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Showing posts from 2014

Desmund Tutu's Global Forgiveness Challenge

What if Global Forgiveness went viral!?!? FC from Forgiveness Challenge on Vimeo . More here:   Forgivenesschallenge.com Toward eupan ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

U.N. Peace Day

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The U.N. International Peace Day. As I gathered with at least one Rabbi, an Imam, Pastors, and persons from various international locations, including local Native American Indians, I wished for more times when more persons of diverse traditions could be together. In a few weeks, the local chapter of the U.N. will meet to engage issues about refugees.   The luncheon on Saturday, October 18th is open to anyone.  Read more about the blogs various posts:  http://una-okc.blogspot.com/ Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

"Stages" for understanding Conflict

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The following five stages for discerning conflict are explained in detail here: Conflict, in general, builds through five stages - Discomfort , Incident , Misunderstanding , Tension and Crisis , although it can begin at any one of the first three stages. The earlier a conflict is identified and deal t with, the easier it is to resolve This is the html version of the file http://www.amfanational.org/images/pdf_docs/ps_training2_understanding_conflict.ppt.  ( Google automatically generates html versions of documents as we crawl the web. )  Conflict Resolution & Understanding Conflict  Understanding Conflict     Conflict is all around us.  It is not something that we can choose to have or not have.  It just is.     It may center on something as seemingly trivial as who leaves their dirty cups in the sink, where to go eat lunch, or whether or not to buy that new piece of stereo equipment.     Or it may be more complex, such as whether we should invest in stock or bonds,  or w

Cultural Fluency & Conflict Literacy

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I learned more about Michelle LeBaron today. She has insightful ideas about the need to understand the depth of cultural issues that shape conflicts among persons. I could share more, but these links provide great summary details for your learning. Summary of Bridging Cultural Conflicts: A New Approach for a Changing World with summary written by Brett Reeder, Conflict Research Consortium - Citation: LeBaron, Michelle, 2003,Bridging Cultural Conflicts: A New Approach for a Changing World, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA. Summary of LeBaron, Michelle.”Culture and Conflict.” Beyond Intractability. Eds- Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Posted: July 2003 Toward eupan  ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Faith Based Conflict Transformation

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When people are engaged in projects, there is potential for conflict. The United Methodist Church has been working to insure that congregations are places of peace, even while they recognize that conflict may take place within congregations. Toward that end, JustPeaceUMC.org  reflects the intentional efforts of the United Methodist Church to provide resources and tools for faith communities toward the transformation of conflict to peace. Great resource links at the JustPeaceUMC blog and at the JustPeaceUMC resources page ! Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Convene for Peace

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"The biggest dis-service we do to peacemaking is to make it an abstraction.  When we say things like, 'This is what the Bible says about peace," or 'This is what the Koran says about peace" we deal with abstractions. Our issues need to be, how do we actually negotiate peace-making?"  - not an exact quote, but captured as quoted idea from Najeeba Sayeed-Miller.   (At DUKE Divinity Center for Reconciliation Summer Institute 2014) Learning more about Elise Boulding in these days - and my life is better as a result.   More here on Elise . Leonard Fein has pointed out that the number one power in peacemaking is the power to convene.  More works by Leonard Fein here. Toward eupan ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

The Practice of Peace - Making Peace Possible

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I've been thinking recently about the term "practitioner." The term is used for persons who have developed an expertise, as for Medical Doctors who are Medical practitioners. And yet, the term is also used among Eastern Religions/Culture for persons who engage in certain practices as a routine in their life, for example, persons who are practitioners of yoga. We don't commonly use the term "practitioner" for persons who are practicing for a sport (baseball, football, basketball, tennis, etc), though it is certainly true that persons practice the sport in order to develop their skill to perform on the playing field/court. This week I'm spending some time with Rick Love and getting to know Peace Catalyst International while I'm at DUKE University's Center for Reconciliation . For many years now I've used the label for myself as a Peacemaker.  I like the term and think it is important for many reasons.  We work to make peace. I won

OKC Metro - Interfaith Alliance

Persons in Oklahoma, please note for your calendar: The Interfaith Alliance Foundation of Oklahoma will hold its 11 th Annual Day of Reflection on Thursday, May 1, at 7:00 pm at the First Christian Church, 3700 N. Walker, OKC. The event coincides with the National Day of Prayer. The Interfaith event stresses the constructive contributions to society of diverse religious traditions in Oklahoma and America. This year's theme will be "Violence in Society: A Matter of Faith." "Too often, violence in the name of religion is common place, so we want to stress violence prevention in the name of religion," said Rev Jeff Hamilton, Legislative Chair of the Interfaith Alliance Foundation of Oklahoma. The keynote speaker for the event will be Janet L Peery, CEO, YWCA, Oklahoma City. Peery is well known for her leadership for the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault. Jan's advocacy work has brought her numerous recognitions and awards, inclu

What will you create to make the world more awesome?

What will you create to make the world more awesome? Wherever you are in the world today . . . give the world reason to dance. Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Another School "shooting" with knives

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The most recent rampage in a school, this time with common steak knives, should cause us to reflect on the fact that "guns" are not the problem.  The weapon of violence is not the sole problem, the culture of violence and hatred is at the fore. I share here reflections from a thoughtful friend, in her words: Thinking about the stabbing today in Pittsburgh and the many other school shootings.  Many ask why does this happen. Why do kids snap?  It is absolutely sad to me how we treat one another especially those who are different than us. I understand worrying that our kids are being bullied. I do. I worry about that too.  But I think we also need to worry about whether our kids are the bully. And what I'm finding as I watch teens and listen to them is that far more often than we'd like to think, kids learn to be bullies at home. How we talk to our kids matter.  I was at a baseball game today and the opposing team was constantly mocking the pit

U.S. Foster Care for Children - The Realities

Foster care for children in America is a very complex set of existential, familial, juridicial, and government social issues. This powerful video creates in detail much of the horrendous reality that foster children face, realistic to many stories I've witnessed.  The narration itself is powerful.  Even the title, itself, tells the sad story. Be aware and beware(!), I cried for 8 of the 12 minutes.  I hope this moves you to tears - and to determined actions in some new way - to be invested to work toward the good for the all ! ReMoved from HESCHLE on Vimeo . Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Solutions - Dutch Cycling as a model way forward

This is not just a great video about Dutch cycling - it's also about eupan . Because of the advocacy work of reasonable people seeking alternatives to death and economic issues, decision makers and planners found safer, healthier ways for people to live together. This historical review models not only good ways to foster urban development, but good ways to move forward into a better future for human shared reciprocity. Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

OKC Event on Women's Issues - March 2nd

 MARKED: This annual event exists to encourage every person in Oklahoma City to make tangible and long-lasting changes in their lives that positively impact women.  ​ We are committed to offering the information and education we all need to understand how to serve women locally and globally. We believe the Church of Oklahoma City can lead the way in caring for the marginalized.  Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

The Greatest Revoution begins within.

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  Image source: ignatiansolidarity.net Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Restorative Justice works! Changing people, fixing schools!

Through the Eupan Global Initiative we are privileged to participate in many great initiatives & advocacy programs toward the good for the all! Great partner work with the Peace Alliance demonstrates that we can train school children & teens to act in better ways! I wish every educator would view & share this 7 minute video with their colleagues & educational administration! (Footnote to the last seconds of the video with my opinion on school t est scores:  Let's face it, test scores don't matter if kids are so bul lied, beaten or bullet-fearful or bullet-ridden that they can't function in any social relationships! Test scores matter (!), but the best test scores coupled with assault convictions from legal systems will prevent employment and may even lead to incarceration . . . or worse!) Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Thoughts, words, behavior, habits, values and life.

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Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying: Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your  behavior positive because your behavior become your habits. Keep your  habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your  values positive because your values become your destiny. May our thoughts be toward peace, generosity, kindness, respect, mutuality, and love. Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Conference on Peacemaking & Reconciliation

I've had great educational & existential experiences at DUKE. I know many former students who feel the same about their program of studies at DUKE. The themes & rates of this conference are, in my opinion, great! The Ministry of Reconciliation in a Divided World The Center for Reconciliation Duke Divinity School June 2, 2014 to June 7, 2014   This program is intended for: Christians with a hunger to deepen their ministry in peacemaking, justice, and reconciliation Grass-roots ministers and Christians living and working among people who suffer or are marginalized Pastors with a desire for their congregations to become communities that live out alternatives to the destructive conflicts and social divisions that fragment our world College, university, and seminary faculty and administrators training young Christians to live in the way of the Kingdom Denominational

What is your peacemaking resolution for 2014?

I will be in Palestine, Jordan, and Israel in a few hours. Peace for this region of the world - and for our World - is on my mind. Here are Christian reflections from Shalomhouse.us for reflection in 2014. Jesus is calling us to be Peacemakers, therefore Shalom House is asking you to think about how you can be a peacemaker this year. . . .  Shalom in its fullest definition is wholeness, delight, the way things are supposed to be. New Year’s resolutions are often about action and growth.  What will you do this year to bring shalom to your community, your city, and the world? How do you want to grow as a peacemaker this year?  Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.