A Message of Celebration and Appreciation!
14th Annual Workshop on Transforming
Human Dignity and Violent Conflict
Teachers College, Columbia University
Thanks to All!
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Greetings!
We were overjoyed with everyone's efforts to co-create a gathering energized by mutually dignifying dialogue! We were especially thrilled that we enlarged our conversations this year, generating ideas inspired by our theme:
The Nature of Dignity — The Dignity of Nature!
Congratulations to all!
After working night and day, Evelin Lindner has successfully updated our workshop webpage documenting this memorable gathering! Kindly enjoy a sample of workshop highlights below!
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Michael Britton contributed an awe-inspiring
Don Klein Memorial Lecture! It not only expressed the message of this workshop, it described the spirit of our global dignity movement: "We Are the Carriers of the Better Possible Future.
"
We celebrated Michael's years of sharing his wisdom, compassion, and leadership in our community — and in the world — by honoring him with this year's
HumanDHS Lifetime Achievement Award
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Evelin Lindner Shared Her New Book
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A brief description of the contents: "Humankind has reached a boiling point. Hijacked by toxic competition for dominance, 'might' has become 'right.' The consequence is ubiquitous destruction executed through tools of terror. This book is a breathtaking, globally informed account of how we can reverse this rising tide, making dignity our destiny and legacy… before it is too late."
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In addition to captivating us with his amazing
musical students, this year
Fred Ellis shared a deeply moving original song he composed in memory of his sister, "
Stardust."
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Music, movement, dance, and poetry inspired and connected us throughout the workshop! Thanks to all who shared their creative talents!
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The workshop brought us together in "Dignilogue" (Dignity + Dialogue = Dignilogue) to discuss innovative and thought-provoking topics, including:
- How to "Do" Dignity — Dignity as a Verb
- How to Reach the Unreachable: About the Marginalized
- Ageism Goes Both Ways!
- Restorative Justice and Forgiveness
- Dignity, Technology, and Evolution
- Transforming Power Abuse into Dignity
- Can Dignity Become a Constitutional Right?
- A Vienna Week of Dignity
- The International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence
- Education for Dignity
- Climate Catastrophe and Political Discourse
- Transgender Issues for Law Enforcement Personnel
- Imperial Dispossession of "Others" by the Falsification of Dignity
- Dignity as a Practice: The Nonhuman Rights Project
- The Metaphysical Nature of Justice
- Marijuana, Racism, and the Justice System
- Inclusive Scouting Programs for Kids
- And more...
Please visit the
workshop webpage to see the names of all of this year's contributors!
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Expressing Our Deepest Gratitude...
There are not enough words to thank the President of Teachers College, Susan Fuhrman, and the Director of the
MD-International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR), Peter Coleman, together with his wonderful colleagues Danielle Coon, Claudia Cohen, Becca Bass, Charlott Macek, and Drew Pham's successor Keerthana Hirudayakanth, for having hosted our workshop again this year. Our gratitude goes also to many other valued friends at Teachers College who so kindly made our workshop possible — thank you, dear Samantha Lu and Portia Williams, dear Joe Levine, Kofi Asare, Jasmine Ortiz, Hua-Chu Yen, Kevin Waldron, James Kearney, Sandra Afflick, and Jennifer Govan, to name only a few!
What a gift Teachers College gives to the world by hosting a global dignity workshop!
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A World of Appreciation...
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Our workshop would not be possible without the skillful, compassionate, and enduring support of our team of Careholders, Dignigardeners, musical contributors, moderators, photo/videographers, and others! Thanks to all those who stepped up in the moment to lend a loving hand!
All of you were our "Dignity Angels" in the room, just as you are Dignity Angels in the world!
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At the close of the workshop, Michael Britton reminded us to continue with enlarging and strengthening our circles of dignity and courageous action.
The world needs our efforts
more than ever!
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Thank you for joining us in creating a future of
dignity for all people and the planet!
Uli Spalthoff, PhD, Director of Project Development and Systems Administration
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