The Art of Living Foundation -- Kennedy Center - March 28th 2007

The Art of Living Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary gala on March 28 to highlight the critical role human values play in the eradication of violence and stress. The event is a platform for prominent leaders and decision makers in the fields of politics, business and civil society to draw attention to what leaders and ordinary citizens can do together to achieve a Violence-Free, Stress-Free America.


Wednesday, March 28, 2007,
7:30 pm
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington DC

Keynote addresses by distinguished leaders
· Unveiling the "Universal Declaration of Human Values"
· Wisdom and Meditation by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
· Symphony for World Peace by more than 60 Indian musicians

Confirmed Speakers include:

The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Majority Leader, 110th Congress

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Ambassador Vijay Nambiar
Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary General, United Nations

Attire for the Event:
Business Formal: Dark suits or blazers for him and a tailored dressy suits or dresses for her. (tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses)

Directions:
from Northern Virginia from Maryland and Northwest DC from Downtown DC

The Art of Living Foundation is dedicated to serving society by strengthening the individual by offering programs that eliminate stress, create a sense of belonging, restore human values, and encouraging people from all backgrounds, religions and cultural traditions to come together in celebration and service. As a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), The Foundation works in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

The Art of Living Foundation
2401 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
USA

1-202-747-0234
1-877-ARTOFLIVING

Peace Building and Development Institute

There are a limited number of need-based tuition scholarships available. The scholarship will pay for one week of tuition, and participants will be responsible for paying for the second week...

http://www.american.edu/sis/peacebuilding/2007/tuition.htm

Peacebuilding & Development Institute
Summer 2007 Professional Training Program at
American University
Washington, D.C. U.S.A.

The Peacebuilding & Development Summer Institute is one of the first academic programs specifically organized to bridge the two issues of peacebuilding and development. The Institute fosters knowledge, practical experience and skills for practitioners, teachers and students involved in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and development. It will focus on various approaches to mediation, negotiation, facilitation, reconciliation and dialogue, particularly in conflict-torn and developing regions. Participants will explore innovative methods of promoting cultural diversity with respect to public policy, community and religion, war and post-conflict environments while expanding their knowledge and skills in a participatory and interactive learning environment. In addition, participants in the Summer Institute will be exposed to leading national and international professionals in the fields of public policy, peacebuilding and development.

The Summer 2006 Institute welcomed nearly 150 participants from 35 countries. They came from a wide range of backgrounds: professionals from international agencies such as the UN, World Vision, CARE, Mercy Corps, and USAID; Master’s degree students from the School for International Service at American University; and scholars and practitioners from a variety of other fields. The diversity of participants is one of the most important and unique components of every Summer Institute.

In order to attend the Institute, participants must fill out the online application (link below). On the application, participants will select one class each week, and may attend any one, two, or all three weeks. For course descriptions please go to this link: http://www.american.edu/sis/peacebuilding/2007.htm

The courses are:

Week 1: June 18-22, 2007

Religion & Culture in Conflict Resolution
With Mohammed Abu-Nimer

Positive Approaches to Peacebuilding & Development
With Mark Chupp

Applied Conflict Analysis & Resolution
With Ron Fisher & Anthony Wanis-St. John


Week 2: June 25-29, 2007

Training for Trainers in Peacebuilding & Development
With Mohammed Abu-Nimer

Practical Approaches to Peacebuilding & Development in Conflict Areas
With Erin McCandless

Reconciliation & Forgiveness in Post-Conflict Environments
With Eileen Borris

How Can Educators Build Peace in Their Own Communities?
With Patricia Mische


Week 3: July 2-7, 2007

Building Monitoring & Evaluation into Program Operations: Methods for Peace Builders and Development Workers
With Sarah Cohen

Youth, Conflict & Peacebuilding
Trainer TBA




Online Application: http://www.american.edu/sis/peacebuilding


For more information, please contact:
Phone: 1-202-885-2112
E-mail: pcrinst@american.edu

Intercultural Trip -- May 7th to 22nd 2007 -- To Turkey

INTERCULTURAL TRIP TO TURKEY

May 7th-22nd, 2007


In the periods of 7 to 22 May 2007, the Rumi Forum will organize an intercultural trip to Turkey. By hosting American intellectuals on a trip to Turkey, the Rumi Forum hopes to build bridges of understanding and tolerance between diverse cultures and faiths.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Turkey through its rich cultural and religious history. They will also meet with some of Turkey's community leaders and citizens to experience Turkey's unique culture and world famous hospitality.

The cities that will be visited on this trip will be Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa, Izmir (Ephesus), Cappadocia. The Rumi Forum has organized 9 trips to Turkey in the past years and each trip has yielded very positive results with respect to bridging gaps between diverse cultures and faiths.

Rumi Forum believes that the upcoming trips will be both eye and heart opening.
Click here to see Turkey Pictures.
Click here to see advertising films of Turkey

The Whirling Dervishes of Rumi - Live performance

LIVE PERFORMANCE - THE WHIRLING DERVISHES OF RUMI
March 17th, 2007


... a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind. Turning towards the truth, ... arrives to the "Perfect." so as to love ... the whole of creation....



The Whirling Dervishes represent a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind and love to "Perfect." Turning towards the truth, the follower grows through love, deserts his ego, finds the truth and arrives to the "Perfect." He then returns from this spiritual journey as a man who has reached maturity and a greater perfection, so as to love and to be of service to the whole of creation....

PLACE:
Washington Hebrew Congregation
3935 Macomb Street NW,
Washington, DC 20016

DATE: March 17th, 2007

8:00 p.m.


TEL: 703.288.1811
email: Dervishes@RumiForum.org

Victory Arts Foundation

Victory Arts Foundation

VAF is a not-for-profit organization committed to making dance a meaningful experience for 'all' without any discrimination. VAF endeavors to use the power of 'performing arts', especially dance, to bring joy to theunderprivileged, specially challenged, visually impaired and others.Bringing a smile on their faces and adding a bounce in their stride, VAFtakes the mission of Have Feet, Will Dance, one step further:

Have Spirit.Will Triumph!

With a motive to help the young and the young at heart discover and enjoy creative expression through dance, Shiamak Davar's Institute for The Performing ArtsTM or SDIPAT, as it is popularly known, continues to teachJazz, Hip Hop, Rock N Roll, Afro Jazz, Salsa, Shiamak's Indo Jazz andShiamak's Bollywood Jazz styles of dance.


SDIPA conducts dance classes in thirteen cities in India, reaching out to thousands of students (4 to 84 years old, all shapes and sizes, specially challenged, visually impaired ---
one and all are a part of this disciplined, professional but most of all 'fun' institute.

Have Feet. Will Dance!

In November 2001, Shiamak Davar's Institute for the Performing Arts (SDIPA)along with Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT), entered into a partnership to implement Dancing Feat (DF). With a goal to enhance the ability of high-risk vulnerable children to respond effectively to situations that place them at risk to HIV/AIDS, DF has adopted a unique child friendly strategy which combines popular dance forms along with group counseling and life skills education. Shiamak's Victory Art Foundation (VAF)Through VAF funded programs, SDIPA Instructors continue to share the joy ofdance with various NGOs all over India, including the following:

* The Society of Education for the Crippled (Mumbai)
* Spastics Society of India (Mumbai)
* Helen Keller's Institute for the Deaf And Deafblind(Mumbai)
* Sankalp School For the mentally challenged(Mumbai)
* Jariwala Orphanage for Muslim Girls(Mumbai)
* Project Udaan for slum children(Mumbai)
* Umang (Jaipur)
* Ishwar Foundation (Delhi)
* Tamanna(Delhi)
* Freedom Foundation (Bangalore & Chennai)
* Baldwin Opportunity (Bangalore)
* Sweekar Upkar (Hyderabad)
* Sanskriti Shikhar (Hyderabad)
* St.John's(Pune)

We are happy to share this information with you and look forward to you and your support to VAF so that we can continue to 'pay it forward' and share the joy of dance and performing arts with many others.

Warm regards,
Kainaaz Mistry
Manager - Victory Arts Foundation
C-19, Everest Building,
J Dadaji Road, Tardeo,
Mumbai-34
Tel: 65286583/ 23537930-7/9821541068

"The Power of Forgiveness" -- a Film with the Film-maker

The Power of Forgiveness

a film from the filmmaker of Bonhoeffer

with a discussion by the film-maker, Martin Doblemeier

on Wednesday, March 14th 2007

at 7:30 pm

Stories
with Thich Nhat Hanh,
Elie Weisel
and
features from the
Amish, Ground Zero,
Belfast and Beirut

FREE ADMISSION

Washington National Cathedral
Wisconsin and Mass Avenues
NW, Washington DC
Phone: (202) 537 2221




March 15, 2007
Knotts AuditoriumMount St Mary’s College
13600 Old Emmitsburg RoadEmmitsburg, MD
7 PM
Info at 301-447-7435


March 18, 2007
Daylesford Abbey
220 S. Valley RoadPaoli, PA
6 PM
Info at 610-688-8588


March 19, 2007
Leffler Auditorium,
Elizabethtown CollegeOne Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA7 PM
Info at 717-361-1467


March 22, 2007
St. James Lutheran Church
427 S. Main Street
Verona, WI
7 PM
Info at 608-845-6922


March 23, 2007
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
306 S. Prospect StreetPark Ridge, IL
7 PMI
nfo at (847) 823-4126


March 24, 2007
Quad Cities Unitarian Church
3707 Eastern AveDavenport, IA
Time to be announced
Info at 563-359-0816


March 25, 2007
Christ Church Cathedral
318 East 4th StreetCincinnati, OH
5 PMI
nfo at 513-842-2052


March 26
Location and time to be announced
Indianapolis, IN

March 29, 2007
Second Presbyterian Church
342 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC
6 PM
Info at 843-723-9237

March 30, 2007
Wall Auditorium,
Coastal Carolina University
119 Chanticleer Drive EastConway, SC
7 PM
Info at 843-349-4101


April 1, 2007
First Presbyterian Church
33 Gleason StreetDel Ray Beach FL
Time to be announced
Info at 561-276-6338


April 2, 2007
Lutheran Church of the Cross
4545 Chancellor St., NE
St. Petersburg, FL
Time to be announced
Info at 727-525-8364


April 3, 2007
St. Margaret Mary Church
526 Park Avenue
NorthWinter Park, FL
7 PMI
Info at 407-644-6812


April 5, 2007
Askew Student Life Center
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Time to be announced
Info at 850-222-6320


April 28, 2007
Lesley UniversityCambridge,
MA
Location and time to be announced

www.journeyfilms.com

Major Funding from the Fetzer Trust and the John Templeton Foundation

Religion and Human Rights -- Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affaris - March 15th 2007

Conference on Religion and the Global Politics of Human Rights

Keynote Address
by Kenneth Roth
Executive Director of Human Rights Watch
Thursday, March 15,
7:30pm-9:00pm
Copley Formal Lounge
To RSVP for the Keynote Address, click here.

Conference Panels
Friday, March 16,
10:30am-5:30pm
Copley Formal Lounge
To RSVP for all three sessions, click here.

To RSVP for individual sessions, click on the links below:

10:30-12:00pm
First Conference Session: Latin America and Africa
1:45-3:15pm
Second Conference Session: Islam in Transnational Perspective
3:45-5:30pm
Third Conference Session: Russia and Asia

Religion intersects with global human rights agendas in multiple ways. Are “universal” human rights in fact an imposition of western or Christian ideas? Is democracy, the “rule of the people,” compatible with God’s law? How does religion inform – and impede – the struggle for human rights around the world? The conference on “Religion and the Global Politics of Human Rights” brings together leading anthropologists, sociologists, historians, and political scientists to explore these and related questions. It breaks with the dominant “top down” approach centered on the principles found in sacred texts and authoritative theological and legal interpretations. Participants will grapple with the issue “bottom up” – the interaction of human rights and religion in practice and the challenges they pose for national and international politics.

The juxtaposition of key cases from around the world will deepen our knowledge about the interplay of religion, politics, and society, and provide signposts for policymakers in Washington, DC, and elsewhere grappling with an increasingly salient issue area.

This conference, convened by Thomas Banchoff, Director of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University, and Robert Wuthnow, Director of the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University, is the third in a series. In April 2005 Georgetown University sponsored a conference on “The New Religious Pluralism and Democracy.” In March 2006, the Berkley Center’s inaugural conference addressed the “The New Religious Pluralism in World Politics.”

Two books based on the conferences are forthcoming with Oxford University Press.

Participants
Thomas Banchoff, Georgetown University (co-convener)
Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University (co-convener)
Rogaia Mustafa Abusharaf, Brown University
Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, Georgetown University
Paul Freston, Calvin College
Yvonne Haddad, Georgetown University
Robert Hefner, Boston University
Riva Kastoryano, Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Paris
Charles Keyes, University of Washington
Pratap Mehta, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi
David Ownby, University of Montreal
Alfred Stepan, Columbia University

Georgetown University
Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs
3307 M. St., Washington DC, 20007
berkleycenter@georgetown.edu 202.687.5119
Search Site Index Site Map Directory About
###

Faith, Diplomacy and Foreign Policy -- March 28th 2007

The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
announces a conference by

American University’s School of International Service

Faith, Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Wednesday, March 28, 2007
2-4:30 PM

reception to follow

Kay Spiritual Life Center
American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016

Admission is free, but RSVP required
contact: Mike Goggin 202 234-6300 x205
mikeg@ifcmw.org
###