MEPEACE Chat - January 31

In our next three chat workshops we will explore Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Education. Each chat session will focus on a related sub-topic.


We invite you to join us for our fourth MEPEACE Chat Workshop and the first chat in this new series. Our topic will be: The Role of Art in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Education.

Art has the power to convey the feelings and experiences of one human being to another, making it worthwhile for us to examine its potential and effectiveness in conflict resolution education. We will discuss several artistic projects aimed at developing peace and cross-cultural understanding. With the shared goal of bringing people closer to peace through the development of mutual understanding and respect, these projects use music, theater, and painting to educate both the artists and the audiences.

Below are four links to examples of creative projects for peace (there are two extras for those who are interested). If possible, please view them before the next chat:

Freedom Theatre, Jenin refugee Camp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaSvnkRFRic
(if you have time you may also wish to see the film Arna's Children found here:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6EXrA3UFwM

Circus School:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60tR-7RebQ0&feature=related
(extra material about the circus school, if you are interested:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5yrMTEa0nI

Global Art Project for Peace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXFw09sDtj8

Voices for Peace:

http://www.mamusik.bplaced.net/bm/english/voices.htm


Within the scope of this new topic we will discuss the role that art can play in the educational process, and the positive and negative aspects of art as a tool for peacebuilding and conflict resolution.


The leading questions for this event will be:

Can we use art's enlightening qualities as an educational tool for conflict resolution? How?


Can art transcend barriers, restrictions and censorship to bring people together? In which ways?

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Please note that the event will start on Sunday, 31 January 2010 at 20.00 Israel/Palestine time (GMT + 2).

If you have any questions regarding the event, please don't hesitate us to contact us on mepeace.dialogue@gmail.com.


We look forward to your participation on January 31st!

The MEPEACE.org Dialogue Team
Cigdem Yilmazer, Jessica de Souza, Johanna Silverthorne & Oliver Haack

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Comment

Comment by Marek Zielinski on February 2, 2010 at 5:57am

Physically absent but spiritually always present with
Till next time

Comment by Sacred Space on February 1, 2010 at 3:12pm

This was a wonderful dialogue. I have forwarded this information to the weavers | artist | yoga instructors | socially conscious tea drinkers.

ART is a language that needs no words. It's medium can be anything that brings the human spirit to a more loving / peaceful h(OM)e. I am not posting links - to not distract from your conversation, but we definitely support and believe that ART can be used to reach peaceful resolution with SELF and with Nations.

Today we talked about different types of communications that have been attempted on local and global levels with conflict resolution (spoken or written word, all forms of art, music etc..) and what we could do differently.

Many believe that art transcends the spoken word because in using symbols less conflict was associated.

There are no easy answer - but the artists are at work. They are sketching their desired results through conscious creative collaboration! You all are in essence creating the peace we desire just through thinking and talking it. To speed things up ... introduction --> ART <-- stage left!

Art can evoke imprinted memories that can take us back to OM / peace. Not art alone ... but most definitely ART has been used throughout history to document and transcend realities.

We SEE You! < from Avatar the movie >

Our Colorado friends just posted this and tI think it is a GREAT example of how to use ART - for peaceful conflict resolution. What do you think?
http://namaspirittn.ning.com/video/fierce-light-documentary?xg_source=activity

Comment by Oliver Haack on February 1, 2010 at 10:52am

Thanks, Sacred Space, and looking forward to see in two weeks for the next chat workshop.

Comment by Marek Zielinski on January 27, 2010 at 2:25am

I thank you for invitation,
I'll be there
In Peace

Comment by Narine Melikyan on January 26, 2010 at 10:47pm

Oliver thanks for a choice of such sub-topic.
Topic is not only great; it is actual always at any time.

For Waleed: Art is a creative activity, means of self-expression of the vision of the world or itself by means of various kinds of art (it is the literature, architecture, painting, music, theatre, dancing, art and documentary cinema, design, cookery, fighting art, improvisation, jamming, and etc).
Through independent creative activity the potential of the person is shown, and employment by art allows us to see, study and open our opportunities, and also to help people to overcome a pain or sufferings. Art rescues us, gives us freedom to be the human and also hope to find the peace.
As it said participants in the «Freedom Theatre»:
"Freedom to me is a human right. It belongs to us."
"To me freedom means living in peace where Israeli occupation doesn’t exit
…and being able to travel to other countries and learn other languages."
"To me freedom means enjoying your life and not being chased by the army.
Being able to sleep in your house and not hiding in hospitals."
"Freedom is being able to do the things I like.
Circus, theatre, dancing, music…anything.
And no one tells me not to do the hobbies I like."
“To me freedom means peace … and peace means freedom.”

totally agree with these words :-)

Comment by Oliver Haack on January 26, 2010 at 4:08pm

Generally, all kinds of art.

Not only literature and painting - but the more 'expressive' arts as well. Please see the videos referenced above (especially Freedom Theatre and Circus School).

Comment by Waleed Hammad on January 26, 2010 at 3:55pm

Great topic, Oliver. Just let me know what do you mean by art? Do you mean literature, painting or both?