Countdown to 11 Days (Sept. 9, 2014) 11 DAYS OVERVIEW/PREVIEW Barbara Marx Hubbard has been called "the voice for conscious evolution of our time" by Deepak Chopra. A prolific author, visionary, social innovator, evolutionary thinker and educator, she is co-founder and president of the Foundation for Conscious Evolution. Audrey Kitagawa is president and founder of the International Academy for Transcultural Cooperation, president of the Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family, former advisor to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict at the United Nations, former vice president and trustee of Council For A Parliament of The World’s Religions, and a founding trustee of the New York City Peace Museum. Philip Hellmich (Host, with Rick Ulfik) is Director of Peace at The Shift Network, an international social enterprise mobilizing educational tools and cultivating alliances worldwide. He is director of The Summer of Peace, a collaborative global celebration of and call to action for inner and outer Peace.	An inspiring dialogue discussing: The symbolic origins of 11 Days of Global Unity and its underlying values and goals The importance of creating new structures for cooperation and coordination of changemakers to better create a sustainable world. What is Social Synergy and the Wheel of Co-Creation? The very profound life experiences and spiritual journeys of Barbara Marx Hubbard and Audrey Kitagawa that led to them becoming global visionary leaders.. The next stage of consciousness for humanity How Barbara Marx Hubbard and Audrey Kitagawa were each influenced by a specific religious experience and yet feel it is important to appreciate all the great spiritual teachers The evolution of religious and spiritual practice Inner peace as a global responsibility How can each of our own authentic presence emerge and evolve? How can global citizens facilitate the realization of "WE Consciousness" around the world?
Theme 1 (Sept. 11): UNITY Eckhart Tolle is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Power of Now (translated into 33 languages) and the highly acclaimed follow-up A New Earth, which are widely regarded as two of the most influential spiritual books of our time. Dr. Kurt Johnson is the author of The Coming Interspiritual Age. He is a scientist, comparative religionist, social activist and former monastic who has published over 200 professional articles and seven books on evolution and ecology. Ordained in three spiritual traditions, he is widely regarded as the closest associate of Brother Wayne Teasdale, the founder of the modern “interspiritual movement,” and works also with the international Contemplative Alliance. Barnet Bain is an award winning motion picture producer, director, speaker, and transformational coach. As a leader in the field of personal and transformational development, Barnet has touched millions of people around the world. Among his films are Life After Death, Oscar winner What Dreams May Come (Producer), The Celestine Prophecy (Screenwriter, Producer), and more recently Milton’s Secret (Director) by Eckhart Tolle and Robert Friedman.	A profound discussion covering: September 11th 2001, Unity and how media's messages become the fabric of our culture leading us to continue either in our currently unsustainable direction or toward a new stage of evolution for humanity. What is Tranformational Media? How has humanity's collective state of consciousness produced the problems we now have? The importance of the Transformation of Consciousness for humanity What is the role of Transformative Media? What is the power of movies to create new mythologies? What is the Coming Interspiritual Age?
Theme 2 (Sept. 12): INTERDEPENDENCE Lisinka Ulatowska co-founded the NGO Task Force on Financing which she chaired at the UN. She co-founded Commons Action for the United Nations and chairs the subsequent UN Major Group Commons Cluster. These networks of individuals and ECOSOC-accredited organizations advocate an inclusive and transparent commons-based economy at all levels centered on the well being of all people and nature. Since 2009, they have advocated relevant best practices and Means of Implementation for the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.	An in-depth conversation about: The profound interconnections of all life with the Commons that we share on Earth. Challenges and successes at the United Nations with the Commons Cluster working on the Sustainable Development Goals. The effect of the global monetary system on the sustainability of the planet. The importance of We Consciousness for a sustainable future. The Interdependence Movement and the Global Declaration of Interdependence
Theme 3 (Sept. 13): ENVIRONMENT Bill McKibben is an author and environmentalist. His 1989 book The End of Nature is regarded as the first book for a general audience about climate change, and has appeared in 24 languages. He is founder of 350.org, the first planet-wide, grassroots climate change movement. He and 350.org were among the principal organizers of the People's Climate March on Sept. 21st 2014 - the largest climate protest in history which included over 300,000 people in New York City plus 2,646 solidarity events in 162 countries. Foreign Policy named him to their inaugural list of the world's 100 most important global thinkers, and the Boston Globe said he was "probably America's most important environmentalist."	A consequential and inspiring dialogue on these topics: 350 and the Climate Crisis The Peoples Climate March to Change Everything on September 21st, which is also the UN International Day of Peace: Working for Peace On Earth & Peace *WITH* Earth! Messaging for Climate activists: transitioning to renewable energy systems can also save thousands of lives in the US and millions more around the world each year who die from air pollution. Renewable Energy Media Campaign Fracking, Geo-engineering - who benefits? Looking at solutions. Is vegetarianism a solution? Challenges and Successes
Theme 4 (Sept. 14): ECONOMIC JUSTICE Hazel Henderson is founder and president of Ethical Markets Media. She is a world renowned futurist, evolutionary economist and author of award-winning Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy and eight other books. She leads the Transforming Finance initiative, created the Green Transition Scoreboard®, and co-developed with Calvert the GDP alternative now renamed the Ethical Markets Quality of Life Indicators. Riane Eisler is internationally known for her groundbreaking contributions as a systems scientist and attorney working for the human rights of women and children. She is the best-selling author of The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future, now in 25 foreign editions, Her newest book, The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics was hailed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu as "a template for the better world we have been so urgently seeking."	A profound discussion of the economic and social health of US and Global societies on these topics: Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy and Quality of Life Indicators Importance of measuring the value and economic significance of society's caring "unpaid" work. Gender inequality and the subsequent hierarchy in our culture that affects everyone How Measuring The Economy Differently Could Increase Gender Equality The Caring Economy Campaign Social Wealth Economic Indicator Automation and Guaranteed income Importance of Political movements and the cultural movement towards WE consciousness Citizens United Supreme Court Decision
Theme 5 (Sept. 15): HEALTH Deepak Chopra is the author of over eighty books translated into over forty-three languages, with twenty-two New York Times Bestsellers. As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Deepak Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Dr. Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is the Founder of the Chopra Foundation, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, and Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube. James Maskell is Host and Founder of the Functional Forum, New York City’s biggest meetup and live show for doctors and broadcast to the world via the web. He is also CEO and Founder of Revive Primary Care, a model for a new health care system, combining a nationwide network of functional and integrative physicians with a digital education program. He also hosted the Evolution of Medicine Summit, educating both patients and doctors, and connecting them locally for sustainable change.	A rich, detailed discussion and concise “guide” to how our relationship with ourself, others and the world is related to our health including these topics: Various states of consciousness determine our state of health. How relationships with self, others and the world/universe determine our state of health. Re- programming self esteem through mindfulness, self-awareness on a variety of levels including conscious choice-making. Functional medicine and the evolution of medicine. New understandings of the biome – microbes that live in symbiotic relationship with our own cells. Actions people can take to support their own health, health of society and the world
Theme 6 (Sept. 6): CHILDREN AND YOUTH Nina Meyerhof. is President and Founder of Children of the Earth, an organization that inspires and unites young people, and fosters spirituality in the form of "conscious leadership". She has made a life of advocating for our world's youth. She co-authored, Conscious Education: The Bridge to Freedom and the handbook and training manual, Pioneering Spiritual Activism. Noah Miller holds a Masters of Science in Conflict Studies and is the Director of Development and Social Responsibility for the Israel Lacrosse Association. He is using the game of lacrosse as a vehicle to facilitate community development and peace building in Israel. Working closely with the Jewish, Ethiopian, and Arab populations of the country, Noah is influencing the social fabric of Israel by using the game to create shared experiences and build relationships within these different ethnic groups.	A truly inspiring discussion about: Empowering young people to become leaders and active in social change Early influences that helped Nina and Noah to be so committed to this work Using sports as a way to build greater understanding and connection between young people in Israel from Jewish, Arab and other ethnic backgrounds The need for investment in jobs, reducing tuition costs and other policies that serve young people in the United States A proposal to make a shift in the primary goal of elementary school education: to graduate students who are self-motivated to learn (rather than achieving specific levels of reading and math as measured by high stakes testing). Challenges faced and lessons learned - how does Noah handle his teams when they have young people from families on both sides of the Israel Gaza conflict
Theme 7 (Sept. 17): WOMEN Gemma Bulos is an multi-award winning social entrepreneur, singer and storyteller. She is the director and co-creator of the Global Women’s Water Initiative, a joint program of Women’s Earth Alliance and Crabgrass. GWWI provides African women the opportunity to gain the skills, technologies, best practices, and support networks they need to launch sustainable water and sanitation projects in their communities bringing clean water to over 200,000 people in the Philippines and 9 countries in Africa. Hassina Sherjan has over 20 years of professional experience in education, business, communication and journalism. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Aid Afghanistan for Education. She is the owner and chief executive officer of Boumi Company, an internationally recognized woman-owned home accessory business and the only Afghan company with a US Trademark. She is the co-author of Toughing It Out in Afghanistan, and published various op-eds in the NY Times, Washington Post, Guardian, USA Today and others. She received the International Alliance for Women World of Difference Award in 2012.	A moving and inspirational conversation about: How empowering women and girls transforms individuals, communities and the world. What life experiences shaped Gemma and Hassina, that made them decide to embark on their paths The Million Voice Choir of Gemma Bulos which helped to launch 11 Days of Global Unity in 2004 and led to her creating "A Single Drop" and the Global Women’s Water Initiative which brought self-sustaining water and sanitation projects lifting women in the Philippines and 9 countries in Africa out of poverty. Aid Afghanistan for Education, founded by Hassina Sherjan to serve 3000 (mostly girls) deprived of schooling under the Taliban. Challenges faced and lessons learned
Theme 8 (Sept. 18): HUMAN RIGHTS Widely regarded as "South Africa's moral conscience" Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was described by Nelson Mandela as "sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humour.” Archbishop Tutu, a Nobel Peace Laureate, played a key role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. As Archbishop, he became a principal mediator and conciliator in the transition to democracy in South Africa. In 1995 President Nelson Mandela appointed Archbishop Tutu Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a body set up to probe gross human rights violations that occurred under apartheid. Though his vigorous advocacy of social justice has on occasion rendered him a controversial figure, Archbishop Tutu is regarded as an elder world statesman - a leading moral voice with a major role to play in world affairs.	A revealing and extensive dialogue touching on: Archbishop Tutu's childhood experiences and influences Ubuntu, the African word for the essence of being human Ubuntu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission How global efforts ended Apartheid Women's empowerment The power of WE Climate Change and the idealism of young people Renewable Energy Media Campaign Middle East Crises - Syria, Iraq, ISIS, the Israel/Gaza conflict Power lies with the people Archbishop Desmond Tutu's retirement? Not likely!
Theme 9 (Sept. 19): FREEDOM Daniel Ellsberg is a lecturer, writer and activist on the dangers of the nuclear era, wrongful U.S. interventions and the urgent need for patriotic whistleblowing. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics at Harvard in 1962 and became a strategic analyst at the RAND Corporation, and consultant to the Defense Department and the White House. He reported to the Executive Committee of the National Security Council during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. In 1967 he worked on the top secret Robert McNamara study of U.S. Decision-making in Vietnam, which later came to be known as the Pentagon Papers. In 1971, he gave the 7,000 page study to the New York Times, the Washington Post and 17 other newspapers. His trial, on twelve felony counts posing a possible sentence of 115 years, was dismissed in 1973 on grounds of governmental misconduct against him, which led to the convictions of several White House aides and figured in the impeachment proceedings against President Nixon. Amy Goodman is the host and executive producer of Democracy Now!, a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program airing on over 1,200 public television and radio stations worldwide. She is the first journalist to receive the Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the 'Alternative Nobel Prize' for "developing an innovative model of truly independent grassroots political journalism that brings to millions of people the alternative voices that are often excluded by the mainstream media." Her reporting on East Timor and Nigeria has won numerous awards, and she has also received awards from the Associated Press, United Press International, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Project Censored.	An extended in-depth and free-flowing conversation including these topics: Could Daniel Ellsberg do whistleblowing now like he did during the Vietnam war? Role of Media in Democracy The right of citizens to film police encounters with community members Militarized police, such as in Ferguson Missouri Some pundits say "Edward Snowden is no Daniel Ellsberg"! Freedom of the Press and journalism Crisis of democracy after 9/11 4th amendment and privacy Role of Independent non-commercial Media Privatization of the Internet Big Money in politics Extreme inequality - effect on democracy Occupy and freedom around the world Big Picture look at humanity and war Nuclear weapons 100 years after World War 1
Theme 10 (Sept. 20): DISARMAMENT Jonathan Granoff was nominated for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. He is an attorney, author and international advocate emphasizing the legal, ethical and spiritual dimensions of human development and security, with a specific focus on advancing the rule of law to address the threats posed by nuclear weapons. He is president of the Global Security Institute, Senior Advisor to the American Bar Association’s Committee on Arms Control and National Security and Co Chair of the American Bar Association’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Nuclear Non-proliferation and has served as Vice President and UN Representative of the Lawyer’s Alliance for World Security.	A wide-ranging discusson exploring political, legal, ethical and spiritual aspects of the challenges humanity is currently facing. Topics include: Huge military spending - what's behind it? The paradox of more weaponization leaving people less secure The moral case for abolishing nuclear weapons An action plan for people of faith to ban nuclear weapons Comparing nuclear weapons policy with biological weapons policy We are the first generation that has the ability to decide whether or not this will be the last generation The military approach to Security: Benefit or Hazard? Jonathan's childhood influences, including Bobby Kennedy The Ukraine crisis History of the formation of the Nation-State Bringing the principle of the "Golden Rule" (as expressed in every religion) to Public Policy Compassion and Conscience in public affairs The 3 questions to ask every politician The Climate Crisis
Theme 11 (Sept. 21): PEACE (The U.N. International Day of Peace) Rev. Deborah Moldow is an ordained interfaith minister committed to assisting in the transformation of human consciousness that will lead to a culture of peace. She is the Representative to the United Nations of the World Peace Prayer Society, which promotes the universal prayer “May Peace Prevail on Earth” and has traveled the globe to conduct Peace Pole dedications and World Peace Flag Ceremonies sending peace to every nation. At the United Nations, she co-chairs the International Day of Peace NGO Committee and facilitates the United Religions Initiative multi-faith cooperation circle. Monica Willard is the main United Nations Representative for the United Religions Initiative (URI), a grassroots, interfaith organization with members in 86 countries. She is the co-chair for the International Day of Peace NGO Committee at the UN, past president of The Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, and was Chair of the 49th annual DPI NGO Conference at UN Headquarters. Dorothy (Dot) Maver, Ph.D. is an educator and peacebuilder whose keynote is inspiring cooperation on behalf of the common good. Dot is President of the National Peace Academy in the USA, the place where peacebuilders go to grow; a board member of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures of Peace; and serves as Executive Director of The River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding in Gainesville, Florida where the focus is everyone learns to resolve conflict through communication in healthy relationship thus breaking the cycle of violence. Philip Hellmich (Host, with Rick Ulfik) is Director of Peace at The Shift Network, an international social enterprise mobilizing educational tools and cultivating alliances worldwide. He is director of The Summer of Peace, a collaborative global celebration of and call to action for inner and outer Peace.	On this closing Tele-Summit call for the last day of 11 Days of Global Unity and the Summer of Peace we discuss: The expanding scope of thousands of organizations and millions of people around the world participating in the UN International Day of Peace September 21st - all working to create a culture of peace Reports from people in various cities Reports from Monica and Rick taking part in the People's Climate March in New York City Report from Paul Sladkus and Good News Broadcast on the Human Peace Sign as part of the People's Climate March Report and a song from Sharon Abreu in Washington State Comments by all the speakers on how to deal with the despair that sometimes results from hearing continued disturbing news about ongoing conflicts around the world Celebration of the 32nd Anniversary of the International Day of Peace