Eupan - Good for All - www.eupan.net

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 ...

I (Marty) had opportunity to travel this summer. It is always interesting to read and become aware of how Americans and America is perceived in other places. It is important, I think, to hear and discern what others say about who we are - not just as Americans, but as people. If we are truly going to advance the good for the all, we must discern who we are and how we are perceived - so that we can work to better advance hospitable and charitable relationships with persons we know - and larger people groups and nations, with whom we interact. As can be imagined, Americans are perceived well - and not so well - in places in the world. I will not try to explain or justify the myriad issues involved in this blog entry. Rather, I want to note that I am *now* back in Oklahoma - doing the tasks that come with my work, working with students, being with persons in faith-communities, and advocating for a better world. I get opportunity in a few days to be back in Washington D.C. where I hav...

Save Darfur Coalition:

Brian ~ ( Brian_Hackler@inhofe.senate.gov ) Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today.  As I said to you personally, I know Senator Inhofe has long-standing vested commitments to what has been happening in Africa.  When you and I met on March 29th, our key conversation was with regard to issues in Sudan - specifically with concerns for the possible outbreak of violence surrounding April elections. Today I am asking specifically that Senator Inhofe support the resolution introduced by Senators Feingold and Collins, Cocurrent Resolution 71.   (See attachments.) Senator Inhofe is a key leader in setting a pattern for effective policy and legislation in Congress.  His leadership is key on the Senate Foreign Relations committee and his timely support of this resolution will set an example for other members of congress.  As an Oklahoman who is concerned with how the United States works to effect peace in the world, I encourage Senator Inhofe to set an example for the Congress - an...

Huge news! After mountains of "behind the scenes" work, Senators Feingold and Collins have just introduced a Genocide Prevention resolution on the Senate floor. While our conflict-specific advocacy work has continued around Sudan and other areas of concern, our team has been working for months to secure bi-partisan co-sponsorship for this resolution. It's a crucial first step in our efforts to create long-term structural change in the United States's ability to prevent and stop genocide - next month, expect to see a bill in the house. Take a moment to celebrate this moment - thank you for everything you have done to move the ball forward on this issue. Stay tuned for more. - - - IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself and Ms. COLLINS) submitted the following concur- rent resolution; CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the United States national interest in helping to prevent and mitigate acts of genocide and other mass atrocities against civilians, ...

This post is copied with permission from John Hay, Jr.: http://www.indybikehiker.com/ Direct link by CLICKING HERE . FREEDOM'S DAILY COST A tribute to daily actions of ordinary citizens that promote American-style freedom GRATEFUL NOT GULLIBLE. I feel a deep gratitude for American-style freedom and for those who have thought, deliberated, lived and died to frame, preserve, and advance it. The fact that I feel, simultaneously, that certain domestic and international policies and actions are not in American freedom’s best interest does not negate my gratitude or reduce my sense of patriotism. Nor does it mean I write a blank check and cast a rubber-stamp vote for everything my government--in any of its three branches and myriad bureaus--does in the name and for the sake of America and freedom. It is one thing to be grateful and patriotic, it is another to be gullible and naïve. FREEDOM IS BIGGER. I try to keep in mind that freedom is bigger than any Presidential administration...

Several Summer "other personal and other professional" projects have captured my time in the past 30 days or so. And, with some travel for many of our leaders in the Eupan Global Initiative , our "energy" has slowed for the summer. As that is the case, though, I am reminded today that we are just at 70 days since the Oil Spill erupted in the Gulf. Websites like this one are tracking various forms of "death" that have resulted - and this is to say nothing of the thousands of news and government and private industry reports that have come out in the past 70 days. And, this single website of course can not track the numerous forms of microscopic organisms - comprising various food chains in the Gulf's unique hydrosphere - that are dying or suffering. Our purpose in advancing eupan is not to castigate, point fingers, or lay blame on others - but to think about how we build and work toward a better future - that is genuinely good for all. In that regard,...

In an effort to extend  Eupan , I would like to encourage people in OKC to consider the One Meal One Day (OMOD) youth movement to end global hunger.  Compassion International and Lead 222 are partnering together to encourage teenagers to join together in an effort to dissolve hunger issues in this world.  OMOD is a very simple opportunity for students across OKC to partner in a worthwhile endeavor. More information can be accessed at  www.onemealoneday.com .  The main goal is to encourage students to skip to OMOD. Ambitious students will recruit 30 other people to either sponsor them or join them in skipping the meal.  The $155 raised through sponsorships would feed a child for an entire year.  Students who are physically unable to skip the meal due to extracurricular activities or health concerns can still participate by bringing their lunch to school and still donating the $5. Youth directors, campus pastors and pastors should visit the website where they will find resources for ...

Fall 2010 seems a long way off - but we are making plans that advance the good for the all! Details will be forthcoming - but Derek Sparks - who currently works for Congresswoman Mary Fallin (she is currently campaigning for OK Governor) - will be working with us toward a Fall Education and Training event on making our political advocacy toward peace more effective. Derek has had extensive experience with foreign affairs and human rights issues in Senator Tom Coburn’s office on Capitol Hill. His postgraduate work at the University of St Andrews in Scotland centered on Middle East and Central Asian Security Studies. Not only does he have this background academically and experientially - I found him a delightful conversationalist who could talk easily and with credibility about a variety of issues on the international scene. He has a particular interest in human rights issues and their impact upon international security. More details to follow as we learn more about how we can make o...

Remember we'll be simulcasting the BlessedEarth event in the S.T. Religion Building on the Campus of Southern Nazarene University at 6:30 p.m. (1830 hours). (GPS Devices can be programmed to 4100 N. Peniel, Bethany, OK - and that will put you in sight range of the building with the clear label "S.T. Ludwig Religion Building.") Come as early as 6:00 p.m. for conversation and discussion. Toward eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Since we have been advocating in our partnership with GI-Net specifically about issues involving Sudan, I thought I would share the following news release from the White House Today: The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release April 20, 2010 Statement by the Press Secretary on Elections in Sudan The elections held recently in Sudan were an essential step in a process laid out by Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The United States notes the initial assessment of independent electoral observers that Sudan’s elections did not meet international standards. Political rights and freedoms were circumscribed throughout the electoral process, there were reports of intimidation and threats of violence in South Sudan, ongoing conflict in Darfur did not permit an environment conducive to acceptable elections, and inadequacies in technical preparations for the vote resulted in serious irregularities. The United States regrets that Sudan’s National Elections Commission d...

What a delight to have been at a University Event tonight sponsored by students it is my privilege to "advise" as *they* lead and shape the future of our world! I am and was so proud of Destry Howland, in particular, who (among many others) pulled together an event on the Campus of Southern Nazarene University highlighting the issue of human trafficking. Speakers at the event included persons from WRATH - Women Rallying Against Trafficking Humans and All Things New Campaign - both based locally in the OKC Metro. I certainly could list more here about the specific agencies and what they are doing - but I will let their websites address the important issues they are effectively addressing. My main goal tonight was to (1) add our Eupan Global Initiative voice to these worthy causes and to (2) praise Student LEADERS who are making a difference so that our world is better for all persons! Destry is pictured here in yellow and black - having raised her voice, we acknowledge her ...

Toward learning and awareness toward eupan we support the fact that Oklahoma City University is hosting Ismael Baeh *this* week: A Long Way Gone: A Story of Redemption and Hope at the Petree Auditorium at the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center (N.W. 25th St and Blackwelder Ave - 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2010) Then, next week, on the Campus of Southern Nazarene University - Wednesday Night at 6:30 p.m. in the S.T. Ludwig Building - the Eupan Global Initiative is partner with BlessedEarth sponsoring a time to recognize Earth Day from the distinct framework of Christian testimony! (SNU is located at 6729 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK - and a relevant GPS location for is 4100 N. Peniel, Bethany, OK.) The next two Wednesday Evenings - Events toward and for eupan ! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

For weeks and weeks there have been reports of a failed democratic process taking place in Sudan - the location where genocide has taken place, where Omar al-Bashir is up for election, though he has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for Crimes Against Humanity. In most recent news, former President Jimmy Carter has arrived in Sudan to help monitor the situation : Please consider adding your voice here in Oklahoma to the situations developing in Sudan: 1. Contact your Senators with the below message, feel free to make it personal: Senator Inhofe: Email or call him at (405) 608-4381 Senator Coburn: Email or call him at (405) 231-4941 Message (please feel free to personalize your message for greater impact): "As your constituent and as an American, I am deeply concerned about the current situation in Sudan. The benchmarks required by US Sudan policy for free and fair elections have not been met. Polling begins in only a few days and I feel that the vote will not re...

I often joke with friends that my personal torture would consist of being forced to watch recyclable items be thrown away all day. That "green" motivation is in me - I've caught the bug, and I am proud to say that I have had the bug for some time now. For me, living a sustainable life is not only a series of physical actions that could be considered working towards a greater good for all, but rather it is a spiritual practice. Whether you identify with a faith tradition or not, practicing sustainability is a commitment towards re-shaping habits and attitudes. Blessed Earth is a faith-based partner in the quest for a greater green good for all. They, along with many other organizations such as Asbury Theological Seminary and Zondervan Publishing, will be hosting a live simulcast on April 21st that we, the Eupan Global Initiative, will be participating in. Below is some information taken from their website's simulcast FAQ and a video introducing the simulcast: ------...

United States Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. has been criticized specifically for stopping and saying "No!" to several pieces of legislation in various reviews . While any and every Senator is criticized by some members of their constitutency, because of the multiple "holds" that Dr. Coburn puts on bills in Congress in order to address issues of spending, he has earned the moniker, "Dr. No." It was nice, then, that at the conclusion of our personal meeting with Dr. Coburn today to hear Dr. Coburn say to me, "Well said!" Dr. Coburn has several Town Hall meetings taking place in and around Oklahoma in these few days of his Easter Break. I attended his meeting in OKC today - with perhaps 400 in attendance, many of whom where vying for an opportunity to ask him questions, but less than 15 got the microphone for even a few minutes. In view of this, it was a particular delight to have had a personal meeting with Dr. Coburn in his office where he gave 25 m...

Download now or preview on posterous Stewards of Creation - Haiti.pdf (198 KB) In this article, I (Levi Jones) discuss our role as stewards over creation.  Along with that idea, I discuss a recent mission trip in Haiti in which I participated.  Several of the challenges that face Haiti could potentially face us if we are not careful to preserve the gift that we have been given.  As such, it is imperative that we look carefully at the long-term consequences of our actions, rather than simply counting the short-term benefits. Posted by Levi Jones. Posted via email from Eupan Global Initiative

As you know, we have been advocating toward efforts regarding Sustainability issues locally (in OKC Metro and OK) and about Genocide Intervention internationally. (And, of course, those of us involved in EGI stay aware of many other issues where we might advocate toward eupan!) Because we have recently met with and will meet again this week with Senator Tom Coburn, M.D., I want to share the following: Dr. Coburn is hosting a free, public town hall meeting next week. Wednesday, March 31 2 – 3 p.m. Metro Technology Center Springlake Campus Auditorium 1900 Springlake Dr. (NW of 36th and Martin Luther King, Jr.) Oklahoma City, OK Additionally, as a way of sharing I will add here: Our showing of the film PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library was a "success" for those who came out. I personally had a good conversation with several persons after the film concluded. Thank you to those who helped organize and welcome (again) to those who we met! I me...

As a member of the Eupan Global Initiative I can not speak for all of us, but I think most of us in the Eupan Global Initiative are not necessarily committed to "the earth" but we are certainly and deliberately mindful of how we live on and with creation toward advancing the good for the all!  Personally, I believe anything that causes us "pause" in life to rethink how we individually contribute to the pain of others - or the peace for others, is worthy of serious consideration.  Consider your part in our life's larger systems - would you? From the Earth Hour website: Mission, History & Earth Hour 2010 On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people, organizations, corporations and governments around the world will come together to make a bold statement about their concern for climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. In the U.S. where we are already feeling the impacts of climate change, Earth Hour sends a clear...

So many great things going on in our shared efforts and work toward eupan ! Don't forget about our 6:00 p.m. showing of Pray the Devil Back to Hell at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library - tonight. Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library 300 Park Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 231- 8650 The library has been advertising this on our behalf - and any and all are welcome for the free showing, underwritten by the generosity of partners toward eupan . Posted via email from Eupan Global Initiative

Several of us in Oklahoma City working toward eupan goals specifically connected to anti-genocide and awareness intervention,  met last week with Dr. Coburn's Field Rep. Craig Smith.  We had a delightful meeting with a very kind person who took the time to listen to our concerns and issues. This coming Monday, March 29th, I (Marty) have meetings with Representative Mary Fallin's office  and separately with a representative in Senator Inhofe's office on Monday the 29th. In our shared work toward advocacy and raising awareness, I am excited to report that as a result of last week's meeting with Senator Coburn's Field Rep - I have just today been called and invited me to a personal time with Senator Tom Coburn after a "town hall" presentation that Dr. Coburn will have on Wednesday the 31st.  I have no illusion that I'll be the only invited personal to follow up with the personal meetings after the town hall meeting . . . but I did get a personal phone...

Live Earth Oklahoma will hit Oklahoma City on April 16-18, 2010 in the city's Adventure District.  This district features attractions such as the Oklahoma City Zoo, Remington Park, the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum, and a handful of other places to visit.  However, these venues will take a back seat during Live Earth Oklahoma's two day eco-festival to all of the activities helping people become more aware of issues of sustainability. One issue in particular that the Live Earth Oklahoma Eco-Festival will promote is water conservation and opportunities to help provide clean drinking water around the world. The Eco-Festival will include a 6k "Run for Water" an Eco-Village, live music, educational seminars and much much more. For more information go  here . For more information about the "6k Run for Water" or to register go  here .     Eli Pagel Posted via email from Eupan Global Initiative

Several from the Eupan Global Initiative had the opportunity to meet today with Mr. Craig J. Smith, Field Representative for Senator Tom Coburn's office.  Mr. Smith is one of six representatives who serves as the "eyes and ears" for Dr. Coburn, as both Coburn and Smith serve unique roles in representing the voice(s) of Oklahoman(s) in our U.S. Federal System of Government. Mr. Smith was kind and gracious and offered a clear and discerning perspective to Dr. Coburn's intentions and role as a policy-maker.  Our conversation with Mr. Smith emerged specifically out of the work we have been doing for the past number of months since we agreed in 2009 to focus on issues of Genocide.  Our work has been emboldened by our partnership role with GI-Net and the Carl Wilkens Fellowship . As we met, we pressed Mr. Smith to advise Dr. Coburn that we are concerned for the free and open elections forthcoming in Sudan (April 11.)  While we are hopeful for the process that is underwa...

SPRING 2010 Thanks to the Houston-based Apache Foundation and the Tree Bank Foundation, over 3,000 free trees have been made available to households in Oklahoma City. At this time, plans are underway to initiate a fourth “Great OKC Tree Give-Away,” with over 500 trees scheduled for distribution in April. Registration will open on March 19, 2010, and trees will be available for pick-up on April 24. For general program information, you may call 604-0041. TREE FAQ’s: How can I get a tree? Citizens who want a free tree must register for one via our online registration system or by phone. Registration is now closed, but will open at 9:00 a.m. on March 19, 2010. Registration will remain open until all trees are reserved. www.treesafterthestorm.org www.treelink.org via okc.gov Posted via web from Recent Reading & Reflections: Collecting Random Thoughts In No Particular Order

  2009-10 SPEAKERS Ishmael Beah A Long Way Gone: A Story of Redemption and Hope Petree Auditorium Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center N.W. 25th St and Blackwelder Ave 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Perhaps all that need be said about Beah’s skill as a storyteller is that while we know how he made it out–the book in our hands is proof of that–we are glued to every page by the very real possibility that this story is not going to end happily…Read his memoir and you will be haunted…It’s a high price to pay, but it’s worth it. Newsweek Ishmael Beah was born in Sierra Leone on November 23, 1980. When he was eleven, Ishmael’s life, along with the lives of millions of other Sierra Leoneans, was derailed by the outbreak of a brutal civil war. After his parents and two brothers were killed, Ishmael was recruited to fight as a child soldier. He was thirteen. He fought for over two years before he was removed from the army by UNICEF and placed in a reha...

I am thrilled to share that friends and co-labourers committed toward advancing eupan have made a diligent effort to participate toward effecting justice - with success! A few miles from where I sit in Bethany, for nearly two weeks - persons from around the country and several local friends and EGI advocates have been camping outside Dr. Tom Coburn's office in Oklahoma City in an effort to raise awareness about a bill he had placed a hold on. My own part in this effort was small - sending a letter to Dr. Tom Coburn and offering food to those camping out  - but many persons, working together, adding their voice (! advocacy ! ) to the issue, have won a victory on this matter. More here:  Dr. Coburn Says Yes! What a privilege to be partner with others as each plays a different and unique role in extending the good for the all! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d. Posted via email from Eupan Global Initiative

We will be screening Pray The Devil Back to Hell in Oklahoma City at the Downtown Ronald J. Norick Library. Information from the libraries' website is available here:  PRAY THE DEVIL   Many other exciting things happening in our shared efforts toward eupan .  We will be sharing more soon! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d. Posted via email from Eupan Global Initiative

We partnered with students from Southern Nazarene University - to partner with students in STAND at Oklahoma University. The OU students and campus were exceptional hosts to many persons present - and specifically to Thomas Van Dyke with Heroes Serving Humanity. The following notes and reflections are a guest blog entry by Destry Howland - a student at SNU that is working toward eupan . She writes: Tuesday 23 at 7pm OU’s student group STAND, Students Against Genocide, hosted Dr. Thomas Van Dyke. Van Dyke spoke about the slow genocide in Burma, how it was being done, compared it to genocides in Darfur, and what Heroes for Humanity and the Free Burma Rangers are doing in Burma. The military in Burma, the State Peace and Development Counsel, has had Aung San Suu Kyi, their legitimately elected Prime Minister imprisoned (mostly house arrest) for about twenty years. She is the only person to have received the Nobel Peace Prize while imprisoned. The SPDC has an army that is rather untraine...

Several students committed to extend good to others are partnering with other persons from around the State and around the U.S. to encourage Tom Coburn (R-Muskogee, OK) to remove his hold on a Bill in Congress. If Coburn will remove his hold on the bill - based on current support in the Senate - it will pass and will allow for millions of dollars for humanitarian relief and reconstruction, reconciliation, and transitional justice to aid Uganda. Support for the measures have grown over a number of years through concentrated awareness campaigns by several agencies regarding the Child Soldiers that are largely kidnapped and forced/drugged into becoming murderers. Read more about what local Oklahomans are doing right now . Read more about the Bill. Read more about a single agency Resolve Uganda or another single agency, Invisible Children , that has been working toward this issue of injustice in our world for years. And, to the students I have had the privilege to work with - who fall...

Tonight several from Bethany and NW OKC will join with the Oklahoma University STAND leadership to hear from Tom Van Dyke. Feel free to meet us on the campus of OU - or meet us at the corner of 42nd and College in Bethany to carpool together. Last Fall in our early advocacy planning we scheduled with the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City toward a 2nd public viewing of the film: Pray the Devil Back to Hell. This will be shown in the Downtown Ronald J. Norick Library on the evening of March 24th. Mark your calendars and watch for updates. Toward eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

I was on the campus of OU (Oklahoma University) this past week and was delighted to see and hear testimony of efforts toward Eupan Global Initiative Goals! (Not because of our efforts, but certainly in harmony with our goals!) As you will see highlighted in these pictures - they have specific planned goals to connect their crimson colors to green initiatives as fully functioning campus initiatives. They also provide filtered water next to soda machines to encourage proper hydration. And, they have (among many campus organizations) an active STAND (Student anti-genocide coalition) that has active, informed leaders advocating and educating for the common good! We who work toward eupan should "cheer" for OU in leading the way for Oklahoma campuses in the unambiguous and clear public advocacy and participation in sustainable practices and human rights initiatives that advance the good for the all!! "Go OU!" Toward eupan ! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.