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.
