Panel #1: Lobbying for Peace; Taking the Culture of Peace to Washington

Description: Advancing a Culture of Peace means that “peace culture” values need to work their way into the political discourse in Washington. This session will consider how that is happening in both “theory” and “practice.” Drawing from the insights of an academic researcher and a practitioner involved in a citizen-based lobbying campaign organized around a specific policy objective.

Moderator:     Lynda Carter Markham, FCPJ Board Member
Panelist #1:   Michael Heaney, Assoc. Prof., Univ. of Florida,
                    Dept. of Political Science (Gainesville);
Panelist #2:   Cynthia Seymour, Dept. of Peace Campaign, Fla.
                    Coordinator (Ft. Lauderdale);

Panel #2: Spirituality and Religious Pluralism in a Culture of Peace

Description: This session will present approaches to modeling ways that religious institutions can nurture a spirituality that advances a Culture of Peace. The dialogue will attempt to address what Rabbi Michael Lerner (Tikkun Magazine) calls a “Politics of Meaning,” where he suggests the need for a universal spirituality and values not tied to any particular religion, but foundational to all, with a new bottom line of love, caring, and celebration of the sacred in all human beings; Panelists will also consider the challenge to honor genuine religious pluralism and interfaith collaboration in building a culture of peace.

Moderator:     Lee Breyer, Pax Christi-Florida (Bradenton);
Panelist #1:   Marc Masonbrink, Buddhist Peace Fellowship (Tallahassee);
Panelist #2:   Gwinn Pratt, The Christian Alliance for Progress (Jacksonville);
Panelist #3:   Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons, Sufi and Asst. Prof., Univ of Fla,
                     Dept. of Religion (Gainesville);

Panel #3: Coffee Shops, Taverns, and Bookstores: Hospitality Venues for the Conversation;

Description: Known as so-called “Third Places,” these are the semi-public places beyond home and the workplace that create safe venues for the informal conversation that builds community and nurtures civil society. This panel will feature several proprietors of establishments that create space for vibrant conversation that shapes and informs the social and political discourse within society.

Moderator:      Karla Pierce, Graduate Student, Hospitality Ethics,
                     Univ. of North Florida (Jacksonville);
Panelist #1:    Arlene Sweeting and David Beaton, Fogartyville Café (Bradenton);
Panelist #2:    Jim Webb, Fuel Coffee House, (Jacksonville);

Panel #4: Community Organizing and Action Campaigns That Empower and Work

Description: Building a culture of peace requires active efforts to organize grassroots community groups and empower those organizations to engage the wider community on issues impacting the community. Panelists will speak from their experience as organizers in citizen-based grassroots activism, reflecting their experience in local, regional, and international campaigns. .

Moderator:      Doris Marlin, Wage Peace (Jacksonville);
Panelist #1:   Joy Towles Ezel; Environmental Alliance of North Florida
                     (Taylor County, Fl);
Panelist #2:    Bruce Gagnon, Global Network Against Weapons
                      & Nuclear Power in Space (Bangor, Me);

Panel #5 Talking "peace culture" values in Florida Electoral Politics;

Description: This panel will consider the challenge to social progressives to pro-actively "frame" the political discourse with values grounded in peace, social justice, and sustainability, and in a way that inspires, raises the moral expectations of the electorate, and impacts electoral politics and US public policy. Several current and past candidates for elected office will reflect on their experience.

Moderator:     John Frank, DiacomVentures Consulting (Jacksonville);
Panelist #1:   David Bruderly, Candidate, Florida Congressional District 6 (Gainesville);
Panelist #2:   Samm Simpson, Candidate, Florida Congressional District 10 (Dunedin);
Panelist #3:   Rev. Charles McKenzie, Former candidate,
                     Florida Congressional District 13 (Sarasota);

Panel #6 Weaving A Culture of Peace through Solidarity Travel

Description: A number of development organizations attempt to introduce North Americans to members of the popular classes in the “two-thirds world,” by means of short term international trips. As conscientious travelers we can select those travel experiences that bring us into solidarity with our marginalized brothers and sisters in the global village. Discussion will center on research and practice, reflecting the experience of panel participants.

Moderator:     Alberto Jones, FCPJ Board (Palm Coast)
Panelist #1:   Timothy Fogarty, Cultural Anthropologist Researcher,
                     Univ. of Florida (Gainesville);
Panelist #2:   Lucy and Frank Fuchs; Retired Couple and World Travelers (Brandon);

Panel #7 Models for Eco-Justice, Sustainable Development, and Green Technology

Description: This panel will take its cue from the Preamble of the Earth Charter “to join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace.” Activists and practitioners will share from their experience and invite audiences participation.

Moderator:      Mike Sosadeeter, FCPJ Board (Sarasota)
Panelist #1:   Jan Roberts, Director of Community Initiatives, The Earth Charter (Tampa);
Panelist #2:    Joy Towles Ezel; Environmental Alliance of North Florida
                      (Taylor County, Fl);
Panelist #3:    Chad Taylor; Apalachicola, Riverkeepers and Ragland Foundation (Tallahassee);

Panel #8 Nonviolence and Conflict Transformation: Models in Adult Education

Description: This session will be led by a panel of educators and practitioners who are working with programs that engage adults in educational curricula related to peacemaking, nonviolence and conflict transformation. Panelists will briefly overview the focus of their work/program and then engage the audience in conversation about the application and implications of these initiatives within the larger society.

Moderator:    TBA
Panelist #1:   Rev. Jim Wright, Fellowship of Reconciliation; (Gainesville)
Panelist #2:   Maureen Sheedy, Marshall Rosenberg’s NonViolent
                     Communication Training; (Sarasota)
Panelist #3:   Candice Carter Ph.D.; Professor, College of Education,
                     Univ. of North Fla. (Jacksonville)

Panel #9 Peace Education Initiatives with Youth

Description: This session will consider challenges and opportunities for impacting children in primary and secondary schools and related youth venues. Panelists will present successful curriculum that promotes peacemaking both in the classroom and the personal lifestyle of youth.

Moderator:     John Stewart, High School Teacher and long-time peace activist (St. Petersburg)
Panelist #1:   Nina Burwell Yes, You Can; Multicultural After-School Program (Sarasota)
Panelist #2:   David Clapp UNF Graduate Student and FCPJ 2006 Peace Camp,
                     Director (Jacksonville)
Panelist #3:   Candice Carter; Curriculum Specialist, College of Educ,
                      Univ. of North Fla (Jacksonville)

Panel #10 The Role of Independent Community Media in Advancing a Culture of Peace

Description: This session will explore the role of the media in American culture and the need to develop alternative community-based media sources that are genuinely committed to values that celebrate cultural diversity and advance a more just and peaceful world.

Moderator:     Tony Ehrlich, Editor, FCPJ’s Just Peace, (Barberville)
Panelist #1:   Joe Courter, Editor, Iguana and founding member of the Civic Media Center
                      (Gainesville);
Panelist #2:   Vicki Santa, Station Manager, WMNF Radio (Tampa);
Panelist #3:    David Beaton, Chairman, WSLR Radio (Bradenton)

Panel #11 Healthcare Models for a Culture of Peace

Description: Panelists will consider means to live healthier and more productive lives through preventive and holistic medicine, as well as a consideration of systems that can make healthcare more affordable and accessible to all peoples.

Moderator:      Anne Richter, CNM, MPH (Tampa)
Panelist #1:    Carol Roberts, MD; Wellness Works (Brandon)
Panelist #2:    Brendan Shortley, Helping Hands Clinic (Gainesville)
Panelist #3:    Susan Patricia Golden, Family Music Network, (Clearwater)

Panel #12 Fair Trade, Labor, and Just Business Practices

Description: This session will consider models for sustainable and just business and labor practices. Business proprietor’s and labor activists will reflect on their experience and invite audience interaction in an effort to explore creative models for just economic practices that respect both people and the environment.

Moderator:      Vincent Burns, FCPJ Board
Panelist #1:    Steve (Satchel) Raye, Proprietor of Satchel’s Pizzeria (Gainesville)
Panelist #2:    Nancy Deren, Financial Advisor (Gainesville)
Panelist #3:    TBA