Spiritualityandpeacebuildingworkshop

ACT Spring 2006 Training Classes

Spirituality and Peacebuilding

Date: May 21, 2006
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Arlington Campus of George Mason University
Group size: Registration is limited to 30
Fee: $75 for students, $115 for professionals
Trainers: Danielle Brand-LeMond & Sariel Ende (see bio below)
Deadline: Early Bird Deadline ($10 Discount) May 1, 2006. Regular Deadline, May 11, 2006

1. Send a check for the class fee to ACT Workshops, P.O. Box 9117, Alexandria, VA 22304;
or
2. Call ACT at 703-461-3650 to pay by credit card.

Description

Spirituality and Peacebuilding

This is an experiential workshop based on the interconnections between "being peace" and working in the wider arena of peace and conflict resolution.   We believe that, as human beings, all our realms of experience—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual—are so vitally and wholly connected that to ignore the role of spirituality in peacebuilding is to implicitly limit its possibilities.

The trajectory of the workshop is from the personal, outward. It is infused at every stage with experiential practices of yoga and movement, mindfulness, visualization, meditation, and self-reflection.   There will also be ample time for partner and group activities.

We will introduce spiritual teachings and practices for becoming more centered individually and as peacebuilders. We draw on the spiritual—not religious—aspects of both of these traditions and believe that people of all backgrounds and faiths can enjoy the practices we will share.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

·   reflect on their own attitudes towards conflict at the innermost level, the interpersonal realm, and the community and work realms;

·   define and discuss spirituality and spiritual practices, different paths for practice, and how peacebuilders can benefit;

·   explore examples of spiritual leaders who bring together spirituality and peacebuilding, spiritual themes that shed light on conflict, and practices to share in peacebuilding scenarios;

·   plan peacebuilding activities with a spiritual grounding.

Please be prepared to move (i.e. wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or towel), experience new practices, and allow for personal transformation!

Co-Facilitators' Bios

Danielle Brand-LeMond teaches yoga and meditation in the Washington D.C. area and is writing a non-fiction book on relationships and spirituality.   She earned her MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University. She has worked at the United States Institute of Peace researching peace processes, constitution writing, peacebuilding and the role of the international community in conflict zones.   Prior to that, she worked as a writing counselor at AU's Academic Support Center where she practiced training and facilitation skills while giving workshops on research and writing processes.   Danielle has had a life-long interest in both Eastern and Western spirituality and spiritual practices.

Sariel Ende is a Domestic Violence Education Specialist with My Sister's
Place, an interactive community organization dedicated to eradicating domestic violence. She conducts workshops throughout the DC area on the basics of domestic violence, healthy relationships, same-sex partner violence, the effects of domestic violence on children, and staff trainings geared toward supporting victims. Along with many years of group facilitation experience with Study Circles and Young Judaea, Sariel holds an MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University. Sariel also volunteers on the Outreach Committee of the Capital Kehillah, a community nurturing Jewish spirituality in the Nation's Capital.

The workshop fee also includes a light lunch.

For more information, please email Dr. Craig Zelizer, or call 703-461-3650.