SFCG Update - October 2006

Search for Common Ground received three awards of distinction during the
month of October:
- for our media work around the world
- for our contribution to the juvenile justice system in Ukraine
- for our commitment to nurturing the human spirit at work

Images and Voices of Hope Award for Media
SFCG's media programs throughout the world were recognized with an Images and Voices of Hope Award for Transforming the Public Space Through Media, presented at the IVOH Summit early in October.
In presenting the award, IVOH Co-Founder Judy Rogers commented, "In a time of extraordinary transition, much that is old dies away; new paradigms begin to form. Media often tends to be riveted on the world that is unraveling, amplifying the despair that many are feeling. It takes a certain level of inner quiet and collective consideration to begin to make out the contours of the world ahead. Images and Voices of Hope provides the space for media professionals to reflect on their impact on humanity and consider one of the most important contributions they can make: to illuminate what gives life and hope to humanity in this emerging world."
Images and Voices of Hope is an initiative of the Institute for Advanced Appreciative Inquiry, the Brahma Kumaris Organization, and Visions of a Better World Foundation.

Official Recognition in Ukraine
SFCG in Ukraine has received a special award from the Juvenile Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for their contribution to the development of restorative justice programs within the juvenile justice system.
Since 2003 SFCG-Ukraine engaged in building awareness of restorative justice among the legal profession through a series of programs including:
- the development of Ukrainian language restorative justice website
- articles in professional journals
- seminars for Ukrainian judges, police and public prosecutors
- three international conferences on Restorative Justice in Kiev
- production of a training video
- international exchange study tours
- the development of 8 restorative justice centers across Ukraine
T he project inspired the Ministry of Justice to develop new legislation introducing restorative justice programs into the criminal justice system in Ukraine.

2006 International Spirit at Work Award
This award honors exemplary organizations that are deeply committed to nurturing the human spirit. The focus is on what is working and what is inspiring. It provides an opportunity for leading edge organizations to tell their stories and to be a model for other organizations that many want to emulate their practices.
"These are successful public and private organizations that have integrated high ethical standards with spiritual values and practices that inspire and honor their stakeholders," said Judi Neal, Executive Director for the Association for Spirit at Work. "These organizations are showing us a better way. They have recognized that honoring the human spirit actually results in a more sustainable and financially successful business operation."
Thirty-one companies from eleven countries have been honored by the Association for Spirit at Work, during the last four years, including The Body Shop (UK), The Times of India, Elcoteq Communications Technology GmbH (Germany), Medtronics (US), and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. Search for Common Ground is one of the few non-profit organizations to receive the award.