Ted, Birgitt, Harrison and all It is late, I am dead tired' and I do not trust my English in times like this but I feel compelled to write, at least some "news": In terms of direct traceable results that I am aware of (I was a participant in Rome) there are quit a few . some of them are not storied to be told on the net because it is not peace yet. few examples that can be told are: - getting a personal e mail to all 50 participants describing the curfew from his bedroom in Ramalla had changed my felt perspective and in that sense changed my life and the lives of my husband, son and daughter in terms of being able to directly and nakedly touch this moment of life. yes it makes life much harder, yes god bless him. I didn't run a questioner but I am sure this touched many of us. this kind of correspondence was there on both sides for few months. It was hard to keep it alive longer but I am sure all of us hold better to our sanity and humanity and I do not find it to be a luxury easily achieved in this time and place. - at list 3/4 of the participants are active in one kind or another of working to make way to better life in community, human spirit , education etc. if we /they are changed it radiates. - OS training in Ramalla last year and hopefully this year (wider circle then the participants)
The grief work that is required is so overwhelming that it is hard to hold on to the effort at all times. the physical possibilities don't help either, but I have no doubt that Rome contributed to energy building for working through to give birth to something new. I don't know were we are on the curve but the most recent initiative I am aware of is a delegation of 150 Israeli Jews and 150 Israeli Arabs who studied the Holocaust together in few weekend seminars in Israel and traveled together to the concentration camps in Germany . A book by a Palestinian architect woman from Rammalla with the name of "Cappuccino in Ramalla" telling her personal bitter-sweet experiences under the curfew (as she was quoted: " she may forgive the Israelis one day but she will never forgive the fact she had to stay with her mother in-law for so long...") was published in Hebrew a week ago is another example. Having the Practice of Peace gathering in November in Seattle, trying to bring together people from many "battle zones" and make way for some new is, imho, also a step in this direction. I already spoke to carol about it and I hope Carol, Avner and I will be able to interview at least some of Rome participants and bring some more structures data. much love to you all and good night Tova -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Harrison Owen Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 2:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Rome was one year ago - any news? At 10:26 PM 6/16/2003 -0500, ted wrote: Harrison, I was just thinking that your Rome event with the 50 people from Israel/Palestine was just about a year ago. Any news? peace, ted Well we did not bring Peace to the Middle East -- but things seem to be hanging together more or less. I met with a number of the participants when I was in The Middle East in February. They seemed glad to see me, and I was certainly glad to see them. As I think I reported, we did a training program in Ramallah, and will do another early next year. But in terms of deep effects? It is really hard to say. The situation is so critical and is exacerbated on a daily basis by extremists on both sides that it is really hard to see any progress. Under these circumstances, it is quite remarkable that there is a sane person left, willing to try bridging the chasm. And I certainly know such people. A real testimony to the incredible tenacity of the human spirit. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 USA phone 301-365-2093 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected] Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
