Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below information on an ACRGNY sponsored Roundtable Breakfast, April 3rd.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

ACRGNY sponsored Roundtable Breakfast, April 3rd

Ramina Jamal, former Policy Officer for the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee, will address the April ACRGNY sponsored Roundtable Breakfast, to take place on April 3rd from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. See below for more on Ms. Jamal.

MARCH SPEAKER
Adair Linn Nagata spoke eloquently of her extensive research and experience with non-verbal cueing; she has been working with supporters of survivors of domestic violence, specifically–helping them to begin to understand how their own bodymindfulness can help them in this work.

APRIL SPEAKER
Security Council Resolution 1325 was passed unanimously on 31 October 2000. It was the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council that specifically addressed the impact of war on women, and women’s contributions to conflict resolution and sustainable peace. Ramina Jamal, former Policy Officer for the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee, will speak about her work on implementation of this ground-breaking Resolution. She’ll talk about how Resolution 1325 has been used at the local and international levels particularly to press for increased participation of women and girls (linked to reducing violence as well as access to information) and the role of the UN and NGOs to bring together the various elements required (government, civil society, UN) to generate such confidence-building among women and girls. She’ll bring her own personal history of working with refugee and displaced organizations, UN agencies and NGO coalitions to bear on her remarks.

We convene at 8:00 AM, the program begins at 8:30 AM and we promise to end the formal presentation at 9:30 AM, although we generally continue informally until 10:00 AM. The breakfast takes place at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 899 Tenth Avenue (59th St.; take any subway to Columbus Circle and walk west), Room 610.

There is no charge for the breakfast, but do let us know at ACRGNYInfo[@]aol.com, if you plan to attend so we have enough bagels and coffee!

Julie Denny, Convener

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below information on the next Systemic Dynamics and Constellation Coaching Workshop to be held on Sunday April 20, 2008, 1-6 pm.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

Work and Family Systems Constellation Workshops

Experiencing the Dynamics of Constellations to clarify your purpose in life

Dr. Marta Carlson: Facilitator/Coach

· Lack of Sense of Purpose?
· Loss of energy?
· Family Strife?

· Joyless career?
· Stress?
· Persistent Illnesses ?

Union Church of Hinsdale Will be Offering FREE monthly workshops for anyone in the Community

Location: Union Church of Hinsdale 137 S Garfield Ave, Hinsdale, IL 60521, (630) 323-4303

Participants may attend one workshop or as many as they feel they would like.

To Register, or for more information, call Marta Carlson at: (630) 975-0550

Purpose of Workshops:

These workshops are designed to help individuals achieve clarity and understanding of the unspoken inter-connectedness between people and situations in our personal and work relationships. This clarity helps us achieve peaceful resolution and fulfill our true purpose.

What is Systemic Dynamics and Constellation Coaching?

How it works

Systemic Dynamics Coaching is a form of learning, …a learning that by-passes our conscious, institutionalized brain. It is not a form of therapy. It has nothing to do with Astrology. Instead it encourages us to rely on our other faculties, our intuition or unconscious mind, and our faith, for information and guidance.

This workshop is based on the work of Bert Hellinger, a Psychotherapist and former priest, whose philosophy is:.

Often hidden dynamics and loyalties form a climate, or a culture, in which we are born, grow, live, and work. Such hidden dynamics and loyalties can sometimes prevent us from feeling joy and peace and fulfilling our higher purpose. There is a vast inter-connectedness of people in organizations and their families. This connection works in such a way that may not always be visible. It acts like a silent and sometimes not so silent network which may prevent a person from achieving his/her purpose
It‘s just the way things are.

http://www.hellinger.com/international/english/about_bert_hellinger.shtml

Systemic Coaching uses the phenomenological approach of constellations*, to depict the dynamics of the relationships between people, concepts, family or work structures, policies and practices in a very simple way.

*Constellations are “configurations: an arrangement of parts or elements; “the outcome depends on the configuration of influences at the time” i.e. a configuration of stars as seen from the earth wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

· A person volunteers to have the group help them clarify a particular, serious situation in their lives that
needs resolution.

· People are chosen to represent the key people, concepts, or factors that are related to a clearly the
defined issue.

· The representatives are placed in the center of the room.

· Hidden dynamics and loyalties are brought to the surface for all to see.

· Then, under the guidance of the coach/ facilitator, new, healthy images of the issue start to take
shape.

· The new image provides a blueprint for future movement and growth in a healthy and enhancing way.

*All participants are required to sign statements insuring confidentiality.

Marta Carlson, Ph.D. Dr. Carlson is an Organizational Psychologist and Certified Hellinger Family Constellations facilitator. She has over 20 years experience consulting with major organizations, Career and Life coaching, family and individual counseling, teaching at universities, publishing, and research. She is the proud mother of two talented and beautiful, adult children and member of Union Church of Hinsdale.

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below a note from George Kent and the suggestion to explore the link between hunger and humiliation.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

My dear Evelin –

Thank you for your kind message of March 22. It has been eight years since Tromso? How time does fly! You have certainly moved ahead nicely in that time. Congratulations on the blossoming of your work on humiliation. Very well done!

I would like to join you in Norway this summer, but unfortunately I cannot. I am already planning to participate in the International Peace Research Association conference in Belgium in July, so I cannot manage to come to Norway in June as well. However, I do look forward to seeing you in Hawai’i during 2009. That would be lovely.

I keep thinking it would be interesting to explore the linkage between hunger and humiliation. My human rights approach to the issue would mesh nicely with your interests, since human rights work is centered on concern for human dignity. Are there others in your network that think along these lines?

Aloha, George

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below a note from David Maidman on the release of the documentary DVD, Think Peace: Portrait of a 21st Century Movement.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

Documentary DVD, Think Peace: Portrait of a 21st Century Movement

I am pleased to announce the release of the documentary DVD, Think Peace: Portrait of a 21st Century Movement. Filmed at the World Peace Forum held in Vancouver, British Columbia from June 23 - 28, 2006 the film examines the make up and direction of the peace movement in the 21st century.

On February 15th, 2003 the largest protest in human history occurred. Millions of people from all seven continents marched down the street of more than 800 cities to show that they did not support the invasion of Iraq. Yet even at the height of its power the movement was not able to stop the war. What went wrong?

This and other questions are explored in the film as we talk to such diverse people as Hans Blix, Rex Weyler, and Holly Near, among others. With over 40 citizen journalists participating in the project, over 120 hours of footage were captured and distilled into a 55 minute film by director Corey Ogilvie of DreamHouse Cinema.

In order to promote the film and celebrate “the other super power” that arose on February 15, 2003 we ask that you join us in celebrating the 5th Anniversary of this amazing event by declaring that February 15th be know internationally as “Think Peace” Day.

For more information go to our website at http://thinkpeacemovie.com/

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below a information on three courses at the Hofstra Law School.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

THE TRANSFORMATIVE PRACTICE INSTITUTE
SUMMER 2008, at Hofstra Law School

THREE IMPORTANT AND INNOVATIVE COURSES, FIVE TOP INSTRUCTORS

RETHINKING CONFLICT

A Master Class on Popular Culture and the Relational Orientation to Life

May 21-22, 2008

Taught by Joseph Folger and Baruch Bush

BASIC AND DIVORCE MEDIATION TRAINING

The Transformative Approach: Basic Skills and Divorce Mediation

May 19-20 (Basic) and May 21-23, 2008 (Divorce)

Taught by Baruch Bush and Elayne Greenberg

RELATIONAL FACILITATION

The Purpose and Practice of Leading Groups Responsively

May 19-20, 2008

Taught by Scott Sears and Judith Saul

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ENROLL NOW!

Limited enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis

To register: call Dawn Marzella at 516-463-6889 or

email lawdmm[@]hofstra.edu

(If interested in CLE credits, please inquire at time of registration)

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COURSE AND FACULTY DESCRIPTIONS

Rethinking Conflict: Popular Culture and the Relational Orientation to Life

May 21-22, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. $450

Master Class with Joseph Folger and Baruch Bush – “founders” of the transformative theory

Surprisingly, our popular culture is rich with vivid depictions of relational, transformative approaches to human difference and conflict. Although negative and destructive images may dominate, transformative depictions of conflict are also found in popular film, television and literature – and often find an enthusiastic audience. They reflect a societal urge to move beyond self-centered, individualistic ways of thinking about and approaching conflict. This seminar will explore the transformative dimensions of our cultural imagery of conflict. Using video clips and transcripts, we will examine portrayals of transformative conflict in film, television and literature, and reflect on how our personal mindsets about conflict resonate with these cultural messages:

What do depictions in popular film and literature tell us about how we want to and can respond to conflict?
How is the balance between strength of self and connection to others conveyed when conflict is portrayed relationally?
Can greater awareness of the transformative imagery in our popular culture support a relational vision of conflict in society and in our daily lives?

Recommended for all conflict intervention professionals, and for anyone who wants to examine their own assumptions about conflict in their personal or professional life, in the context of our society and culture.

The Transformative Approach to Mediation: Basic Skills and Divorce Mediation

Basic Skills:

May 19-20, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. $400

Two-day training with Baruch Bush and Elayne Greenberg

(Take separately as an introductory course, or in combination with the Divorce Mediation course)

A unique opportunity to train with the co-creator of the transformative model

Conflict is inevitable, but how to deal with conflict is a matter of choice. Transformative mediation offers people the choice to address their conflict in a way that fully respects their dignity and humanity. This highly interactive course is the most up-to-date, distinctive and innovative training on the transformative approach to mediation. Trainees will gain an understanding of the theory and basic skills necessary for the practice of transformative mediation:

· A grounding in transformative conflict theory and the concepts of empowerment and recognition

· An understanding of the connection between mediator motivations and interventions

· The understanding and skills needed to practice non-directive interventions that respect the
participants’ competence and decency

· The capacity to take a responsive rather than directive role in intervention

Recommended for individuals and professionals who want to enhance their conflict intervention skills in their personal life, organizations, business or community, by learning the theory and basic skills of transformative mediation.

Applying the Approach to Divorce Mediation

May 21-23, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. $500 (in addition to Basic Skills fee)

Three-day advanced training with Elayne Greenberg

(Registrants will first attend the Basic Skills course and then continue with the divorce mediation training, for a total of five days)

Divorce is a defining event for the parties. It is not only about legal issues, but also the social, religious, emotional, and economic implications of the divorce. Transformative mediation offers divorcing couples a dignified, humane process, in which couples can address all the dimensions of their divorce. Trainees will learn the application of transformative mediation skills in divorce cases, and how transformative mediators navigate the specific practice challenges inherent in the divorce context:

· An understanding of how transformative theory explains the interaction between divorcing partners

· The ability to apply the skills of transformative practice in a divorce context, including working
with attorneys and other support professionals

· Basic substantive information about divorce, and guidelines for how to use that information
appropriately in transformative mediation

· Awareness of how domestic violence and child abuse issues may arise in the divorce context, and
how the mediator responds to them

Recommended for individuals who want to begin practicing divorce mediation, mediators who want to use a transformative approach in divorce cases, and matrimonial attorneys interested in a better understanding of divorce mediation. (Law students welcome in this and other courses, without law school credit, for fees as stated above. If law students wish to take this course for law school credit – as a 2 credit course – the fee is $1,320 per credit.)

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Relational Facilitation: The Purpose and Practice of Leading Groups Responsively

May 19-20, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. $400

Two-day workshop with Judy Saul and Scott Sears

Working effectively as a facilitator of group deliberations requires a firm grasp of group dynamics and an understanding of the contexts in which groups interact. Working from a transformative perspective further challenges the practitioner to integrate this knowledge with interactive and process skills that are responsive to the group’s (and the practitioner’s) sense of purpose. Based upon years of practice as transformative mediators and multi-party interveners, the presenters will provide a new framework specifically developed for relational group facilitation, including:

Understanding theoretical linkages with basic transformative conflict theory
Engaging in interactive exercises that allow participants to explore how facilitators can responsively follow groups to their own outcomes

Developing practical skills for responsive group facilitation

Recommended for practitioners with prior training in transformative mediation who want to apply these skills to group facilitation in organizational, community, and public deliberation settings – including OD specialists, group facilitators, agency staff and elected officials working in citizen engagement, and mediators seeking to extend their skills to new arenas of practice.

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Summer Institute Faculty:

Robert A. Baruch Bush, J.D. and Joseph P. Folger, Ph.D. are the originators of the transformative approach to mediation, as explained in their best-selling book, The Promise of Mediation (1994, 2d ed. 2005), which has been called one of the most influential works on mediation in the last decade. They are regularly featured as lecturers and trainers at conferences, seminars and workshops around the world.

Bush is the Rains Distinguished Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where he teaches courses on mediation, ADR, and other subjects. He has practiced, taught and written about mediation for nearly 30 years, and has authored over two dozen books, articles and chapters on mediation and ADR. He is Co-Founder and President of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation (ISCT).

Folger is Professor of Adult and Organizational Development at Temple University, and Senior Associate with Communications Research Associates, Inc. His text on conflict theory and research, Working Through Conflict (4th ed. 2004), is used in universities across the country, and he is editor and author of many other books and articles on conflict and intervention. He is Co-Founder and Vice-President of ISCT.

Elayne E. Greenberg, J.D., M.S., is an attorney in private practice and a Special Professor at Hofstra Law School and in the University’s Graduate Psychology Program. She has trained and lectured nationally on the subject of ADR and has held many policy-shaping positions, including: Chair of the NY State Bar Assoc. ADR Committee; Editorial Board of the Family Court Review; founding board member of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts’ NY Chapter; and founding member, co-chair and Executive Director of the Parenting Coordinator’s Association of NY. She is an Associate of ISCT.

Scott Sears, M.A., is the Principal of Sears Associates and an Associate of Global Dialogue, Inc. Since 1992 his consulting work has focused on organizational development, participative group learning, public involvement, and conflict engagement, and he has experience ranging from interpersonal mediation to full-scale governmental agency development. Sears holds a Masters in Conflict Resolution from Antioch University.

Judith A. Saul is the Executive Director and founder of Community Dispute Resolution Center, Inc., Ithaca, NY, which provides mediation, facilitation and training services for three counties. She has over two decades of experience mediating interpersonal disputes and facilitating multi-party processes. She is a certified trainer for the ADR Office of New York’s Court System and is on the roster of the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. Ms. Saul is a Fellow and Board member of ISCT.

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below information on the 3rd International Conference on Global Warming and Climate Change.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

3rd International Conference on Global Warming and Climate Change

http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/events/sev008578

On behalf of the conference organizing committee it is my great pleasure to invite you and your delegation to register and contribute to the Global Warming and Climate Change (GWCC 08) conference which is now open.The 3rd International Conference on Global Warming and Climate Change (GWCC 08) will take place in London on May 9th-13th,2008.

The world wide concern about global warming and it’s impact on the fate of the planet has risen to unprecedented levels in the last few years.

This explosion of information on Global Warming and Climate Change has made all of us much more aware of what is happening. But, the sheer magnitude of it can also be overwhelming. We often ask ourselves, in spite of all the media, are we really certain about what we need to know and is there anything we as average citizens can do about it?

Join us on May 9th-13th,2008, as we learn the answers to those
two important questions, What Do We Know? What Can We Do?

1) How does Global Warming and Climate Change impact our environment and our community
2) What common sense approaches do we need to adopt to effect real change
3) What are simple and low cost ways that will help us save energy
4) What will it take to build a green community

The conference would be held at:
Hyde Park Hotel
15 Sussex Place
Hyde Park London W2 2SX
United Kingdom
Date: 9th-13th May, 2008

GWCC 08 has set up an Access Fund to support the travel costs and all-round air fare cost for participants who are unable to raise sufficient funds on their own. All participants, however will be expected to fund raise for their hotel bills in the UK, which will not be waived.

To qualify for the access grant, delegates would be expected to write a motivation letter to the conference chair,explaining why they feel they are eligible for the access grant and show evidence of their hotel reservation.

Fax your application to +448709744047or email: mukapa[@]gwcc08.org
Also, contact Ms. Stella Gray, email: conference[@]gwcc08.org for more information on your registration/Call for Papers.

Ms. Stella Gray
for Dr. John Mukapa
Conference Chair.
phone +447031944459
fax +448704799217
email: conference[@]gwcc08.org
34 East Dulwich Road London SE22 9AX London .

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below news from Sea.se promoting arts.

An excerpt from the website: I imagine that Art can change a City. I imagine that artists can be essential partners in urban re-invention. I imagine that city planners and cultural activists have much in common. I imagine that Public Space is an essential condition for democratic participation. And that artists, architects and environmentalists must open the way.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

SEAS News 18 March 2008

Welcome to the Black Sea, to Black/North SEAS and to the
World Launch in Odessa, Ukraine

23 May 2008 with ongoing events until 1 June 2008 our new website.

SEAS.se

is now ready to take you there.
Get updated. Get involved! Cruise SEAS.se
Black/North SEAS is an arts adventure that reveals in story, song and image a
vision of Europe drawn from the experiences of the communities that live on
its shoreline.

16 contemporary, interdisciplinary, trans-national art works in performance,
music, visual arts and digital media have been commissioned by Intercult from
leading European companies and artists. In 2007 each creator took a “blind
date” with a fellow artist or company in a town or city on the coast of the
Black and the North Seas. After their “dates” the artists proposed a new
piece of art inspired by their time together and the place they visited.

Black/North SEAS is an ongoing investigation of how artistic initiatives
can lift urban re-invention and environmental issues to the forefront, through
the very act of concretely confronting the contemporary cityscape.

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below a call for applications for Peace and Security fellowships at Knigs College, London.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

African Women’s Peace and Security Fellowship Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women

The Fellowship

As part of its Knowledge Building and Mentoring Programme, the Conflict, Security and Development Group at King’s College London, is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women for 2008/2009. This Fellowship is a financial and intellectual reward for personal and academic achievements as well as the recognition of future potential. It does not lead to a formal qualification, but will open doors to opportunities that would otherwise seem beyond reach for many. The Fellowship is therefore highly competitive.

Funded by the Sigrid Rausing Trust, the Fellowships bring together African women at the early to mid stages of their career to undertake a carefully designed training programme in Conflict, Security and Development at the King’s College London. This training is followed by an attachment to an African regional organisation or a Centre of Excellence to acquire practical experience in the field of peace and security. It is intended that this project will train African women to develop a better understanding of African peace and security issues in order to increase their participation in conflict management processes and other areas of security concerns for African women.

The Purpose of the Fellowship

The African Women’s Fellowship on Peace and Security is designed to expose young professional and mid career African women to the complexities of conflict, security and development and to equip them for careers in this field. The Fellowship is conceived against a number of background factors. First is the comparatively low number of African women exposed to rigorous academic writing and policy analysis in the field of peace and security especially as compared with those involved in human rights and development issues. Second is the need to assist African women to meet the demands of the Beijing process and more recently the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that calls for the inclusion of women at all decision making levels in “all national regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts”. This Fellowship is aimed at challenging the existing tendency that seems to reinforce the male dominant discourse on conflict and security related matters. It will also develop the network of African women scholars working in the field whilst linking them with the peace and security mechanisms of relevant regional institutions.

Programme Content

This is a one-year Fellowship, divided into two 6-month phases. The first phase will be based at King’s College London where the Fellows will attend specifically designed courses on conflict, security and development. They will also study several UK institutions working in the field of peace and security. This phase will end with a simulation seminar during which a mock conflict management situation will be practiced. In the second phase, Fellows will be attached to an African regional organisation or Centre of Excellence to undertake practical work in the field of peace and security including peace and conflict management processes.

School of Social Science and Public Policy

Conflict Security and Development Group
Contact: Eka Ikpe

Tel: 020 7848 1984
King’s College London

Strand

London WC2R 2LS

Tel: 020 7848 2000

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below information on a recently held conference by the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

Taking Action for the World’s Poor and Hungry People
Synopsis of an International Consultation

Joachim von Braun and Rajul Pandya-Lorch

December 2007

download http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/books/oc57.pdf

IFPRI initiated an international consultation in 2006 on needed actions for the world’s poorest and hungry people. An international conference, “Taking Action for the World’s Poor and Hungry People,” held in Beijing in October of 2007, drew about 400 participants. The conference examined who the poorest and hungry people are and what new and different actions are required to improve their welfare. This synopsis summarizes the ongoing consultations with the intent to come closer to consensus for taking action.

Key Findings

Of the 1 billion people living on less than US$1 day, 485 million are living on between 75 cents and US$1 a day, 323 million are living on between 50 and 75 cents a day, and 162 million, the ultra poor, are living on less than 50 cents a day.
Three-quarters of the ultra poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Among the categories of poverty below US$1 a day, poverty among the ultra poor has been most entrenched. Since 1990, the rate of US$1-a-day poverty has fallen substantially more than the rate of ultra poverty. The poorest are being left behind.
The composition of the poor is changing and exclusion, ethnicity, gender, and disabilities are playing growing roles and need different policy foci.
Poverty remains rural and is strongly tied to changes in agriculture and the rural economies.
The optimal policy mix between growth and social protection needs revisiting.

What to Do (Priority Areas of Action)

Focus on inclusive growth that includes the poorest and hungry from the beginning—in many countries, such growth will generally involve accelerated rural and agricultural growth.
Improve access to assets and markets to give millions of smallholder farmers access to value chains and to give many poor households access to nonfarm rural employment.
Phase in social protection more quickly and comprehensively and rebalance policies that encourage “pro-poor” growth with social protection policies.
Accelerate investments in health and nutrition programs , particularly for children and women.
Include the excluded by requiring governance reforms that empower the poor and the excluded, provide accountability, and offer incentives to service providers.
How to Do It (Areas for Political and Institutional Change)

Core political issues —Countries need to take charge of their own future; conflicts and instability need to be overcome; governance, accountability, and rights need to come to the forefront in poverty reduction policies; sound fiscal and tax policy is critical; and macroeconomic policy and an open trade regime remain key.
Scale —International and civil society organizations should provide technical and financial support to facilitate the appropriate scaling up and transfer of projects.
Political process —Attention should be directed to the political process to create broad-based support for action.
Local action —Building community organizations and political institutions for and with the poorest is an important part of strengthening local action.
Capacity to implement —Improving capacity to implement programs requires that skill levels and organizational arrangements get more attention.

Dear HumanDHS network friends

Please find below information on the Book: Freedom from Want: The Human Right to Adequate Food by George Kent.

Kind regards
Brian Ward

Since people come to my online courses from many different places around the world, some have not been able to obtain my book on Freedom from Want: The Human Right to Adequate Food, in time for their course. To address this problem, the publisher, Georgetown University Press, has now kindly agreed to make it available online, at

http://press.georgetown.edu/pdfs/9781589010550.pdf

The book is freely available, with no limitations regarding printing, viewing or searching. The publisher encourages us to circulate this link widely.

Of course they would be happy if some people who downloaded it also decided to purchase copies, whether directly from Georgetown University Press or through other booksellers.

Having Freedom From Want readily available is timely, since it is the precursor for my recent edited book, Global Obligations for the Right to Food. A flyer describing this new book is available at http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kent/GORFflyer.doc

Aloha, George