URI Young Leaders Live Chat
September 26, 2010
Tools for Building Peace Among Religions
Participating: Anqa - Pakistan, Doria - US, Mrithula - Malaysia, Rowaida - Lebanon, Peter - US, Ishilta - Philippines, Margaret -Kenya, Naoufal - Morocco, Sharon - Philippines, Sarah - US, Anass - Jordan, Fedia - Tunisia
Guest Speaker: Vanessa Gomez Brake from Pace e Bene and the Abrahamic Family Reunion
Tools for Peacebuilding from Pace e Bene:
- Interviews with Oakland Youth for Nonviolent Options Project: http://paceebene.org/blog/kit-evans/testimonies-youth-violence-and-nonviolent-lifestyles
- Nonviolent Change Toolkit: http://paceebene.org/nonviolent-change-101
- Nonviolence Resources from Religious or Interreligious Contexts: http://paceebene.org/nonviolent-change-101/power-nonviolent-change/engaged-spirituality
Resources on NonViolent Communication from the Center for NVC: http://www.cnvc.org/
New International Training Center for Conflict Resolution in Lebanon:
Peace Bag Project in Europe and the Middle East – creating a toolkit for peace:
http://www.euromedalex.org/fr/fields/education-youth/projets/peace-bag-euromed-youth
The Moral Imagination, The Art and Soul of Building Peace, by John Paul Lederach, http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/ReligionTheology/SociologyofReligion/?view=usa&ci=9780195174540
Inspirational film Pray the Devil Back to Hell, http://www.praythedevilbacktohell.com, about a group of Liberian women who initiated a nation-wide peace process through nonviolent protest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uon9CcoHgwA
URI Interfaith Peacebuilding Resources:
- Creative Beginnings, a 20-page booklet,http://www.uri.org/files/resource_files/MI%20BOOK.Creative%20Beginnings.pdf, developed from URI's Moral Imagination Program 2006-2008 that provides several useful and inspiring activities easily adaptable for teaching and facilitating in a variety of contexts.
- URI Interfaith Peacebuilding Guide, http://www.uri.org/files/resource_files/URI_Interfaith_Peacebuilding_Guide.pdf, a manual for interfaith groups and everyday Gandhis, people who are making a difference one step at a time in their local communities
- Toolkit for Responding to Hostility Against Faith Communities, developed in response to backlash against Muslims around 9/11/10, http://www.uri.org/files/resource_files/URI%20TOOLKIT%20Interfaith%20Responses%20to%20Islamophobia.pdf
Chat Transcript:
[07:38] Sarah from California, US: Hi! Great to see you all here...
[07:39] Sharon from Philippines: Namaste everyone! Sharon, Hindu from the Philippines here.
[07:39] Naoufal: we too of course sarah ; it is our house
[07:40] Sarah from California, US: thank you Naoufal... glad you feel at home here!
[07:41] Mrithula from Malaysia: Hello everybody! Mrithula here
[07:42] Sharon from Philippines: Yes, it's great to be back indeed! I have missed the URI family very much!
[07:44] Sarah from California, US: i am looking forward to hearing your updates - any latest news you all would like to share while we wait for others to join, the official starting time is in 15 minutes
[07:45] Sharon from Philippines: I'm sure most of you have seen the invite I posted on facebook for a youth dialogue circle entitled Peace in Diversity
[07:45] Sharon from Philippines: We sort of had a pre-IDP celebration, to mark the end of Ramadhan as well as the International day of unity, on Sept 11.
[07:45] Sharon from Philippines: It was great as the audience we had were youth from all around south east asia!
[07:46] Sharon from Philippines: for many, it was the first time they met with someone of a different religious background, and mingling around seemed very natural to them
[07:46] Sharon from Philippines: its great, as they learnt the value of having compassion and understanding and the need for dialogue
[07:46] Sharon from Philippines: and plan to spread the message too in their own countries once they get back home.
[07:48] Sarah from California, US: that's great sharon... it was nice to see how events coincided around those 2 dates – Sept. 11th and Sept. 21st.
[07:48] Sarah from California, US: was it a face-to-face meeting? what different parts of southeast asia did they come from?
[07:50] Sharon from Philippines: Yes it was. We wanted to take advantage of the opportunity that they were all here around that time.
[07:50] Sharon from Philippines: They were from Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia & Bhutan!
[07:56] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Hi Everyone, this is Vanessa.
[07:57] Sarah from California, US: welcome to the chat vanessa!
[07:57] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Thanks everyone. Lovely to see you all here
[07:57] Naoufal: i celebrated the International Day of Peace in two countries ; the first in Beirut with Arab youth meeting ; and I returned the 21 september to morocco, with same youth youth peace activist in casablanca to share the call of peace in Middle East and North Africa Area
[07:57] Sarah from California, US: we have 3 of our youth ambassadors from Morocco, Malaysia and Philippines and also Sharon from the Philippines and Margaret from Kenya
[07:58] Vanessa Gomez Brake: awesome! I was just in the Philippines visiting my family
[07:58] Vanessa Gomez Brake: But I'm typing from my home now, here in Oakland, California
[07:58] ish: oh really?when?
[07:58] Sarah from California, US: beautiful naoufal... peace is trans-regional. peace without borders!
[07:59] Vanessa Gomez Brake: I visited Manila & Batangas in June & July
[07:59] ish: oh we didn't have a chance to meet you here
[07:59] Naoufal: yeh, i think if the peace realised in MENA , i think that all the problems of the world will go to change to positive solution s
[07:59] Mrithula from Malaysia: That is wonderful Naoufal..truly an experience to cherish
[08:00] Sarah from California, US: welcome friends
[08:01] Doria: hi this is doria from san francisco
[08:01] Naoufal: yeh , mrithula ; during the Same days we learn more of the experience of each other , and we learn more of our mobility in the region
[08:01] Sarah from California, US: great to have you here... we have somewhat of a youth ambassador reunion happening...
[08:01] Naoufal: welcome to our inspiring doria
[08:02] Doria: thanks, naoufal!
[08:02] Vanessa Gomez Brake: this is great
[08:02] Sarah from California, US: since we don't all know each other, can we do a brief intro...? just say your name, where you are from, and maybe what draws you to the topic
[08:03] Sarah from California, US: please just jump in to introduce yourselves, then we will begin!
[08:03] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Hi! I'm Vanessa, I live in Oakland, California, and I'm an interfaith-er & peacemaker!
[08:04] Doria: my name is Doria, i'm a student from san francisco, california...i'm interested in youth leadership and interfaith dialogues and service projects
[08:04] Naoufal: last week i meet rowaida in Beirut, Rowada is preparing to come meet me in morocco at the end of this month ; i am very happy to meet doria and other (Youth Ambassadors) in the next meeting (in Istanbul)
[08:04] ish: Greetings from the Philippines! Hello everyone, my name is Ishilta. And like you, I'm a peace builder. World Peace!
[08:05] Peter from Chicago: My name is Peter, I'm from Chicago, Illinois in the US - I'm also interested in youth interfaith dialogue and Abrahamic peacebuilding
[08:06] Mrithula from Malaysia: Salam everyone! My name is Mrithula and my 4 passions are: Dance, Music, Art and Peace
[08:06] Sharon from Philippines: Namaste everyone. I am Sharon, a Hindu from the Philippines. I love networking with youths and listening to their stories on peacebuilding. With you, I too wish for world peace!
[08:08] Naoufal: salam to all ; my name is naoufal from morocco, youth activist ; also I’m a URI Youth ambassador and with URI Mena team
[08:08] Sarah from California, US: I am Sarah, from California, US, and excited to share tools for peacebuilding so we can make peace a tangible reality not just an abstract idea
[08:08] Anqa (Pakistan): Salam. Im Anqa from Pakistan. I work with students for interfaith dialogue and peace building. and teaching kids to promote peace education.
[08:08] Sarah from California, US: beautiful...
[08:09] Sarah from California, US: and Vanessa maybe you can tell us how you got started in peacebuilding work and about what you are doing now at Pace e Bene
[08:09] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Sure
[08:10] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Well, I first got started with peace work after living in Hiroshima, Japan for a summer for study abroad
[08:10] Vanessa Gomez Brake: I was deeply influenced by what I learned there in Japan, and about the horrors humans bring about on each other
[08:11] Vanessa Gomez Brake: So since a young age, I devoted myself to peacemaking
[08:11] Vanessa Gomez Brake: I went on to study conflict analysis & resolution in the Washington DC area
[08:12] Sarah from California, US: welcome rowaida... vanessa that is really interesting - how your work for peace was motivated by seeing the worst of what human beings can do
[08:12] Vanessa Gomez Brake: After that, I began working with Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service! Pace e Bene = Peace & Good
[08:13] Naoufal: nice
[08:13] Vanessa Gomez Brake: 'Pace e Bene" is a greeting of peace that St. Francis used to use. So I greet you all with peace & good!
[08:13] Sarah from California, US: And how about the Abrahamic Family Reunion? How did you get connected to them?
[08:14] Sarah from California, US: that's a nice greeting...
[08:15] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Because of my knowledge of the world religions, I have networked with a lot of people of the Abrahamic faiths. I also studied in Israel and Palestine briefly. So it only made sense that I connect my Abrahamic interests with my peacework.
[08:15] Vanessa Gomez Brake: I've been with AFR since 2007, bringing together religious leaders to explore peaceful ways to engage our communities
[08:15] ish: interesting story!
[08:15] Sarah from California, US: Rowaida - would you like to also introduce yourself and say where you are from and maybe share a little about the recent center you founded?
[08:16] Sarah from California, US: Vanessa - what are some of the tools you have learned through your work about peace that you think are very practical for building peace with others?
[08:16] rowaida mroue: yes sure
[08:16] Peter from Chicago: very inspiring, Vanessa!
[08:16] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Well, with Pace e Bene I am working on a project in Oakland called the Nonviolent Options project
[08:17] Vanessa Gomez Brake: I met and learned from the youth of this urban city
[08:17] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Together, we explored their experiences with violence, but also their visions for a peaceable future
[08:17] Sharon from Philippines: That's truly wonderful to hear Vanessa. It'd be great if you could share with us your learnings from your experiences.
[08:17] Doria: vanessa, i want to come visit pace e bene
[08:17] Vanessa Gomez Brake: When we had a chance, we would do nonviolence workshops with these youth
[08:17] Mrithula from Malaysia: Yes truly an inspiring experience..
[08:18] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Most of the time, we would draw interactive activities from our book, called ENGAGE
[08:18] rowaida mroue: here is the link i would like to share with you all for my news center, www.itcrcenter.org
[08:18] Naoufal: is good experience vanessa ; i support your work from the heart ; i thinks the activism is good power for real change
[08:18] Vanessa Gomez Brake: one example, is that we would look at how it is to be nonviolent with yourself, so that you can go forward and be nonviolent with others
[08:19] Sarah from California, US: (for those not familiar with oakland- this city in northern california has a high homicide rate, so a lot of youth grow up seeing people they are very close to killed through urban violence... this is not the whole story though! and often people only see oakland in a very one-dimensional way because of that)
[08:19] Peter from Chicago: good wisdom to live by
[08:19] Vanessa Gomez Brake: one skill we taught the youth is CARA
[08:19] rowaida mroue: i am also very happy and proud to be inspired by the YLP in URI as all youths and family in URI made me much more convinced regarding the importance of working for peace and social peace in our arab world
[08:19] Anqa (Pakistan): that is a really superb idea to think like that. Be the change you want to see in others...
[08:19] Vanessa Gomez Brake: C = Center, A = Articulate your truth , R = Receive the truth, A = Agree
[08:20] Naoufal: we need more info rowaida for the initiative , i already know personalLy , but we need all to know the good initiative of the INCASA and center . sharing the story of the initiative to learn more
[08:20] Sarah from California, US: how do you get the youth to center? what are some ways to do that?
[08:20] Mrithula from Malaysia: Thanks Sarah for the update!
[08:21] Vanessa Gomez Brake: You are right Sarah, when listening to these Oakland youth we heard stories of prostitution, gangs, murder, bullying, so many harsh realities
[08:21] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Great question Sarah!
[08:21] Sharon from Philippines: Yes, I am most interested in how you get people to come back and continue the initiative.
[08:21] Vanessa Gomez Brake: There are so many ways to Center oneself
[08:21] Vanessa Gomez Brake: for many of us, it might be to pray
[08:21] Vanessa Gomez Brake: for Gandhi, he had a mantra
[08:21] Vanessa Gomez Brake: a phrase he would repeat over and over, in order to bring himself back to a centered space
[08:22] Mrithula from Malaysia: Yes with youths who come from this background..how do you get them to open up?
[08:22] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Others simply take 10 seconds to calm themselves
[08:22] ish: like the centering prayer of the Catholics
[08:22] Vanessa Gomez Brake: You can also take the time to notice your breathing
[08:22] Vanessa Gomez Brake: So many ways! I'm sure we could come up with a ton of examples just form this group
08:23] Doria: or the Sh'ma prayer in judaism - often people use this prayer to center themselves and inthe reform movement we also sometimes focus on breathing
[08:23] Sarah from California, US: very true... sometimes just creating that little bit of space before you react is the best thing you can do to bring peace. because we are so trained to react!
08:24] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Mrithula your question is a good one also
[08:24] Vanessa Gomez Brake: To have youth open up, you have to meet them where they are
[08:24] Peter from Chicago: or even the Mindfulness trainings of the Buddhists
[08:24] Vanessa Gomez Brake: talk about things they want to talk about
[08:24] Vanessa Gomez Brake: and also make it clear, and have an invitation for them to share
[08:24] Vanessa Gomez Brake: most of the time, I've found youth have never been invited to share. Or given the time to discuss issues important to them
[08:25] Sarah from California, US: can you say more about the interviews you did with the youth?
[08:25] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Once a safe space was created for them to share freely, usually, the youth were eager to talk about everything
[08:25] Vanessa Gomez Brake: of course
[08:25] Vanessa Gomez Brake: http://paceebene.org/blog/kit-evans/testimonies-youth-violence-and-nonviolent-lifestyles
[08:25] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Please go to that link LATER!
[08:26] Vanessa Gomez Brake: that is the first of several videos of Oakland youth we will be posting to our website
[08:26] Vanessa Gomez Brake: We would ask the youth, Do You think Oakland is violent?
[08:26] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Some would say yes, others would so maybe, but many others gave us example of a peaceful and positive Oakland
[08:27] Vanessa Gomez Brake: they would talk about dance, song, rap, and many other ways to come together and 'Be Peace"
[08:28] Sarah from California, US: that's great, vanessa.. it is so empowering to be asked for your postive visions of peace rather than focus on the sadness and tragedy that gets replayed over and over on the evening news
[08:28] Vanessa Gomez Brake: its true, and I learned so much from these youth
[08:28] Mrithula from Malaysia: that is so true vanessa. Using music as a form for them to come together and be at peace..
[08:28] Vanessa Gomez Brake: it was truly inspiring and energizing to hear their message of hope and dreams
[08:28] ish: clap clap kudos!
[08:28] Anqa (Pakistan): basically youth need amendment and change
[08:29] Vanessa Gomez Brake: from this experience, Pace e Bene ended up getting invited to so many peace events
[08:29] Doria: very cool!
[08:29] Vanessa Gomez Brake: A lot having to do with rap music, as that is what Oakland youth are drawn too
[08:29] Sarah from California, US: Vanessa - one of the other points of CARA was to agree... what about when you don't agree with the other person? is there an art to respectfully disagree?
[08:30] Vanessa Gomez Brake: You got it Sarah!
[08:30] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Sometimes, you have to agree to disagree
[08:30] Vanessa Gomez Brake: as long as there has been a space created for both conflict parties to share their truth, then you are at a new place in your relationship with that person
[08:30] ish: i get your point, Vanessa. brilliant! But that is sometimes the hardest part
[08:31] Vanessa Gomez Brake: at the point of agreement, you can make so many propositions. and its ok if you still don't agree
[08:31] Mrithula from Malaysia: i truly feel if you use a medium in which the youth are drawn to, they will respond in a much more positive way and we can get a whole lot more from them too!
[08:31] Vanessa Gomez Brake: but you can agree that it is alright for you to do so
[08:31] ish: especially if you are so attached to your convictions
08:31] Vanessa Gomez Brake: sometimes, you might just agree to discuss the topic further at a later time
[08:31] Vanessa Gomez Brake: its easy to agree on smaller things
[08:31] Margaret: thats true
[08:31] Sarah from California, US: mrithula - definitely - i can see how this relates to exactly what you are doing with the youth through music and dance
[08:31] ish: very true
[08:31] Vanessa Gomez Brake: which can then bring you to larger agreements
[08:32] ish: music works magic for the youth!
[08:32] Sarah from California, US: helpful to find common ground to stand on... even if it's just to breathe together for a few moments, or to take time to hear the other person out
[08:32] Mrithula from Malaysia: Yes Sarah, this is truly an invigorating topic for me
[08:32] Sharon from Philippines: I very much agree! It has no boundaries!
[08:32] Vanessa Gomez Brake: regarding music
[08:33] Sharon from Philippines: Remember the Jamming session we all had? It had such an amazing response!
[08:33] Vanessa Gomez Brake: I went to an Urban Peace Movement concert recently. Before entering, you had to sign a 'Nonviolence Pledge'
[08:33] Vanessa Gomez Brake: i thought that was a wonderful idea!
[08:34] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Creativity is a huge part of practicing nonviolence
[08:34] Mrithula from Malaysia: That is a wonderful idea! Vanessa you just brought an idea to my head! for the youth Music and Dance fest im going to hold
[08:34] ish: right. it's how you market the "idea or advocacy" to them
[08:35] Margaret: In Rwanda they have women making baskets for peace
[08:35] ish: Earthdance was a perfect recent example
[08:35] Sarah from California, US: yes, i think it is also having the imagination to see a different way of doing things... like gandhi, king, mother teresa, and many others... they were able to see above the misery of the condition, to imagine what was possible that seemed impossible
[08:35] Vanessa Gomez Brake: it is when individuals and governments lose their imagination and creativity, that countries find themselves at war
[08:35] Margaret: a lady from one tribe makes the bottom and one from the other tribe makes the top
[08:35] Anqa (Pakistan): But in all communities it is not possible
[08:36] Vanessa Gomez Brake: creativity, imagination, visioning are all powerful tools
[08:36] Margaret: this acts as a way of both groups to reconcile while working together
[08:36] Sharon from Philippines: Yes Ishilta. You should share about the success of Earthdance, with the rest.
[08:36] Mrithula from Malaysia: and those tool can NEVER be taken away from you that is why it holds so much power
[08:36] Sarah from California, US: Margaret - that sounds like a beautiful project
[08:37] Margaret: rwanda has two main tribes
[08:37] Margaret: the hutu and the tutsi
[08:37] Margaret: so a woman from the hutu tribe makes one part of the basket and one from the tutsi tribe makes the other part
[08:38] Vanessa Gomez Brake: wonderful!
[08:38] Sarah from California, US: Ish - can you share about Earthdance?
[08:38] Margaret: most of these baskets are sold all over the world for the rwandese community
[08:39] Mrithula from Malaysia: wow! this is the first time i am hearing about something like that. Thank you margaret for sharing that
[08:39] ish: Thanks Sharon. The recently concluded EarthDance (a global event that unifies people through the universal platforms of dance, art, and music) proved to transcend social and religious barriers.
[08:39] Sarah from California, US: many of you are involved in peace projects - i would also love to hear from Rowaida and Anqa about the work you all are doing for peace, and if there are resources you would like to share
[08:39] ish: A lot of youths came while some obviously went there initially to party. But when they found out the "substance" of the event,
[08:39] ish: they said it was truly enlightening and like a breath of fresh air. It's partying for a good cause
[08:41] Sarah from California, US: that's a great idea... and it's truly worldwide isn't it?
[08:41] Mrithula from Malaysia: i like that idea..partying for a good couse..
[08:41] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Pace e Bene link to our Nonviolence Toolkit - http://paceebene.org/nonviolent-change-101
[08:41] ish: yes. happening simultaneously in 500 locations in 80 countries
[08:41] Sarah from California, US: Welcome, Fedia! We have been hearing from Vanessa about some great ideas and tools for building peace, now we are opening it up to others to share from their experiences as well
[08:41] Vanessa Gomez Brake: i danced last year! It was amazing
[08:41] Naoufal: YEH SARAH. THE GREAT WORK . AND WE SUPPORT ALL THE TIME
[08:41] fedia: thanks sarah
[08:41] Sarah from California, US: thanks Vanessa, that's awesome. i will put all of these good resources at the beginning of the chat transcript.
[08:42] Sarah from California, US: wow! it would be really interesting to know the story of how earthdance began and grew around the world - does anyone know?
[08:42] Sarah from California, US: the power of one good idea that just multiplies
[08:42] Anqa (Pakistan): me as a teacher i work with teenagers and discuss with them what are their ideas about peace. also in university we share these ideas
[08:42] Vanessa Gomez Brake: I'm not sure of the history, just that everyone is invited to dance
[08:43] ish: it started in 1996. Then it came to a point that people started organizing local earthdance events. truly amazing
[08:43] Anqa (Pakistan): it’s very difficult to mold youth in university. i have many challenges
[08:43] fedia: that's great
[08:43] Sarah from California, US: what do the youth in pakistan think about peace? what are some of their visions for peace? can you share with us?
[08:43] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Pace e Bene organized 100 people in Las Vegas to dance last year. it was a new experience for me, but a lot of fun.
[08:44] Anass JO: hi all
[08:44] Doria: unfortunately, alll i have to run to a meeting. thank you so much for sharing with me, everyone, especially vanessa. peace to you all!
[08:44] Sarah from California, US: cool. is there any "program" to it or people just dance and know they are dancing for peace around the world?
[08:44] Sarah from California, US: greetings Anass!
[08:44] Anass JO: iam from jordan
[08:45] Vanessa Gomez Brake: well, they have a suggested song everyone can use. but its open from there. you dance freely. but know that you are dancing with thousands of others at the exact same moment, with the same intention for peace. thats powerful!
[08:45] Anqa (Pakistan): Pakistan is a country which needs such thought a lot. here youth is agreed with its need. and its true all are peaceful here but tension is all over
[08:45] Sharon from Philippines: Best wishes Doria. Wish we could hear more from you. But what we've heard is quite inspiring indeed! Thank you!
[08:45] Sarah from California, US: Rowaida - I would love to hear from you as well. Rowaida just opened a new center for conflict resolution in Lebanon! Rowaida - what programs are you planning or resources will you offer?
[08:45] Anqa (Pakistan): People trust no one.
[08:46] Sharon from Philippines: Wow. Interesting Rowaida. Do share more about it, please.
[08:46] Naoufal: yeh the great work bteween the moroccan and lebanese people ; heheheh
[08:46] Sarah from California, US: @Anqa - it seems like a very scary and difficult time right now, from what I am hearing from others... Not to be able to feel safe, not to be able to trust others, or freely express. How do you help the youth to open up to share?
[08:47] ish: now you have some ideas already Mrithz for your upcoming festival
[08:47] Sarah from California, US: yes - Naoufal - it is great how you two ambassadors have been working together. this is a beautiful example of collaboration.
[08:47] Naoufal: and A.O. too , we last time connected *
[08:47] Mrithula from Malaysia: yes ish..very much..thanx to all
[08:48] Sarah from California, US: that's great naoufal.
[08:48] Naoufal: all time connected , the dynamic team in mena area
[08:48] Anqa (Pakistan): Yes all are scared. we just promote in them that they should change themselves first then their families. because we cant change the whole society at once.
[08:48] Sarah from California, US: Mrithula - would you like to share about what you are planning? what are some of the ideas this has sparked for you?
[08:48] rowaida mroue: yes sure sarah right now through the new center which u can also read about through uri me, http://www.urimena.org/readnews.asp?ID=217&Link=146, for many upcoming projects and tools for peace in conflict zones especially
[08:49] Anqa (Pakistan): it is true. people are not open and its very difficult for us to take them in confidence
[08:49] Mrithula from Malaysia: Anqa, how do you get youths to speak up with so much fear around? we have a similar problem here in Malaysia..
[08:49] Anass JO: especially the people who dont belong to the place that they stay in like me ?
[08:50] Anass JO: i am originally from Jordan
[08:51] Anass JO: and iam doing my PHD IN MALAYSIA
[08:51] Naoufal: rowaida ; i already have some film of the center and incasa press meeting in morocco, I am already saving by flip share camera sending BY URI . i have 2 film of 2 GB
[08:51] Anqa (Pakistan): actually they are not much scared but in this situation everyone is like we dont care
[08:52] Anqa (Pakistan): anger is so much within them
[08:52] Anqa (Pakistan): all get hyper easily
[08:52] rowaida mroue: thx nawfal i know u were the first to attend the launching of the center in rabat and soon we will launch it officially in beirut
[08:52] Mrithula from Malaysia: hmmm...i understand anqa
[08:52] Sarah from California, US: Anqa - are you familiar with NonViolent Communication? it is a way to get people to get in touch with their feelings and to take responsibility for them. rather than blame others
[08:53] rowaida mroue: the center will soon launch its projects and courses in all arab world we shall also find out a way to include youth volunteers outside lebanon in our projects through online advocacy
[08:53] Naoufal: yeh , i have same video of you ; and moroccan TV report in the news , it is a good initiative
[08:53] Sarah from California, US: here is a website all about it - i think they have done some work in Pakistan too. http://www.cnvc.org/
[08:54] Sarah from California, US: Vanessa - do you all work with NonViolent Communication ever in Pace e bene? what do you think of it?
[08:54] Vanessa Gomez Brake: Nonviolent communication focuses on making observations, speaking about feelings and needs. It is a simple way to speak your truth, without hurting others.
[08:54] ish: i like that - speaking your truth without hurting others
[08:54] Sarah from California, US: great. i have found it to be a pretty powerful tool that works in different cultures.
[08:54] Vanessa Gomez Brake: NVC focuses on communication I believe, where as PeB looks at Nonviolence as a lifestyle that is useful in so many ways
[08:55] Sarah from California, US: sometimes it is amazing just to give people space to connect with what they are feeling inside. and give people permission to name what they are feeling.
[08:55] Anass JO: i participate in many activities here about peace and youth for WAY but unfortunately i dont have sponsor to participate
[08:55] Vanessa Gomez Brake: there are ways to be nonviolent in interactions with others, but there are also ways to be nonviolent with yourself, so that you can be a productive peacemaker
[08:55] Anqa (Pakistan): you know sometimes we also say ok, leave it all, its fine
[08:55] Anass JO: as you know i am student here
[08:55] Anqa (Pakistan): Sarah- please send me info about that
[08:55] Margaret: I just had a look at the website on nonviolent communication it has very vital information
[08:55] Anqa (Pakistan): communication
[08:56] Vanessa Gomez Brake: but NVC is a great start
[08:56] Sarah from California, US: yes, they have a lot of good articles there. and there is a worldwide network of trained facilitators in NonViolent Communication at www.cnvc.org i think you can find them.
[08:56] Vanessa Gomez Brake: nonviolence is something to experiment with in all aspects of our lives
[08:56] Anass JO: yep mirthula i am in Malaysia
[08:56] Peter from Chicago: I agree with Margaret, they know their stuff!
[08:56] Margaret: Do they have online classes?
[08:57] Sarah from California, US: i agree with you Vanessa - i don't think there is any one "formula" to peace or nonviolence. it really is about being creative in the moment like you said before. but it's helpful to have some tools to start with.
[08:57] Vanessa Gomez Brake: much of their approaches to communication are integrated in to our CARA process. you can read about it at the link Sara will post later
[08:57] Vanessa Gomez Brake: definetly!
[08:57] Sarah from California, US: i'd also like to share a book with you all written by a peacebuilder named John Paul Lederach. he talks about the "art and soul of peacebuilding." It is called Moral Imagination - the Art and Soul of Peacebuilding
[08:58] Vanessa Gomez Brake: thats a fabulous text
[08:58] Anass JO: thanx sarah
[08:58] Vanessa Gomez Brake: also, since we are an interfaith group, I'd like to link you to our bibliographies on Engaged Spirituality - http://paceebene.org/nonviolent-change-101/power-nonviolent-change/engaged-spirituality
[08:58] Sarah from California, US: he makes the point about creativity in it as well. being a "web-watcher" - seeing where the points of connection are in your community - thinking of creative ways to bring people together. like the baskets project that Margaret described.
[08:58] Vanessa Gomez Brake: examples of religious traditions and their traditions of peace
[08:59] Sarah from California, US: or like the earthdance - that is a great example of a creative way of bringing people together. he shares some stories from different parts of the world. like one about a group of women who used the marketplace as a convening point - since so many people go there. to build peace.
[09:00] Mrithula from Malaysia: use what works for you and your society..i think that is the best way to work around it..
[09:00] Sarah from California, US: does anyone else have any tools or resources or ideas for peace they would like to share?
[09:01] Anass JO: Malaysia here is a nice example about harmony between several religions and races
[09:01] Peter from Chicago: Day 19: "Itaipu: Social Energy" Hydroelectric plant fuels Indigenous initiative in Latin America... Visit the campaign page at http://www.uri.org/campaign to read more.
[09:01] fedia Tunisia: peacebag a project made by barcelona volontaria, funded by Anna Lindh Foundation
[09:01] Peter from Chicago: I agree with what Vanessa and Sarah said earlier, about being creative with peacebuilding - it is only in engaging in that inherent power that we can connect with others in our communities.
[09:02] Sarah from California, US: cool fedia.
[09:02] Sarah from California, US: can you describe it briefly or share a link with us?
[09:02] fedia Tunisia: it’s a project with 13 countries in the MENA region
[09:04] fedia Tunisia: www.euromedalex.org/fr/fields/.../peace-bag-euromed-youth
[09:04] fedia Tunisia: http://www.euromedalex.org/fr/fields/education-youth/projets/peace-bag-euromed-youth
[09:05] Sarah from California, US: here is also a really inspiring movie i saw at an interfaith conference. it's about a group of women who singlehandedly began the peace process in liberia. it's called 'pray the devil back to hell." i highly recommend it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uon9CcoHgwA
[09:05] Sarah from California, US: thanks fedia, i will check it out.
[09:07] Sarah from California, US: it has been wonderful talking with you all, and BIG THANKS to Vanessa for sharing your wisdom and great ideas with us!
[09:07] Vanessa Gomez Brake: thanks to you Sarah for this awesome opportunity
[09:07] Margaret: I will be starting my masters in peace conflict and development in Spain, and my research will be based on the environment so if anyone has pointers on this I will really appreciate it.
[09:07] Vanessa Gomez Brake: it was a lot of fun connecting with you all
[09:07] Sarah from California, US: i feel like this is a topic we could talk about for many more hours... and we need to! i think we have so much wisdom amongst ourselves...
[09:07] Margaret: I would also be happy to share any resources from the school.
[09:07] Mrithula from Malaysia: thanks fedia and sarah for the link!
[09:07] Vanessa Gomez Brake: thats great Margaret. Good luck in your studies!
[09:07] Anass JO: i think i have to back to Jordan to start new ideas or foundation for peace missions
[09:08] Sarah from California, US: great, margaret, we look forward to hearing from you about it.
[09:08] Margaret: Thank you.
[09:08] fedia Tunisia: you are so welcome
[09:08] Anqa (Pakistan): thanks all for guiding me a lot
[09:08] Sharon from Philippines: Yes, this has been a very inspiring chat. I wish it could never end! There is so much we can all learn from one another.
[09:08] Sarah from California, US: i will share the chat with you all and the globalyouth network, with your permission print on the website, and we can continue to share resources with each other this way
[09:08] Anqa (Pakistan): i shall try to do more.
[09:08] Vanessa Gomez Brake: take care everyone
[09:09] fedia Tunisia: thanks for you all it's was a pleasure to discuss
[09:09] Sarah from California, US: yes, take care everyone, be safe and peace to all...
[09:09] Peter from Chicago: yes, thank you for the wonderful info and update, was truly informative and heartwarming
[09:09] Margaret: Ok, ciao
[09:09] Naoufal: now i work with same friends in an Arab NGO , to create a kit of peace education , recently i was in a meeting with same staff of UNESCO here in morocco
[09:09] Sarah from California, US: wow, naoufal, that is exciting
[09:09] Sarah from California, US: i will contact you for more information
[09:09] Naoufal: and same staff of unesco in paris provide names of books on peace education for children, in the kit
[09:09] Mrithula from Malaysia: thank you everyone for this heartwarming and inspiring session!
[09:10] Sharon from Philippines: Peace to all! Thank you once again! Namaste!
[09:10] Sarah from California, US: do you have a link for the unesco peace kit?
[09:10] Naoufal: peace non formal education ; our NGO atnl morocco is working to start the project in morocco
[09:10] Anass JO: thanx sara the social media now is the only way to communicate
[09:10] ish: thanks everyone for sharing! It's truly a lovely session
[09:10] Sarah from California, US: yes - it's powerful to have a global conversation through this media
[09:10] Margaret: is the kit online?
[09:11] Naoufal: it is the new non formal program of peace education for the children in our center in our NGO atnl
[09:11] Margaret: Thats brilliant naoufal
[09:11] Sarah from California, US: if you have a website about it, send me the link and i will include it with the chat transcript
[09:12] Naoufal: no , but i have the papers in the office , of the program
[09:13] Naoufal: unesco is preparing to launch the program, i participed in the meeting last two days in rabat in national bibleotheca
[09:13] Naoufal: i will send you by email
[09:13] Sarah from California, US: that's so great! congratulations!
[09:13] Sarah from California, US: enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone
[09:13] Sarah from California, US: peace
[09:13] ish: Give PEACE a DANCE and Give PEACE a CHANCE!
