ENGAGING THE OTHER: The Power of Compassion

4th Annual International Conference
November 12-15, 2009
San Mateo, California, USA

Dr. Serlin will present a roundtable, "Trauma and Resilience: Healing the Victim-Perpetrator Cycle"
on Sunday, November 15 at 9:00 - 10:20 am
with Stanley Krippner, PhD, Benina Gould, PhD, Skip Robinson, PhD and Danny Shandor, MA

At a time when polarization is the culprit, "ENGAGING THE OTHER: The Power of Compassion" is a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary conference examining concepts of "the Other" from a universal, cross-cultural perspective to promote wider public dialogue about images of "Us" and "Them".

• Raise the level, depth, and breadth of public dialogue and awareness on core issues. The conference examines dimensions and dynamics of "the Other" on individual and group levels, and considers how enemy identity is formed, perpetuated, and manipulated
• Identify and compile fundamental questions, dilemmas, and implications for further deep inquiry and examination in an expanding public dialogue, and to challenge embedded negative belief systems that promote adversarial perceptions of the "the Other."
• Tap our shared wisdom and compassion as a community -- from the local to the global -- in developing practical applications to address divisiveness and polarization and to promote a shared consciousness of peace.
• Create networking opportunities for collaboration
• Formulate findings and products to make available to all

• 3 Keynote Speakers
• 3 Topical Plenary Panels
• 25 Concurrent Break-out Sessions of Workshops and Interactive Panels
• Daily Facilitated Dialogue Groups to engage concepts and explore practical applications
• Interactive All-conference Experiences
• Resource and Networking Hub
• Morning Yoga Sessions
• Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala Ritual,
• Evening Performances, Cultural programs, and Community activities,
• Rich Networking and Action Planning
• Intentional Multi-cultural Community