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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I recently spoke to Laurie Simons, who is part
of a group pursuing a creative idea. They are forming </FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">a "world wide
parents network". They've got some ideas around using Open Space and using
the Internet to make this a world wide project.
They'd</FONT></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> like to have some
folks involved from around the world who have experience with Open Space
Technology. If you're interested or want to know more, contact
Laurie at <A
href="mailto:edvideoplus@aol.com">edvideoplus@aol.com</A>. </FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>A description of their concept is
below.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">Peggy
</SPAN></FONT></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Arial>World Wide Parent Network:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT face=Arial>The Future
In Our Hands<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Arial>Part One<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>This is a
grassroots movement where parents around the world join together to shape the
future.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>In 40 to 50
years our infants and toddlers will be the adults and leaders of the world.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They will be the ones who make decisions
about how to resolve differences and conflicts, how to protect our planet from
pollution and deforestation, and how to distribute wealth and resources.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As parents, we are the key influence in
our children’s lives.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>By working
together, parents from all cultures can take charge of the future now.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>We can work
collectively to seek and share the information and tools we need to raise the
next generation to be compassionate, creative, resourceful human beings.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>We can find ways
to teach our children how to get along and resolve conflicts without
violence.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>We can start at
home.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>We can lead the
way towards a peaceful and creative coexistence of people around the world who
have diverse points of view and a wide range of interests.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><I><FONT face=Arial>The future
is in our hands.<o:p></o:p></FONT></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><I><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Here’s
how:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'PressWriter Symbols'"><FONT face=Arial>ä</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial>We invite groups of parents and other interested parties to meet,
regularly, in their communities, all over the world, and use “Open Space
Technology”* to address this question:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>“How can we parents work together to shape the future?”</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'PressWriter Symbols'"><FONT face=Arial>ä</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial>We post results of these meetings on our website**, and invite people
to continue the dialogue in on-line chat rooms.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'PressWriter Symbols'"><FONT face=Arial>ä</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial>We listen to each other.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>We share cultural perspectives.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>We offer support.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We
locate<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the latest research.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We contribute our favorite
resources.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.2in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'PressWriter Symbols'"><FONT face=Arial>ä</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial>We take the necessary actions, and we keep going until we reach our
goal.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Together.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>*<I><U>Open
Space Technology</U></I> by Harrison Owen, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. San
Francisco, California (1997)</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><FONT
face=Arial>**http://thefutureinourhands.radiopossibility.com<SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><FONT face=Arial>We are
seeking practitioners of Open Space Technology (Seattle, Washington area) to
assist in facilitating our “pilot” meetings.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(First meeting scheduled for May 19,
2002).<o:p></o:p></FONT></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Contact:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Laurie Simons MA LMHC</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(425)
562-8790<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(425) 466-5127
(cell)</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>e-mail:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>edvideoplus@aol.com<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Arial>World Wide Parent Network:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><FONT face=Arial><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">The Future In Our
Hands</SPAN></I><o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><FONT face=Arial>PART TWO<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>The World Wide
Parent Network invites parents to join together to take charge of the
future.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Parents need tools and
resources to do this.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We need to
find a way to communicate with each other around the world, share our common
goals, and recognize our differences.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It is clear that repeating history has not led to improved human
relations around the world.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If we
continue to raise our children the same way we were raised, the future will look
the same as the past.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Taking the
Future In Our Hands means that parents find new ways to work together and raise
our children in ways that lead to new results.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Parents need the opportunity to make
informed choices based on accessible information and fresh perspectives.
</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>One of the most
effective ways to teach and learn new skills and perspectives is through
modeling, by seeing body language and facial expressions, and by hearing tone of
voice.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The medium of film and video
provides much more information than printed material, (“a picture speaks a
thousand words”), and does not require the ability to read.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In this new age of technology, it is
becoming more and more possible to offer audio/visual media to parents around
the world.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The use of
television is becoming more common.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>A few films,
videos, and television programs of relevance to parents have been produced to
date.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, these programs are
not readily accessible.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Making
film, video and television programming available and accessible to parents is an
essential component of taking the Future In Our Hands.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Here’s
how:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.2in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .3in"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'PressWriter Symbols'"><FONT face=Arial>ä</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial>Encourage and fund the production of films, videos, and television
programs that bring relevant information to parents about research, child
development, cultural differences, and child rearing.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.2in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .3in"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'PressWriter Symbols'"><FONT face=Arial>ä</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial>Seek out parenting models that are already working to achieve our
desired results, and make films, videos, and television programs that illustrate
how this is being done.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.2in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .3in"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'PressWriter Symbols'"><FONT face=Arial>ä</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial>Increase access parents all over the world have to the above
programming.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Provide community
centers with television/internet access and invite parents to come and
watch.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.2in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .3in"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'PressWriter Symbols'"><FONT face=Arial>ä</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT
face=Arial>Use technological advances in video streaming and internet service to
make a broad range of programming available and accessible to parents, and to
increase parents’ ability to select programming they wish to watch from a menu
of options.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><FONT
face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><FONT face=Arial>We are
seeking funds to accomplish these objectives, suggestions for relevant
programming, community leaders from all over the world to participate in this
project, and film/video producers to create programs.<o:p></o:p></FONT></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><FONT face=Arial> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Contact:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Laurie Simons MA LMHC</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>(425) 562-8790<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(425) 466-5127 (cell)</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>e-mail:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>edvideoplus@aol.com<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></FONT> </P></DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>_______________________________<BR>Peggy
Holman<BR>The Open Circle Company<BR>15347 SE 49th Place<BR>Bellevue, WA
98006<BR>425.746.6274<BR><A
href="http://www.opencirclecompany.com">www.opencirclecompany.com</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>