2nd Annual International Conference on Engaging the Other

2nd Annual International Conference on
"Engaging The Other"
The Power of Compassion

October 25 - 28, 2007 Dearborn, Michigan USA

An International, Multidisciplinary, Multicultural Conference examining concepts of "The OTHER" from a universal, cross-cultural perspective to promote wider public dialogue about images of "Us and Them"

Sponsored by: Common Bond Institute
Co-sponsored by: HARMONY Institute for Psychotherapy and Counseling,
International Humanistic Psychology Association,
National Resource Center for the Healing of Racism,
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee,
Pathways To Peace Foundation
Supported by: an international list of over 85 cooperating universities and organizations

Registration is Open to the Public
REGISTER NOW FOR CONFERENCE
MORE INFORMATION

WE INVITE YOU TO:
an extraordinary international conference to address the roots of negative stereotypes, prejudice, and artificial barriers of misunderstanding and distrust that separate us.
JOIN more than 65 leading presenters to cultivate our capacity for reconciliation, appreciation of diversity, and peace.

Presenters:
Sam Keen, Danny Glover, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Maureen O'Hara, James O'Dea, Sen. John Vasconcellos, Gay Barfield, Aftab Omer, Imam Hassan Qazwini, Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, Rabbi Brian Walt, Geshe Gendun Gyatso, Heaster Wheeler, Reverend Kenneth Flowers, Imam Mohamed Mardini, Jeffrey Mishlove, Stanley Krippner, Michael Nagler, Louise Diamond, Lee Mun Wah, John Boiano, Sharif Abdullah, Marilyn Youngbird, Ahmad Hijazi, Ihsan Alkhatib, Mark Mitsui, Deborah Koff-Chapin, Libby Traubman, Len Traubman, Judith Thompson, Brenda Rosenberg, Imad Hamad, Sandra Friedman, Steve Olweean, Dizzy Warren, Hemlata Pokharana, Mandakini Pokharana, Lhakpa Dolma, Maggie Herzig, Robert Oppenheimer, Karen Valencic, Anna Rodina, Laurie White, Wadad Abed, Irene Butter, Huda Karaman-Rosen, Leonore Gerstein, Hana Hasan, Jehan Olweean, Osprey Orielle Lake, Osama Siblani, David Crumm, Ven. Sangyal Gyatso, Ven. Raten Gyatso, Ven. Palden Gyatso, Kate Runyon, Jim Toy, Dawn Wolfe, Rachel Crandall, Johnny Jenkins, Jean Marc Randin, Eliza Kim, Nadia Fadel, Chip Baggett, Alicia Villareal, Mukti Khanna

Live E-Conference Addresses by: Hazel Henderson, Pete Seeger

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 - including fear-based belief systems, negative stereotypes, projection, prejudice, and scapegoating.

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 and compassion 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.

Formulate findings and products to make available to all - through publications, media, the Internet, training programs, networks, dialogue groups, etc.