Love and Forgiveness in Governance: Exemplars: Lisa Gibson

by Milly Ibanda, Rabia Algadiri, Melissa Kelley, Iman Bugaighis, Harold Britton, Delores Lutz, and Stephanie Downes

Ms. Lisa Gibson is an attorney, author, and humanitarian who has shown love, grace, and forgiveness through her collaboration with hostile government leaders, including Muammar Qaddafi. Lisa's brother was killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie. Since that time, she has worked to apply forgiveness, including writing a letter of forgiveness to the man convicted by Scotland as the mastermind of the Lockerbie bombing and advocating for his release when he became terminally ill. She also met face-to-face with Muammar Qaddafi and she told him she "forgave him for ordering the attack."

Lisa's work and courage has brought about improved conditions for Libyan citizens and even influenced the popular movement that ultimately brought about a democratic government in Libya. After Lisa lost her brother in the Lockerbie attack, she pursued a degree in law with the desire to use her training to build peace and reconciliation in Libya. Before the death of Qaddafi, Lisa established Peace and Prosperity Alliance and sought to meet dignitaries, ambassadors, and other Libyan public figures. After the fighting ceased, Lisa took a team to Libya to help people in need and has recently returned to teach leaders and students about peace and restoration rather than revenge and war.

During the first months of the Libyan revolution, the international community and civil society non-governmental organizations (NGO) supported the masses. Prosperity Alliance was among the pioneering NGOs that provided humanitarian support to the masses. During that time, it was apparent that what the Libyan people needed most was capacity-building programs to unlearn what the tyrant had tried to implant and to relearn the principles of democracy and leadership. Lisa Gibson offered crucially needed financial and capacity-building support during this period.

In addition, she made efforts to recruit professional trainers to share their experiences, skills, and knowledge with the Libyan people, aimed at supporting the evolution of a new vision that can enlighten transformation from the past to a positive future in Libya. The workplace conflict management presented by Lisa was among the seminal courses that inspired attendance and has been highly valued. The personal experience of reconciliation that Lisa has been through after the tragic loss of her brother in the Lockerbie tragic incident is inspirational.

Lisa is a role model to the Libyan people, where she succeeded in transforming her suffering and pain into grace and love for the people who were oppressed by the same person who was accused of her brother's death. In December 2012, Lisa spent the anniversary of her brother's loss and her Christmas holiday helping facilitate workshops in Benghazi, Libya, in spite of warnings by American foreign ministers about the danger of travel to Libya. She was allowed to teach and speak in Libya when few Americans were allowed into the country. Lisa has taken her message of forgiveness all over the world, including to war-torn countries like Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Egypt, and Israel, sharing her message of love, hope, and reconciliation.

Lisa is a sought-after speaker and has been asked repeatedly to speak on CNN, FOX News, Anderson Cooper, BBC, New York Post and local Colorado TV news stations. Lisa is a true humanitarian. Some of her achievements include but are not limited to the following: Christian Book Choice Award 1st Place for her book "Life in Death." Lisa Gibson's second book, "Releasing the Chains — Timeless Wisdom on How to Forgive Anyone for Anything," was just released. Some of her other achievements include World's Women For Life Secretary 2009, Denver and Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Libya Partnership Leadership Team, Director of Mission's Council, Nebraska Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association, Past International Coordinator For United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, and Past Executive Vice President Omaha Junior Chamber of Commerce. Lisa currently serves as Vice Chair of the Colorado Springs Human Relations Commission.