5th Annual
International Conference on
"Engaging The OTHER"

Rohnert Park, Calif.
San Francisco Bay Area
Nov. 19-21, 2010
~REGISTRATION
~Program

~Press Room

~Proposal Form
~Facilitator Form

3rd Annual International Conference on
Religion, Conflict, and Peace

Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Spring 2011 
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~PROGRAM (2009)
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~Proposal Form
~Facilitator Form

ICR - International Conference on Conflict Resolution
16th ICR Conference
 
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Bait Al Hayat / House of Life - Children's Treatment Center
Palestine

CTR - Catastrophic Trauma Recovery Training

Capacity for Peace and Democracy - Palestine


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5th Annual International Conference on
"Engaging The Other:"

The Power of Compassion

November 19-21, 2010
Sonoma State University

San Francisco Bay Area
(Rohnert Park), Calif. USA

At a time when polarization is the true culprit,
a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary conference addressing fear-based belief systems, negative stereotypes, polarization, enemy images, scapegoating, and artificial barriers of distrust that divide us.

Join conservatives and liberals from across the social-political spectrum for an important, timely dialogue everyone needs to be part of.

Co-sponsored by:
Common Bond Institute (CBI)
International Humanistic Psychology Association (IHPA)
Sonoma State University
(SSU)


An Official Partner and Event of
the Charter For Compassion

and
the
Parliament of World Religions

Endorsed by:
An international list of over 100 cooperating organizations and universities

~ A Conference For Everyone ~
Registration is Open to All

Location:  Sonoma State University
                      1801 East Cotati Ave • Rohnert Park, CA, USA
                             (North of San Francisco in Sonoma County)

Call For Proposals

Presenter Proposal Form: (PDF version)  (HTML version)
Dialogue Facilitator Form: (PDF version)  (HTML version)

Presenter and Dialogue Guidelines
~
Continuing Education Credits (CECs) available ~

Be part of the effort
Join our conference team
: Volunteer Application

( See further information links below )

WE INVITE YOU TO:
an extraordinary international conference examining concepts of "The OTHER" from a universal, cross-cultural perspective to promote a wider public dialogue about images of "Us and Them"
JOIN
over 55 presenters and visionaries - including conservatives and liberals from across the social-political spectrum, and hundreds of concerned individuals, to take part in 3 days of authentic dialogue bridging the divide and cultivating our capacity for appreciation of diversity, reconciliation, and genuine, respectful engagement.

PURPOSE AND GOALS:

Overall Goals of the Conference are to:

 Raise the level, depth, and breadth of public dialogue and awareness on core issues. The conference examines dimensions and dynamics of "The OTHER" on individual and group levels, and considers how enemy identity is formed, perpetuated, and manipulated.

 Identify and compile fundamental questions, dilemmas, and implications for further deep inquiry and examination in an expanding public dialogue, and to challenge embedded negative belief systems that promote adversarial perceptions of the "The Other."

 Tap our shared wisdom, compassion, and responsibility as a community - from the local to the global - in developing practical applications. Participants are encouraged to develop and share practical recommendations and strategies for applying results to the current state of local and world relationships to promote increased understanding, sensitivity, and compassion as a means of countering and neutralizing hostility, particularly inter-group hostility.

 Create Networking Opportunities to promote collaboration, action planning, and next steps following the conference.

 Formulate findings and products to make available to all - through publications, media, the Internet, educational curriculum, networks, community based dialogue groups, etc.

 On-Site Video Interviews and Proceedings
1 page Color Conference Flyer (in pdf)

1 page Black & White Conference Flyer (in pdf)
1 page Color Conference Poster - 8 1/2 X 14 size (in pdf)

 

                                                  An important, timely dialogue 
                                                           ....everyone needs to be part of.

FORMAT AND CONTENT:

An outstanding pool of over 55 Presenters and Facilitators gather with extensive experience in addressing concepts of The Other from diverse perspectives - social, cultural, psychological, political, spiritual, philosophical, ecological, and economic.

Structure of the ETO Conference
. A 3 day program of:

  1. Keynote Speakers
  2. Topical Plenary Panels with leading speakers on theory, philosophy, and historical aspects
  3. Concurrent Break-out Sessions of Workshops and Roundtables
  4. Daily Facilitated Dialogue Groups to engage concepts, invite diverse perspectives, and explore practical applications.
  5. Video Addresses by Leading Visionaries
  6. Interactive All-conference Experiences
  7. Resource and Networking Hub
  8. Morning Yoga sessions
  9. Evening Performances, Social-Cultural Events, and Community Activities.
  10. Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala Ritual
  11. Exhibits and Displays
  12. Rich Networking Opportunities
  13. Cross-cultural Community. Participants experience the conference program and community as a living learning laboratory, to explore conference themes and create a common ground of reference essential to engaging and integrating formal learning.
  14. Final Action Planning Process for next steps beyond the conference.

Some Examples of Areas of Inquiry to Explore Within the Program:

 The Other - as humankind's oldest and most resilient foe.

 Our shared identity as The Other.

 The role of inherent sin and exclusive dogma in requiring the presence and embodiment of innate evil in the world, and vilifying an ever-present Other as it's expression.

 Dynamics of the energy of fear and exclusive group identity in formulating devaluing, dehumanizing and demonizing stereotypes that allow "good" people to do "bad" things to others by objectifying entire groups to the point of justifying inhumane treatment.

 Paradoxical dynamics of (mutual) victim identity, and victim becoming perpetrator.

 The inter-generational inheritance of unresolved trauma as part of cultural ethos (heroes, martyrs, and collateral damage).

 What happens to a society - short and long term - when the energy of fear, revenge, and victimization become systemic and are manipulated to galvanize a process of demonizing and dehumanizing a perceived Other to justify oppression, inhumane treatment and violence?

 Are there cultural myths that trigger reactionary rather than rational, proactive behavior? If so, what is the character of those myths?

 How can we better recognize and consciously transform negative belief systems, both on an individual and cultural level, and, in doing so, transform cultural ethos?

 What are effects of direct person to person contact on innate fear of the unknown and mysterious, and are there practical methods for experiencing this quality of contact in a global community?

Click here for:  Conference FEES and REGISTRATION

COORDINATION WITH OTHER EFFORTS:
This ETO Conference series occurs in conjunction with an edited book in progress titled "Engaging The Other", examining psycho-social concepts of "The OTHER" from a multi-cultural perspective, and raising important questions for fuller exploration. It is also programmatically linked to other international conferences, including the International Conference on Conflict Resolution  (ICR), held for the last 16 years, and the International Conference on Religion, Conflict, and Peace  (RCP). Like the ICR Conference, the RCP Conference, and edited book, the ETO Conference is a cross-cultural collaboration for global representation.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND FOLLOW UP:

1)  Formulate findings and produce a resource of published results (articles, research papers, conference reports, and edited volume), recorded proceedings and interviews, media and art images, and a proposed documentary film geared toward both the global professional and lay public to increase awareness and stimulate engaged dialogue.

2)  Create and promote a working network of activists advancing the mission of the conference to explore practical collaborations across divides addressing the elements of polarization and enmity, and to nurture mutual understanding, respect, and compassion.

3)  Link ETO program to like-visioned international conferences and seed community based dialogue groups to expand the diversity of representation, build on each event's processes, and promote a widening public dialogue locally and globally.

4)  Create a joint conference resolution to publish and post widely.

5)  In collaboration with our international network of cooperating organizations and utilizing findings from the conference, plan and develop an "Engaging The Other" curriculum intended for application with schools and universities, community organizations, religious groups, government agencies, political groups, and the general public. (see description below).

 EXAMPLES OF PARTICIPANTS:  

 Anyone from the public
 Community leaders and activists, NGO representatives, Political leaders, Spiritual leaders, Peace activists, Government representatives, Students, Cultural/Ethnic and Spiritual Community representatives, Human Service providers, etc.
 Visionaries and front-line thinkers in social-political principles, psycho-social-spiritual dynamics, and human consciousness.  
 Academics, Social Science researchers, and Representatives of university departments, professional associations, and academic groups around the world (including Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Education, Political Science, Government, Religious studies, Philosophy, Peace studies, International studies, History, Law, Anthropology, Media, the Arts, etc.).
 Key participants from current or recent regions of turmoil in the world.

LOGISTICS:
Dates:
      November 19-21, 2010
Location:  Sonoma State University
                     1801 East Cotati Ave • Rohnert Park, CA 94928
                           (North of San Francisco in Sonoma County)

Length:     3 day Conference (Fri. morning opening to  Sun. closing).
CEUs:       Continuing Education Credits (CECs) available
Ads for Program and Tote Bag: Available

2010 ETO Conference Information:

 Underlying Concepts
Main ETO Conference Page

FEES and REGISTRATION
Site and Travel Information
Presenter Proposal Form: (PDF version)  (HTML version)
Dialogue Facilitator Form: (PDF version)  (HTML version)

Volunteer Application
- be part of the effort

'
10 ETO PROGRAM
 (to be posted)
'10 Presenter Biographicals
 (to be posted)
Print Version of Program
 (to be posted)
Program Overview
Continuing Education Credits (CEC
s)
Press Room
   1 page Color Conference Flyer (pdf)
   1 page Black & White Conference Flyer (pdf)
   1 page Color Conf. Poster - 8 1/2 X 14 size (pdf)
   On-Site Video Interviews and Proceedings
Conference Staff Contacts


Advertize and Display:

   Advertize in On-Site Conference Program
   Advertize on Participant Tote Bag
   Exhibit Table Space
  
Showcase Table Space

Join our conference Volunteer Team.
Contact:
Common Bond Institute

TRAINING PROGRAM:

"Engaging The Other" Curriculum Project: A planned effort growing out of the ETO Conference series for conducting ongoing "Engaging The Other" programs in various locals to nurture capacity for sensitivity, understanding, inclusiveness, and appreciation for diversity. The curriculum will be designed for all age groups, to be socially and culturally sensitive, and made available to schools and universities, NGO's, community organizations, religious organizations, government agencies, political groups, etc.
Public Education: In line with this effort, program concepts will also be promoted to the general public through established and alternative media in various formats for wider public awareness, sensitivity, and understanding.

  Visit Us On Facebook
Find videos, photos, samples of our conferences, etc. on Facebook
at:  http://tinyurl.com/CBIonFB
or search for us on Facebook under: Common Bond Institute

 * Previous ETO Post-Conference Proceedings
~  from 2006, 2007 , 2008 and 2009~

View hundreds of beautiful and inspiring images

        
portraying both the content and energy of the ETO Conference

  Touch Drawing interpretation of all ETO Conferences 
by  Deborah Koff-Chapin 
All images are available for purchase through Deborah's website, whether as signed archival fine art prints or originals. *20% of proceeds from sale of prints is donated to Common Bond Institute in support of our programs. We encourage you to visit the
Touch Drawing website to enjoy these and hundreds of more amazing images created by this artist, including drawings from both the '06, '07, and '08 ETO Conferences.
(* Please contact Deborah directly at:  deborah@touchdrawing.com )



FROM OUR ETO ARCHIVES:
'09, '08, '07  & '06 Proceedings & Outcomes

Previous 2009 ETO Conf. Information:
       Content of 2009 Dialogue Group, HUB, and Open Space Notes
       
2009 On-Site Video Interviews and Proceedings
       Previous 2009 ETO PROGRAM
       Previous 2009 Presenter Biographicals
 
       Print Version of Program
Previous 2008 ETO Conf. Information:
      
Touch Drawing interpretation of ETO Conferences * 
            (* Touch Drawing images of available for purchase)      

       Content of '08 Daily Open Dialogue Break-Out Sessions
       '08 On-Site Video Interviews
       '08 Video and Audio Conference Recording of Sessions
            Available at
 
Hungry Mind Recordings   
    
   Previous 2008 ETO Program Sessions
    
   Previous 2008 Presenter Biographicals and Photos
    
   Previous 2008 List of Presenters
Previous 2007 ETO Conf. Information:
     
Previous 2007 ETO Program Sessions
      Previous 2007 Presenter Biographicals and Photos
     
Previous List of 2007 Presenters
Previous 2006 ETO Conf. Information:
     
 '06 Recorded Sessions by Conference Recording Services
     
Content of '06 Daily Open Dialogue Break-Out Sessions
     
Previous 2006 ETO Program Sessions
      Previous 2006 Presenter Biographicals and Photos
     
Previous List of 2006 Presenters

2010
5th Annual
International Conference on

"Engaging The Other"

Fall, 2010  ~   San Francisco, California USA

* Watch for details
For deatils on registration, fee, and program see links above, or contact CBI

~ Continuing Education Units Available ~

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Common Bond Institute
Steve Olweean, Director,  SOlweean@aol.com
12170  S. Pine Ayr Drive •
Climax, Michigan49034 USA
1.269.665.9393  (Phone and Fax
)
Website:  http://www.cbiworld.org
CONTACT US!
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