Thursday,
November 12
ETO CONFERENCE OPENING and
EVENTS
6:30
pm - 9:30 pm
Greeting, Mission, Announcements,
& Presentation of the "Charter for Compassion":
Steve Olweean,
MA
Keynote: Huston
Smith,
PhD
Keynote: Rabbi
Michael Lerner, PhD
Comments: Paul Jacob
All-Conference Interactive Dialogue Experience:
Maggie Herzig
Friday,
November
13
Morning Yoga Session
7:50 - 8:30 am
(bring your own floor mat)
Gabriella Yates, MA
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
A
Workshops and Roundtables
Morning 9:00 - 10:30
am
A 1:
"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
____________________________________________
A 2:
"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
____________________________________________
A
3:
"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, Kathy Armijo Etre, PhD,
Tamyra Freeman, MA Ed, Lourdes Morales,
PhD Cand., Jeff Leinaweaver, PhD
____________________________________________
A
4: "Media
and Images of The Other"
ROUNDTABLE
What is the role of media in depicting images of The Other - currently
and historically, and what is the influence of these images on stereotypes?
What is the effectiveness of using media to address negative stereotypes
and polarization as a means to increasing understanding and sensitivity?
Lynn
Feinerman, Edwin Rutsch, Sahar
Driver, MA,
Moderator: Daniel
Tutt,
MA
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS B
Facilitated
Dialogue Groups
(Conference-wide break-out groups)
Late Morning 10:50 am - 12:20 pm
(All participants self-select one of several themed dialogue
groups)
One of 4 opportunities during the conference for all participants
to engage in open agenda dialogues to share learning, explore concepts
and related issues, process experiences, network, and brainstorm practical
applications and collaboration. Dialogue groups are viewed as the engines
of the conference experience where collaboration and application
most emerge. Each group is framed around a different general theme
woven throughout the program, and dialogue occurs within the general
context of that theme. Themes are repeated and participants can
choose to follow one theme or different themes in each time period.
In addition to facilitators, scribes in each group record content highlights.
Information is compiled and posted daily to CBI's web blog, allowing
participants an evolving overview of what is brewing in the community
from day to day to promote deeper dialogue as the conference progresses.
The information is also included in conference proceedings and outcomes,
and utilized for future cooperation and planning.
~
Lunch ~
12:20 - 2:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
C
Workshops and Roundtables
Afternoon 2:00 - 3:30 pm
C 1:
"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
____________________________________________
C 2:
"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
____________________________________________
C 3:
"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
___________________________________________
C
4:
"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
___________________________________________
C
5: "Economic
and Environmental Sustainability"
ROUNDTABLE
How can we transcend greed, power, and scarcity thinking
to insure economic and environmental policies and practices that work
for the good of all?
Osprey Orielle Lake,
MA, Dave Belden,
PhD, Steve Bhaerman,
MA, Mutombo
M'Panya, MA,
Moderator: John
Glaser, EdD
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS D
Facilitated
Dialogue Groups
(Conference-wide break-out groups)
Late Afternoon 3:45 - 5:15 pm
(All participants self-select one of several themed dialogue groups)
( * See complete description in SESSION
B )
~
Dinner ~
5:15 - 7:00 pm
Swami Beyondananda, the "Cosmic Comic"
6:45 - 7:00 pm
EVENING PLENARY
PANEL:
7:15 - 8:45 pm
"Hate and Scapegoating as
Barriers to Engaging The Other"
The great work of social healing and cultural transformation requires
a deepening engagement with the other. The effectiveness of this engagement
necessitates we respond to the dynamics of hate and scapegoating in
creative ways. Paradoxically, there are cultural taboos regarding speaking
directly to the ways in which hate and scapegoating have a pervasive
impact on our lives. Panelists will bring distinctive perspectives to
the challenge of guiding communities, organizations and nations through
the quicksand of hate and scapegoating.
Corinne McLaughlin, Sal Nunez,
PhD, Sharif Abdullah,
JD, Kenn Burrows, PhD
Moderator: Aftab Omer, PhD
EVENING EVENTS
(concurrent options):
8:45 - 10:30 pm
1) "Indigie
Femme" : The World Wheel Journey
Special
Performance: Tash Terry, Elena Higgins,
and
Vijali Hamilton
2) ETO
Dialogue Cafe'
Saturday,
November
14
Morning Yoga Session
7:50 - 8:30 am
(bring your own floor mat)
Gabriella Yates, MA
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS E
Workshops and Roundtables
Morning 9:00 am - 10:30 pm
E-1:
"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
____________________________________________
E-2: "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
____________________________________________
E-3: "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, Len Traubman
____________________________________________
E-4:
"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
____________________________________________
E-5:
"The
Tibetan NonViolent Action Movement"
Over the last 50 years under the leadership of
HH the Dalai Lama, and with recent events in particular, the Tibetan
freedom movement has been a movement of nonviolent action, requiring
wisdom, compassion, focus, networking and, most importantly, unity.
This session explores the beliefs, perspective, and skills necessary
to address these challenges. It also demonstrates the necessity for
such a movement, with members trained in nonviolence and a deep clarity
of purpose, and for raising awareness of central issues, objectives,
and requirements through the media to bring constructive international
pressure for a positive resolution. Based on the belief that Nonviolence
is the only way to resolve any kind of conflict, and with the continued
leadership of HH the Dalai Lama, this approach will be shown to be the
most viable path to success in resolving the Tibet issue and leading
to a new, more compassionate world.
Geshe Gendun Gyatso, Tashi Wangdu
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
F
Workshops and Roundtables
Morning 10:50 am - 12:20 pm
F-1:
"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, Walt Roberts, Peter Hwosch
____________________________________________
F-2:
"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
____________________________________________
F-3:
"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.,
James Hernandez
____________________________________________
F-4:
"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
F
5: "Difficult
Dialogues: Reaching Beyond the Veil of Stereotypes"
ROUNDTABLE
An exchange of experiences among individuals actively engaged with dialogues
between polarized groups and communities to co-create bridges of understanding
and reconciliation. Panel members share their personal stories - initiatives,
difficulties, successes, lessons learned, hope, and unique rewards of
this challenging work.
Spring Cheng, Andrew Benson Greene,BA,
Huda Abu Arqoub, Ihsan
Alkhatib, Esq., MA,,
Eryn Kalish,
MC
~
Lunch ~
12:20 - 2:00 pm
SESSIONS
G
PLENARY
PANEL:
2:00 - 3:45 pm
"Building Cooperation Across
Political Divides: A Transpartisan Conversation"
The tone of political discourse is rapidly deteriorating. Many are deeply
concerned that our inability to engage constructively across ideological
divides is paralyzing the policy process at all levels. This panel will
bring together a handful of leading practitioners who aim to deepen
listening and respect with their political adversaries. They will speak
about their beliefs and commitments across ideological lines, ask each
other genuine questions, and engage in meaningful conversation. During
this interactive panel-conversation, you will have a chance to learn
how conservatives and liberals think and what they care about, as well
as ask questions. Don't be surprised if you leave the session with your
images and sets of beliefs about each other challenged.
Joan Blades, Michael Ostrolenk, Amanda
Kathryn (Hydro) Roman, Max
Pappas, MA
Moderators: Susan Partnow and Joseph McCormick
(* One of the concurrent dialogue
groups immediately following this session will be designated to carry
on processing this panel experience for those who wish to continue this
dialogue)
Dialogue Group Facilitators: Maggie Herzig, Mahvash Hassan
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS H
Facilitated
Dialogue Groups
(Conference-wide break-out
groups)
Late Afternoon 4:00 - 5:30 pm
(All participants self-select one of several themed dialogue groups)
(* See complete description in SESSION
B )
~
Dinner ~
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Keynote: Michael Ostrolenk
6:40 - 7:00 pm
EVENING PLENARY
PANEL:
7:15 - 8:45 pm
"Next Steps For A New Beginning:
Practical Measures for Healing Stereotypes That Divide"
What would it take, in practical terms,
to realize the intent espoused in President Obama's Cairo speech in
our personal lives and as a society? A dialogue exploring concrete next
steps for healing negative stereotypes between the US (& West in
general) and Muslim societies, within the US and globally.
Michael Wolf, Imam Faheem Shuaibe, Ameena Jandali,
Robert Fersh,
Moderators: Steve Olweean,
MA, Mahvash Hassan
EVENING EVENTS
(concurrent options)
8:45 - 10:30 pm
1)
ETO Dialogue Cafe'
2)
ETO
Open Mic Performances 2:
Sharing Music,
Song, and Fun
3) ETO Conversation
Gathering
Sunday,
November 15
Morning Yoga Session
7:50 - 8:30 am
(bring your own floor mat)
Gabriella Yates, MA
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
I
Workshops and Roundtables
Morning 9:00 am - 10:30 pm
I-1: "Cultivating
Compassion Through Bread Making"
Today more than ever, if we want to
make our world a better place, we all need to sow the seeds of kindness
and cultivate compassion. By taking the time to look around and pay
attention, we will find endless opportunities in which we can make a
difference. In this interactive session full of anecdotes from her personal
journey to more compassionate living, Devi will use the bread-making
process to illustrate how we can develop an awareness of the capacity
for love within ourselves in order to build communities of goodwill
and warm heartedness for all human beings.
Devi Gursahaney, M.S.W.; M.Ed
____________________________________________
I-2:
"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,
MA
____________________________________________
I-3:
"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, Roger
Marsh, MBA
____________________________________________
I-4:
"Trauma
and Resilience: Healing the Victim-Perpetrator Cycle"
ROUNDTABLE.
Stanley
Krippner,
PhD.,
Benina Gould,
PhD., Skip
Robinson,
PhD., Ilene
Serlin,
PhD.,
ALL
CONFERENCE OPEN SPACE:
BRINGING THE CONFERENCE HOME
10:40 am - 2:30 pm
(break 12:15-12:30 pm)
We will spend time in Open Space to reflect and integrate the learnings
from the conference, consider action plans, develop networks, share
resources and ways to collaborate, as we find ways to put the principles
we've learned and considered into practice in our lives, our work, and
our communities.
10:40 - 10:55: Review of posted HUB
and dialogue group materials
10:55 - 1:45: Opening Circle, Breakout
sessions, and Transition
1:45 - 2:30: Conference
Closing Circle
Final
Words Of Refection, Insight, And Inspiration
Susan
Partnow, MA
(Lunch
Follows)
____________________________________
~
Late Lunch ~
2:30 - 4:00 pm
FACILITATORS
and MEDIATORS
Carol
Glaser, MA John
Glaser, EdD
Chip Baggett, MA Hina
Pendle, PhD
Marti
Roach, MSW
Daniel
Tutt, MA
Maggie Herzig Mahvash
Hassan, MA
Libby Traubman,
MSW Len Traubman
Linda
Blong, PhD
Tamyra Freeman,
MA
Kenn Burrows
PhD Lisa
Montana
Sara Randazzo, MA
Special
Features of the
2009 ETO Conference
IN-PROCESS
EXPERIENCES
Daily
Dialogue Group,
Resource
and Networking HUB
- a designated space where
participants
gather and interact throughout the conference
intended to collect
content and energy from the experience
as it evolves,
share questions and learning, engage in
brainstorming,
and promote
collaboration for next steps
beyond the conference.
Tibetan
Buddhist Sand Mandala Ritual -
a fascinating
spiritual, cultural, and artistic event,
and a unique art
exhibit.
Geshe Gendun Gyatso,
Tashi Wangdu, and Tibetan
Buddhist monks from Sera Jhe Monastic
University in South India:
Geshe Kalsang Lhundup,
Ven Jampa Tenzin,
Ven Ngawang Tseten
Final
Open Space Process
__________________________
EVENING SOCIAL-CULTURAL
EVENTS,
EXPERIENCES,
and COMMUNITY
ACTIVITIES
DAILY YOGA
SESSIONS
INTERNET CONFERENCE
BLOG
In-Process
Internet Blog to post dialogue group content.
RICH NETWORKING
and ACTION PLANNING
INTENTIONAL
CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNITY
ON-SITE
MEDIATION SERVICE
DISPLAYS
(*Additional
Display Space Available)
__________________________
Guidelines
For Dialogue
The
ETO 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 collective 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.
