• Unity-and-Diversity Council (UDC) converges on Temescal Canyon, CA 
   
• Final parameters for an "online think-tank" (Global Assembly Dialog) completed
   
• Executive session establishes strategic vision for UDC and Global Assembly rollout

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA -- June 24, 2007. The Special Events Committee of the Unity-and-Diversity Council held a Convergence gathering at Temescal Canyon Conference and Retreat Center on June 8-10, 2007.

Rev. Stewart and the Unity-and-Diversity Council (UDC - est. 1965) are best known for hosting nearly five decades of interfaith and intercultural events, the largest being "Survival Sunday" held at the Hollywood Bowl with 12,000 in attendance, focused on publicizing the United Nations First Special Session on Disarmament. 

Four years later, in June 1982, the same concern produced the first Peace Sunday, which was held in the Rose Bowl with 100,000 in attendance, featuring such internationally known artists as Joan Baez and Bonnie Raitt.  Peace Sunday was in support of the U.N.'s Second Special Session on Disarmament.  Several smaller Peace Sundays have been sponsored by UDC since that time, with the goal of making it an ongoing community event.

The Convergence retreat featured three days of panels, plenaries and workshops conducted by experts and facilitators on topics ranging from global governance and interfaith relations to conflict resolution. With attention to protecting the Earth's fragile environment and providing special services, tools, and skills to our urban area's at-risk youth, the UDC has created topical working groups to contend with some of the most pressing challenges facing civilization today.

Utilizing modern technology in an automated and real-time fashion, the Global Assembly Dialog is an "online think-tank"; the first of its kind -- open to all with internet access.

Gathering wisdom from diverse perspectives to break negative patterns of thinking, the Global Assembly (GlobalAssembly.net) generates a roster of ideas and evolving statements that are then ranked by the collective participants.

"Our aim is nothing less than the creation of a vehicle of expression for the voice of humanity", explained UDC Executive Board member Roger Eaton, "the concept of the Global Assembly is along the lines of the UN General Assembly, but from the bottom up to build a world that works for all using the power of nonviolence."

 "The Unity-and-Diversity Council has been dedicated to showing how religions and belief systems have a common ground in truth," expressed Executive Board member Byron DeLear, "and with the UDC's Global Assembly Dialog, we will be able to witness, global truths evolving right before our eyes."

Global Assembly: www.GlobalAssembly.net

Unity-and-Diversity Council: www.UDCWorld.org

Friday June 8 through Sunday June 10, 2007
Recorded ideas, suggestions and sharing

These are the ideas, suggestions and sharing from the various meetings and sessions as recorded by Dave Turner, Executive Board Secretary. They are numbered to provide easy reference.

Friday 7 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting 
(These are not the Minutes just a brainstorming session)

1. Increase the number of organizations that we interact with and create large gatherings of groups of groups.
2. Do more work within the Unity-and Diversity wheel.
3. Avoid competition with U.R.I. and P.C.W.R.
4. Have more involvement with religious festivals.
5. Adopt and incorporate the Millennium Development Goals.
6. Add a personal touch to the Global Assembly by meeting face to face as well as online.
7. Sequence of implementation to be aware of: a) awareness, b) skill building, c) delivery of service or strategy.
8. Have decided to try to become a registered NGO. Formed a NGO committee consisting of Rebecca, Roger and Leland.
9. Use the Media more.
10. Create a better relationship with U.R.I. and perhaps be able to use their contacts.
11. Establish a UDC List Serve.
12. Include the Millennium Goals in the Global Assembly.
13. Keep to or establish a clear UDC vision so as not to lose focus.
14. Establish an online resource center for other groups to use.
15. Establish or use an already existing Calendar of Events listing various groups to bring groups together.

Saturday 10:15 a.m. Global Assembly Modeling-Unity Session

16. Provide sample messages
17. Is the site to be more philosophical or action oriented?
18. Suggested to use a website rather than email as some get too many emails already.
19. How to create and then implement and agenda with this model?
20. Catalyze and not stifle creativity and imagination.
21. Break negative patterns of thinking.
22. Gather wisdom from the whole.
23. It is good that this Model creates opportunity for global interaction.
24. Somehow create high energy to maintain interest and momentum.
25. If mistakes are made should be corrected not punished.
26. How to bring in the youth.
27. Have a 25 words or less section as well as the 400 words maximum.
28. Break the imperialism of words with action.
29. Respect each person's style.
30. Is this creating another organization?
31. Include video or links as part of the Model.
32. Hopefully this type of interaction will help keep "empire" from taking over democracy.
33. Use 360 degree programming. Update to the newest methods from the start.
34. Linking with other nonprofits like wiserearth.org will give it more "juice".
35. Need to use social networking websites like My Space to inter-connect.
36. Increase the "feminine" aspects of the site.
37. What are the economics? Need to have some results first to be taken seriously for more funding.
38. Need teamwork with a variety of skills.

Saturday 4:30 p.m. Global Assembly Modeling- Feedback from Diversity Sessions

At Risk Youth Session
39. Raise awareness of the problems youth face.
40. Gangs, drugs and violence are a few of the problems.
41. Provide special services to help not just jail problem youth.
42. Provide tools and skills to the youth.
43. Need to have an effective delivery of services to the youth.
44. An influx of money into an area from drugs brings guns and violence.
45. Proposal for a "Violence Tax" levied on those who produce or consume violent content such as TV, news, radio, movies, and music. The money should go to foundations and not to the government.
46. It is more effective to personalize the youth to the donor.

Environment Session
47. We are on a worst-case scenario curve.
48. Environmental problems would create a crisis of diminished resources and possible violence.
49. We all should become carbon neutral ASAP.
50. We should all become more self-sufficient regarding food, including home gardens.
51. Maintain political awareness and take action.
52. We are passing a bad legacy on to our children.

Interfaith Session (Four Questions were considered)
Question #1 Why is Interfaith important?
53. Because wars and other conflicts have been fought in the name of religion or other belief system.
54. To understand our commonalities in the Truth rather than our differences, which will bring conflict resolution.
55. Remember the parable of the blind men and the elephant.
Question #2 What are the challenges to Interfaith?
56. Some basic tenants of religion are fundamental such as reincarnation and are deal breakers.
57. Other beliefs can be misunderstood or misused such as the Islamic concept of "jihad".
58. When a government sponsors a religion or belief system it is hard for other governments to agree with it.
Question #3 What works in Interfaith?
59. Making and passing around to other faith groups a Peace Tapestry.
60. Giving awards or recognition for good work. 
61. UDC type groups that are inclusive.
62. Plays and other artistic works that presents the conflicts and resolutions.
Question #4 What is possible with Interfaith?
63. Showing how religions and belief systems have a common ground in Truth.
64. Work toward agreements between Science and Religions. One such area could be the spiritual concept of the Unity of Being or Oneness, which has its scientific counterpart in Einstein's Unified Field Theory or the more recent Theory of Everything.
65. Need to create a series of beliefs that all religions or belief systems can share such as the Golden Rule.

Democracy Session
66. We need to improve the way we elect the U.S. President.
67. We need to improve how candidates are chosen. Needs to be based more on qualifications.
68. Money is too involved. Poor people are left out. Go to public financing or elections such as they have in Arizona.
69. Have to get control of the voting machines. Proprietary software can end in fraud.
70. Have to increase minority and prison population registration.

Education Session (This was presented by an At Risk youth)
71. Need more sports.
72. The absence of God or spiritual values in school is not good.
73. To make the schedule shorter and also more challenging.
74. Need more motivation and support from teachers and parents.
75. To have optional prayers.

Arts Session
76. Communicate what you love.
77. Validate your gift or dream.
78. The 5 P's or creative work are:
a. Start with a premise
b. Do preparation and research
c. Practice your craft
d. Perform for yourself or others
e. Do it with passion.
79. Life as a creative adventure.
80. Inspiration means to breathe in "spirit".

Sunday 10:45 a.m. Sharing Session on the Unity-and-Diversity Worship Service

81. Leland shares that the theories of Charles Morris have inspired him.
82. Diversity is to eventually become a synthesis.
83. Part of the process is to withdraw and then return, introspect and then come back.
84. What would be best is a conceptual rather than ritual belief that can be modified and adapted.
85. When to have this type of service? Weekend or weekday?
86. Use the "World Scriptures" and "Science and Spirituality" books as a foundation.
87. Bring new ideas and techniques forward.
88. Use a World Spiritual Calendar to make and coordinate events.
89. Make sure there is time for each person to share.
90. Children and agnostics would be more available Sunday.
91. Let the people involved in the service decide what time is best to meet.
92. Leave the service as a process. Not dogmatic or exclusionary. Not a closed system.
93. Model it as a hub with open pores—a convergence point.
94. Use cutting edge ideas as a focal point for discussion.
95. Watch out for constrictive labels.
96. Make it an open place where all are welcome.
97. Keep it an open-ended process.
98. All must be included.
99. Could have several options on the day/time/frequency or meetings.
100. Have a video component with possible video conferencing, web casts and pod casts. Have a link with the Global Assembly.
101. Personal face time is also important.
102. Spiritual consciousness can transcend the airwaves or the Internet.
103. Don't become a new religion or dogma.
104. "Convergence" is a good term—creating an open space for people learn, share and grow.
105. Create an organic community that is not really categorical.

Sunday 1:30 p.m. Feedback from the Weekend

106. Should gather money and names to purchase DVD of the event. (We did this)
107. Make DVD available later for $5.
108. Should have a List Serve for all UDC members.
109. We should participate in the Martin Luther King Day parade as has been done in the past. $150 fee. Occurs about Jan. 15.
110. Tap resources at K-12 schools and colleges. Many need to do service project to graduate. (UNA has college interns)
111. Could promote the Global Assembly through the school paper editors.
112. Promote to the youth, as they are concerned about social issues.
113. Interact with college interfaith groups.
114. Could use Craig's list or other social networking resources to promote or get help.
115. Let Al Gore know we exist.
116. Make a press release from this event. Rebecca will do.
117. Need a PR or outreach committee.
118. Need more funds. How? Direct fundraising best?
119. Rebecca has many lists to share.
120. Rebecca will create a press release from these Convergence notes.
121. Should promote any relation to U.N.A. or NGO's.
122. Get recruits by setting up a table outside receptive stores.
123. Could talk to Eileen Proctor about PR but would need money.
124. Promote the books "World Scriptures" and "Science and Spirituality"
125. Finance a UDC position through fundraising.
126. Get funds by having a musician donate part of their concert proceeds as a donation.

FRIDAY EVENING SUPPER AND COMBINED BOARD MEETING

The Convergence will begin with a first combined meeting of the World Board and the Executive Board of UDC, which is called the Board of Trustees.  Many World Board members are not local, so the Board of Trustees is larger than the almost twenty-five people who will meet.  It will be a time of getting acquainted, as well as seeking to enlarge the work and effectiveness of the Council.  Hopefully, it will help extend UDC's involvements throughout the USA and the world, as well as providing linkages with other capable individuals, groups, and networks.  It is time for a quantum leap in UDC's efforts toward a new person and civilization, so let's encourage these people to continue their visioning and acting to create a world that works for all!

OPENING CEREMONIES -- Saturday, 9-9:15 a.m.

These ceremonies will include music, attunement, and a look at the full weekend and its activities. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: HECTOR ARISTIZABAL. -- Saturday, 9:15-10 a.m.  Hector has had more than twenty years experience in psychotherapeutic work with individuals, families, organizations and communities, now utilizing Theater of the Oppressed techniques, council circle, traditional myths and stories.  He has developed this work mostly with youth at risk as the co-founder of Cityscape, an art driven therapy program at the Community Counseling Center of Los Angeles, the Program for Torture Victims, and the Hospice of Pasadena.  He has had long experience in theater as a director, actor, and drama teacher with both children and adults of diverse cultures, in California and internationally.  He is co-founder of Theater of the Oppressed, The Columbian Peace Project, and ImaginAction.

GLOBAL ASSEMBLY MODELING: Unity Session -- Saturday, 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

This year is highlighting a Global Assembly Campaign, which is being carried out through regular programs, semiannual special events, and by ongoing Global Dialog developed by Roger Eaton, our Global Dialog Campaign Coordinator.  Roger will explain his plan to involve individuals, groups, and networks in the dialog and invite interested people to join.  We will then begin our interaction, with brief statements by participants.  We will explore how a peoples' equivalent of the United Nations should function in order to be successful in its efforts to bring peace, justice, and environmental sustainability.  This session will work with those matters which affect the whole Global Assembly.

CELEBRATING HUMAN GREATNESS -- Saturday, 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.  A presentation by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University with John Levoff.

In the United States, in this first decade of the 21st century, there is a compelling need for greater leadership at all levels.  This is not just a call for greater leadership in business and politics, but a call for human greatness itself.  A series of questions will be offered to stimulate the conversations.  The questions will encourage us to reflect on aspects of our own greatness and then follow up by sharing our stories and insights in conversation with others.  The experiences of these conversations are like "seeds" that we, the participants, take and plant in our own social circles.  The more we think over and discuss this topic, the more attuned we are to the greatness in and around us.

GLOBAL ASSEMBLY MODELING: Diversity Sessions -- Saturday, 2-4 p.m.

These sessions are related to the Global Assembly and to the Los Angeles Assembly, which meets on the third Saturday of the month.  The purpose of the Convergence meetings is to bring these diverse interests into clearer focus and to seek continuation each month either at the Assembly or elsewhere.  The results of these sessions need to be reported to the Feedback Session at 4:15. 

• At-risk Youth -- Khalid Shah, Facilitator Founder & Senior Advisor, Stop the Violence/Increase the Peace Foundation

 
• Interfaith -- Rev. Jan Chase, Facilitator Minister, Unity Church of Pomona; Coordinator, UDC Interfaith Inland Valley

 
• Democracy -- John Falchi, Facilitator Retired professor; active in interfaith and intergroup work, San Diego

 
• Education -- Felix Winston, Facilitator Chairperson, Cal State Northridge Interfaith Council

 
• Peace -- Roger Eaton, Facilitator Global Assembly Dialog Coordinator

 
• Environment -- Rev. Albert Cohen, Facilitator Executive Director, Southern California Ecumenical Council

 
• The Arts -- Stephen Longfellow Fiske, Facilitator Guitarist/singer/composer; peacemaker

The Feedback Session will hear from the morning Unity Session and the various Diversity Sessions as to their results and how they plan to continue their development.  These reports will be retained by the Global Assembly Campaign Committee and put to work in appropriate ways both locally and worldwide.

COMMUNITY CONCERT -- Saturday, 7:30-10 p.m. With STEPHEN LONGFELLOW FISKE, Singer, songwriter, composer; peacemaker and STEFANI VALADEZ, enchanting singer, songwriter, guitarist, and percussionist

Join Stephen and Stefani for an evening of eclectic, acoustic, contemporary, heart opening folk music.  They have both enjoyed long and colorful careers bringing music to audiences in the USA and overseas.  Stephen is well known for his performances at spiritual, interfaith, environmental, and humanitarian events and is also an author, lecturer, and workshop leader.  Stefani touches the heart and soul of her audiences with ancient love songs and prayers, as well as songs from many lands: Mediterranean, Brazilian, Middle Eastern, Celtic, Mississippi Delta, the land of rock and roll. 

UNITY-AND-DIVERSITY WORSHIP SERVICE 
Sunday, 9-10:30 a.m. 

• Rev. Leland Stewart, Rev. Tahdi Blackstone -- co-facilitators 
• Nadia Bradley -- life transformations
• Stephen Longfellow Fiske -- sacred songs
• Linda Groff, Ph.D. -- brief speaker
• Laura Hunter -- poem
• Rev. Elizabeth Stewart -- candlelighting
• David Turner, Evangelist Bertha, Shakti Parwha -- meditation and prayer

DIALOG SESSION -- Sunday, 10;45 TO 12 noon 

This unique service will be followed by dialog about the implications of World Scriptures and Science and Spirituality for a unity-and-diversity moral and spiritual fellowship. It will begin with reflections by Narayan de Vera, originator of an African healing mission and  involvement in various concerns related to the emergence of global civil society.  Narayan has participated for many years in Peace Sunday preparations and has developed the Heart of Humanity Awards using his own artistic designs.

FEEDBACK FROM WEEKEND -- Sunday, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
All attendees are invited to share insights and possibilities for future development.  Saturday is focused around the Global Assembly and its development, the concert is symbolic of the Role of the Arts, and Sunday includes both the Unity-and-Diversity  Worship Service and the Interfaith Celebration.  All of these have great possibilities for growth and expansion.  Your insights and comments will help greatly in this process. 

CLOSING INTERFAITH CELEBRATION -- Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
This Interfaith Celebration will include the keynote speaker, music, prayer and meditation, and messages from the different faiths.  It is designed to bring insight and uplift with which to conclude our important Weekend Convergence.

Keynote Speaker:  REV. DR. RICHARD ROSE. 

Dr. Rose is an Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the University of La Verne.  He is an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  In addition to his faculty position, Dr. Rose serves as the University of La Verne's Coordinator for the Ecumenical Center for Black Church Studies Program.  Through classes held in Los Angeles, students earn their B.A. degree in an ecumenical setting where they meet and study with ministers from various denominations.  Dr. Rose is also active with the Southern California Chapter of the Parliament of the World's Religions. 

Faith Representatives:

• Swami Brahmavidyananda -- Vedanta Society of Southern California
• Bhanti Chao Chu, Monk, Rosemead Buddhist Monastery
• Stephen Longfellow Fiske -- Sacred songs for the uniting of faiths
• Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa -- Sikh Dharma of Los Angeles
• Simran Kaur Khalsa -- Sikh Dharma of Los Angeles
• AriellaShira Lewis -- Temple Ami Shalom, Covina
• Sarina Michaels -- Los Angeles Hindu Center (Sherman Oaks)
• Evangelist Bertha -- Holy Assembly Church of God in Christ
• Cynthia Shimazu -- Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara
• David Turner -- Sant Mat Meditation Center 

Sponsored by: Unity-and-Diversity World Council (UDC), P.O. Box 661401, Los Angeles, CA USA 90066-9201; Phone: 310-391-5735; FAX: 310-827-9187 (contact UDC first); Email: udcworld1@yahoo.com; Website: www.udcworld.org

Above all…we need the reassuring presence of a visible community, an intimate group that enfolds us with understanding and love, and that becomes an object of our spontaneous loyalty, as a criterion and point of reference for the rest of the human race. --Lewis Mumford, Science and Spirituality. page 113-114

We live in an emerging global society that is in the process of creating itself.  Many mistakes are being made in this process, but these mistakes do have the potential of moving us closer and closer to a true sense of community at every level from the family to the globe.  War is destructive to the very essence of community, and little by little we are having to discover that we must live together with people of different races, cultures, and religions. 

In addition, we are being forced to learn that we live in a universe that also needs diligent care.  The rise of concern about global warming has come upon us almost without our knowing it or being prepared for it.  Droughts, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires are now very visible results of conditions which we need to pay attention to all the time.  Plants and animals likewise respond to good treatment, and their neglect results in the disappearance of countless species and damage to those who survive.  It is time to take care of our families, our neighbors, and our planet. 

The Unity-and-Diversity Council is seeking a balance between its special events such as our annual Peace Sunday in December and its events in nature and retreat.  The cultivation of the inner life is made possible especially in a natural setting and away from the stresses and strains of life in the big city.  Even though we have different names for our various cities, they generally have in common the rush of work and activity that tends to separate us from each other.  On the contrary, individual involvement in nature, and gatherings which allow us to detach ourselves from our usual involvements, permit us to go within ourselves in search of deeper meaning for our lives, as well as our relation to other people and to all life. 

Peace Sunday as a short public event provides a good balance with the convergence, which is held in nature.  While Peace Sunday is just three hours in length and is held in a public in-city venue, the Weekend Convergence is in a natural setting and is designed to be more relaxed and to provide more time for people to get to know each other.  It also models the three types of programs which make up the meetings that UDC provides throughout the year.  In addition to providing settings for unity and diversity types of groupings, it is aiming to form ongoing activities and projects that will be the service arm of the Council.  It will also help to build the Global Assembly.

You are cordially invited to participate in the Convergence at the level where you are most interested and skilled.  While coming for the full weekend is likely to provide the best exposure to the multidimensionality of UDC's work, yet it is also acceptable to come for one section of the Convergence only if that is what you desire to do.  Over time it is our hope that your areas of involvement will expand as you discover more of your own diversity of interest and capability.  These are the choices you will need to make.

May 30th is now the date for registering for this year's Convergence on June 9th and 10th.  Please fill out the registration form you have received, or contact UDC to receive one.  In any case, contact UDC by this Wednesday, May 30th, to hold your place in this upcoming event.  You'll be glad you did!

In the Spirit of Unity-and-Diversity!!

Unity-and-Diversity World Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 661401, Los Angeles, CA USA 90066-9201
Phone: 310-391-5735; FAX: 310-827-9187 (contact UDC first)
Email: udcworld1@yahoo.com (now working again after a 2-day freeze)

Re: Executive Board minutes for May 1, 2007
From: Rene Wadlow

Tue, 15 May 2007 04:21:26 EDT
 

Dear Friend, Thanks for the report. I an sending below a brief text for the June exchange of ideas. While there are not specific suggestions as to what can be done from California, it is a vision of the over all challenge. I would be glad it it can be shared with the participants; With best wishes, Rene Wadlow
 
 

Dear Friends,

            I am sorry that I can be with you only in Spirit for this important meeting to reflect on our common concerns of peace and justice.  I will share briefly what I see as the major challenge and possible avenues of action.

            The major challenge is what I call the Arc of Instability -- a series of conflicts and tensions that flow from Afghanistan - Pakistan - Iran - Iraq - Israel - Palestine - Lebanon - Syria - Egypt - Sudan.  At the two ends of the arc, negative energies flow into Central Asia where they increase locally-based tensions, and at the other end, conflicts in Sudan increase tensions in Chad and the Central African Republic, also adding to locally-based tensions in the Horn of Africa.

            My belief is that positive actions leading to conflict reduction at any point in this arc of instability will create a positive flow along the whole arc. Therefore we need to look for points of creative, positive entry. I see three policy areas where progress may be made:

1. A Nuclear-weapon Free Zone in the Middle East;

 
2. A Mediterranean-Black Sea Union proposed briefly by Nicolas Sarkozy in his election victory talk in France in May;

 
3. An Israel-Palestine agreement moving rapidly to a two-state structure -- what I have called "Divide and Cooperate". Early June marks 40 years of occupation showing to even the least attentive that the current policy brings neither peace nor justice.

            With all best wishes, Rene Wadlow, Representative to the United Nations, Geneva, of the Association of World Citizens.