Megaconference

["Haas, John" <>]

Dear All,

The Global Consortium for Sustainable Peace, the Fetzer Institute, the History Department at Cerritos College, and the Global Studies Club are proud to host the 2013 “The Power of Forgiveness Lecture Series.”

I would like to cordially invite you to join us for an exciting series. Our next show is this coming Tuesday. If you are interesting in participating please e-mail me at or you can reach me at 909 354-2444.

Best,

John

John Haas, Ph.D.

History Professor Cerritos College

Director of the Global Consortium for Sustainable Peace

(562) 860-2451 x2726

Wednesday October 30, 2013 9:30-11a.m(PST).  Room: LC 155

Mohammed Masud Hasan: From Freedom Fighter to Forgiveness

“Forty-two years after a bloody and cruel war led to the creation of Bangladesh, it is shocking that the findings made by the Hamood-ur-Rehman Commission on the 1971 war, was never made public. The 1971 war saw thousands killed, leaving permanent scars on millions of people in Bangladesh who witnessed torture and death of their countrymen at the hands of the Pakistan Army.” Mohammed Masud Hasan, a freedom fighter in the cause of Bangladesh, had four of his brothers and a brother-in-law killed in the war. Nonetheless, Mohammed decided to forgive those that committed atrocities against his family and his nation. Please join us and find out why Mohammed Masud Hasan chose forgiveness rather than revenge.  

 

This show just finished. The link to watch this show will be up shortly!

 

NEXT WEEK!

Tuesday November 5, 2013 11:00-12:15(PST)  Room: LC 155

Everett Worthington and the Power of Forgiveness

For the last ten years, Dr. Everett Worthington has studied how forgiveness and justice work together and can oppose each other. “He became interested in this after the murder of his mother. Ev forgave the murderer, as did his brother and sister. They each consider that forgiveness as a legacy that their mother passed to them. Still, the emotional fallout of dealing with a violent murder can be devastating, and Ev’s brother committed suicide in distress about such issues. Ev inevitably felt self-condemnation over his failings in his relationship with his brother, and he has been studying forgiveness of self intensively.”  

Please join us for a dynamic discussion with Dr. Worthington on the power of forgiveness, altruism, love, humility, religion and spirituality. Additionally, Professor Worthington will talk about the very significant health benefits of forgiveness.

Live from Northern Ireland

Mary Montague Wed November 20 9:30-11a.m.(PST)

Northern Ireland: From Peace to Reconciliation 

Fifteen years after the Good Friday Peace Agreement, Northern Ireland remains a deeply divided society. As Ed Cairns has noted, “After generations of bitter quarrels, how can victims of violent acts see members of the opposing group as worthy of forgiveness?” "Political peace does not mean there will be peace in the hearts of the victims."   What are the barriers to reconciliation?

As Mary Montague notes, “peace building requires us as a community to rebuild broken relationships. In a post-war context this creates difficulties we are still facing, dynamics that can lead to further division due to a lack of relationship building. Is it possible that reconciliation and forgiveness are the means to bring a true lasting peace to the sectarian violence that has gripped Northern Ireland? 

Please join us for a live discussion with Mary Montague as she talks about the building of relationships that lead us towards reconciliation and the role of women in promoting peace in Northern Ireland. 

Mary Montague is the Operational Director of TIDES. Mary has an established reputation in inter-community work across many of the most contentious interfaces in Northern Ireland. Through her career she has worked for Quaker Cottage, the Corrymeela Community and in 2000 she helped co-found TIDES Training. Through her work as Training Director she has been responsible for helping design and deliver a new and innovative range of accredited training in Conflict Management and Good Relations.  

Saturday November 23, 2013 9:30-11a.m. PST

Corrymeela: The Forgiveness Education Program 

“Corrymeela's mission is embracing difference, healing division and enabling reconciliation. Their vision is of a peaceful and sustainable society based on social justice, positive relationships and respect for diversity. The Corrymeela Community strives to embody these values in every aspect of our lives. In this broadcast we will examine the Forgiveness Education Program.” 

The Forgiveness Education Programme is a 6 to 12 week Emotional Literacy curriculum designed for Primary classrooms. The programme recognizes that forgiving is not about forgetting what happened. Instead, it is about remembering in a different way so that the pain of the past does not determine the directions you take in your future. 

December 2, 2013 2:-3:30 PST   Room: LC 155

Crimes against Humanity: Prisoners from Burma’s Insein Prison on Forgiveness.  

Over the last decade there have been harrowing reports on the use of torture inside Burma’s Insein prison. “Beatings, electric shocks, sexual abuse of both men and women, solitary confinement and deprivation of food, water and sleep are all common. Prisoners are often ordered to assume certain postures while being beaten, or hold them until they collapse. In one common position, prisoners must place their hands behind their heads and lean forward on the balls of their feet. Pins are then placed underneath their raised feet.”

And yet, despite these heinous crimes against humanity, Burma’s political prisoners exhibit an extraordinary spirit of forgiveness and love to their perpetrators. Please join us for an extraordinary discussion of Buddhism, forgiveness, and love.