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 75 presenters and
visionaries - including conservatives and liberals from across the
social-political spectrum, and hundreds of concerned individuals,
to take part in 4 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.
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 75 Presenters
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 4 day program of:
-
3 Keynote Speakers
-
3 Topical Plenary
Panels with
leading speakers on theory, philosophy, and historical aspects
-
25 Concurrent Break-out Sessions of Workshops and Roundtables
- Daily
Facilitated Dialogue Groups to engage concepts, invite diverse
perspectives, and explore practical applications.
- Interactive All-conference Experiences
- Resource and Networking Hub
- Morning Yoga sessions
- Evening
Performances, Social-Cultural Events, and
Community Activities.
- Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala Ritual
- Exhibits and Displays
- Rich Networking Opportunities
- 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.
- 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 12-15, 2009
Location: San Francisco (San Mateo), Calif., San
Mateo Marriott Hotel
Length: 4
day Conference (Thur. 12th opening to Sun. 15th closing).
CEUs: Continuing
Education Credits (CECs) available
Exhibit Table Space:
Available
Ads for Program and
Tote Bag: Available
2009 ETO Conference Information:
Main
ETO Conference Page
FEES and
REGISTRATION
Site
and Travel Information
'09 ETO
PROGRAM
'09 Presenter
Biographicals
Print Version
of Program
Continuing
Education Credits (CECs)
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
'09
Dialogue Group, HUB, and Open Space Notes
Conference Staff Contacts for information
Volunteer
Application be
part of this effort
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.
*
Previous ETO
Post-Conference
Proceedings
~ from
2006,
2007
, and
2008
~
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:
'08, '07 & '06
Proceedings & Outcomes
