12/14/20151 SUSTAINABLE PEACEBUILDING: The Challenge of Building Cultures of Peace on Planet Earth Dr. Linda Groff Director, Global Options & Evolutionary

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SUSTAINABLE PEACEBUILDING:The Challenge of Building Cultures

of Peace on Planet Earth

Dr. Linda GroffDirector, Global Options & Evolutionary Futures Consulting

&

Emeritus Professor, Political Science & Futures Studies

Past Coordinator, Behavioral Science Program

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA 90747 USA

Email: [email protected]

Based on Holistic, Evolving Aspects of Peace, Nonviolence, & Community Peace Wheels

--Including Western, Eastern, & Indigenous Contributions

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The Challenge of Building Cultures of Peace on Planet Earth

--Based on Holistic, Evolving Aspects of Peace,Nonviolence, & Community Peace Wheels

Presentation will include:

Introduction: What is Peace, & Definitions of Terms

I. Evolving Views of Peace—as Visions/Goals for Society & the World

II. Evolving Views of Nonviolence—as the Means Used to Bring About• Needed Social-Political Change

III. Evolving Community Peace Wheels—to Bring Different Sectors of the

Community into the Peacebuilding Process

IV. Projects Based on Peace Wheel, LA/S.CA: Peace Convergence

Process, Monthly Culture of Peace Educational Series, Peace

Recognition Celebration, & Building Cultures of Peace Book

V. Peace Declarations/Awards/Actions

Conclusions Book: Sustainable Peacebuilding: The Challenge of Building Cultures of Peace on Planet Earth, Based on Holistic, Evolving Aspects of Peace, Nonviolence, & CPWs.

PH

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Quote on Peace, and Nonviolence•

• “The right of peoples to peace.”--Motto, International Day of

Peace 21 September 2014

• vs. World Situation Today: Much , much work still to do.

•Book in Process: Sustainable Peacebuilidng: The Challenge of Building Cultures of Peace on Planet Earth, Based on Holistic, Evolving Aspects of Peace, Nonviolence, and Community Peace Wheels

•Also long article submitted to IPRA summarizing different sections of book.

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A HOLISTIC INTEGRATIVE VIEW OF PEACE, BASED ON EVOLVING ASPECTS OF PEACE & NONVIOLENCE

Peace as: (1) Visions/Goals for a More Peaceful Society &

World; (2) Nonviolent Means/Processes to Create These

Visions/Goals; (3) A Feeling, I.e., how do you feel when you are

peaceful?(4) A State of Consciousness—that can radiate peace, love, light, connectedness to the world.

* Narrow vs. Broader Definitions of Peace

* Peacekeeping vs. Peacemaking vs. Peacebuilding* The Peace Movement vs. the Movement for Peace

* Creating “Cultures of Peace”: UNESCO, UN

INTRODUCTION--to Definitions and Ways of Looking at Peace, and Nonviolence

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Theme: As the world keeps evolving, so too must our conceptions of peace, nonviolence, & community peace wheels.

Will have to go through topics quickly—but have long article and forthcoming book for more details.Title: Sustainable Peacebuilding.

•Book in Process: Sustainable Peacebuilidng: The Challenge of Building Cultures of Peace on Planet Earth, Based on Holistic, Evolving Aspects of Peace, Nonviolence,•and Community Peace Wheels; and Long Article available by same title.

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A HOLISTIC, INTEGRATIVE VIEW OF PEACE, BASED ON EVOLVING ASPECTS OF PEACE & NONVIOLENCE

PART I: HOLISTIC, EVOLVING VIEWS OF PEACE,

BASED ON SEVEN ASPECTS OF PEACE

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PART I: Holistic, Evolving Views of Peace,

Based on Seven Aspects of Peace

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PEACE AS WAR PREVENTION:

1) Peace as Absence of War and Physical Violence2) Peace as Creating International Institutions to Balance

Multiple Actors’ Interests & Keep the Peace

PEACE AS NO PHYSICAL OR STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE

3) Peace as Eliminating Physical & Structural Violence & Creating Social Justice

4) Feminist/Gender Peace: Ending Physical & Structural Violence on Macro and Micro (Community & Family) Levels

PEACE AS POSITIVE, COMPLEX, WHOLE SYSTEMS VIEWS

5) Holistic, Intercultural/Interreligious Peace6) Holistic Gaia Peace--of Humans with the Earth7) Holistic Inner/Outer Peace

Note: Each type of peace builds on previous aspects of peace, leading to a holistic, integrative view of peace.

PART I: HOLISTIC, EVOLVING ASPECTS OF PEACE, BASED

ON SEVEN ASPECTS OF PEACE—IN THREE CATEGORIES

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A HOLISTIC, INTEGRATIVE VIEW OF PEACE,BASED ON EVOLVING ASPECTS OF PEACE & NONVIOLENCE

1) Peace as Absence of War and Physical Violence: Key Issue at End of WWII, and a Precondition for All Other Types of Peace; Galtung’s “Negative Peace”


Holistic, Evolving Views of Peace,


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2) Peace as Creating International Institutions to Balance Multiple Actors’ Interests, Have a

Forum to Resolve Differences & Agree on Policy Decisions, & Prevent a Return to War




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3) Peace as Eliminating Structural Violence & Creating Social Justice--on Macro (National & International) Levels; with the International System (PC #2) as Part of the Problem(Galtung’s Positive Peace)




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(4) Gender/Feminist Peace: Eliminating Physical & Structural Violence, & Patriarchal Values & Institutions, on Macro AND Micro (Community and Family) Levels




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(5) Holistic, Intercultural/Interfaith Peace: Finding Unity & Interdependence Amidst the Diversity of the World’s Different Cultures, Civilizations, Ethnic Groups, Races, & Religions—who can each bring their gifts to humanity as a whole today.




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(6) Gaia Peace--of Humans with the Earth & Other Species, and Sustainable Development




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(7) Inner Peace: Finding Peace Within as a Basis for Peace in the World




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* Multi-Factored, with Many Evolving Aspects; no longer just

Absence of War

* Multi-System Levels--From Inner to Local to Global/Planetary

* Multiple Types of Actors--Not Just Nation-States

* Six Aspects of Outer Peace, Plus Inner Peace--with Future

Exploration of Different Levels of Consciousness as Related to

Peace

* Peace Defined Not Only in Negative Terms (what want to

eliminate), but in Positive, Complex, Holistic, Terms (what want

to create). As Fred Polak said:

“A society without positive images of itself is doomed.”* A Complex, Whole Systems Worldview Based on Both Unity

and Diversity within Systems Being Necessary.

* Above Factors are Basis for a Holistic, Integrative View of

Peace for the 21st Century.

Summary on Evolution of the Peace Concept: Peace is Now Seen as:

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Contributions of Different Cultural-Religious Traditions to Different Aspects of Peace

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* Western Cultures & Religions: usually start with changing aspects of the external world, including working for social justice, as the basis for creating a more peaceful world.

* Eastern Cultures & Religions: usually start with Inner peace as a necessary precondition for peace in the world.

• Indigenous/Earth-Based Cultures & Religions: usually start with taking care of the earth, our ‘mother,’ as the basis for peace in the world.

** KEY: If put all these aspects of peace together, get a holistic, integrative view of peace for 21st century.

Contributions of Different Cultural-Religious Traditions to Different Aspects of Peace

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WORKING WITHIN & BEYOND EXISTING POLITICAL/LEGAL SYSTEMS FOR SOCIAL-POLITICAL CHANGE:

ADDITIONAL WAYS OF WORKING WITHIN EXISTING SYSTEMS NONVIOLENTLY:

PART II: TEN+ EVOLVING ASPECTS OF NONVIOLENCE—AS THE MEANS USED FOR CREATING A MORE PEACEFUL SOCIETY & WORLD

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Using Nonviolence to Work for Social-Political Change—WITHIN & Eventually OUTSIDE Existing Systems, If Necessary: Two Traditions:

• Principled or Spiritually-Based Nonviolence--as Part of a Whole Philosophy of Life: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, Desmond Tutu, Badshah Khan, and Socially-Engaged Buddhists, including: HH Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Maha Ghosananda, Sulak Sivaraksa, T.A. Ariyaratne, & Aung San Suu Kyi.

* Strategic Nonviolence: Gene Sharp; & A Force More Powerful, by Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall.

Evolving Aspects of NONVIOLENCE--as the MEANS for Creating a More Peaceful World:

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Principled or Spiritually-Based Nonviolence--as Part of a Whole Philosophy of Life: How One Lives One’s Life Each Moment is As Important as One’s Goals in Life

Examples:* Mahatma Gandhi (S. Africa, & India), Martin Luther King (US), Cesar Chavez (US), Desmond Tutu (S.Africa), and Badshah Khan (Muslim Pashtun at time of Gandhi);

* Socially-Engaged Buddhists, including: HH Dalai Lama (Tibet & India), Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnam & France), Maha Ghosananda (Cambodia), Sulak Sivaraksa (Thailand), T. A. Ariyaratne (Sri Lanka), Aung San Suu Kyi (Myanmar).

Using Nonviolence for Social-Political Change—Within & Beyond Existing Systems, If Necessary:



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Characteristics of Gandhi’s Nonviolence—Which All Later Practitioners of NV Go Back to: * The means are as important as the ends.* One only opposes unjust laws, not all laws.* One’s strength comes—not because one has superior military power, but because one has a just, moral issue on one’s side* One must exhaust all possibilities within the existing system and within each stage, before going on to the next stage.* Key: NV seeks to keep the conflict on a human level & seeks to get one’s opponent, & world public opinion, to see

that one does have a just issue on one’s side. * One does not dehumanize one’s opponent, but appeals to their moral conscience, to see that one does have a just issue on one’s side.



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* Stage I: Utilization of All Regular Constitutional Machinery: work through the existing system.* Stage II: Agitation Stage: educate the people about the issues involved. * Stage III: Ultimatum Stage: present demands to the government—which they can accept or reject.* Stage IV: Self-Purification Stage; prepare for direct action by being sure one’s motives are pure and not self-serving or egotistical.* Stage V: Direct Action Stage: protests, boycotts, strikes, civil disobedience, etc.—but one only disobeys and challenges those laws which are deemed unjust.* Last Stage: If all else fails, Set up a Counter-Government—Even in Exile, which says the existing govt. is illegitimate & will not respond to people’s needs.


Five+ Stages of Gandhi’s Nonviolent Movement:

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Gene Sharp’s Strategic Nonviolence; and A Force More Powerful: A Century of

Nonviolent Conflict (Book, DVD, & PBS Program), by Peter Ackerman & Jack DuVall

• Advocates Nonviolence as a Temporary Strategy --Whether One is Spiritually-Based or Not.

• Has documented many historical cases of NV.

* Advocates Training Whole Populations in NV Civilian Defense against an Occupying Power.


Using Nonviolence for Social-Political Change—Within and Beyond Existing Systems, If Necessary:

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Additional Nonviolent Ways to Create Social-Political Change WITHIN EXISTING SYSTEMS—Since Gandhi’s Time:

* Conflict Resolution, Management, & Transformation

* Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), as an Alternative to Litigation & Violence, including Negotiation, Arbitration, & Mediation

* Dialogue, as an Alternative to Debate* Nonviolent Communication (a la Marshall Rosenberg)

* Prayer/Meditation, Love/Compassion—from All the World’s Spiritual-Religious Traditions

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Conflict Resolution, Management, and Transformation: An Evolution of Terms & Approaches:

* Conflict Resolution: Oldest term; study conflicts from different social science perspectives & try to resolve them.

* Conflict Management: Not all conflicts can be resolved, but maybe they can be managed.

* Conflict Transformation: Longer term transformation of how parties view the conflict & each other necessary before a conflict can be resolved.

Evolving Aspects of NONVIOLENCE--as the MEANS for Creating a More Peaceful World

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Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)--Alternatives to Violence and Litigation, including:

* Negotiation: direct talks between parties; may lead to agreement or not.

* Arbitration: third party/arbitrator decides outcome of conflict.

* Mediation: third party facilitates parties coming to a resolution of their conflict, but only ‘IF’ they both agree.


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Dialogue as an Alternative to Debate: Characteristics of Each:

Characteristics of Debate: I’m right; you’re wrong.

Characteristics of Dialogue--as an Alternative:Listening; Increasing Understanding, Though Not Always Agreement; and Seeking to Move to a Third Position Beyond Everyone’s Initial Positions, Whenever Possible.


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Nonviolent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg): Four Components:1.Observation: Non-judgmental observation of what is effecting our well-being?2.Feeling: how we feel in relation to what we are observing?3. Needs: what unmet needs & desires are creating our feelings?4.Request: what concrete actions do we request to enrich our lives?

** Come from your Giraffe/Heart & Listening to Needs of Self & Others, Not Your Jackall/Ego Self & Reaction.


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Prayer/Meditation, and Love/Compassion—From All the World’s Spiritual-Religious Traditions: Going Inside to Become Centered and Find Inner Peace—So One Can Radiate That Out Into the World

* There are many paths up the mountainside, but all seek the same summit & experience of spirituality, intercon-nectedness, and Oneness.


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Summary on Nonviolence:

* Nonviolence has Evolved--as the Means Used for Creating a More Peaceful Society & World

* Nonviolent Methods will also continue to evolve in future, as the world also keeps evolving.

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A HOLISTIC INTEGRATIVE VIEW OF PEACE,BASED ON EVOLVING ASPECTS OF PEACE & NONVIOLENCE

PART III: COMMUNITY WHEELS—TO BRING DIFFERENT SECTORS OF SOCIETY TOGETHER TO WORK SYNERGISTICALLY FOR PEACE:

Examples:

* Avon Mattison’s Pathways to Peace Wheel

* Barbara Marx Hubbard’s Syn-Con (Synergistic Convergence) Wheel: Sharing Needs & Resources

* Leland Stewart’s Unity-&-Diversity World Council Unity Wheel

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Community Wheels--To Create Synergistic Relationships Between Different Community Organizations & Sectors for Peace: Examples:

*Avon Mattison’s Eight Pathways to Peace—Peace Wheel:

III. COMMUNITY PEACE WHEELS—TO BRING DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR PEACE

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Community Wheels—To Create Synergistic Relationships Between Different Community Organizations & Sectors for Peace: Examples:

* Barbara Marx Hubbard’s Syn-Cons (Synergistic Convergences): Sharing Needs & Resources Between Sectors for Creative Projects that Promote Peace

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Community Wheels—To Create Synergistic Relationships Between Different Community Organizations & Sectors: Examples:

* Leland Stewart’s Unity-and-Diversity World Council’s Unity Wheel—with Unity at the Center:

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A HOLISTIC INTEGRATIVE VIEW OF PEACE,BASED ON EVOLVING ASPECTS OF PEACE+ NONVIOLENCE

PART IV: A COMMUNITY PEACE WHEEL, S.CA—To Create Synergistic Relationships Between Different Community Organizations & Sectors for Peace:

:* Unity-and-Diversity World Council’s New PEACE WHEEL: with PEACE at the Center and 12 Sectors on Different Aspects of Peace around the Wheel—the Basis for:--a Peace ConvergenceProcess, Sept. 22, 2012

--a Monthly “Culture of PeaceEducational Series, Highlightinga Different Sector of the Wheel Each Month, Jan. 2013-Apr.2014

--A Peace Recognition Celebra-tion, Nov. 22, 2014--A Building Cultures of PeaceBook: 2015/16

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THE PEACE CONVERGENCE PROCESS--Based on the Unity-and-Diversity Peace Wheel

Los Angeles, CA—Sept. 22nd, 2012

--with 12 Sectors Dealing with Different Aspects of Peace

Converging into 4 Quadrants (of 3 Sectors Each)

And then into a Peace Hub at end of the Day

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THE PEACE CONVERGENCE PROCESSPurpose: The Peace Convergence Process provides an opportunity to connect with other individuals & organizations who are involved in different aspects of peace-building, with the goal of creating ongoing cooperative relationships and projects. To facilitate this, the convergence begins with participants divided into 12 sectors, which later converge into 4 quadrants and finally into one central peace hub. People shared their work to date in each area of peace, as well as their visions, ideas, and proposed projects for future cooperation & collaboration, towards creating a Culture of Peace.

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THE PEACE CONVERGENCE PROCESSThe Spirit of the Peace Convergence Process is:* A recognition that many of our institutions are dysfunctional and not meeting people’s needs, and that we are in a great transition period on the planet, where change is needed—especially on the grassroots.* A belief that we can do more together than separately. * A belief that peace education on the various aspects of peace—on an ongoing basis—is essential to this process, & will further cooperation & collaboration in our community.* A belief that spirit must guide our process & joint efforts.

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THE PEACE CONVERGENCE PROCESS

Science, Technology and Spirituality - The wise use of science and technology based on universal spiritual values and principles that benefit the whole of humanity and environmental sustainability. Peace with the Earth – Stewardship, sustainability, the threats to the environment, reversing global warming, understanding our sacred interrelationship with all creation. Nonviolence – A way of living based on Satyagraha (truth or soul force), and methods of action, strategy and tactics for social change based on Ahimsa (love and respect for the sacredness of all life). Health, Healing and Nutrition - Individual and collective well being, eradicating disease, feeding the global population, providing healthy organic methods of growing and raising food, issues of healthcare, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. Interpersonal/Gender/Family Relations - Validating and balancing the roles of all genders within the fabric of society and family, considering the rise of the Divine Feminine and the empowerment of women.

The Twelve Sectors of the Community Peace Wheel:

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Inner Peace/Spiritual Awareness - Looking at the cultivation of inner peace and how it helps to create peace in the world. Also the experience of spirituality in connecting each individual, as well as their respective faiths and belief systems, to life’s ultimate nature. Education – Refers to peace education in particular, based on understanding that peace is a subject worthy of inclusion in our educational curriculum on all levels. How we educate people impacts how they see and experience the world. Media and the Arts - The way peace is portrayed and projected through the arts and the use of various media to mirror the world AND communicate peaceful alternatives for humanity’s future. Intercultural/Interfaith Dialogue - This is where the cultures and faiths of the world come together to interact with each other in respectful dialogue, to create deeper understandings, areas of common ground, and collective collaboration.


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End War/Sustain Peace – Transformation from war-making to peace-building. Creating institutions to keep the peace. Ending war and reducing military spending is a prerequisite for a peaceful and sustainable future. Social Justice/Human Rights/Government - Establishing human rights and social justice, upheld by government, is critical to establishing and maintaining a culture of peace. There can be no peace without justice. Alternative Economics/Business - Searching for an ethical basis for economics and business that is based upon sharing for the common good and a concern for the well-being of all people and the planet. Young Adults/Youth Parallel Convergence – Young adults and youth will have their own parallel convergence process, focusing on the peace issues they select, and reporting back on their proposed ideas/projects at the end of the Convergence.

** NOTE: One can put any topic in the center of the community wheel and add whatever twelve sectors around that center that are relevant to the topic.


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THE COMMUNITY PEACE WHEEL:

Next a Monthly “Culture of Peace” Educational Series, Highlighting a Different Sector of the Peace Wheel Each Month: Jan. 2013—April 2014• Each Sector shared ideas generated for peace in that sector.• Speakers were invited to share ideas on a panel on that aspect of peace.• Everyone from Peace Fest was invited to learn about other areas of peace, and how we might support each other’s projects; sharing Needs & Resources.• The Iman Center in L.A. graciously offered the use of their space.

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THE COMMUNITY PEACE WHEEL

• Next a Culture of Peace Recognition Celebration: Nov. 22, 2014—with Certificates Given Out

• Finally a Book: Building Cultures of Peace: Empowering Our Local-Global Communities, with Articles Contributed from Each Sector of the Peace Wheel, 2015/16

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THE COMMUNITY PEACE WHEEL

Other Projects:

* Creation of a Peace Directory of Organizations--working in the 12 different sectors of peace, with their Web Sites & Contact Info. Will be part of Culture of Peace Book Appendix.

* Creation of a Peace Institute and Speakers’ Bureau--to promote ongoing peace education efforts in our community.

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Awarding Annual Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Important Peace Declarations:* Declaring 2000 a Year for a Culture of Peace: UNESCO* Declaring 2001-2010 a Decade for a Culture of Peace & Nonviolence for the Children of the World: U.N. General Assembly* Earth Charter: 2000* United Religions Initiative (URI) Charter: 2000

Creating Departments/Ministries of Peace—in the USA, and Other Countries: Dennis Kucinich & Others

Creating a Peace Room in the White House—to Counter War Room: Barbara Hubbard

The Arab Spring—to transform the Middle EastThe Occupy Movement—to highlight the 99% vs. 1%

PART V: IMPORTANT PEACE AWARDS, DECLARATIONS, AND ACTIONS:

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* Peace is not an end state.

•* Our concepts of peace, nonviolence, & community peace wheels keep evolving as the world keeps changing.

•* There is still much work to do on ourselves and in our world to:•--make each of us more peaceful beings, who can BE peace and radiate that out to the world, & •--help create a more peaceful society & world, that can increasingly work for all its citizens, and which can then unleash the creative potential of all its citizens to then contribute back to society.

Final Conclusions on Holistic, Evolving Aspects of Peace, Nonviolence, & Community Peace Wheels

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Posters Supporting Occupy Movements in Different Cities

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Scenes from Occupy LA.

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What Future Will We Create--For Humanity and the World???

The Future is In Our Hands

Conclusions on Holistic, Evolving Views of Peace & Nonviolence

What Will YOU Commit To Do—To Create a More Peaceful, Nonviolent World??

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A HOLISTIC, INTEGRATIVE VIEW OF PEACE, BASED ON EVOLVING VIEWS OF PEACE & NONVIOLENCE

Bibliography: A Holistic, Integrative View of Peace, Based on Evolving Aspects of Peace and Nonviolence, including:

* General Sources on Peace and Nonviolence

* Sources on Seven, Evolving Aspects of Peace

• Sources on Evolving Aspects of Nonviolence

• Sources on Community Peace Wheels

• Sources on Additional Peace Activities & Efforts

A Reader on Holistic, Evolving Aspects of Peace--with Original Writings By Others--is also available.

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Thanks To:

• Dr. Paul Smoker, My Late Husband--For Earlier Writing Together Which Developed the Model on Seven Evolving Aspects of Peace, Including Figure 1.

• Leland Stewart, Stephen Fiske, Joanie English, & myself, who together developed the UDC Peace Convergence Wheel.

• John Ishvaradas Abdallah—For Information on Nonviolent Communication, and the Nonviolence of Badshah Khan.

• Pony Vigil--For Help Designing an Earlier Version of This PowerPoint Presentation.

Documents

12/14/20151 SUSTAINABLE PEACEBUILDING: The Challenge of Building Cultures of Peace on Planet Earth Dr. Linda Groff Director, Global Options & Evolutionary