Rome was one year ago - any news?

[Averbuch]

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:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 2:01 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
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

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