'09 Presenter
Biographicals
'09
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RCP '09 Facilitated Dialogue Group Notes
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Friday,
March 13
RCP CONFERENCE
OPENING
10:00 - 11:45 am
Greeting, Conference
Mission, Announcements, & Introductions:
Keynote: John
Esposito
Presentation: 2009 Parliament
of World Religions
~
Lunch ~
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
A
Workshops
and Panels
1:00 - 2:25 pm
A 1:
"The
Two-Edge Sword: Religion As A Barrier To - And Catalyst For - Community"
Religion is paradoxically both a help and a hindrance to community
and inclusive spirituality. Almost every faith and wisdom tradition
has inclusive compassion at its core. And, almost every one has an element
of exclusivity: "my way is the only true way". In the past,
on a less crowded planet, these exclusivist ideas could flourish unmolested.
However, as we enter the 21st Century, we must, for our global survival,
start to stress the other side of the two-edged sword - the side that
heals and binds us together as a human family.
Sharif Abdullah
____________________________________________
A
2: "Abrahamic
Family Reunion"
The Abrahamic Family Reunion (AFR)
Project helps foster understanding and healing between and among followers
of the three Abrahamic faiths. Unlike traditional interfaith dialogue
programs, the focus of the AFR Project is on the historical roots of
Jewish-Christian-Muslim animosities from psychological and spiritual
perspectives. Using a variety of resources to stimulate discussion,
participants are encouraged to share their feelings, beliefs, and preconceptions
about the other two faith traditions based on a challenging history.
Participants are then asked to discuss what they need to hear from the
two other faiths to believe that the Abrahamic family reunion is possible.
Joseph Montville
____________________________________________
A 3:
"Ethical
Leadership in Global Economic Crisis"
PANEL
Each country, with varying social, economic and religious philosophies
address human suffering differently in crisis situations. However, the
global economic crisis, resulting from highly interdependent world economies,
has resulted in significant and disparate suffering among different
countries. While it is easy to blame globalization for local suffering,
inflated passions, and short-sighted actions, ethical leadership requires
actions that are compatible with cultural and religious philosophies
that guide each and every country.
Nadeem Salem, Victor Naidu, Abdul Raheman
Nakadar
Moderator: Mohan
Tanniru
____________________________________________
A 4:
"Institutionalized
Peace"
PANEL
The attainment of peace is the common goal of all authentic religious
expression and all great religions teach the ideal of human societies
living in harmony with one another and the natural world. Yet, historically
communal life has been characterized more by war than peace, and religions
themselves have often been co-opted for service to war. Today we live
in a world in which the human species itself is at risk for survival.
This panel will explore the question: Why have religious traditions
failed to bring about the peace for which they yearn, and are these
same traditions being "called" into a new way of addressing
war beyond simply "teaching" peace, but working for its "implementation"
in human affairs through the establishment of peaceful institutions.
The panel consists of a natural scientist, social scientist, engineer,
and theologian who will explore how their occupations can contribute
to the "institutionalization of peace."
Michael Sevilla, John
Suggs, Elysa
White,
James Dow, Tristin Hassell
Moderator: Charles
Mabee
PLENARY
PANEL
B
2:50 pm - 4:30 pm
"Cult and Extremism -Vs- Religion:
The Distortion of Spiritual Path and Original Intent"
Dichotomies and conflicts within spiritual traditions, including negative,
extremist interpretations and interpolations of tenets and practice,
are historical and present day dilemmas for many religions. Understanding
how these elements and conditions arise, how they compromise, contradict,
and threaten original spiritual intent, and how they create conflictual
relationships between and within religious communities, as well as how
to develop remedies, are even more essential in today's increasingly
interconnected global community.
Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Naomi Tutu, Rabbi Arnie
Sleutelberg, Rev. Joseph Summers, Krishna
Kumar
Moderator: Don Matthews
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS
C
FACILITATED
DIALOGUE GROUPS
(Conference-wide
break-out groups)
4:45 pm - 6:00 pm
(All participants self-select one of several themed dialogue groups)
One of 3 opportunities during the conference days 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. In addition to
facilitators, scribes in each group record content highlights. Information
is compiled and posted to the conference website, allowing participants
an evolving overview of what is brewing in the community from day to
day and added opportunities to follow up on ideas and contacts made
during the conference. The information is also included in conference
proceedings and outcomes, and utilized for future planning.
~
Dinner ~
6:00 - 7:30 pm
(Brief presentation: Cathy Cheal)
Keynote: 7:30
- 8:00 pm
Naomi Tutu
EVENING EVENTS
(concurrent options):
8:15 - 9:45 pm
1) "The
Power of Forgiveness" Film
Showing
2) "Open
Mic " Sharing
Song, Music, and Poetry
Saturday,
March 14
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
D
Workshops
and Panels
10:00 - 11:20 am
D 1:
"Voices
From The Field - An interactive Workshop Using Just Vision's Online
Portraits of Peacebuilders"
Just
Vision informs local and international audiences about under-documented
Palestinian and Israeli joint civilian efforts to resolve the conflict
nonviolently. This session will introduce a new, non-divisive way for
facilitators and community leaders to address the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. Our Online Portraits of Peacebuilders will be used as a catalyst
for dialogue in this experiential workshop, which presents under-documented
stories of Israelis and Palestinians who have been deeply touched by
violence but who nonetheless struggle to stem hatred and promote reconciliation,
understanding and nonviolence
Irene
Nasser
____________________________________________
D 2:
"Service
of Healing and Transition"
A highly inclusive service by the Rochester Area
Ministers Association (RAMA) offering music, meditation/prayer,
readings, and blessings from the various faiths by minister's
from a variety of faith traditions. Program consists of: Welcome
and call to Prayer, Reading: 'We Need One Another," First Reading
-'First Day" and brief reflection, Second Reading: Psalms 23-brief
reflection, Third Reading 'When' and brief reflection, Responsive Prayer,
Reflection on Wholeness and Healing, Guided Meditation
Sr. Mary VanGilder, Rev
Leonetta, Imam Achmat Salie, Rev. Sue Camaiore,
Rev Latha Ravi, Fr. Stan Ulman, Julius Delpino
____________________________________________
D 3:
"Extremism,
Fear, Sensationalism, and Media Images of Islam"
PANEL
How is Islam and the
Muslim community portrayed in mainstream media, both overtly and covertly,
and what is the power of these images in influencing American social
consciousness and undermining the experience of Muslims in America?
One example of these dynamics is the controversy surrounding being identified
as a possible Muslim in the recent election campaign of Barack Obama.
Osama Siblani, David
Crumm, Mumtaz
Haque, Daniel Tutt
Moderator: Peter Bertocci
____________________________________________
D
4: "Legacy
for a Better World"
PANEL
It
is a universal truth that our youth are our future. The experience of
prejudice, scapegoating, and hate acts that impact children sets the
frame for polarized relationships yet to come within society as a whole.
The steps, interventions, and models we employ for understanding, responding
to, and transforming the dynamics of bigotry, including within the school
culture, are critical to creating a wider global culture of peace. In
a contemporary world that increasingly brings us closer, and in more
frequent, ever expanding ways in direct contact with our many diverse
spiritual paths and cultures, what visions, principles, practical tools,
and examples for the future can we instill in our youth to help them
in engaging, appreciating, and coexisting in compassion and harmony
with those we share the planet with?
Padma Kuppa, Rick Joseph, Penny Zago, Falguni Shah
Moderator:
Jehan Olweean
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS
E
Workshops
and Panels
11:35 am - 12:55 pm
E 1:
"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 misunderstandings around this area 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
____________________________________________
E 2:
"Changing
Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World"
In September 2008 the U.S.-Muslim Engagement project released the
report of its eminent, bi-partisan, and interfaith Leadership Group:
Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim
World. The report highlights actions the U.S. can take, in partnership
with Muslims committed to non- violent political and economic development,
to reverse extremism, increase international security and improve relations.
The central message is that the U.S. government, business, faith, education,
and media leaders must work with Muslim counterparts to build a coalition
that will turn the tide against extremism
Paula Gutlove
____________________________________________
E
3: "Challenges
of Interfaith Dialogue"
PANEL
Exploring
the process of opening to the other's spiritual experience to cross
boundaries and build bridges of understanding, compassion, healing,
and the sense of security in being familiar with the other's story and
spiritual path. Members share personal stories, efforts, difficulties,
successes, and lessons learned in cultivating interfaith dialogue.
Ohad Bar Shalom, Imad Hamad, Brenda Rosenberg,
Eide Alawan, Sarah Sayeed
Moderator:
Henri Gooren
____________________________________________
E 4:
"Healing
Domestic Abuse"
PANEL
A common dilemma in many religious communities
is the selective misuse by individuals of religion as justification
for aberrant behavior. As one example, perpetrators of domestic abuse
sometimes try to evade individual responsibility for violent and anti-social
acts that clearly violate basic moral codes by wrongly injecting an
assumption of certain religious "rights," and often attempt
to place responsibility on the victim. This dialogue seeks to remove
this cloak by raising awareness and sensitivity among religious communities
and leaders about domestic abuse, increasing understanding of religious
positions on conflict and abuse within families and relationships, and
exploring effective methods for prevention and for building partnerships
between religious leaders and human service professionals engaged in
healing abuse.
Joanna Ladki, Terri
Heckman, Sonya Friedman
Moderater: Steve
Olweean
~
Lunch ~
12:55 - 1:55 pm
PLENARY
PANEL
F
1:55 - 3:15 pm
"Who
Speaks For Islam?"
This roundtable addresses the dilemma of individuals
and groups around the world and country who engage in negative behavior
and who present themselves as examples of Islamic beliefs, practices,
attitudes, and history - and where an uninformed Western public may
erroneously accept them as accurate. A dialogue among several respected
imams who discuss the dilemma, clarify inaccurate and distorted impressions
the public may have, and explore ways the Muslim community can take
positive action to better inform the general non-Muslim public for a
more accurate understanding of Islam and the Muslim community.
Imam Hasan Qazwini, Imam
Mohammed Elahi, Imam Mohammed Mardini
Moderater: Imam
Achmat Salie
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
G
FACILITATED
DIALOGUE GROUPS
(Conference-wide
break-out groups)
3:30 - 4:30 pm
(All participants self-select one of several dialogue groups)
( * See complete description in SESSION
C )
PLENARY
PANEL
H
4:45 - 6:15 pm
"The Implications
of Inclusion and Exclusion: Us and Them in Religion"
The variety and scale of religions in human history give validity to
the wide range of paths humanity takes along the journey to spiritual
experience. How each of us chooses our own sometimes quite different
path on this common journey can highlight an appreciation for the rich
diversity of human sacred practice, while at the same time setting the
stage for the potential hazards of elitism, competition, polarity, and
even animosity that paradoxically negate the core message of unity,
and hamper us on that journey
Joseph Montville, Sharif Abdullah, Manveen Saluja, Sudarshan Sathe,
Imam Achmat Salie
Moderater: Steve Olweean
~
Dinner ~
6:15 - 7:30 pm
(Brief
Remarks by Guest Speaker: Naomi Tutu)
Keynote:
7:30 - 8:00 pm
Mohammed Abu-Nimer
EVENING EVENTS
(concurrent options):
8:15 - 9:45 pm
1)
"Allah Made Me Funny"
Film showing
and
dialogue Daniel
Tutt, Unity Productions
2) "Open Mic "
Sharing Song, Music, and Poetry
Sunday,
March 15
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS
I
MORNING
PANELS:
10:00 - 11:30 am
I 1:
"Gender,
Race, and Religion"
PANEL
Within each religion is the question of human difference, diversity,
and equality, and it's place in putting spiritual principles into practice
through the daily relationships within the human community we share
the world with.
Naomi Tutu, Steve Spreitzer, Sharif
Abdullah
Moderator: Sharon (Shea) Howell
____________________________________________
I 2:
"Simple
Justice: Healing Through Equal Access to Human Rights, Dignity, and
The Law"
PANEL
The presence of basic human rights and fundamental
justice are essential to validating the underlying worth of those who
are recipients of the law, those who administer and implement it, and
society as a whole. Examining how demonizing, dehumanizing, and marginalizing
entire groups remove a society and it's felt-sense of basic goodness
from feeling the impact of and personal responsibility for unjust and
inhumane treatment of others, and undermine the moral integrity of the
individual and society itself.
Shereef Akeel,
Nadia Fadel, Ihsan Alkhatib
Moderater:
Imad Hamad
____________________________________________
I
3: "Bioethics
and Spiritual Beliefs: Advancing Humanity, Body and Soul"
PANEL
Exploring moral questions regarding science and
medicine, religious beliefs, and how each effects the other.
Contemporary life is rapidly offering many challenges for moral decisions
that overlap our practical science in matters of bio-research, medical
application, and the very definition of life and what a human being
is.
What are the deep, necessary questions that both religion and science
confront as they increasingly intertwine into each other's sphere, and
where are the paths to mutual support and harmony between the two in
advancing the human condition?
Fatima Al-Hayaani, Saeed Khan, Krishna Kumar
Moderator: Rasool
Chaudry,
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS
J
FINAL
FACILITATED DIALOGUE
GROUPS
(Conference-wide
break-out groups)
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Focusing on brainstorming, networking,
and collaboration beyond the conference
( * See complete description in SESSION
C )
CONFERENCE
CLOSING
1:00
- 2:30 pm
Reporting In, Summary, Outcomes,
Collaboration, Action Plans,
and Where We Go From Here
(Lunch
Follows)
____________________________________________
2:30
- 3:30 pm
~
Lunch ~
Additional
Features of the
2009 RCP Conference
Evening Social-Cultural and Film Events
Rich Networking and Action Planning
Intentional Cross-Cultural Community
Displays
and Exhibits (*Additional Exhibit Space Available)
