Eupan - Good for All - www.eupan.net

In many ways, with varied interest, persons from around the world have been watching the global situations most urgently recently in Egypt - and now Libya - and along the way developments in Bahrain, Sudan and elsewhere. In today's news, the Christian Science Monitor is reporting that Colonel Qaddafi is planning to stay in Libya - noting: “Plan A is to live and die in Libya. Plan B is to live and die in Libya. Plan C is to live and die in Libya,” said Colonel Qaddafi’s son Saif Islam in a TV interview yesterday. Qaddafi himself, who made an appearance before cheering crowds at Tripoli's Green Square today, said on state TV that he was willing to open up his weapons caches to anyone who wants to fight on his side, and said he would set the country “aflame.” It is a sad state of affairs when persons (or institutions) in power, in order to maintain their discredited power - turn to violence as the path for resolving their loss of power. Today I hope for the people of Libya and ...

BETHANY, Okla. (February 17, 2011) - Southern Nazarene University professor, Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D. was chosen to receive a fellowship opportunity from Rotary International. Michelson was one of 19 recipients, from a pool of several hundred international applicants chosen for a full-ride scholarship and stipend for all expenses for 12 weeks at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, summer 2011. Fellows earn the Professional Development Certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the University curriculum. International Fellows work to improve health, support education, and alleviate poverty through real-life, international field experience on issues of peace, goodwill, causes of conflict, and world understanding. Fellows will advance a culture of tolerance and peace, enhancing knowledge and skill while engaging practitioners and academics in the arena of peace and conflict resolution. “The Rotary Peace Fellowship’s purpose is to support and advance the issues ...

While traveling through Jordan, Israel, and Palestine on an educational tour I lead, I was able to meet Elias Jabbour, working with the House of Hope International Peace Center. There is something so very real about meeting with persons who live elsewhere, hearing them share their stories. Elias shares some of his stories in a book he has published - and he has been influential in working with numerous groups attempting to bring peace to the Israeli-Palestinian situation. His work includes working with the Center for Religious Tolerance and The Middle East Project , to name just a few of his connections. I doubt he would see them as "connections" or "networks" in anyway like modern business tries to work through connections and networks, though. I think he would see his work as a calling, and his connections and friendships. I know I felt that he wanted to genuinely be a friend to me and the group of persons with me when we met with him. The above link mentio...

In several public and a few private events recently, I have been asked "What is the Eupan Global Initiative again?"  Or, as one person asked, "You're an anti-Genocide group, right?" So, this post is intended to clarify a few things. The Eupan Global Initiative is not a "membership" based group.  We don't have members - only interested, shared partners.  We do not have a mailing list - though we do have an email distribution list we have used, only on a few occasions. We do have persons who are more invested and involved than others - involving engagement with our events, or with other events where we partner in advocacy.  And, no doubt we have had shared partners over the years who have invested their efforts elsewhere, while we also get new invested partners that show up throughout each new year. We are not (at least currently) a 501(c)3 - not-for-profit charitable organization.  We have explored all the legal options toward this - but have n...

A little known fact about Martin Luther King Jr. includes the fact that he won a Grammy for this speech . This audio (at a video website) is worth 23 minutes of your life on this MLK Jr. Day 2011. MLK Jr. was not just a "Civil Rights" Leader - but a national and international figure in several ways who worked to advance the cause of eupan - peace, justice, and reconciliation for all.  Toward eupan ~ ~marty alan michelson, ph.d. Posted via email from Eupan Global Initiative

Jean-Marie Hill is a Hunger Justice Fellow – working with Bread for the World . She is also a resident of the OKC Metro and has been an advocate in advancing efforts in eupan . She is a bright example of one of the vibrant ways we network with partners in advocacy that extend the good for the all! After winning a selective fellowship with Bread for the World , Jean-Marie spent time this past summer in Washington DC. being equipped to lead advocacy efforts in OKC She worked with Capitol Hill policy makers, experienced organizers, and analysts to learn more about issues of hunger and poverty - in order to expand efforts at hunger awareness here in OKC. While in D.C., she worked to lobbying Congress and since returning to the OKC Metro - she has been working in community advocacy. Jean-Marie was on the campus of Southern Nazarene University this past week sharing great news with us - regarding advocacy work she has engaged locally - and nationally. Jean-Marie's advocacy was influe...

A great video - And then this . . . Call Secretary Clinton’s office. Tell her to immediately hire an ambassador-level diplomat for Darfur by calling 1-800-GENOCIDE – and get your friends and family to do the same. When you call 1-800-GENOCIDE, you’ll be given talking points then connected directly to Secretary Clinton’s office. Why this call to action – why now? * In the last 10 days alone, Sudan’s notorious “security service” has conducted a wave of arrests of human rights activists, civil society leaders, student activists, and journalists. * The arrests, combined with reports in Darfur of aerial bombings of villages and water sources and a build up of armed forces, are disturbing reminders that without a high-level diplomat assigned to the region, Darfurians are tremendously vulnerable to human rights violations and attack. Need more info? Go here - but know that the November 16 deadline has been extended to November 22nd. * Find out more here: http://blogfordarfur.org...

A great short article by Mark Hanis, director of Genocide Intervention Network - about our need to do more in our efforts to prevent genocide. I am hoping to get Mark to the OKC area in the forthcoming months. If you have connections that could help support that effort - that would be great! Feel free to email me personally at martymichelson (at) gmail (dot) com. Opinion: Let's Work to Put 'Never Again' on Par With 'Never Forget' | The Jewish Exponent ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Coming to Oklahoma City University - National Endowment for Humanities Chairman Coming to OCU The chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities will visit Oklahoma City University to present a lecture at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Kerr McGee Auditorium in Meinders School of Business. The lecture is free to the public. Jim Leach is on a nationwide tour with his presentation titled “Civility in a Fractured Society.” Through his tour, Leach is hoping to heal religious and political divisiveness by promoting respect for the cultural gifts of people around the world. “Today civilization is on trial as radical elements in distant parts of the world stoke differences between and within faith systems,” Leach said in a speech earlier this year on the topic. “In response to violent acts of various parties and the dislocating consequences of the global recession, a divisive rhetoric of anger has been precipitated in recent years in the West as well as the East. “If we don’t try to understa...

This past year has been meaningful and significant in many ways for me personally - but in large part I have grown, developed, learned, and been shaped as a Carl Wilkens Fellow through Genocide Intervention Network. I could enumerate numerous ways that I have grown through many opportunities opened up to me through this venue! I want to encourage any persons interested in working toward eupan to consider their own opportunity to become a Carl Wilkens Fellow for 2011! I wish I would have been more organized to have posted this information for your awareness earlier. But, alas, - it is not too late to apply ! Here is what you need to know: The 2011 Fellowship application is live on Genocide Intervention Network’s website yesterday and will be due by Friday, November 5th. You may access the application About the Fellowship Launched in 2009, the Carl Wilkens Fellowship Program seeks to bridge the gap between thought and action in the anti-genocide movement. The Fellowship is selective...

It was a great  to have Derek Sparks share his insight with numerous audiences over 2 days. His past work in D.C. with Senator Coburn, and his current work with Congresswoman Mary Fallin - along with a host of other keen insights from his life and study, made him an excellent conversationalist on many issues. He offered critical and solid information on issues regarding Muslim relationships, key issues for discerning southeast Asia, and insight into thinking about what it means to have a Christian perspective while being involved in politics. Toward eupan ! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d. See and download the full gallery on posterous Posted via email from Eupan Global Initiative

We started work towards a Fall Event on Advocacy and Activism - toward peacemaking, with Derek Sparks. For a variety of great reasons, we are breaking up our work with Derek for now - and for a future opportunity into 2011! While the following events are not "open to the public" as they are on-campus events at Southern Nazarene University. I am excited to report that Derek will be meeting with classes at SNU on September 29th and 30th. Events will include: Reflecting on issues of human rights in areas of the world dominated by religious fundamentalist or extremists. Discerning issues in southeast Asia, including discerning unique cultural and geographic features. Other issues of multinational political and economic alliances, perhaps including problems with piracy. Personal reflections on what it means to exist as a politician and Christian in the world today. Presentation and conversation will be shaped by Student Questions in classes including World Religion, Physical G...

Someone might argue that more than prayer is needed for peace to become effective in the world. I might agree. But, it certainly seems that a joint effort by persons of various faiths all aimed toward the same goal - if that goal is peace - no matter their theological differences - prayers for peace might just be the start we need - all in the same hopeful direction - to move our world toward peace! Toward eupan! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Coming to Oklahoma City, Wednesday, September 29th. A film exploring issues of peace among Jews, Muslims and Christians. More details to follow. Mark your calendars - and check out the trailer as you have opportunity! Linked here: Official Film Trailer | Little Town of Bethlehem ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

I (Marty) will be in Washington D.C. this coming weekend, attending to the shared work I am privileged to accomplish with Genocide Intervention Network . I wish I felt I could do *more* than what I do - and I hope for a greater intervention by more persons in our world - but I am thankful too - *very* *very* thankful that I have had opportunity to partner with so many great people in and around OKC and with great Carl Wilkens Fellows with GI NET! At the end of this month, J. Derek Sparks who has worked in offices with Senator Coburn and Mary Fallin (among others) will be a spokesperson sharing about issues of peace and diplomacy on the campus of Southern Nazarene University. We have chosen to postpone an evening even with Derek for this Fall - anticipating other options toward Spring 2011 - but we are excited for the numerous students he will have opportunity to engage in several classroom settings on Wednesday and Thursday, September 29th and 30th. Interested in hearing what he has ...