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Watch for details on Fall 2012 7th ETO Conference

Overview of Program, Schedule Outline,
Dialogue Guidelines

6th Annual International Conference on
"Engaging The Other"
The Power of Compassion

 An Outstanding Gathering of
       Over 45 Presenters and Facilitators

Keynote and Tribute to:
   Huston Smith

Sample of Presenters and Dialogue Facilitators:
Huston Smith, Mohammed Qayoumi, Maureen O'Hara, Aftab Omer, Joan Blades, Amanda Kathryn Roman, David Korten, Lee Mun Wah, Marita Grudzen, James Harrington, Libby Traubman, Len Traubman, Steve Olweean, Gerald Grudzen, Johanna Koudsi, Larry Harris, Andrew Ridley, Emily Thurbon, Sahar Driver, Huseyin Aytug, Nihal Sahan, Ozgur Koca, Debilyn Molineaux, Eric Byler, Joseph McCormick, Scott Shock, Elizabeth Kasl, Linda Sartor, Alec MacLeod, Doug Paxton, Penny Rosenwasser, Carole Barlas, Jeff Richardson, Jehan Olweean, Maida Besic, Mohamed Amira, Walid Walid, Mair Alight, Lisa Montana, Connie Baxter Marlow, Andrew Cameron Bailey, Gabbriella Yates, Omar Al-Tal, Leen Halawani, Deborah Simon, Lejla Mavris, Chris Bui, Teresa Johansing

Samples of Keynotes, Panels, Workshops,
           and Evening Events in the 2011 ETO Program

Keynotes by:
      Huston Smith
      Marita Grudzen
      James Harrington

Samples of  Workshops include:

1)  "Turning Towards The Necessary Conversation: Otherness And The Organizational Shadow"
This workshop will address the issue of how organizations and communities harm their members. Through an examination of cases, demonstration and experiential processes we will learn how to recognize the signs and engage with the paradox of virtue and malignancy in well intentioned organizations.
Maureen O'Hara, Aftab Omer

2)  "Story As Entry To Dialogue And Social Change"
"An enemy is one whose story we have not heard." War's end begins with Story and compassionate listening to discover the “other's” humanity. Diverse exemplars share personal narratives with quality communication. Participants in pairs experience new, rare listening-to-learn and take home communication tools to pass on.
Len Traubman, Libby Traubman

3)  "Let's Get Real About Racism"
Examine the fears and stereotypes preventing us from having truly open and authentic conversations and relationships. Explore through guided questions what people of color can't say and whites are afraid to ask. Learn to effectively and compassionately communicate cross-culturally.
Lee Mun Wah

4)  "Hawo's Dinner Party: Using Film To Break Down Stereotypes And Build Community"
This workshop will use "Hawo's Dinner Party," a video resource about a Somali former nurse -now refugee- making her way in a small rural town. The interactive discussion focuses on the role good character-driven stories can play in engaging multiple perspectives, resolving conflict and sparking dialogue that moves people to action
Sahar Driver

5)  "Living Room Conversations Fish Bowl"
The Living Room Conversations Project (LRC) has demonstrated that people with diverse views can come together, as friends and friends of friends, to engage in a self-guided structured conversation about a charged issue. -Each conversation hosted by “progressive” and “conservative” co-hosts. Each host invites two of their friends to join the conversation. Join us for an abbreviated LRC about money in politics.
Joan Blades, Amanda Kathyn Roman, and guests

6)  "Integrating Dialogue & Action"
How many times have dialogues become kumbaya moments full of feel-good energy that lead to little action or no impact? In this session, we'll use a short film clip (9500 Liberty) to demonstrate what happens when a community uses dialogue AS action, reversing a newly-enacted immigration policy within a matter of weeks. Then we'll engage with session members to explore how this can happen in real time and other situations, like Coffee Party USA's Citizens Lobby or examples from participants.
Debilyn Molineaux, Eric Byler

7)  "Nonviolent Communication Based Mediation"
This workshop session offersa demonstration, and questions & answers regarding Nonviolent Communication.
Mair Alight, Lisa Montana

8)  "Exploring Possibility: A Legacy - My Chat With A Nazi"
Let the story, A Legacy - My Chat with a Nazi; a conversation between a woman of African origin and a Nazi carry you to that place where we meet as One. Engage in possibility; explore your own willingness to open your heart to the other.
Deborah Simon

9)  "Engaging Games - Transform Your Learning Program With Impactful Experiential Activities"
Explore some alternative approaches to surfacing key issues and emotions while strengthening connections within your group. We'll share some of our favorite games and activities in addition to discussing debrief strategies to make it easier to incorporate these impactful learning tools into your programs.
Jeff Richardson

10)  "White on White: Tempering Passion With Humility When Engaging The Other"
We invite participants to re-examine personal experiences with difficult conversations about racism or white privilege. Using questions that support critical self-reflection, participants explore how personal needs can interfere with their good intentions of engaging the other with compassion while striving to interrupt racism and privilege.
Elizabeth Kasl, Linda Sartor, Alec MacLeod, Doug Paxton, Penny Rosenwasser, Carole Barlas

11) "The Soliya Program And Other Models To Engage The Other In The Middle East"
We will bring together some of the students engaged in the Soliya course at San Jose State University to demonstrate some of the skills needed to engage in this type of UN sponsored program. We plan to include participants in the Soliya program located in the Middle East via Skype.
Gerald Grudzen, Mohamed Qayoumi, Johanna Koudsi, Awad Awad, Larry Harris, Andrew Ridley, Emily Thurbon,

12)  "Accessing The Trust Frequency: 10 Assumptions For A New Paradigm"
New Mind. New World. A unique perspective on humanity’s interconnectedness with each other and all life in an abundant, loving universe. Examine core beliefs and become loving and compassionate. Discover “Top-Line Economics”
Format: Presentation, Contemplation, Discussion.
Connie Baxter Marlow, Andrew Cameron Bailey

13)  Roundtable: "Marginalized Youth: Special Needs And At-risk Youth In Schools And Community As The 'Other' "
Jehan Olweean, Deborah Simon

14)  "The Rise of the Youth Movement in The Middle East"
Omar Al-Tal, Leen Halawani

Plenary Roundtables Include:

1)  "Exploring Grassroots Commonalities and Empowerment: Occupy WS, Tea Party, Coffee Party, and Arab Spring"
We are witnessing several major grassroots civic movements emerging organically across the country and globe in recent years and months, some among communities typically portrayed in the image of "Other." Almost by default these movements are often portrayed and viewed as unrelated phenomenon by "other" groups, or in comparing them in contrast as opposing efforts. Playing into over emphasizing or inadvertantly even fabricating differences, and using them to undermine and invalidate each, can miss seeing a possible larger picture where commonalities may outweigh actual differences, and if so present unique and powerful opportunities for solidarity in areas where they agree. This dialogue among individuals with insights and strong links into each movement will explore this larger picture and the possibilities that may be emerging for mutual support and benefit.
David Korten, Debilyn Molineaux, Mohamed Amara, Scott Shock
Moderator: Steve Olweean

2) "Conscious Choices: Defining Each Other As Opponents Or A More Inclusive Us?"
Following up from the morning roundtable exploring both commonalities and differences between 4 major grassroots social change movements, a dialogue between those with insights and strong links into these movements more specifically addressing two possible routes (and choices) before us: one toward polarization, fragmentation, and being pitted "against," with a resulting of undermining, and one toward commonality, mutual support, and shared grassroots empowerment. What are the benefits, trade-offs, and challenges, and what will it take to share a bigger picture?
David Korten, Eric Byler, et el
Moderator: Steve Olweean

In-Process Experiences:

         Daily Facilitated Dialogue Break-out Groups
         Live 2-way Global Links to other countries
         Daily Polling and Tracking of Emerging Issues
         On-site Live streaming, Podcasting, Blogging
         Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala Ritual

Conference Features

A 4 day Schedule of:

1.  Keynote Speakers
2.  Topical Plenary Roundtables
3.  Concurrent Workshops and Topical Roundtables
4.  Daily Facilitated Dialogue Break-out Groups 
5.  Live 2-way Global Links to other countries
   
6.  On-site Live streaming, Podcasting, and Blogging
7.  Interactive All-conference Experiences
8.  In-Process Polling and Tracking of Emerging Issues
9.  Networking and Action Planning for Beyond the Conference
10. Daily Morning Yoga sessions
11. Evening Social-Cultural Events and Community Activities
12. Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala Ritual
    
13. Multi-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.
14. Displays
    

 Daily Schedule Outline:
        * Important Note:
              Thursday Conference Opening only takes place at nearby:
                 Saint Paul's United Methodist Church
                 405 S. 10th Street, San Jose, CA (see map)
             All other programing takes place at:
                 Benson Center, on campus of Santa Clara University

Thursday, December 1
(Site: Saint Paul's United Methodist Church)

  4:30 am -   6:30 pm:    On-Site Registration and Check-in

  6:30 pm - 9:30 pm:    ~ Conference Opening ~

Friday, December 2
(Site: Benson Center, Santa Clara University)

  8:15 am -   9:00 am:  Morning Yoga session
  9:30 am - 11:00 am:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - A
                                        Workshops and Roundtables
11:15 am - 12:45 am:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - B
                                        Workshops and Roundtables
12:45 am -   2:00 pm:  Lunch
  2:00 pm -  3:30 pm:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - C
                                        Workshops and Roundtables
   3:45 pm -  5:15 pm:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - D
                                        Facilitated Dialogue Groups
                                        (Conference-wide break-out groups)
   5:15 pm -  7:00 pm:  Dinner and Speaker
   7:00 pm -  8:00 pm:  Evolving Conference Polling and
                                      Strategic Tracking Process
   8:00 pm -  9:00 pm:  Evening Social Gathering

Saturday, December 3

  8:15 am -   9:00 am:  Morning Yoga session
  9:30 am - 11:15 am:  Plenary Session - E
                                       Plenary Panel
 11:30 am -  1:00 pm:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - F
                                       Workshops and Roundtables
   1:00 pm -  2:15 pm:  Lunch
   2:15 pm -  3:45 pm:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - G
                                       Workshops and Roundtables
   4:00 pm -  5:15 pm:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - H
                                       Facilitated Dialogue Groups
                                       (Conference-wide break-out groups)
   5:15 pm -  6:45 pm:  Dinner
   7:00 pm -  8:45 pm:  Evening Plenary Panel - I
                                       and Dialogue
   8:45 pm -  9:45 pm:  Evening Social Gathering

Sunday, December 4

  9:30 am - 11:00 am:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - J
                                     Workshops and Roundtables
 11:15 am - 12:45 pm:  Concurrent Breakout Sessions - K
                                     Workshops and Roundtables
 12:45 pm -  1:45 pm:  Lunch
   1:45 am -  3:30 pm:  Full Conference Dialogue and Planning
                                    for Application and Next Steps
                                    Processing conference experience, voting and
                                    tracking report of central issues emerging, action
                                    planning & networking for cooperation beyond
                                    conference feedback & recommendations, & farewell
                                    ETO Closing

Descriptions of Program Components:

Overview:
The program is multidisciplinary and intended to focus on issues related to concepts and experiences of The Other, including dynamics of identity, fear-based belief systems, negative stereotypes, prejudice, alienation, polarization, scapegoating, and forming enemy images that promote adversarial perceptions of the "The Other."

1) Concurrent Workshops and Roundtables (Typically 75-90 minutes in length):
Session format is intended to promote participants as both learners and teachers - learning from prepared material while also bringing their own wisdom to the table. As a result workshops and roundtables offer personal experience, skills training, active learning, interaction, and dynamic dialogue.

2) Dialogue Groups (These are concurrent groups that all participants take part in, are typically 60-90 minutes in length, and occur once each day):
Dialogue groups are seen as the engines of the conference. Presentation session content provides stimulus and focus for these dialogues woven throughout the days of the program. They are intended for processing the conference experience, exploring issues not raised in the prepared program, brainstorming practical applications, and networking for important collaboration building and acton planning beyond the conference.
Scribes are assigned to each group to record content highlights for later compiling and posting on the conference website and in hard-copy at the conference. This information is also included in conference proceedings and outcomes, and utilized for future planning.

3) Panel/Roundtables:
In keeping with the character of the conference, panels/roundtables are encouraged to be an interactive dialogue between members - rather than a series of mini-presentations, and to eventualy include the full audience for a significant portion of the session to promote a wider, more inclusive, and more fruitful discussion on the topic.

Guidelines For Compassionate Dialogue

The ETO Conference strives to promote an inclusive, compassionate dialogue that honors different personal experiences, perspectives, and narratives, 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. This is based on the premise that it does not require that we be the same to be appreciative of, at peace with, and secure in our relationships with each other; only that we be familiar enough with each others story to share the humanity and trustworthiness that resides in each of us.
We ask all participants to assist us by carrying and expressing this intent throughout the conference.

NonViolent Communication Guidelines: (Adapted from Marshall Rosenberg)

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

On-site Program Advertizers:

Pacifica Institute

Santa Clara University

Global Ministries University

   47 Sixth Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
   Ph: 707-765-1836   Fax: 707-765-2351  
   info@MeridianUniversity.edu   http://meridianuniversity.edu/

Charter for Compassion
   55 Vandam Street, New York, New York 10013 USA
   Phone:+1 (212) 346-9333
   Web: http://charterforcompassion.org/

Council for a Parliament of World's Religions
   70 East Lake Street, Suite 205
   Chicago, Illinois 60601  USA
   Telephone: 312.629.2990
   Fax: 312.629.2991
   E-mail: info@parliamentofreligions.org
   Web: http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/

 Underlying Concepts
Main ETO Conference Page
Presenter Proposal Form:   (PDF version)  (HTML version)
Dialogue Facilitator Form: (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)
Print Version of Program  (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

Presenter and Dialogue Guidelines

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

Join our conference Volunteer Team.
Contact: Common Bond Institute

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

Registration is
Open To The Public