Friday,
October 27
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
A
Early
Morning 9:00 am - 10:20 am
A
1: "Encounters
Between Groups in Conflict: The Approach
of Neve Shalom /Wahat Al Salaam"
Neve Shalom /Wahat Al Salaam
is a village in Israel jointly established in 1972 by Jews and Palestinian Arabs
of Israeli citizenship, and is engaged in educational work for peace, equality
and understanding between the two peoples. Being dissatisfied with previously
existing methods, this unique community developed it's own new approach to dialogue
- one that places the Conflict at the center of the group experience. This session
presents the approach developed at the NSWAS School for Peace through 25 years
of experience with encounters between Jews and Palestinians.
Ahmad Hijazi,
MA and Ohad Bar Shalom, MSW (Lecture,
Discussion)
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A
2: "The American
War Veteran as Other: Implications for Coping with PTSD"
U.S.
combat veterans are usually welcomed home as heroes but typically are reluctant
to discuss their combat experiences. As a result, they often feel themselves as
"Others" who live in an alternate reality. This condition especially
impacts veterans coping with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Stanley Krippner,
PhD. (Lecture,
Discussion) (CEC)
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A
3: "Killer Meaning
in a Healing Cosmos"
Both the structure of meaning systems
and the velocity with which ideas are transmitted can accelerate a clash of beliefs
and threaten peace and security. In ways that have surprised many, we live in
more polarized times where a higher evolutionary synthesis is gestating but has
not reached critical mass. We live in an era when objectification of nature has
resulted in a perilous threat to our sustainability and when the objectification
of belief threatens to draw us into brutal cycles of terror and counter-terror.
How do emerging ideas in cosmology and consciousness give us hope that we will
be supported in our quest for global healing? James will articulate a coherent
vision of a more universally peaceful and compassionate human emerging out of
evolution's irreversible cauldron.
James O'Dea, PhD. (Lecture,
Discussion)
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A
4: "Reuniting
the Children of Abraham….Being The Other"
A unique response to breaking down fear, hate, and intolerance,
and a demonstration of possibilities for deeper understanding between the world's
children utilizing creative arts for social healing. This project brings to life
the process of how enemies become allies when they are willing to step into the
other's shoes and create something new together. Objectives are: recognizing the
destructiveness of prejudice and discrimination, transcending tolerance and creating
acceptance and empathy, dramatizing behavior leading to stereotyping and fear
of the Other, enhancing understanding of each others feelings through mutual role
playing, and experiencing the power of creating something new together…a
song…an expression of peace
Brenda Naomi Rosenberg and Josh
White Jr. (Muiltimedia,
Lecture, Discussion)
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A
5: "Revisiting
the International Peace Work of Carl Rogers"
JOINT
DIALOGUE
Members of the international dialogue team that worked
with Carl Rogers in the 1980's to facilitate group dialogue experiences between
parties in violent conflict revisit the mission and efforts of this project, and
consider implications/applications for 2006. Among the regions that the Rogers
team conducted landmark engaged dialogue groups in were Costa Rica, South Africa,
Northern Ireland, Russia, and the RUST Conference in Austria.
Sen. John
Vasconcellos, Gay Leah Barfield, PhD., Lic. MFT, Abdul Aziz
Said, PhD., Marvelene Hughes, PhD., Silvia Dubovoy, PhD., Maureen O'Hara,
PhD.,
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A
6: "Building a
Movement for Peace and Justice Through Interfaith Dialogue"
CONCURRENT PANEL
This panel's focus is
on presenting experiences and models of engaged dialogue between diverse religious/spiritual
communities to increase understanding and compassion that helps correct stereotypes,
acknowledge commonalties that can allow for mutual support and cooperation, appreciate
diversity in faith and world view, improve social conditions, and increase capacity
for building peace and justice.
Shadia Kanaan, MA, Paul Clements, PhD.,
Mushtaq Luqmani, PhD., Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, MA , Joseph Montville, PhD.,
Moderated by Alvaro Cedeno, JD
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
B
Late
Morning 10:35 am - 12:00 pm
B
1:
"The Muslim as Other: Stories from the
Borderlands"
In our contemporary global landscape, Muslims
have been configured into a global Other. This session applies the cultural dynamics
that engender and maintain a scapegoated Other to the situation of Muslims at
this historical moment. We will explore the political-economic and psychological
factors that contribute to the present circumstances as well as consider what
creative responses at both the local and global level would bring about social
healing and cultural transformation.
Aftab Omer, PhD.
(Lecture, Experiential,
Discussion)
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B
2: "Deepening the
Dialogue: Using Creative Expression to Experience The Other"
This expressive arts experience integrates touch drawing, image theatre and person
centered psychology to explore perceptions of the Other. This workshop is of relevance
to anyone interested in integrating creative arts and transpersonal languages
in dialogue and mediation.
Deborah Koff-Chapin, BFA and Mukti Khanna,
PhD. (Lecture,
Multimedia, Demonstration, Experiential, Movement, Discussion)
(CEC)
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B
3: "Self and Other:
A Third-Eye (Bi-Cultural) Worldview"
Definitions of Other. Exploration of our motives for engaging Others. Review how
worldviews (assumptions that cohere psyche) shape reactions to external reality.
Examination of self-definition shaping interaction with Others holding different
worldviews. Understanding one's own worldview to better understand and authentically
engage the Other.
Paul Von Ward MSc, MPA and Ilham Al-Sarraf PhD,
MFT (Lecture,
Multimedia, Discussion) (CEC)
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B
4: "Mindfully Resolving
Conflicts: Conflict Resolution for Diversity Issues"
Addressing
issues such as racism, stereotyping and cultural differences experientially--using
role-play, training vignettes and discussion--participants practice observation,
intervention and facilitation skills. They learn conflict resolution, replacing
adversarial/defensive statements with culturally receptive responses, and nuances
of multicultural communication--through mindful listening and inquiry.
Lee
Mun Wah, MS, MA (Lecture,
Experiential, Discussion) (CEC)
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B
5: "Gender
Identity and Sexual Orientation: Embracing Self and Liberating All"
CONCURRENT PANEL
A panel and discussion
about gender identity and sexual orientation. In the process of "coming out"
as a lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender person, there are often experiences
of connecting with "The Other" within. When integrating who we are internally
into our outer lives, difficulties arise when society defines the norm in a binary
way in relation to gender and affection.
Kate Runyon, et el
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B
6: "Dialogue
as Lived Experience"
CONCURRENT PANEL
A panel presenting models of engaged encounters and co-existence in Israel/Palestine,
the Basque Country, Spain, and the US. Panel members share unique experiences,
challenges, and lessons learned in cross-cultural engagement, building social
justice, challenging prejudice and stereotypes, and transforming perceptions to
increase capacity for mutual esteem, trust, and positive relationships.
David
Schoem, PhD., Ahmad Hijazi, MA, MS, Ohad Bar Shalom, MSW, Gorka Espaiu, Diane
Perlman, PhD., Sharon Lowe, M.A., Lewis Gover, M.A.,
Moderated by Robert
Oppenheimer, PsyD.
BI-PLENARY
SESSIONS C
Afternoon
1:15 pm - 3:15 pm
C
1: "Waking Up to
The Energy Of Fear in Our Relationship With The Other"
BI-PLENARY
PANEL
Some topics explored include (but not limited to):
- Dynamics of the energy of fear and exclusive group identity in formulating
devaluing stereotypes that allow "good" people to do "bad"
things to others by objectifying entire groups to the point of justifying inhumane
treatment.
- 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 as justification
for oppression, inhumane treatment, and violence?
- 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?
Sam Keen, PhD., Eyad El Sarraj, MD, Ruchama Marton,
MD, Gay Leah Barfield, Ph.D., Satsuki Ina, PhD., Mohammed Abu-Nimer, PhD.
Moderated by Maureen O'Hara, PhD.
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C 2:
"Media Images Of The Other"
BI-PLENARY
PANEL
How do we portray each to the other, and what is the
power of these images?
This panel explores how images of The Other are depicted
in various media, both currently and historically, and the effect they can have
- consciously and unconsciously - on the individual and society in shaping how
we relate to each other. Modes considered are TV, movies, radio, print, photos,
art, plays, songs, folk stories, jokes, the Internet, etc.. Panel members have
diverse backgrounds both in terms of media focus and culture
Jamal Dajani,
BA, David Michaelis, Anna Badkhen, Lee Mun Wah, MA, MS,
Moderated by Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD.
FACILITATED DIALOGUE GROUPS
Late
Afternoon 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Conference-wide opportunities
for all conference participants to interact in small group dialogues to further
engage concepts and explore practical applications. In addition to facilitators,
scribes are assigned to each break-out session to record questions, ideas, issues,
and applications. These are then synthesized and collated to include in conference
proceedings and outcome planning, and drawn on to create topical E-Dialogues and
E-Working Groups through CBI's website for contining the process following the
conference.
EVENING PLENARY
SESSIONS
Dinner
Performance: Josh White Jr. 5:45
- 6:15 pm
Keynote: Sam
Keen, PhD 6:15
- 7:15 pm
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Plenary
Panel: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
"Spirituality
and Religion"
Some topics explored include (but are not limited
to):
- The role of an assumption of inherent sin and exclusive religious
dogma in requiring the presence and embodiment of innate evil in the world, and
vilifying an ever-present Other as it's expression.
- Resources present
in spiritual traditions that nurture mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and love,
to cultivate a consciousness of peace - with ourselves and "The Other."
- Spiritual experiences as a vehicle for establishing universal standards
of basic human worth and goodness, and universal standards of behavior that reflect
this.
Huston Smith, PhD., Archbishop Elias Chacour, Aisha Gray Henry,
MA, Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, MA, Geshe Gendun Gyatso
Moderated by Jeffrey
Mishlove, PhD.
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Performances:
~ "US & THEM: Engaging
Our
Community
with Story & Song" 9:30
- 11:30 pm Robert Small
~
Cultural Song, Music, and Dance
Saturday,
October 28
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
D
Early
Morning 9:00 am - 10:20 am
D
1: "Bridging the
Deepest Divides: Cultural Codes, Global Maps, and Human Emergence"
This presentation will feature Spiral Dynamics, a biopsychosocial and value system
driven framework and illustrate its role in diagnosing and defusing "us -vs-
them" polarity. The focus will be on eight primary worldviews: how they emerge
and why they fight. We will describe Muzafer Sherif's Robber's Cave experiment,
the assimilation-contrast effect, and specific applications in South Africa, the
Middle East, and Europe.
Don Edward Beck, PhD., Elza Maalouf, JD.,
and Bruce Gibb, PhD. (Multimedia,
Lecture, Demonstration, Discussion)
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D
2: "Occupied Minds"
The experience of two journalists, a Palestinian-American and
an Israeli citizen, who journey to Jerusalem, their mutual birthplace where they
grew up just a few miles apart, to explore new solutions and offer unique insights
into the divisive Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The two are the only Palestinian
Israeli team working together in American media, and together they created a film
that takes viewers on an emotional and intensely personal odyssey through the
streets of one of the world's most volatile regions.
Jamal Dajani, BA and
David Michaelis (Muiltimedia,
Lecture, Discussion)
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D
3: "The Practice
Of Engagement: 12 Steps To Build Inclusivity"
This workshop
teaches how to engage The Other in challenging situations. Using the "12
steps of inclusivity" found in Sharif's book, "creating a world that
works for all", participants will learn and share "best practices"
for using inclusivity in both everyday and global situations.
Sharif Abdullah,
JD (Lecture,
Discussion)
(CEC)
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D
4: "The
US & THEM Workshop Presenter's Manual: A Tool Kit to Continue Work in Engaging
the Other"
Participants will be introduced to the US &
THEM: Moderating Group Conflict Program, e.g. basic social identity concepts,
activities designed to foster self-awareness, other-awareness, and bridge diverse
groups. The US & THEM program's second two phases of post-workshop dialogue,
and collaborative action will be described briefly.
Stephen Fabick, Ed.D
(Muiltimedia, Demonstration,
Experiemntial, Discussion)
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D
5: "Walking
The Talk: Religion, Conflict, and Peace"
JOINT
DIALOGUE
Examining the dual forces within religion,
historically and in current times, and the role of individual self-awareness,
esteem, and responsibility in experiencing religion as a solution rather than
a problem. Examples of inquiry areas are (but are not limited to):
-
Common ground among religious traditions in terms of understanding, compassion,
and a mission of creating peace, with a particular focus on Muslims, Jews, and
Christians in the Abrahamic tradition, and how these powerful, fundamental resources
can be employed in nurturing the reality of a culture of peace in current global
relations.
- Mutual dilemmas of conflicts between spiritual vision
and intent and seemingly contradictory text and practices in each religion that
creates dissonance within the individual and religious community, and at the same
time can trigger denial, defensiveness, and sometimes reactionary extremism in
response to criticism or perceived threat from outside.
Archbishop Elias
Chacour, Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, MA, Imam Hassan Al Qazwini, Joseph Montville,
PhD.
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D
6: "Programs
For Children And Youth Addressing Issues Of Conflict, Prejudice, And Stereotyping"
CONCURRENT PANEL
This panel focuses
on working in schools and youth settings on approaches to conflict resolution,
countering prejudice and negative stereotyping, and fostering a positive relationship
between children of differing cultural backgrounds. Environments in which these
youth populations are worked with include communities experiencing inter-group
conflict, polarization, marginalization, high stress, and in some cases, trauma
due to violence.
Robert Oppenheimer PsyD., LaRon Williams, Elizabeth Barton,
PhD., Josh White Jr., Hana Hasan, PhD. candidate, Alvaro Cedeno, JD., David Juarez.
Moderated by James Macsay, MA
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
E
Late
Morning 10:35 am - 12:00 pm
E
1: "Denial
and Forced Existence"
A presentation examining the psychological
dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, how this component is reflected
in the actions and perceptions of those involved, and exploring possible solutions.
Eyad Al Sarraj, MD and Ruchama Marton, MD
(Lecture, Discussion)
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E
2: "Humanity
Ascending: A New Way Through Together"
Barbara will show her
film "Humanity Ascending," a breathtaking overview of the evolutionary
journey of our species that now finds itself standing at the crossroads of conscious
evolution or self destruction. This vision of hope depicts an old world dying
and a new world being born. Discussion will follow.
Barbara Marx Hubbard,
Rs.D. (Muiltimedia,
Discussion)
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E
3: "
'Refusing to be Enemies': A Documentary-in-progress by Zeitouna, an Arab-Jewish
Women's Group from Ann Arbor, Michigan"
Zeitouna has been in continuous existence since Summer 2002, creatively dealing
with the difficult realities of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict and its effects
on our respective communities in the diaspora. This presentation will include
a 17-minute trailer of our work together. The finished documentary will be an
hour in length and include footage of the group's trip together to Palestine and
Israel in May of 2006.
Laurie White, Wadad Abed, Irene Butter, and
other Zeitouna group members (Multimedia,
Discussion)
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E
4: "Navigating
the Continuum of Dialogue and Deliberation Practices"
Session
participants will utilize an innovative new tool designed collaboratively by the
NCDD community to better distinguish between well-known dialogue and deliberation
approaches such as Study Circles, World Café, and Sustained Dialogue, and
to decide which method is most appropriate for their circumstances.
Sandy
Heierbacher, MA (Lecture,
Experiential, Discussion)
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E
5: "Looking
for The Enemy Within: Society and Paranoia"
JOINT
DIALOGUE
A joint session exploring dynamics of fear-based
public paranoia and generalized hyper-vigilance arising from perceived "outside"
threat, such as war and terrorism, that can lead to marginalizing and oppressing
targeted groups within a society. Included is the role of overt and covert manipulation
of fear to galvanize a society. Although these dynamics are universal, the US
example will be explored. Presenters represent the Japanese-American internment
experience during WW II, and also the current experience of the Arab/Muslim-American
community specifically (and non-Western-looking ethnic-American communities in
general), that has similarities with early stages of the WW II dynamics in the
US.
Ihsan Alkhatib, Esq., MA, and Satsuki Ina, PhD.
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E
6: "Developing
Future Leaders for Engaged Dialogue"
CONCURRENT
PANEL
A panel exploring what competencies, skills, behaviors
and attitudes are necessary to serve individuals, communities and organizations
with an 'Engaging the Other' leadership style. Among the dynamics examined are
the challenges and what is currently working and being practiced on an individual,
group, and community level. Panel members will share research, experiences, hopes
and intentions for the future that are derived from current program they are involved
in.
Alexander Badkhen MD, Mark Pevzner, MA, Charles Behling, PhD., A T
Miller, PhD., Jane Dutton, PhD., Margaret Warner, PhD., Anna Rodina, PhD.
Moderated by James Macsay, MA
BI-PLENARY
SESSIONS F
Afternoon
1:15 pm - 3:00 pm
F
1:
"The Politics Of Trust'
- Pragmatic Real-World Examples"
We desperately need a whole
new politics to succeed our cynical, dysfunctional, divisive current politics
- which is fundamentally wrong. The new Politics of Trust is grounded in a faithful
vision of our selves, our human nature, and our potential (cf Willis Harman's
'The New Copernican Revolution'). It is also pragmatic in providing a dual agenda
(both process and content) - the 16-point 'Expanding Human Agenda.'
Sen.
John Vasconcellos
(Lecture, Discussion)
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F
2:
"Psychological Concepts of The Other: Embracing
The Compass of The Self"
The Other often conjures up images
of strange faces, practices, and beliefs, usually in faraway places. At the same
time that it challenges our understanding, our sense of normalcy, and sometimes
even our sense of security, it is a label we all share. Discord based on conflicting
views of each other and even the essence of human nature has plagued humankind
since its beginnings. This presentation explores this dilemma of human relationships
- not as polarized sides, but as a reflection of common, fundamental elements
of our individual psychological development, and raises important questions for
small group discussions to begin the process of further exploration toward finding
viable solutions.
Steve Olweean, MA,
(Lecture, Small
Group Exercise and Discussions)
FACILITATED DIALOGUE GROUPS
Late
Afternoon 3:15 - 4:30 pm
Conference-wide opportunities
for all conference participants to interact in small group dialogues to further
engage concepts and explore practical applications. In addition to facilitators,
scribes are assigned to each break-out session to record questions, ideas, issues,
and applications. These are then synthesized and collated to include in conference
proceedings and outcome planning, and drawn on to create topical E-Dialogues and
E-Working Groups through CBI's website for contining the process following the
conference.
EVENING PLENARY
SESSIONS
Keynote:
Huston Smith, PhD 6:00
- 6:30 pm
Keynote: Marianne
Williamson 6:30 - 7:00 pm
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Plenary
Panel: 7:15 - 9:15 pm
"The
Psychology and Anthropology of The Other"
Some topics explored
include (but are not limited to):
- The Other - as humankind's oldest
and most resilient foe.
- Our historically shared identity as The Other.
- The Unknown And Alien -vs- Evil
- The Other as a fundamental
dynamic and part of the development of Self Identity and Community Identity (Us
and Them, Me and You)
Maureen O'Hara, PhD., Aftab Omer, PhD., Don Edward
Beck., PhD, Dan Bar On, PhD., Sharif Abdullah, JD.
Moderated by Jeffrey
Mishlove, PhD
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Performances
and Events: 9:15 - 11:30 pm
~ "Live
At Jacob's Ladder" Robert Small
~ Cultural Song, Music, and Dance
Sunday,
October 29
MORNING
PLENARY SESSION
Plenary Panel: 9:00
- 10:40 am
"Cultural
Myths, Ethos, and Belief Systems"
Some topics explored include
(but are not limited to):
- The formation, development, and maintenance
of belief systems (individual and communal)
- The inter-generational
inheritance of unresolved trauma & loss as part of cultural ethos (creating
heroes, martyrs, & collateral damage).
- Paradoxical dynamics of
(mutual) victim identity, and victim becoming perpetrator.
- Are there
cultural myths that trigger reactionary rather than rational, proactive behavior?
If so, what is the character of those myths? Conversely, are there myths that
serve to connect culture to a deeper sense of the interconnectedness and inherent
worth of all life?
- 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 so as to nurture care and compassion for all life?
James O'Dea, PhD., Barbara Marx Hubbard, RsD., Abdul Aziz Said, PhD., Sen.
John Vasconcellos, Marvalene Hughes, PhD., Dan Bar On, PhD.
Moderated
by Aftab Omer, PhD.
FACILITATED DIALOGUE GROUPS
Late
Morning 10:50 am - 12:00 pm
Conference-wide
opportunities for all conference participants to interact in small group dialogues
to further engage concepts and explore practical applications. In addition to
facilitators, scribes are assigned to each break-out session to record questions,
ideas, issues, and applications. These are then synthesized and collated to include
in conference proceedings and outcome planning, and drawn on to create topical
E-Dialogues and E-Working Groups through CBI's website for contining the process
following the conference.
* This final open
dialogue session will include an added focus on what has emerged from the conference
and next steps.
CONFERENCE CLOSING:
(includes lunch)
Summary,
Outcomes, and Where We Go From Here
12:30
- 2:00 pm
Special
Features
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Huston
Smith, PhD
Sam Keen, PhD
Marianne
Williamson
Archbishop
Elias Chacour
Maureen O'Hara, PhD
PERFORMANCES
Children
Of Abraham
(film performance)
Josh White Jr.
(musical performance)
LaRon Williams
(story telling)
Live At Jacob's Ladder (theatrical
performance)
IN-PROCESS EXPERIENCES
Expressive
Arts Interpretative drawings of the conference as it evolves
Deborah
Koff-Chapman
EXHIBITS
Children
Of Abraham
(wall hangings)
Touch Drawings
(collection of interpretive drawings by
Deborah Koff-Chapman created during
the conference inspired by activities and
events as they emerge)
Faces
Of The Other
(photo exhibit)
MEDIA ROOM
Documentary
Film Clips:
"Children
of The Camps"
"A
Silk Cocoon"
"Faces
of The Enemy"
"Occupied
Minds"
"Humanity
Ascending"
"The
Color of Fear"
"Zeitouna
Movie Project"
"Children
Of Abraham"
"A
Single Drop"
EVENING SOCIAL-CULTURAL
EVENTS
E-CONFERENCE
Real-time, Interactive Video-Conferencing
during plenary sessions to
satellite locations
in the US and selected countries.
In-Process
Internet Blog to post conference proceedings.
Topical
E-Dialogues through CBI's website reflecting emerging issues to
stimulate an expanding and on-going dialogue beyond the conference.
E-Working
Groups through CBI's website to support collaborations and
joint efforts in continuing this process.
