ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

"One should get rid of a selfish mind and replace it with a mind that is earnest to help others. An act to make another happy inspires the other to make still another happy, and so happiness is born from such an act. Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai in the Teaching of Buddha

Working Forum Belfast Update

I have just returned from Belfast, absolutely astounded once again by the beauty of Northern Ireland and energized by the joys of brainstorming with our partners there, Siobhan Fitzpatrick and Pauline Walmsley of NIPPA.  

What began as a vague notion about a working forum has become a brilliant (Siobhan's word) plan for bringing a small group of advocates together (see names below) to collaborate and network and then to share their experiences and strategies in a conference setting, with small group discussions involving all participants.  NIPPA has also organized a Field Work Day of site visits and country touring which will be an amazing experience.

Meetings in Boston, also tremendously exciting, with Diane Levin and Betty Burkes who will facilitate the work of the Working Team, resulted in the program organization into the following themes:

Theme #1 -- Nature of Conflicts in the World:  Information about the diversity of conflict situations related to children and families and communities

Theme #2 -- Impact of Conflicts on Children, Families, Communities and the Resulting Needs of Children

Theme #3 -- Reconciliation Programs, Approaches, Strategies through Early Childhood Programs in Response to Conflict  

Travel gives one many opportunities to read newspapers and eavesdrop on conversations (yes, true) and reflect.  It does no good for us to despair over the state of our world--we need to take action to sustain and build hope for the future.  Each of us who lives on this planet, whether we live in a comfortable suburb or a ravaged village, needs conflict resolution skills.
 
This conference will be an opportunity for all of us to share our stories -- and not just dream about a reconciled world, but to actually take a step towards it.  We must begin with children.  Join us in Belfast as we learn better what to do. Click here for more information: http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0431.

Bonnie Neugebauer


Working Team Belfast
Marta Arango, Colombia
Suela Cela, Albania, Canada
Paul Connolly, Northern Ireland
Urbain Dembélé, Mali
Duane C Dennis, United States
Andrew Ikupu, Papua New Guinea
Ingrid Jones, Albania
Eleanor Mearns, Northern Ireland
Aisheh Najjar, Israel
Félicien Ntakiyimana, Chad
Elisa del Puerto, Philippines
Norma Rudolph, South Africa
Kishor Shrestha, Nepal
Aleksandra Selak Zivkovic, Croatia

ExchangeEveryDay

Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.