Love and Forgiveness in Governance: Exemplars: Richard Moore
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By Ruairi McKiernan
In 1972, whilst on his way home from school in Derry, Ireland, Richard Moore was blinded by a rubber bullet fired at point blank range into his face. However, he did not allow this incident to anger or embitter him and acknowledges: "I have learned to see life in a different way."[1] Now in his 50's, he is the founder and director of an International Development NGO called Children in Crossfire. The Dalai Lama refers to him as his 'hero' due to his message of peace and compassion, having sought out and befriended the soldier who blinded him at the age of 10. Richard's uncle, Gerard McKinney was also killed on Bloody Sunday in 1972. He is presently married and has two daughters, Naoimh and Enya. During his self-employed life, he owned two pubs, was a director of Derry City FC and now as well as being Executive Director of Children in Crossfire, he helps run a local community radio station, Drive 105.3FM.
The story of Richard Moore, the founder of Children in Crossfire was well captured in an article titled "Tragedy to Triumph".[2] Children in Crossfire has its roots in what began as a tragedy and ended as a triumph of the human spirit to overcome adversity. In 1996 Richard felt the need to harness all that he had experienced and learned and put it at the service of humanity, particularly children around the world who have been caught in the crossfire of poverty. Today, Children in Crossfire operate in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and the Gambia, working in partnership with local organizations to protect and promote the rights of some the world's most vulnerable children. Richard Moore's story is amazing, because from childhood to the present day, he has never allowed bitterness to stunt his development.
At an event with the Dalai Lama in Dublin in 2011, Richard Moore recounted the moving story of his life and through it, highlighted not just the power of forgiveness but also the power of choice. He reminded everyone of the potential we all have to change people's lives in a positive way — through even the smallest of acts. The Dalai Lama's book, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, reflected on his meeting with Richard. His Holiness said of Richard, "While I talk about forgiveness, you have made it part of your life. You have made it clear that if we practice compassion and forgiveness, it gives us peace of mind. This is a wonderful model for others to follow and you are a wonderful son of humanity."[3]
In recognition of Richard Moore's work for children, he was awarded 'Person of the Year' at the iBAM (Irish Books, Arts, and Film) Festival held in Chicago in 2012. He dedicated the award to Children in Crossfire and noted that "I owe this award to the children we work with. It would be a dead end if we can't make it something that benefits those children. We still have much more to do and we can't do it alone. The children we are trying to help are facing injustices every day of their lives." He also added, "In my thoughts were my family, my friends - all the people who taught me so much in life. Everything is underpinned by the values my mother and father gave me - not least among them the gift of forgiveness. I'm very conscious that I came through a traumatic experience. But I realize the reason I was able to do that is because of my family, friends and community. People have always been so good, so kind to me. They have always been the wind in my sails."[4]
