May 27th – June 4th

• Contact: Scott Cooper or Becca Grimm at ‘crdc@gmu.edu‘ or 1-703-993-4473 (USA)

This seminar will be a combination of theory exploration, training, and concrete practice in the field. Based on Dr. Gopin’s most recent theories in To Make the Earth Whole: The Art of Citizen Diplomacy, the course will create space for participants to understand and measure in a new way the dynamics of their own potential impact on war and peace. It explores:

1. The theory and practice of positive incremental change and citizen diplomacy
2. A central case study from the Middle East
3. The philosophical and spiritual ethics, East and West, of decision making in conflict interventions.

Along with the study of theory, role plays and simulations, the course will involve direct engagement with Israeli and Palestinian nonprofit and for profit change makers, both secular and religious. There will be on the ground engagement in both Israel and Palestine, while inside the classroom and on tour.

Dr. Gopin will be joined by the CRDC’s Director of Middle East Projects Aziz Abu Sarah.  Mr. Abu Sarah will co-lead many of the trainings and manage the tour component of the course.  Mr. Abu Sarah brings over 10 years of experience in Palestinian-Israeli peacebuilding and Middle East tourism.  Most notably, he was the Palestinian Chairman of the Parent’s Circle – Families Forum, a joint organization of 500 Israeli and Palestinian bereaved families who work for reconciliation within and between their societies.  He also worked with organizations such as All For Peace Radio and Al-Tariq: The Palestinian Institute for Democracy and Development (which he co-founded).

The seminar will be based most days in Jerusalem, with CLASS TIME, TRAINING, AND EXCURSIONS planned on alternate days.

Considering the sensitive nature of the practice component of this work, students will be asked to submit a CV as well as a statement of their qualifications and goals in order to apply for this seminar.

• Approximately 25 hours of class time
• Meetings with several Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilding organizations, officials, relgious leaders and business people
  • Organization include: Parents Circle – Bereaved Families Forum
• Hotel
• 2 meals per day
• Transportation
• Tour guide
• Visits to Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jerusalem and Hebron
• Can be taken for credit through George Mason University in Arlington, VA**

• $2780.00 (airfare not included)
  • Subsidies available for local Palestinians and Israelis to participate – please contact CRDC for more details

• May 27 – June 4th 2010

• Jerusalem

• http://crdcgmu.wordpress.com/education/

• http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddjpxvx7_20djtkntcr