Current
Presenters and Dialogue
Facilitators:
Huston Smith, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Michael Ostrolenk, Maggie Herzig,
Joan Blades, Fred Luskin, Corinne McLaughlin, Maha ElGenaidi, Joseph
McCormick, Amanda Hydro, Max Pappas, Susan Partnow, Paul Jacob, Aftab
Omer, Geshe Gendun Gyatso, Tashi Wangdu, Michael Wolfe, Imam Faheem
Shuaibe, Ameena Jandali, Robert Fersh, David Hartsough, Sal Nunez, Kathy
Geller, Kirk Schneider, James Hernandez, Stanley Krippner, Mahvash Hassan,
Sharif Abdullah, Benina Gould, Skip Robinson, Ilene Serlin, Steve Olweean,
Sandy Heierbacher, Philip Hellmich, Len Traubman, Libby Traubman, Osprey
Orielle Lake, Meganwind Eoyang, Daniel Tutt, Sarah Talcott, Linda Blong,
Cate Creede, Jan Elliot, Kathy Armijo Etre, Tamyra Freeman, Lourdes
Morales, Jeff Leinaweaver, John Glaser, Carol Glaser,
Huda Abu Arqoub, Dave Belden, Kenn Burrows, Steve Bhaerman, Harry Cornbleet,
Marti Roach, Andrew Greene Jr, Eryn Kalish, Sahar Driver, Mutomba M'Panya,
Zara Zimbardo, Devi Gursahaney, Chip Baggett, Hina Pendle, Claudia Miller,
Lisa Montana, Gabbriella Yates, Pam Kramer, Roger Marsh, Lynn Feinerman,
Edwin Rutsch, Spring Chen, Ihsan
Alkhatib, Shannon
Wheeler, Larry Mens, Sara Randazzo, Tash Terry, Elena Higgins, Vijali
Hamilton, Kalsang Lhundup, Jampa Tenzin, Ngawang Tseten
Keynotes
by:
Huston Smith, PhD
Michael Lerner, PhD
Michael Ostrolenk
Samples
of 25 Workshops include:
1) "Interrupting
Patterns of Polarization: A Systemic Approach to Fostering Dialogue
Across Divides"
Expressions of passionate moral and political commitments seem to cue
the chorus of those who disagree, often leading to polarizing conversations.
This session will use presentation and small and large group discussion
to explore approaches to reversing polarization including PCP's approach,
which draws on family systems theory.
Maggie Herzig
2) "Search
for Common Ground: Practical Approaches to Inner and Societal Transformation"
This presentation will highlight key underpinnings from Search for Common
Ground's 27 years of experience in transforming conflict -- from inner
transformation to transforming entire societies. It will examine separation
as a root cause of conflict and compassion as a practical means for
bridging differences.
Philip M. Hellmich
3) "Forgive
for Good"
In this workshop the rudiments of the forgiveness training from the
Stanford Forgiveness Project will be presented. Forgiveness will be
defined and offered as a way to increase the ability to communicate
with a marriage partner, business partner, or someone with whom one
is in conflict.
Frederic Luskin, Ph.D.
4) "Compassionate
Listening: Healing Our World from the Inside Out"
To encounter The Other with compassion we must embrace the other within
ourselves, cultivate self compassion. and then open our heart and listen
with 'spiritual ears' - discovery that an enemy is someone whose story
we haven't heard. You will be introduced to Five Core Practices of Compassionate
Listening:
- Cultivating Compassion for ourselves and others;
- Developing the Fair Witness by remaining open in conflict situations;
- Respecting Self and Others by developing boundaries which protect
yet include;
- Listening with the Heart - allow divergence and find a deeper point
of connection;
- Speaking from the Heart with language which reflects a healing intention.
Susan Partnow, MA
5) "Jewish-Muslim
Relations in the U.S.: In the Shadow of the Middle East Conflict"
As Americans embark on a new course of relationships between U.S. and
the Middle East as announced in President Obama's Cairo speech, interfaith
dialogue becomes even more important as a way to peace. This interactive
panel discussion with a Muslim and Jewish speaker will address Jewish-Muslim
relations in the U.S., Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and issues of
security as minorities. Participants will learn about the common interests
of Jews and Muslims as Americans and how they live and maintain their
faith in a secular society.
Maha ElGenaidi,BA, Harry Cornbleet, MD
6) "Story
as Entry to Relationship and Change"
"An enemy is one whose story we have not heard." Change begins
with Story and compassionate listening to discover the "other's"
humanity. Diverse exemplars share personal narratives with quality communication.
Then participants in pairs are guided in rich personal experiences with
a new quality of listening and discovery rarely experienced. Participants
are gifted with printed how-to Dialogue materials and two instructional
DVDs, and leave with new skills and confidence to convene successful
circles of diverse youth and adults where they live.
Libby Traubman MSW, and Len Traubman
7) "20,000
Dialogues"
One of the great conversations of our time revolves around how mainstream
Americans and the Muslim world come to understand each other in the
next few years. The mis-understandings around this are the basis for
enormous challenges in our society, our foreign policy, our economy,
our sense of security, our world. This session will present 20,000 Dialogues,
a "bottom up" approach to interfaith dialogue. Participants
will engage in group discussions, watch selected film clips, and leave
with practical tools for dialogue in their living room, congregation,
and community.
Daniel Tutt, MA
8) "The
Power of Active Nonviolence in Social Transformation"
Many people feel powerless to bring about change. We will explore some
of the examples of powerful nonviolent movements where people have brought
about major social changes. What can we learn from these movements?
What is the power of active nonviolence and how can we harness it to
work for peace and justice?
David Hartsough, MA
9) "Representations
of the Other Through A Western Lens: Middle East In Focus"
This interactive workshop will examine representations of the Middle
East in the Western media. Through group activities and analysis of
different genres, we will explore how stereotypes of the Middle Eastern
"other" become internalized and shape our imaginations, our
capacity for critical questioning and compassion.
Sahar Driver, MA, Mutombo M'Panya,
MA, Zara Zimbardo
10) "Awakening
to Awe: A Path to Personal and Social Renewal"
The presenters will stimulate a dialogue about the power of awe--the
humility and wonder, bigger picture of living-in our every day lives.
Drawing in part from their book "Awakening to Awe," the presenters
will illustrate how awe can transform emotional pain.
Kirk Schneider, Ph.D. and James Hernandez
11) "Knowing
Yourself & Honoring the Other: Seeing the Paradoxes"
Attendees will be introduced through experiential activity and case
study to 5 paradoxes that may form the basis for engaging others across
difference. In dialogue, participants will consider innovative strategies
for addressing these paradoxes. The presenter offers insights from her
book: Transnational Leadership Development (2009) Kathy D. Geller,
Ph.D
12) "Dialogic
Practices: Engaging Self and Other"
Public dialogue invites compassion when we remain in the tension of
holding our ground while being profoundly open to the other. Join workshop
leaders representing diverse ways of working dialogically, as we engage
in small groups then reflect on the selves and others we are bringing
forth in this tension.
Linda Blong, PhD, Cate Creede,
PhD, Jan Elliot, PhD, Kathy
Armijo Etre, PhD, Tamyra Freeman,
MAEd, Jeff Leinaweaver, PhD
13) "Empathy - Can You Stay and
Stay?"
In the face of accelerating social and political polarization, we can
learn to care for ourselves so we can stay present and participating
in difficult dialogues, reaching the human being behind the position
with sustained empathy and compassion. Demonstrations, role plays and
discussion.
Meganwind Eoyang, BA
14) "The Practice Of Engagement:
12 Steps To Inclusivity"
Engaging the Other" is not just an idea… it's a PRACTICE.
It involves correctly seeing oneself, and piercing the illusion of separation.
In this session, Sharif will lead participants in the practical, moral
and spiritual aspects of inclusivity and living an authentic, courageous
life.
Sharif Abdullah, JD
15) "The
Power of Transpartisan Dialogue"
How do we walk-the-talk of unity when it comes to dealing with "Conservatives"
or "Liberals" in our own community? Do we have the courage
to speak our truth and to deeply listen to the truth of others, not
halfway around the world, but in own own family or down the street?
What practical benefit is there in building bridges across political
divides in a search for solutions that truly, authentically "work
for all", left, right, and center? Come explore these and other
challenging questions with leaders of the emerging transpartisan movement
in American politics.
Joseph McCormick, Amanda
Kathryn (Hydro) Roman , Debilyn Molineaux, Walt
Roberts
16) "Recognizing 'The Other'
Within"
In this experiential workshop you will engage proven practices for
recognizing working with and transforming your experience of "the
other" in your being. The Processes work from the body to the mind
and spirit and are a fundamental aspect of Integral Transformative Practice
(ITP).
Pam Kramer, MS, and Roger Marsh,
MBA
17) "Intergenerational Wisdom
– Connecting Youth and Elders through Interfaith Dialogue"
Using a Dialogue Process and Appreciative Inquiry, this interactive
workshop will engage participants in an intergenerational dialogue to
explore their deeper truths connecting spiritual wisdom with 21st century
vision. “Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the
future, you will gradually…live your way into the answer.”
-Rilke.
Sarah Talcott
Panels
include:
1) "Hate
and Scapegoating as Barriers to Engaging The Other"
Moderator:
Aftab Omer, PhD
2) "Building Cooperation Across
Political Divides: A
Transpartisan Conversation"
Moderators: Susan Partnow
and Joseph McCormick
3)
"Next Steps for A New Beginning: Practical Measures
for Healing Stereotypes That Divide"
Moderator:
Steve Olweean,
MA
4) "Economic
and Environmental Sustainability"
Moderator: John Glaser,
EdD
5) "Difficult
Dialogues: Reaching Beyond the Veil
of Stereotypes"
Moderator: Eryn
Kalish MC
6) "Trauma and Resilience: Healing
the Victim-Perpetrator
Cycle"
Moderator: Stanley
Krippner, PhD
7) "Media
and Images of The Other"
Moderator: Daniel
Tutt, MA
In-Process
Experiences:
Tibetan Sand Mandala ritual:
Geshe Gendun Gyatso, Kalsang
Lhundup,
Jampa Tenzin, Ngawang Tseten
Resource and Networking Hub:
John Glaser,
EdD, Carol Glaser, MA
Special
Early Morning Sessions and
Evening Performances:
Daily Morning Yoga Sessions:
Gabbriella Yates
Evening Performance:
"Indigie Femme": The
World Wheel Journey
Tash Terry, Elena Higgins,
Vijali Hamilton
~The
complete ETO Conference program and schedule
to be posted shortly ~
The
RCP Conference strives to promote an inclusive, compassionate dialogue
that honors different personal experiences, perspectives, and stories,
while allowing for better expressing and listening to each other as
we work together toward understanding and harmony. Our intention is
to create an open venue where we can engage meaningfully and invite
in a public dialogue that brings our joint wisdom to bear in exploring
sometimes difficult issues that effect us all. We ask all participants
to assist us by carrying and expressing this intent throughout the conference.
NonViolent Communication Guidelines:
Unique Assumptions—NVC begins by assuming that we are all
compassionate by nature and that violent strategies—whether verbal
or physical—are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing
culture. It also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs,
and that all actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs.
While NVC is much more than a communication model, the components below
provide a structural concept of the process that leads to giving and
receiving from the heart.
Honestly Expressing how I am and what I would like without using
blame, criticism or demands
Empathically Receiving how another is and what he/she would
like without hearing blame, criticism or demands
Whether expressing or receiving, NVC focuses our attention on four
pieces of information:
Observations—Objectively describing what is going
on without using evaluation, moralistic judgment, interpretation or
diagnosis
Feelings—Saying how you feel (emotions and body sensations)
about what you have observed without assigning blame
Needs—The basic human needs that are or not being
met and are the source of feelings
Requests—Clear request for actions that can meet needs
"An
important timely dialogue...everyone needs to be part of"
Registration is
Open To The Public
On-site Program Advertizers:
47
Sixth Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
Ph:
707-765-1836 Fax: 707-765-2351
info@MeridianUniversity.edu
http://meridianuniversity.edu/
Transpartisan
Alliance
an informal
network of networks inspiring Americans
to work together across divides.
Web:
http://network.transpartisan.net/
Charter
for Compassion
55
Vandam Street, New York, New York 10013 USA
Phone:+1 (212) 346-9333
Web:
http://charterforcompassion.org/
West
Wind Travel
Official ETO Conference
travel service
326 McKenzie
Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Ph: 800-283-0122 Local ph: 505-984-0022
Email:
terry@westwindtravel.net
