At a time when polarization is the true culprit,
a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary conference
addressing fear-based belief systems, negative stereotypes,
polarization, enemy images, scapegoating,
and artificial barriers of distrust that divide us.

ETO Full Conference PROGRAM
__________________________________________

Co-sponsored by:
Common Bond Institute (CBI), Global Ministries University, Santa Clara University,
Pacifica Institute,  International Humanistic Psychology Association

Supported by:
Meridian University, Silicon Valley Inter-religious Council
Endorsed by:
An international list of over 100 cooperating organizations and universities
Official Partner and Event of:
Charter For Compassion and Parliament of World's Religions

~ A Conference For Everyone ~
20 CEU's Available

Location:  Santa Clara University                      
                    500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA., USA 95053 (San Francisco Bay area)

Program Overview
ETO Full Conference Program
Presenter Biographicals and Photos
( See further information links below, including previous year's programs )

WE INVITE YOU TO:
an extraordinary international conference examining concepts of "The OTHER" from a universal, cross-cultural perspective to promote a wider public dialogue about images of "Us and Them"
JOIN over 40 presenters and facilitators to take part in 4 days of authentic dialogue bridging the divide and cultivating our capacity for appreciation of diversity, reconciliation, and genuine, respectful engagement.

PURPOSE AND GOALS:

Overall Goals of the Conference are to:

 Raise the level, depth, and breadth of public dialogue and awareness on core issues. The conference examines dimensions and dynamics of "The OTHER" on individual and group levels, and considers how enemy identity is formed, perpetuated, and manipulated.

 Identify and compile fundamental questions, dilemmas, and implications for further deep inquiry and examination in an expanding public dialogue, and to challenge embedded negative belief systems that promote adversarial perceptions of the "The Other."

 Tap our shared wisdom, compassion, and responsibility as a community - from the local to the global - in developing practical applications. Participants are encouraged to develop and share practical recommendations and strategies for applying results to the current state of local and world relationships to promote increased understanding, sensitivity, and compassion as a means of countering and neutralizing hostility, particularly inter-group hostility.

 Create Networking Opportunities to promote collaboration, action planning, and next steps following the conference.

 Formulate findings and products to make available to all - through publications, media, the Internet, educational curriculum, networks, community based dialogue groups, etc.

 On-Site Video Interviews and Proceedings
1 page Color Conference Flyer (in pdf)
1 page Black & White Conference Flyer (in pdf)
1 page Color Conference Poster - 8 1/2 X 14 size (in pdf)

 

                                                  An important, timely dialogue 
                                                           ....everyone needs to be part of.
FORMAT AND CONTENT:

An outstanding pool of over 45 Presenters and Facilitators gather with extensive experience in addressing concepts of The Other from diverse perspectives - social, cultural, psychological, political, spiritual, philosophical, ecological, and economic.

Structure of the ETO Conference. A 4 day program of:

1. Keynote Speakers
2. Topical Plenary Panels with leading speakers on theory, philosophy, and historical aspects
3. Concurrent Break-out Sessions of Workshops and Roundtables
4. Daily Facilitated Dialogue Groups to engage concepts, invite diverse perspectives, and explore practical applications.
5. Live 2-way Global Links to remote groups in other countries
6. Interactive All-conference Experiences
   
7. OptionFinder Voting and Tracking Process
8. Morning Yoga session
   
9. Evening Performances, Social-Cultural Events, and Community Activities.
10. Rich Networking Opportunities
    
11. Cross-cultural Community. Participants experience the conference program and community as a living learning laboratory, to explore conference themes and create a common ground of reference essential to engaging and integrating formal learning.
12. Final Action Planning Process for next steps beyond the conference.

Some Examples of Areas of Inquiry to Explore Within the Program:

 The Other - as humankind's oldest and most resilient foe.

 Our shared identity as The Other.

 The role of inherent sin and exclusive dogma in requiring the presence and embodiment of innate evil in the world, and vilifying an ever-present Other as it's expression.

 Dynamics of the energy of fear and exclusive group identity in formulating devaluing, dehumanizing and demonizing stereotypes that allow "good" people to do "bad" things to others by objectifying entire groups to the point of justifying inhumane treatment.

 Paradoxical dynamics of (mutual) victim identity, and victim becoming perpetrator.

 The inter-generational inheritance of unresolved trauma as part of cultural ethos (heroes, martyrs, and collateral damage).

 What happens to a society - short and long term - when the energy of fear, revenge, and victimization become systemic and are manipulated to galvanize a process of demonizing and dehumanizing a perceived Other to justify oppression, inhumane treatment and violence?

 Are there cultural myths that trigger reactionary rather than rational, proactive behavior? If so, what is the character of those myths?

 How can we better recognize and consciously transform negative belief systems, both on an individual and cultural level, and, in doing so, transform cultural ethos?

 What are effects of direct person to person contact on innate fear of the unknown and mysterious, and are there practical methods for experiencing this quality of contact in a global community?

COORDINATION WITH OTHER EFFORTS:
This ETO Conference series occurs in conjunction with an edited book in progress titled "Engaging The Other", addressing psycho-social concepts of "The OTHER" from a multi-cultural perspective, exploring unique possibilities when the energy of animosity and opposition is transformed into the power of healing and collaboration, and raising important questions for fuller examination. It is also programmatically linked to other international conferences, including the International Conference on Transforming Conflict (TC) (Jordan), the International Conference on Practical Models For Peace (PMP) (Israel), the International Conference on Religion, Conflict, and Peace  (RCP) (Michigan, USA), and a new event in 2012 - the International Conference on Transgenerational Trauma (TT) (Jordan). Like the above companion conferences, the ETO Conference is a cross-cultural collaboration for global representation.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND FOLLOW UP:

1)  Formulate findings and produce a resource of published results (articles, research papers, conference reports, and edited volume), recorded proceedings and interviews, media and art images, and a proposed documentary film geared toward both the global professional and lay public to increase awareness and stimulate engaged dialogue.

2)  Create and promote a working network of activists advancing the mission of the conference to explore practical collaborations across divides addressing the elements of polarization and enmity, and to nurture mutual understanding, respect, and compassion.

3)  Link ETO program to like-visioned international conferences and seed community based dialogue groups to expand the diversity of representation, build on each event's processes, and promote a widening public dialogue locally and globally.

4)  Create a joint conference resolution to publish and post widely.

5)  In collaboration with our international network of cooperating organizations and utilizing findings from the conference, plan and develop an "Engaging The Other" curriculum intended for application with schools and universities, community organizations, religious groups, government agencies, political groups, and the general public. (see description below).

 EXAMPLES OF PARTICIPANTS:  

 Anyone from the public
 Community leaders and activists, NGO representatives, Political leaders, Spiritual leaders, Peace activists, Government representatives, Students, Cultural/Ethnic and Spiritual Community representatives, Human Service providers, etc.
 Visionaries and front-line thinkers in social-political principles, psycho-social-spiritual dynamics, and human consciousness.  
 Academics, Social Science researchers, and Representatives of university departments, professional associations, and academic groups around the world (including Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Education, Political Science, Government, Religious studies, Philosophy, Peace studies, International studies, History, Law, Anthropology, Media, the Arts, etc.).
 Key participants from current or recent regions of turmoil in the world.

LOGISTICS:
Dates:         December 1-4, 2011
Location:    Santa Clara University                   
                    500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, Calif., USA 95053
                          (San Francisco Bay area)
Length:      4 day Conference (Thur. night opening to  Sun. afternoon closing).
Publicize:  Program Ads, Tote Bag Ads, Display Tables

2011 ETO Conference Information
         (* This section to be updated for Fall 2012 7th ETO Conference)

 Underlying Concepts
Main ETO Conference Page
Presenter Proposal Forms:   (PDF version)  (HTML version)
Dialogue Facilitator Forms: (PDF version)  (HTML version)
Program Overview and Guidelines
FEES and REGISTRATION 
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Site and Travel Information
ETO Full Conference PROGRAM
Presenter Biographicals and Photos   (to be posted)
Press Room
   1 page Color Conference Flyer (pdf)
   1 page Black & White Conference Flyer (pdf)
   1 page Color Conf. Poster - 8 1/2 X 14 size (pdf)
   On-Site Video Interviews and Proceedings  
   Conference Notice - Email version
Conference Staff Contacts
Volunteer Application - be part of the effort

Advertize and Display:
   Advertize in On-Site Conference Program
   Advertize on Participant Tote Bag
   Display Table Space

Be part of the effort
Join our conference Volunter Team: Volunteer Application
Contact: Common Bond Institute

TRAINING PROGRAM:

"Engaging The Other" Curriculum Project: A planned effort growing out of the ETO Conference series for conducting ongoing "Engaging The Other" programs in various locals to nurture capacity for sensitivity, understanding, inclusiveness, and appreciation for diversity. The curriculum will be designed for all age groups, to be socially and culturally sensitive, and made available to schools and universities, NGO's, community organizations, religious organizations, government agencies, political groups, etc.
Public Education: In line with this effort, program concepts will also be promoted to the general public through established and alternative media in various formats for wider public awareness, sensitivity, and understanding.

  Visit Us On Facebook
Find videos, photos, samples of our conferences, etc. on Facebook
at:  tinyurl.com/CBIonFB
or search for us on Facebook under: Common Bond Institute

 * Previous ETO Post-Conference Proceedings
~  from 2006, 2007 , 2008 and 2009~

View hundreds of beautiful and inspiring images

        
portraying both the content and energy of the ETO Conference

  Touch Drawing interpretation of all ETO Conferences 
by  Deborah Koff-Chapin 
All images are available for purchase through Deborah's website, whether as signed archival fine art prints or originals. *20% of proceeds from sale of prints is donated to Common Bond Institute in support of our programs. We encourage you to visit the Touch Drawing website to enjoy these and hundreds of more amazing images created by this artist, including drawings from both the '06, '07, and '08 ETO Conferences.
(* Please contact Deborah directly at:  deborah@touchdrawing.com )

FROM OUR ETO ARCHIVES:
'10, '09, '08, '07  & '06 Proceedings & Outcomes

Previous 2010 ETO Conf. Information:
       Previous 2010 ETO PROGRAM
       Previous 2010 Presenter Biographicals  
       2010 On-Site Video Interviews and Proceedings

Previous 2009 ETO Conf. Information:
       Content of 2009 Dialogue Group, HUB, and Open Space Notes
       2009 On-Site Video Interviews and Proceedings
       Previous 2009 ETO PROGRAM
       Previous 2009 Presenter Biographicals  
       Print Version of Program
Previous 2008 ETO Conf. Information:
       Touch Drawing interpretation of ETO Conferences * 
            (* Touch Drawing images of available for purchase)      
       Content of '08 Daily Open Dialogue Break-Out Sessions
       '08 On-Site Video Interviews
       '08 Video and Audio Conference Recording of Sessions
            Available at Hungry Mind Recordings   
       Previous 2008 ETO Program Sessions
       Previous 2008 Presenter Biographicals and Photos
       Previous 2008 List of Presenters
Previous 2007 ETO Conf. Information:
      Previous 2007 ETO Program Sessions
      Previous 2007 Presenter Biographicals and Photos
      Previous List of 2007 Presenters
Previous 2006 ETO Conf. Information:
      '06 Recorded Sessions by Conference Recording Services
      Content of '06 Daily Open Dialogue Break-Out Sessions
      Previous 2006 ETO Program Sessions
      Previous 2006 Presenter Biographicals and Photos
      Previous List of 2006 Presenters

2011
6th Annual
International Conference on
"Engaging The Other"

December 1-4 , 2011 ~   Santa Clara University

For details on registration, fee, and program see links above, or contact CBI

~ Continuing Education Units Available ~

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