'11 Presenter Biographicals
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* Please see below
Conference Guidelines
For Compassionate Dialogue

Friday, April 8

RCP CONFERENCE OPENING 
10:00 - 12:00 am

Greeting, Conference Mission, Announcements, & Introductions: 
                                       Steve Olweean                       
Greeting from Neve Shalom/Wahat Al Salam, Israel vie Skype:
                                       Bill Secrest, Ahmad Hijazi
Keynotes via Skype:   Huston Smith
                                       Rabbi David Rosen 
Introduction to Conference-wide Dialogue Group Process:
                                       Steve Olweean, Brenda Rosenberg
Shared Blessings:
Presentation:  - Charter For Compassion
                         - Declaration of Council of Religious Leaders in Israel   

CONCURRENT SESSIONS A
12:15 - 1:15 pm

A 1:  "Tectonic Leadershp "
A vehicle for developing pairs of leaders from opposite sides of the conflict to take joint ownership in transforming the conflict – providing leaders the structure, discipline, and commitment to create together the foundation for a "New Relational Architecture" that sustains seismic events inherent to our civilization.
- Brenda Rosenberg, Samia Bahsoun
____________________________________________

A 2:  "Entering the Dream of Fixed Beliefs and Models for Influencing Change"
Utilizing an indigenous wisdom approach, we will explore the notion of how to we bring influence, healing and change to fixed beliefs. Fixed beliefs are beliefs that are firmly sustained despite what almost everyone else believes and despite what constitutes incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.
- Myron Eshowsky

~ Lunch ~
1:15 am - 2:15 pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS B
2:15 - 3:15 pm

B 1:  "Talking The Walk"
Participants will learn and practice the dialogue process of Nonviolent Communication to simply transform judgments and prejudice by focusing on human universal motivations. We'll use participants' situations through interactive role plays to inspire understanding and practical applications.
- Mair Alight, Tod Kington
____________________________________________

B 2:  "Reclaiming 'Others' and even Ourselves, 'AS IS': Countering Stereotyping, Especially Islamophobia"
We often disown ‘Others’, as well as parts of ourselves. Exploring appearance-ism (appearance-based judgments of ourselves and others), Anya shares strategies to become allies, even to ourselves, and cross barriers into one another’s lives and living rooms, with emphasis on overcoming today’s anti-multiculturalist, Islamophobic climate.
- Anya Cordell

CONCURRENT SESSIONS C

FACILITATED DIALOGUE GROUP
(Conference-wide)
3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

One of 3 progressing opportunities during the conference days for all participants to engage in focused dialogues. The intent is to process experiences, share learning, and address current issues leading to concrete action planning and collaboration beyond the conference for practical applications in our communities to increase public awareness, understanding, support pluralism, and reduce bigotry. This dialogue process will build day to day toward co-creating a final printed draft of a plan and a conference resolution by Sunday's closing that participants can take with them. The material is also included in conference proceedings and outcomes, and used for future planning.

PLENARY PANEL  D
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

"Pluralism, Spiritual Traditions, And Healthy Civil Society - Cultural And Religious Diversity As An Enrichment And Strength Of Society"
As each generation expands in it's daily encounter with a wider range of those different - through increased travel and mobility, immigration and electronic media, as well as mainstream inclusion of those previously marginalized in society, we are regularly challenged to stretch and adjust our perceptions and world views to include and account for the many others who share our collective existence. Particularly in light of the recent increase in intolerance and polarization in the US, this panel explores how advancing spiritual and cultural pluralism enhances society and relations within and between communities, and the role of families, schools, peers, social/cultural institutions, and communities in nurturing this process as a positive growth experience that benefits the individual and society
- Geshe Gendun Gyatso, Mouhanad Hammami, Stephen Goldman, Mumtaz Haque, Marcin Chumiecki,
Moderator: Steve Olweean

~ Dinner ~
6:00 - 7:30 pm

EVENING SOCIAL EVENT  
7:30 - 9:00 pm

Saturday, April 9

9:00 am - 10:00 am
Morning Yoga Session
Session consists of yoga, including postures or asanas, pranayama and meditation. * People are encouraged to dress in loose clothing and have a light stomach.
Mahaveer Khetawat, Anjali Vale

CONCURRENT SESSIONS E
10:00 - 11:00 am

E 1:   "Universities as Spaces for Intercultural and Inter-religious Encounter and Dialogue"
In today's world, many universities are becoming increasingly internationalised where students from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds interact and learn together. I offer some conceptual and pedagogical exploration of higher education as a space for intercultural/inter-faith encounter, fostering human relations and developing tools for dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation.
- Sherto Gill
____________________________________________

E 2:  "Buddhist Secular Ethics for Interreligious Harmony"
This presentation will focus on each individual living on the practical level and learning more deeply their own faith, instead of blindly following religious practices. Buddhist secular ethics incorporates philosophies of the Dalai Lama and Mahatma Gandhi. Secular ethics means respect for every religion and faith.
- Geshe Gendun Gyatso, Venerable Bhardo Serpa, Tamang Lama Ram Bahadur, Lopsang Lama,

CONCURRENT SESSIONS F
11:15 am - 12:15 pm

F 1:  "Mysticism and Practice in World Religions"
Spiritual Reality, directly encountered and minutely described by mystics across times and cultures, has been likened to clear light seen through differently-colored lamps or the same delicious food called by different names. Discover surprisingly similar ‘road maps’ left by pioneers of the unseen worlds.
- Karima Bushnell
____________________________________________

F 2:   "Yoga and Its Hindu Origins"
Hindu American Foundation's Take Back Yoga campaign advocates that while no one person or religion owns yoga, the practice is firmly rooted in Hindu philosophy and represents the pluralistic nature of Hinduism - the Truth is One, with many paths. This session seeks to explore the topic further.
- Padma Kuppa, Mahaveer Khetawat, Anjali Vale,

~ Lunch ~
12:15 - 1:30 pm

PLENARY PANEL  G
1:30 - 2:45 pm

G 1:  "Interfaith Approaches in Healing"
Exploring approaches and methods for healing and wellness that include employing spiritual perspectives and resources from various spiritual traditions.
- Najah Bazzy, Manveen Saluja, Myron Eshowsky, Brenda Rosenberg, Moderator Farha Abbasi
____________________________________________

G 2:   "Learning The AB'P's - Correcting Prejudicial images of the Other in Schools"
Identifying, updating, and resolving misinformation, misunderstanding, and negative stereotypes in educational curriculum and school culture that promote prejudice, bigotry, marginalization, and scapegoating. Exploring ways religious/cultural communities can aid schools and educators in promoting better understanding and appreciation for diversity.
- Mary Assel, Jehan Olweean, Padma Kuppa  Moderator: Sheri Schiff,

PLENARY PANEL  I
3:00 - 4:30 pm

"Islamophobia, Racism, Anti Semitism, Scapegoating, and American Ideals: Tapping Into The Best In Society To Heal The Energy Of Fear and Ignorance"

- Imam Abdullah El-Amin, Saeed Khan, Anya Cordell, Ali Hammoud, Rene Lichtman, Co-Moderators: Brenda Rosenberg, Samia Bahsoun

CONCURRENT SESSIONS H

FACILITATED DIALOGUE GROUP
(Conference-wide group)
4:45 - 5:30 pm
( * See complete description in SESSION C )

~ Dinner ~
5:30 - 7:30 pm

Keynote: US Representaive John Dingell
(contingent on congressional session)
7:00 - 7:30 pm

EVENING CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
7:30 - 9:00 pm

Presenting: The art of "Bharata Natyam," a universal expression of the human soul's intense need to be united with the Supreme Omnipresence
Performance by: Hindu Temple Rhythms: Michigan Premier Institution for the Performing Arts of India.
- Sudha Chandra Sekhar, director, and HTR dance group.

Sunday, June 13

PLENARY PANEL  J
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

"Personal Story Through Social Media As A Door To Compassion And Bridging Divides" - A Global Student Roundtable
Using live 2-way Skype links to Israel and Jordan, students from 3 countries (US, Israel, Jordan) discuss the use of social media to share personal narratives in overcoming learned stereotypes and exclusion, including regarding other spiritual communities, and increasing understanding, common ground, and appreciation for multiplicity. Members will share examples they are aware of, including experiences from their own lives, and why this form of contact is so powerful. Ideas regarding the potential to further expand and extend this quality of personal engagement to more people, locally and globally, will be brainstormed and explored as well
- Esam Hijazi, Eden Ben Shabat, Tahni Mohamed, Iman Ali, Mohammed Lanston, Letitia Mercado, Elana Haron
Co-Moderators: Steve Olweean, Ahmad Hijazi

CONCURRENT SESSIONS K

FACILITATED ACTION PLANNING GROUP
(Conference-wide)
12:20 am - 2:00 pm
Focusing on practical planning, networking, and collaboration beyond the conference, including an action plan and conference resolution.
( * See complete description in SESSION C )

CONFERENCE CLOSING
2:00 - 2:30 pm
Processing Conference Experience, Summarizing,
Cooperation, Next Steps, Farewell

(Networking Lunch Follows)
____________________________________________

2:30 - 3:30 pm
~ Networking Lunch ~
Final informal opportunity to explore cooperation
and next steps beyond the conference

 Guidelines For Compassionate Dialogue

The RCP Conference strives to promote an inclusive, compassionate dialogue that honors different personal experiences, perspectives, and narratives, 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 joint wisdom to bear in exploring sometimes difficult issues that effect us all. This is based on the premise that it does not require that we be the same to be appreciate of, at peace with, and secure in our relationships with each other; only that we be familiar enough with each others story to share the humanity and trustworthiness that resides in each of us.
We ask all participants to assist us by carrying and expressing this intent throughout the conference.
We ask all participants to assist us by carrying and expressing this intent throughout the conference.

NonViolent Communication Guidelines: (Adapted from Marshall Rosenberg)

Unique Assumptions—NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies—whether verbal or physical—are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. It also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that all actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs.

While NVC is much more than a communication model, the components below provide a structural concept of the process that leads to giving and receiving from the heart.

Honestly Expressing how I am and what I would like without using blame, criticism or demands

Empathically Receiving how another is and what he/she would like without hearing blame, criticism or demands  

Whether expressing or receiving, NVC focuses our attention on four pieces of information:

Observations—Objectively describing what is going on without using evaluation, moralistic judgment, interpretation or diagnosis
Feelings—Saying how you feel (emotions and body sensations) about what you have observed without assigning blame
Needs—The basic human needs that are or not being met and are the source of feelings
Requests—Clear request for actions that can meet needs

Additional Features of the
2010 RCP Conference

 Evening Social-Cultural and Film Events 
 Rich Networking and Action Planning 
 Intentional Cross-Cultural Community
  Displays and Exhibits (*Additional Exhibit Space Available)

2012 RCP Conference Information:

  Underlying Concepts
Main RCP Conference Page
Fees and Registration
2012 Presenters, Session Topics, Overview, & Schedule
2012 RCP Full Program
2012 Presenter Biographicals
Site and Travel
RCP Press Room
      1 Page Color RCP Conference flyer  - pdf
      1 Page RCP Black & White flyer  - pdf
      1 Page Text Flyer  - pdf
      Conference E-Mail Notice
    On-Site Video Interviews and Proceedings
RCP Conference Staff Contacts
Presenter Proposal Form
Dialogue Facilitator Form

Advertize , Display, and Donate:
   Advertize in On-Site Conference Program
   Exhibit Table Space is Available

Registration is
Open To The Public

FROM OUR RCP ARCHIVES:
'11, '10 and '09 Programs, Proceedings, & Outcomes

Previous 2011 RCP Conf. Information:   
       Previous '11 RCP Program Sessions
       Previous '11 Presenter Biographicals and Photos

Previous 2010 RCP Conf. Information:   
       Previous '10 RCP Program Sessions
       Previous '10 Presenter Biographicals and Photos
       Previous '10 List of Presenters and Schedule Outline

Previous 2009 RCP Conf. Information:
       Content of '09 Daily Facilitated Dialogue Groups
       Previous '09 RCP Program Sessions
       Previous '09 Presenter Biographicals and Photos
       Previous '09 List of Presenters and Schedule Outline

Other Conferences by CBI:
    Engaging The Other Conference (ETO)
    International Conference on Conflict Resolution (ICR) 

Common Bond Institute
Steve Olweean, Director,  SOlweean@aol.com
12170  S. Pine Ayr Drive • Climax, Michigan •49034 USA
1-269-665-9393  (Phone and Fax)
Website:  http://www.cbiworld.org
CONTACT US!