of information and social differences. Many people in many countries don’t trust legal institutions due to a variety of factors including speed, cost and perceived neutrality. International reports place the cost of billions of people still lacking meaningful access to justice throughout the world. This statistic is alarming, for justice is a right of man and not a privilege. If there is injustice, any society tends to be split up, and over time inequalities grow. The epidemic of misinformation in the digital age is a troubling point of concern to me. The world is so interconnected through social media, but it has also been a cause of confusion and division. Misinformation can impact on elections, can be used to create panic, and can be used to inspire hatred between communities. We have witnessed instances around the world where misinformation has led to quickened social polarization and loss of faith in democratic institutions. This makes it clear that digital governance and media competence are essential elements of responsible institutions today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The involvement of youth is another element to pay attention to when addressing SDG 16. The youth is another element that cannot be overlooked when talking about SDG 16. Young people are considered to be as future leaders, but I would rather say that young people are present day \u2018changemakers’. From around the globe, students and young activists have risen up and turned against injustice, corruption, discrimination, and violence. Them they say, “Peace-building can happen in the voices of the common folk, among those who prefer speaking with each other, rather than fighting; preferring speaking with each other rather than fighting, preferring speaking with each other, rather than fighting, each one of them speaks with each other, rather than fighting. For instance, youth-led groups are active now that promote harmony in the community, awareness of mental health as well as literacy for the law. In certain areas young volunteers lead workshops on people’s rights and legal safeguards under their constitution. All of this is done in a way that is modest, but it is enough to invigorate the culture within the realm of democracy and social responsibility. I am convinced that education is an important part of the solution in attaining SDG 16 because informed citizens will be able to question injustice and ensure the protection of democratic values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developed countries are additionally struggling with SDG 16-related issues. Yet, from time to time, racial discrimination, police accountability, polarization of opinion, and cybercrime raise the question, \u201cwhat is really understood by peace and justice.\u201d Thus SDG 16 is not an exclusive objective for developing countries, but is a universal statement that applies to all countries. In my personal experience, this project has disrupted my conception of development! Previously, I had thought that \u201cdevelopment\u201d was primarily a matter of economic expansion, technology, and infrastructure. But now I realize that if there are no justice, equality and accountability of institutions, development is not complete. If people within a nation live in fear, distrust and exclusion, the nation cannot truly progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope to hear your ideas and understand the perceptions of problems concerning peace and justice in your country and community at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanking you,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve Austin Francis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LETTER 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LUCIEN KALUNGA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bukavu, le 25 mai 2026                                                                                                                <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cher Steve,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ta troisi\u00e8me lettre m\u2019est parvenue comme une confirmation de tout ce que nous avons commenc\u00e9 \u00e0 b\u00e2tir ensemble dans cet \u00e9change. Nous touchons \u00e0 la fin de notre correspondance, et je tiens \u00e0 te dire avant toute chose combien ces lettres ont compt\u00e9 pour moi. Elles m\u2019ont oblig\u00e9 \u00e0 regarder mon propre pays avec des yeux neufs, \u00e0 chercher des mots justes pour des r\u00e9alit\u00e9s parfois rudes, et \u00e0 recevoir les tiens comme des fen\u00eatres ouvertes sur l\u2019Inde que tu vis et que tu penses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tu \u00e9cris que la paix v\u00e9ritable ne se r\u00e9duit pas \u00e0 l\u2019absence de guerre, qu\u2019elle se construit dans le sentiment d\u2019\u00eatre en s\u00e9curit\u00e9, respect\u00e9, \u00e9cout\u00e9. Cette phrase, je l\u2019ai lue plusieurs fois. Ici, dans l\u2019Est de la RDC, nous savons que les armes peuvent se taire un temps sans que la paix ne s\u2019installe vraiment. La paix, c\u2019est aussi une voisine qui accepte de t\u00e9moigner en justice sans craindre des repr\u00e9sailles. C\u2019est un enfant d\u00e9plac\u00e9 qui retrouve le chemin de l\u2019\u00e9cole sans \u00eatre montr\u00e9 du doigt. C\u2019est un petit commer\u00e7ant qui traverse un poste transfrontalier sans devoir payer un \u00ab quelque chose \u00bb invisible mais obligatoire. La paix, comme tu le dis, est affaire de dignit\u00e9 quotidienne. Et cette dignit\u00e9 est encore trop souvent bless\u00e9e ici, par des violences sexuelles utilis\u00e9es comme arme de guerre, par l\u2019impunit\u00e9 qui s\u2019installe en habitude, par des institutions qui peinent \u00e0 prot\u00e9ger les plus faibles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tu m\u2019as interrog\u00e9 sur ma perception des probl\u00e8mes de paix et de justice dans ma communaut\u00e9. Je vis \u00e0 Bukavu, une ville magnifique suspendue entre le lac Kivu et les collines vertes, mais une ville qui porte en elle les cicatrices de d\u00e9cennies de conflits r\u00e9gionaux. Dans ma communaut\u00e9, la m\u00e9fiance envers la justice est profonde. Les gens se parlent \u00e0 voix basse des exactions que les forces de l\u2019ordre devraient pr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment emp\u00eacher. Pourtant, je vois aussi des raisons d\u2019esp\u00e9rer. Des organisations de jeunes, organisent des ateliers, des conf\u00e9rences pour expliquer les lois, les droits des citoyens, les recours possibles. Ils utilisent les radios communautaires, parfois m\u00eame les r\u00e9seaux sociaux pour toucher ceux qui ne liront jamais un texte de loi, m\u00eame si  actuellement c\u2019est plus compliqu\u00e9 vu la situation politique et s\u00e9curitaire qui pr\u00e9vaut. Ce sont des actes modestes, presque invisibles, mais ils tissent une culture de l\u2019exigence d\u00e9mocratique. Ta description des jeunes \u00ab changemakers \u00bb indiens m\u2019a fait chaud au c\u0153ur : nous appartenons \u00e0 la m\u00eame g\u00e9n\u00e9ration qui refuse d\u2019attendre passivement que les choses s\u2019arrangent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ta r\u00e9flexion sur la gouvernance num\u00e9rique m\u2019a \u00e0 la fois impressionn\u00e9 et rendu songeur. Tu \u00e9voques dans ta lettre les portails de r\u00e9clamation en ligne, les syst\u00e8mes d\u2019identit\u00e9 num\u00e9rique et les transferts directs de prestations qui ont r\u00e9duit la corruption et am\u00e9lior\u00e9 l\u2019efficacit\u00e9 des programmes sociaux. J\u2019imagine ce que cela peut repr\u00e9senter en termes de dignit\u00e9 pour une m\u00e8re de famille qui re\u00e7oit son allocation sans interm\u00e9diaire. En RDC, nous sommes encore loin de cette r\u00e9alit\u00e9. Le t\u00e9l\u00e9phone portable est partout, mais la connectivit\u00e9 reste ch\u00e8re et instable. Je r\u00eave pour mon pays de syst\u00e8mes num\u00e9riques qui r\u00e9duiraient la corruption, mais je mesure aussi un risque : creuser un foss\u00e9 entre les citoyens connect\u00e9s et les autres. Dans les villages recul\u00e9s de chez nous, o\u00f9 l\u2019\u00e9lectricit\u00e9 est un luxe, la justice num\u00e9rique restera longtemps un mirage. Alors, comment faire ? Peut-\u00eatre en ne misant pas tout sur la technologie, mais en l\u2019associant \u00e0 des m\u00e9canismes communautaires de m\u00e9diation et de justice de proximit\u00e9, que les populations connaissent d\u00e9j\u00e0. J\u2019aimerais beaucoup, un jour, que tu me racontes comment un paysan indien d\u2019une r\u00e9gion rurale vit concr\u00e8tement cette transition num\u00e9rique. Ton dernier courrier n\u2019a pas eu le temps de r\u00e9pondre \u00e0 toutes mes questions, et je le comprends : ce sont des sujets trop vastes pour tenir dans quatre lettres. Mais sache que ma curiosit\u00e9 reste enti\u00e8re, et que j\u2019esp\u00e8re que nos \u00e9changes pourront continuer, m\u00eame hors du cadre de ce programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tu as mis le doigt sur un p\u00e9ril qui nous menace tous : la d\u00e9sinformation. En RDC, les rumeurs se propagent \u00e0 la vitesse du vent, et elles peuvent d\u00e9clencher des violences en quelques heures. J\u2019ai vu des communaut\u00e9s se d\u00e9chirer \u00e0 cause de fausses nouvelles sur les origines d\u2019une \u00e9pid\u00e9mie ou les intentions suppos\u00e9es d\u2019un groupe arm\u00e9. L\u2019\u00e9ducation aux m\u00e9dias, dont tu parles, me semble vitale. \u00c0 Bukavu, quelques initiatives apprennent aux gens \u00e0 v\u00e9rifier une source, \u00e0 douter d\u2019un message trop alarmiste. Mais le chemin est long, car la d\u00e9fiance envers les m\u00e9dias officiels nourrit aussi la cr\u00e9dulit\u00e9 envers la rumeur. Renforcer les institutions, c\u2019est aussi b\u00e2tir des m\u00e9dias ind\u00e9pendants, accessibles et capables de regagner la confiance des citoyens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je voudrais revenir enfin, sur une id\u00e9e que tu as magnifiquement exprim\u00e9e : l\u2019ODD 16 n\u2019est pas un objectif r\u00e9serv\u00e9 aux pays en d\u00e9veloppement. Ta lucidit\u00e9 sur les d\u00e9fis que rencontrent les nations dites d\u00e9velopp\u00e9es \u00e0 savoir les discriminations raciales, les violences polici\u00e8res, ou encore la cybercriminalit\u00e9, m\u2019a rappel\u00e9 que la paix et la justice sont des conqu\u00eates jamais d\u00e9finitives. Partout, les institutions peuvent s\u2019affaiblir si les citoyens cessent de les d\u00e9fendre. Partout, la tentation de la corruption ou du mensonge organis\u00e9 peut gangrener la vie publique. Cette universalit\u00e9 nous donne une responsabilit\u00e9 commune. Mon combat pour la paix au Congo rejoint le tien pour une justice plus transparente en Inde, et tous deux r\u00e9sonnent avec les luttes pour l\u2019\u00e9galit\u00e9 men\u00e9es ailleurs dans le monde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve, en commen\u00e7ant cette correspondance, je voyais l\u2019ODD 16 comme un chapitre abstrait des Nations Unies. Aujourd\u2019hui, gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 toi, il porte des visages, des histoires, des exemples concrets de ce que nous pouvons r\u00e9ussir ou r\u00e9parer. Tu m\u2019as appris \u00e0 regarder l\u2019Inde non pas comme une puissance \u00e9conomique lointaine, mais comme un laboratoire vivant de r\u00e9formes, d\u2019espoirs et de contradictions, exactement comme je vis la RDC. Nous sommes jeunes, nous habitons des continents diff\u00e9rents, mais nous sommes confront\u00e9s \u00e0 la m\u00eame question fondamentale : quel monde voulons-nous laisser \u00e0 ceux qui viendront apr\u00e8s nous ? Un monde de murs ou de ponts ? Un monde o\u00f9 la force prime sur le droit, ou l\u2019inverse ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je termine cette derni\u00e8re lettre avec une pointe de tristesse, car j\u2019aurais aim\u00e9 poursuivre encore longtemps ces conversations. Mais je la termine surtout avec une immense gratitude. Merci pour ta sinc\u00e9rit\u00e9, pour tes questions, pour la mani\u00e8re dont tu as honor\u00e9 la complexit\u00e9 des sujets. J\u2019esp\u00e8re que nos routes se croiseront ailleurs, peut-\u00eatre sur d\u2019autres projets, peut-\u00eatre en vrai, qui sait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prends soin de toi, Steve, et de tous ceux que tu aimes. Que nos deux pays avancent, pas \u00e0 pas, vers cette paix v\u00e9ritable dont tu parles si bien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avec toute mon amiti\u00e9 et mon estime,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucien Kalunga<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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