Common Bond Institute

The Global Network functions to encourage the establishment of study groups and offer a consistent means for regularly connecting and sharing perspectives and knowledge globally to assist and augment the work of network members in producing a larger body of shared knowledge sooner. It provides aid and support to network members in assisting with coordinating and maintaining collaboration. The intent is to keep things as flexible as possible to allow for a maximum of ease and freedom in participating to encourage in-depth and innovative inquiry, while offering a broad, predictable structure to operate within. How each working group is formed and structured, for example, is at the discretion of each professional group or organization.

The Annual International Conference on Transgenerational Trauma serves as a regular meeting place for study group members.

Collaboration:
By design, this effort is to be as inclusive and shared as possible, with full appreciation that this is a long term, ambitious initiative best accomplished by mutual collaboration and many diverse helping hands. As such we invite suggestions and interested parties wishing to be involved in working with us to develop and implement the various aspects of this undertaking now and into the future. A steering committee reflecting the characteristics and diversity listed below will assist and coordinate this process, and regularly seek input.

Intentions and Recommendations for Make-up of the Network and Conference Participants:

Multi-cultural: A multi-cultural effort that brings in a fully global representation of diverse perspectives, narratives, and wisdom is essential for a truly comprehensive, valid understanding, culturally appropriate applications, and a vital cross-fertilization required to see beyond cultural blind spots. * Donate to our Subsidy Fund to support colleagues from developing societies

Multi-disciplinary: In addition to multi-cultural, the make-up of the Global Network as well as the conference itself is being comprised of a number of relevant disciplines that take into account the multifaceted and interrelated nature of this issue within human psychological, medical, social, and spiritual dynamics, and it's long standing influence woven throughout relationships both within and between communities. It also takes into account the fundamental, even anthropological dimension of this influence on the human psyche throughout our history. Some obvious examples include disciplines in the human services, such as psychology, psychiatry, social work, related mental health fields, medicine, and education. Since we see this as a historical and complex human dilemma that relates to and influences multiple aspects of society, other disciplines include but are not necessarily limited to sociology, peace studies, anthropology, religious and cultural studies, history, international relations and diplomacy, political science, and law.

Multi-generational: We are inviting in both organizations made up of professionals with long experience in the field and student professional organizations, since essential to such a long term, literally generational endeavor is the required involvement of the next wave of new professionals to continue these studies into the future. As one example, the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations - made up of over 102 national member organizations from 95 countries, has joined our pool of co-sponsoring organizations in launching this conference and is forming a study group.

Gender balanced: Important in maintaining a full perspective and representation within in any society groups operate within.

Building the Network:
In the coming months leading up to the inaugural conference a list of study groups and contact information will be maintained on the Common Bond Institute website, with tools provided for building and maintaining an interactive professional community. Individuals not associated with any specific professional organization forming a study group can contact these groups to inquire about joining them. As another option individuals can form "at large" study groups confirmed through Network coordinators. Universities, associations, institutes, and professional groups interested in joining this initiative can view the Network Guidelines and contact Common Bond Institute for details.
Guidelines for Global Network:
Webpage version of Guidelines pdf version of Guidelines

Development of a Virtual Platform for Communication and Collaboration:
A permanent on-line platform is being developed as an interactive and expandable virtual hub to house a discussion forum, shared multimedia resource center, collaborative workspace, and reporting vehicle offering features, tools, and services for convenient ongoing communication, virtual meetings, storing and archiving proceedings and research, and disseminating learning. Looking to the future, this will include sharing the development of culturally appropriate treatment models and methodologies, and subsequent cross-cultural training programs to teach these skills and understandings to individuals engaged in social healing, conflict transformation, education, and social policy. Among resources will be a virtual journal with a blend of scholarship, insight, and practical application to share essential writings, research, and materials, as well as an E-newsletter to further promote members staying in regular contact and abreast of relevant developments, issues, thinking, upcoming events, etc.

Another important element will be developing various means of public education to increase understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation of the implications of these psycho-social dynamics within and between communities, including enlisting the involvement, support, and cooperation of those profoundly influencing the next generation in learning societal identity and images of the Other - parents, educators, religious leaders, cultural/societal representatives, public policy makers, those generating public media, etc.

In the interim as the full system is being created our dedicated virtual meeting space is hosted on an existing professional network to assist members in connecting on a regular basis now: Peace and Collaborative Development Network (PCDN).
* We encourage all Global Network members to join PCDN and contact Common Bond Institute to be admitted into this private forum.

Agenda of the 2nd Annual International Conference on Transgenerational Trauma, June 20-22, 2013, Amman, Jordan:
In addition to presentations selected for the 3 day program (with 1st preference given to proposals from members of study groups), among goals for TT Conference will be to seek a common definition, begin looking at dynamics and implications for the past, present, and future, consider planned outcomes and beneficial applications of products from this collaboration, invite input into the development of the conference, network, the overall initiative - including how to further develop and tailor the virtual platform, discuss next steps, and provide in-person meeting opportunities for study groups members who may be located at a distance from each other.
Previous '12 Overview of the Schedule and Program

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