SUMMER of PEACE 2012 to Launch in Oakland, California with the “VOICES for PEACE” Opening Festival, June 22-23

The Shift Network presents "VOICES for PEACE" - the Opening Festival for Summer of Peace 2012 on June 22-23, 2012, at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland at 1547 Lakeside Drive (http://oakland-scottishrite.org).  Summer of Peace 2012 is a 3-month global celebration of and call to action for inner and outer Peace featuring weekly online tele-summits; calendar of international events, youth outreach and multi-cultural dialogue.

The two-day festival begins Friday, June 22, with the “VOICES for PEACE” Benefit Concert from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. All profits from the concert and conference will go to support the Urban Peace Movement whose mission is to transform the culture and conditions that lead to urban violence, by building communities that foster non-traditional leaders who are key to ending this crisis.  During the concert, there will be an ask to donate to Urban Peace Movement.

The concert will feature Maria Muldaur and Friends, Country Joe McDonald, the Vukani Mawethu Choir, Emmit Powell and the Gospel Elites, Earth Amplified,
and special guest Emcee, Frank "Funny Frank" Olivier!

 The festival's focus on creating a culture of peace will continue on Saturday, June 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the "VOICES for PEACE" Benefit Conference. This all-day event will feature lively panel discussions, interactive breakout sessions and dynamic keynote speakers, including....

Women, Non-Violence and Birthing a New American Politics;  Barbara Marx Hubbard, James O’Dea and other prominent world-renowned and local Oakland and Bay Area peacebuilders.

CONFERENCE BONUS: Included in the purchase price for the conference, you will receive one copy each of Barbara Marx Hubbard's book "Birth 2012 and Beyond" and James O'Dea's book "Cultivating Peace". You must pick up your copies at the event venue (no shipping available).

Youth Under 21 may attend the conference for FREE: enter code genY and bring your I.D. to the event entrance.

For information on limited discounted tickets dedicated to Oakland community members, leaders, and activists contact peace@theshiftnetwork.com

The“VOICES for PEACE”Conference will address diverse and interconnected pathways to peace that transcend national, ethnic, racial, religious, age or gender differences – and will cover the spectrum of peace, from the inner to the international. Participants will hear from experts in the fields of conflict-resolution and community building to explore different ways to implement peace-building skills. 

The conference will address themes such as:  Inner Peace; Forgiveness; Communicating Peace; Education; Urban Peace; Justice; Politics and Healing Cultural Wounds. 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: 

8.15 AM        Doors Open – Registration

9:00 – 9:20   Welcome & Opening Ceremony

Stephen Dinan, Reverend Dr. Elouise D. Oliver, Rev. Devaa Haley Mitchell,  

Vice Mayor Nancy Nadel, Nicole Lee,

Barbara Marx Hubbard, James O’Dea

9:25 -10:35   PLENARY A:

Keynotes: James O’Dea (Peace/Forgiveness), Marianne Williamson (Peace)

10:40-11:40  PLENARY B: Michael Nagler & Stephanie Van Hook (Inner Peace), Nancy Kahn (NVC - Communicating Peace); Georgia Kelly (Peace in Economics)Panel discussion and Q&A facilitated by James O’Dea. Panel members will also include Alexis Neely.

11:50-12:35  Breakout Sessions GROUP A - Michael Nagler (Inner Peace), Matthew Albracht (Peace in Politics)

12:00-12:30       Musical Performance in Main Audtorium:  Devaa Haley Mitchell and Friends

12:35 -1:50  LUNCH

1:50-2:50    PLENARY C: Sahar Kordahi and Tzvia Shelef (Healing Cultural Wounds), Matthew       Albracht (Peace in Politics); Herb Behrstock (United Nations Association). Panel discussion and Q&A facilitated by James O’Dea.

3:10- 3:55  Breakout Sessions GROUP B - Sahar Kordahi and Tzivia Shelef (Healing Cultural Wounds), Nancy Kahn (Non-Violent Communication), Georgia Kelly (Peace in Economics)

4:05 -5:05  Main auditorium only - large plenary and panel discussion – Oakland and Urban Peace.Nicole Lee and Ron Wysinger, Rayna Smith, Kenny Johnson, Frederick Marx, and other Oakland peacebuilders 

5:05-5:10   Musical Performance by youth performer Ya Boy Lil' G

5:15-6:15  Keynote:  Barbara Marx Hubbard

Closing Remarks:  Stephen Dinan, James O'Dea, Philip Hellmich, Nicole Lee and Jennae Wallach.

For more information on the "VOICES for PEACE" Opening Festival for the Summer of Peace 2012, visit http://www.summerofpeace.net/attend-an-event.html 

The Summer of Peace 2012 (www.summerofpeace.net) is produced by The Shift Network in partnership with The Culture of Peace Initiative, Pathways to Peace, The Peace Alliance, The Global Peace Initiative of Women, International Cities of Peace, and many other organizations worldwide making the global shift to a culture of peace.

The Shift Network, Inc. aims to empower a global movement of people who are creating an evolutionary shift of consciousness that in turn leads to a more enlightened society, one built on principles of sustainability, peace, health and prosperity. For more information, please visit: www.theshiftnetwork.com