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2012
Presenters, Program Overview, Schedule, and Guidelines
2012 RCP Full Program   2012 Presenter Biographicals

4th Annual International Conference on
Religion, Conflict, and Peace:
Walking The Talk To Compassion And Harmony

March 23-25, 2012 ~ Dearborn, Michigan USA

Site:  Henry Ford Community College

Official Partner and Event of:
Parliament of World's Religions and Charter for Compassion

* On This Page Find:
Conference Features & Daily Schedule,
Description of Program Sessions,
and Guidelines for Compassionate Dialogue

 An Outstanding Gathering of more than 45 Presenters to Join
       in Dialogue:

Confirmed:
Keynote By:  Huston Smith and US Congressman John Conyers

Partial List of Presenters:
Huston Smith, US Congressman John Conyers, Farha Abbasi, Sulaiman Khatib, Myron Eshowsky, Ruth Sharone, Imam Dawud Walid, Anya Cordell, Rev. Dennis Flowers, Noor Malika, Steve Olweean, Noah Salameh, Bill Secrest, Mary Assel, Hashim Al-Tawil, Tracy Marshall, Loren Scribner, Anne Dinan, Ryan Hammack, Manveen Saluja, James Brown, Gahad Hamed, Kelly Williamson, Gloria Rivera, Anas Pasha, Brenda Naomi Rosenberg, Sarah Jaward, Shahar Ben-Josef, Lara Khadr, Hamzah Latif, Brian Merlos, Daniel Dunnigan, Stuart Smith, Melanie Davenport-Anzen, Mary Grannan, N.S.Xavier, Adnan Salhi, Geraldine Grunow, Ken Grunow, Tanya Awad Ghorra, Aseel Zahran, Mohamed Emira, Fran Hayes, Amy Kinsley, Stephen Fabick, Zeinab Saab, Wissam Bazzi, Belal Alzahiri, Bassam Talab, Bashshar Altawil, Kelcie Bourquin, Lizzie Hines, Anas Pasha, Jihad Taleb, Andrew Baron, Julie Moreno

Performances, Events, and Art Exhibits:
Mazaj Arab-American Fusion Band, Madalina Miron, Nicole Olweean

Samples of Keynotes, Panels, Workshops,
           and Evening Events in the 2012 RCP Program

Keynote by: Huston Smith, PhD

Samples of  Workshops and Roundtables include:

1)  "Wounded Xrossing Borders"
Sulaiman Khatib

2)  "Beyond Theories: Where the Rubber Meets the Road"
How does one apply the Golden Rule in situations where we try to respect everyone's religious tradition and practice, while it is obvious that a compromise has to be made. Who makes the compromise? Does someone always have to compromise for an amicable solution? We take an incident that happened among 3 women: a Hindu, Buddhist, and Jew, in which respecting the religious traditions of 1 woman would mean violating that of another. How do you solve these real life situations when applying the Golden Rule? An interactive workshop in which the incident is related, the group divides into smaller "pods" to discuss what should happen, and then shares their deliberations and discussions with the larger group.
Ruth Broyde Sharone, Noor Malika

3)  "PSYCHICIDE- Dimunition and Dehumanising of "The Others"
Addressing the concept of "dehumanizing," psychecide, and trauma to psyche. How has our culture become Okay with caricaturization and character assassination in name of humour, righteousness, or religion. As examples, during holocaust it was acceptable to be anti-Semitic so that the horrors inflicted were acceptable, and more recently this same dynamic is experienced through Islamophobia. Comments like "deserve to die", or the vitriolic and aggressive treatment of Obama based on the 'suspicion' that he is a Muslim, are reminiscent of a hateful image of The Other. We are living in an ideological war zone, and need to redefine norms, ethics and human dignity.
Farha Abbasi, MD

4)  "Multigenerational Trauma and Healing Ancestor Syndrome"
Each of us is a living story influenced by generations past. If we learn what is difficult to hear and see what is difficult to see, then we can better understand transgenerational transmission of unresolved conflicts of hatred and revenge. Presents a model of healing based in indigenous wisdom and shamanic understandings.
Myron Eshowsky, MS

5)  Roundtable: "Religious Studies"
Bill Secrest, MA, Tracy Marshall, Loren Scribner, Anne Dinan, Ryan Hammack

6)  "Religion and Peace: The Interfaith Dialogue Program in the Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation"
The presentation will be about our interfaith project implemented by CCRR between religious' leaders from the three Abrahamic religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, For four years these religious' leaders have discussed the role of religion in peace, the different values in the three religions, and the responsibility of these leaders in guiding political leaders according to these values and morals, as opposed to offering justifucation for violence in the name of God.
Noah Salameh, PhD

7)  "Tectonic Leadership for Transforming the Middle East Conflict - a New Way of Leading - a New Way of Being"
Tectonic Leadership introduces a revolutionary approach to leadership and conflict transformation - meet leaders from opposing sides of the Middle East conflict and learn how they take joint ownership in transforming the conflict - see first hand how they face challenges together and find solutions together.
Brenda Naomi Rosenberg, Sarah Jaward, Sharhar Ben-Josef, Lara Khadr, Hamzah Latif, Brian Merlos

8)  "Creating Peace"
Just as existential freedom is a consequence of authentic engagement with personal responsibility, peace is created by engaging and exploring latent and unconscious conflicts within us. This workshop will utilize creative writing and the visual arts to gain insight to the conflicts we project into the world.
Jim Brown, PhD

9)  Roundtable: "Sustainability and Alternative Energy"
Sustainability issues are of a global scale that affects lives socially, politically, and internally. Finding energy alternatives and sustainable solutions will help existing ecosystems last and strengthen compassion, humanity, and peace among the world’s citizens as less strain is placed on Earth’s resources.
Sammy Hajalie, Anas Pasha, Kelly Williamson, Gloria Rivera

10)  "Real Conscience: Best Guide for Compassion and Harmony"
The real conscience promotes compassion and peace using reason and the Golden Rule in making good choices. Bad choices result from unbalanced feelings (all feelings relate to human needs) or unhealthy "superego" shaped by social programming deviating from conscience. Hate including self-hate involves harsh superego.
N.S. Xavier, MD

11)  "Racism and Violence Against Muslim Women: The Sociological Perspective Of Islamophobia"
Since 9/11, Muslims and Arabs have suffered increased discrimination, both by private actors and by the state. Although Muslims and Arabs are victims of historical discrimination and stereotyping, the political atmosphere has, since September 2001, become keenly Islamophobic. We will critically examine how violence is understood and experienced by Muslim women in North America; how violence against them affects their sense of self, family, and community; how it is shaped through the intersecting matrices of identity, including race, gender, class, religion, age, and marital status.
Gahad Hamed, PhD

12)  "Combating Stereotyping, Islamophobia, Xenophobia & “Appearance-ism”; Being an Ally (Even to Yourself)"
Anya Cordell, Spirit of Anne Frank Award recipient, combats "appearance-ism" (appearance-based judging). Anya, who is Jewish, demonstrates becoming a powerful ally (even to yourself), creating effective initiatives against Islamophobia/xenophobia, bridging cultural barriers, undermining biased and stereotypical media messages, and transforming views of yourself and others.
Anya Cordell

13)  Roundtable: "Buddhist Practice: Off Tthe Cushion, Into the Community"
Panel of Detroit area Buddhist practitioners will engage attendees in dialogue on how their Buddhist Practice informs their everyday actions and focuses specific actions within the community.
Stuart Smith, PhD, Melanie Davenport-Anzen, Mary Grannan

14)  Roundtable: "Local And Global Manifestations Of Islamophobia, Solutions And Recommendations"
We will discuss the impact of Islamophobia on American Muslim college students and develop a sense of urgency that Islamophobia should be dealt with on a socio-political dimension to eradicate stereotypes and demonstrate that Muslim students can be the catalysts to meaningful and constructive dialogue.
Mary Assel PhD, Hashim Al-Tawil PhD, Adnan Salhi PhD,

15)  Roundtable: "We Can LIVE Without the Death Penalty"
Sixteen US States (four in the past five years) have abolished the death penalty; Michigan was the first English-speaking jurisdiction in the world to do so (1847). The movement's current efforts and participants' ideas for eradicating this assault on human rights will be discussed
Geraldine Grunow, Ken Grunow, Student members of Amnesty International HFCC

Plenary Roundtables Include:

1)  "Islamophobia, Racism, Anti Semitism, Scapegoating, and Compassion: Tapping Into The Best In Society To Heal The Energy Of Fear and Ignorance"
Dawood Walid, Anya Cordell, Daniel Dunnigan
Moderator: Steve Olweean, MA

2)  "Social Media: Bridging Divides And The Globe To Promote Understanding, Compassion, And Solidarity"
Tanya Awad Ghorra, Aseel Zahran, Mohamed Emira
Moderator: Steve Olweean, MA

3)  "Joining Together To Heal the Emotional Distress of Negative Stereotyping and Bigotry"
This roundtable addresses the personal emotional and psychological distress individuals and groups experience as a result of being targeted as a community, how this effects relationships within and between communities, and how both counseling professionals and clergy can work together to support community members in alleviating this. Included will be discussing the importance of supporting and orienting clergy to mental health aspects, and exploring the possibility of an interfaith coalition of professional counselors and clergy cooperating on approaches to both offer services to individuals and families and educate the public to this important mental health concern
Farha Abbasi, MD, Steve Olweean, MA, Myron Eshowsky, MS

In-Process Experiences:
  Daily Facilitated Dialogue and Action Planning Groups
  Live 2-way Global Links to other countries
  On-site Blogging

Evening Performances and Events:
  Friday Night:        MAZAJ: Arab-American blues fusion band
  Saturday Night:   Sharing Creative Expression: poetry, song, music, dance,
                                    story, short play, video.
                                    Madalina Meronc, Nicole Olweean

Art Exhibits:
  Current students and alumni from Henry Ford Community College, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan Dearborn will illustrate their place in the world as individuals and members of a worldwide community through the use of multimedia art

 Conference Components

A 3 day Schedule of:

1.  Keynote Speakers
   
2.  Topical Plenary Roundtables
3.  Concurrent Break-out Sessions of Workshops & Roundtables
4.  Daily Conference-wide Facilitated Dialogue and
      Action Planning Groups
5.  Live 2-way Global Links to Israel and Jordan
   
6.  On-site Pod-casting and Blogging
7.  Rich Networking and Action Planning for Applications
       in Our Communities
8.  Evening Performances and Interactive Events
   
9.  Multi-cultural Community
10.  Art Exhibits
11.  Displays *
        (*Additional Display Space is Available)
    

Conference Opens:  Friday, March 23,  10:00 am
                                                (*On-site Registration begins 8:30 am)
Conference Closes:  Sunday, March 25, 2:30 pm
                                                (Networking Lunch 2:30 - 3:30 pm)
                          (See Outline of Daily Schedule Below)

Location:  Henry Ford Community College
                         (see directions at Site and Travel Page)

 Daily Schedule

Friday, March 23

  8:30 am                      *On-Site Registration & Check-in
10:00 am - 11:30 am:   RCP Conference Opening
11:45 pm - 12:45 pm:  Concurrent Sessions - A
12:45 am -  2:00 pm:   Lunch
  2:00 pm -  3:00 pm:   Concurrent Sessions - B
  3:15 pm -  4:15 pm:   Concurrent Sessions - C
  4:30 pm -  6:00 pm:   Plenary Roundtable - D
  6:00 pm -  7:30 pm:   Dinner
  7:30 pm -  9:00 pm:   Musical Performance: MAZAJ

Saturday, March 24

10:00 am - 11:30 am:   Plenary Roundtable - E
11:45 am - 12:45 pm:  Concurrent Sessions - F
12:45 pm -  2:00 pm:   Lunch
  2:00 pm -  3:00 pm:   Concurrent Sessions - G
  3:15 pm -  4:45 pm:   Plenary Roundtable - H
  5:00 pm -  6:00 pm:   Facilitated Dialogue Group - I
                                        (All Conference)
  6:00 pm -  7:30 pm:   Dinner
  7:30 pm -  9:00 pm:   Social Cultural Event: Sharing Creative Expressions -
                                        poetry, song, music, dance, story, short play, short video

Sunday, March 25

10:00 am - 11:00 am:   Concurrent Sessions - J
11:15 am -   1:15 pm:   Facilitated Dialogue & Action Planning Group - K
                                        (All Conference)
 1:30 pm -   2:30 pm:   RCP Conference Closing
                                       Processing, Summarizing, Cooperation,
                                       Next Steps, and Farewell
 2:30 pm -   3:30 pm:  Networking Lunch
                                       (a final time to break bread together,
                                        and explore cooperation and next steps)

Description of Intent and Format of Facilitated Dialogue Groups, Panels, and Breakout sessions:

1) Facilitated Dialogue Groups - Putting Principles Into Practice:
These are daily focused sessions all participants engage in, and are typically 45 - 60 minutes in length. Dialogue groups are seen as the engines of the conference leading to action. Content from keynotes, workshops, and panels provide stimulus and focus for this discourse woven throughout the days of the program. They are intended for processing the conference experience and addressing issues, developing practical, concrete actions for applying learning in our communities beyond the conference to increase public awareness, understanding, support pluralism, and reduce bigotry, and networking for important collaboration building to accomplish this. The dialogue process builds day to day toward co-creating a final printed draft of a plan and a conference resolution by the conference closing that participants can take with them. The material is also included in conference proceedings and outcomes, and used for future planning.

2) Roundtable/Panels:
In keeping with the character of the conference, roundtable/panels are intended to be more of an interactive dialogue between members - rather than a series of mini-presentations, and at some point to extend the dialogue out to include the full audience for a significant portion of the session to promote a wider, more inclusive, and more fruitful discussion on the topic. This entire process is guided and facilitated by moderator(s) to ensure opportunities for multiple voices, the focus is maintained, and to keep things on track in terms of time.

3) Concurrent Breakout Sessions:
Session format is intended to promote participants as both learners and teachers - learning from prepared material while also bringing their own wisdom to the table. As a result, workshops and roundtables are intended to offer personal experience, skills training, active learning, interaction, and dynamic dialogue.

 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.

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:

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