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NOW MORE THAN EVER
An
Appeal and an Opportunity
to
Support Clear Accomplishments for Peace in the World
by Bringing Peace Makers Together
at the
15th
ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
On CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Help Make A Difference
We hope you will join in supporting proven work in successfully
building capacity for peace in troubled regions of the world
by making a TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION
that allows key representatives from regions like the Middle
East, Caucuses, Balkans, and South Asia, to
receive conflict resolution training and meet together in this setting
so this crucial work may continue and expand. Currently OVER
160 COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS have been identified from these
regions of turmoil who wish to come to this year's Conference and
receive this essential training, representing grassroots organizations
actively engaged in peace and recovery efforts. The list is growing,
and we need your help in acting on this window of opportunity
to bring as many of these representatives as possible. Many participants
are from both sides of existing conflicts who wish to connect with
their counterparts for future cross-border cooperation. An important
immediate focus is to assist participants from the Palestinian/Israeli
conflict.
In the middle of rising violence and stalled or failed peace negotiations
at the government level, this LINKING BETWEEN
PEACEMAKERS from all sides offers
the best prospect for true peace, as it is through direct interaction
and cooperation that we can develop ways to transform conflicts
in clear, practical, and realistic ways on the ground.
Endorsements
The ICR Conference is endorsed by a growing list of
over 80 organizations and universities internationally and has received
support in the past from the presidents of the US and Russia (see
our Supporters). It is sponsored
by Common Bond Institute
(U.S.) and HARMONY Institute (Russia), in cooperation with
the International Humanistic Psychology Association. Participants
travel at great personal hardship and expense, sometimes journeying
through war zones to join the conference.
Results to Date
There has been an established, successful history of
these kinds of dynamic networking and collaboration opportunities
growing from the ICR Conference. As just one example, since 1997 we
have funded a number of representatives from regions of war and conflict
where there are large populations of civilian victims and refugees,
including the Balkans, Middle East, Caucuses. During each of these
conferences counselors and relief workers from these regions have
been provided with intensive trainings in trauma recovery skills to
increase their capacity to serve victims of trauma in their communities.
As a direct result of personal contacts between peacemakers
- often from opposing sides of existing or recent conflicts - and
the networking support of the conference organizers throughout the
year, a number of important, cooperative, cross-border efforts have
been pioneered in the 15 years the ICR Conference has existed.
Next Goals
We are now seeking contributions to enable us to bring
as many representatives as possible from the Middle East, South Asia,
Caucuses, and Balkans, to this year's 15th
ICR Conference for:
- Essential Face-to-Face Networking for grassroots, cross-border
cooperation, as well as direct support by represented training
organizations from around the world.
- Sharing First Hand Perspectives of current conflicts
and exploring possible solutions from both sides through presentations,
special roundtables, and planning meetings.
- Training in hands-on conflict resolution skills that
participants can take back and share with their organizations
and communities, including elements of the integrated Catastrophic
Trauma Recovery model, designed to provide intensive training
to local counselors, relief workers, and teachers throughout
regions of conflict in effective tools to treat severe emotional
trauma of victims of violence suffering from Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder.
- Further development of the Catastrophic Trauma Recovery
Project for application in the Middle East, South Asia,
Caucuses, and Balkans, including planning and development meetings
between regional NGO's and participating training institutes
from various countries.
The 15 years of ICR Conference history is a clear example
of what can be accomplished when individuals in positions to take
action meet face to face in a positive atmosphere of cooperation and
community. As a poignant testimony to this, participants from The
Middle East, Caucuses, and Balkans state that, in contrast to the
animosity and hostility back home, they have had more concrete opportunities
to meet and form trusted, ongoing working relationships with each
other at these conferences than if they had stayed in their home countries.
Your Support is Needed
Established now for 15 consecutive years, this major
international conference has been completely self-funded, in addition
to in-kind donations by approximately 50 presenters each year. Your
contribution will bolster this and allow us to immediately include
many crucially positioned peace workers in these regions where progress
toward breaking the impasse to peace is in everyone's personal interest.
In the midst of disastrous global events and expanding war, there
are those who offer realistic hope through working for peace and easing
suffering. If you, your colleagues, or your organization are drawn
to such hope and are looking for a clear means of supporting peace
and security in the world, we invite you to support the ICR
Conference Subsidy Fund, specifically targeting key participants
from regions of turmoil where this security is most in jeopardy. Any
amount is helpful and appreciated.
Donor
Categories:
$ 10 - 500 Supporter
$ 500 - 1,000 Advocate
$ 1,000 - 2,000 Benefactor
$ 2,000 - 5,000 Underwriter
$ 5,000 - 15,000 Patron
$15,000 + Major
Patron
How to Help
CONTRIBUTIONS in support of the ICR Conference
and relief projects may be made out to the "Common Bond Institute,"
with a note on the check ear marking it for "ICR Conference,"
and sent to:
Common Bond Institute
12170 South Pine Ayr Drive, Climax, Michigan 49034 USA
Phone/Fax: (269) 665-9393
Email:
SOlweean@aol.com
Donations of any size are appreciated and can
be made by PayPal Internet banking, check, money order, cashiers check,
or credit card. Contributions can also be wired directly (contact
CBI office for instructions).
Support is also possible through placing Advertisements
in the On-Site Program.
For More Information
Information is also available by e-mail or fax upon
request. If you wish more specific information on this appeal, clarification,
or to speak with someone directly please contact Common
Bond Institute.
We invite you to be part of this effort in endorsing
healing and nonviolence in the world, and creating the practical,
grassroots cooperation and essential tools to make it possible.
....A
sample of the future we dream of and strive to create
is in full bloom each Spring in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Dates:
May 5 - 13, 2007 Site:
St. Petersburg, Russia
( Formal Conference Program: May 6-11 )
Call
For Proposals:
March 10, 2007
List
of Previous 2006 Conference Presenters
For pictures of previous conferences visit our Photogallery.
Detailed
ICR Conference Information:
Help
contribute to bringing peacemakers together
Site and trip information
Cost information
Registration
Form
Presenter
Proposal Form
Previous
Year's Program Sample
Photogallery
List of 2005 Conference Presenters
Information on advertising in the
On-Site Program
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