defuse the clash of civilizations

[minoakhtar]

Hi, I was invited to this conference by Marcia Kannry, co-founder of the Dialogue Project (www.thedialogueproject.org). I am a Muslim facilitator for this project, and we facilitate monthly dialogue circles between Palestinians and Jews in NYC area. I am so grateful to Marcia, since this forum is very exciting and the conversations are very similar to the ones I have with my classmates at Calif. Inst. of Integral Studies. I am doing a masters there, after abandoning a master's in Computer Science decades ago. I am also an escapee from Wall street, where I implemented technology to replace people, and finally woke up one day.

My goal is to help increase the capacity, the willingness, the excitement for cross-cultural, faith, ethnic, generational, etc. dialogue, but especially undermine the supposed clash of civilizations. As an American Muslim, I find myself in my adopted home now made strange, and abroad, well Americans are disliked more than ever. And I think it wouldn't be this way, if we talked more (online, face to face, etc.) however we can.

I am also an organizational consultant that practices dialogue in corporate settings, so I am very interested in meeting people who use dialogue in their professional lives and learn with them. I live in New Jersey right across from NYC.

I can't wait to meet you all!

[Laurence]

Hello,

I'm in NYC. I am building the Conflict Resolution Program of the American Friends Service Committee (in the New York region). I know Marcia and am familiar with the Dialogue Project.

I have some projects and ideas you might be interested in and I'm interested to know what you are doing in our region (in addition to the Dialogue Project).

I would be happy to be in touch with you at the conference (or sooner).
If you see this message, try reaching me at my office: 212-598-0967.

In any case, I'll see you there.

-Laurence