Akoda* - Peacebuilding Learning Community
* akkodha
: non-anger
freedom from hatred, ill
will and enmity
one of the ten virtues and duties of the wise ruler, according to the Buddha
* * *
AKODA
is the product of a three-year process initiated by Middleway (Shvil Zahav) for
the promotion of non-violence, compassion and peace.
AKODA’s vision is to establish a training and inquiry center in Israel for
organizations, groups and individuals who are seeking social engagement and
action to build a culture of peace, using approaches and methods drawn from
traditions of spiritual wisdom and practice.
1. To
train mainstream and grassroots organizations, groups and individuals in
non-violence, cross cultural dialogue and other major methods of meaningful
peace building and leadership.
2. To
investigate, develop and explore the skills needed for handling conflict, anger
and fear, in all sectors of Israeli society.
3. To
initiate, empower and support specific peace building projects.
4. To
generate effective peace building action and non-violent struggle for political
and social change.
5. To
create a learning community engaged in interactive inquiry into the meaning of
a culture of peace, and principles and practices of non-violence, and peace
building and leadership.
6. To
influence public discourse on
political
and social action in Israel.
AKODA
is inspired by the work and achievements of prominent figures in the western
political tradition of non-violence, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King
and Nelson Mandela. At the same time it seeks to integrate the spiritual wisdom
and practice of long standing eastern traditions which deal with the universal
predicament of human suffering, and which find expression today in the
teachings and writings of contemporary leaders, such as the Dalai Lama and
Thich Nhat Hahn. The spiritual understanding of the relation between inner
states of mind and outer patterns of behavior is also inspiring new
advances in western psychology. AKODA seeks to draw upon this universal body of
wisdom to advance a radical vision of a culture of peace and to generate
skillful and effective action for social change, within the concrete
circumstances and reality of Israel today.
Deep
insight into the human conditions which give rise to anger and fear and breed
interpersonal conflict and violence is the first step in a process that
reconciles, reconstructs and transforms broken relations. Recognition of the
interconnectedness of all human beings leads to cooperative action for social
change by peaceful means.
AKODA
methods draw from the experience of spiritual peace builders who work with
individuals and organizations in areas of conflict throughout the world and in
Israel. Training is adapted to local conditions, includes components that
complement conventional methods of negotiation and conflict resolution, and is
offered in weekend workshops, intensive courses, and residential seminars.
Participants learn practical tools for responding to conflict and aggressive
behavior through deep listening, acknowledgement of pain, and internal
equanimity. Motivation to take action for social change results from the
connection to one’s inner spiritual place.
AKODA
collaborates with international teachers who are known for their pioneering
theories and methods of spiritual peacemaking, including Christopher Titmuss,
Dr. Paula Green, Dr. Joanna Macy and Dr. Louise Diamond. All these have
practical experience in various regions of conflict, including Bosnia, Rwanda,
Cyprus and the Middle East. Many local teachers have trained with these peace
builders, and are the major resource for AKODA training programs. Local
teachers include: Dr. Stephen Fulder, Prof. Yaakov Raz, Dr. Esther Elitzur, and
Dr. Nimrod Sheinman.
The
design of the training programs is adapted to the specific needs of the
participants, depending on the context of their social engagement. The programs
are fully integrated with the ongoing work of professionals and activists, and
are intended primarily as long-term training because of the evolving nature of
the learning process. The main target population is NGO activists for peace,
the environment, co-existence and social justice. AKODA also aims to
collaborate with Palestinian non-violence initiatives. Training addresses
hindrances to social engagement, such as despair and burn-out, and encourages
cooperation.
Inquiry
AKODA
training is itself an ongoing process of inquiry into the meaning of a culture
of peace. In addition, activities are accompanied by qualitative evaluation of
the implementation of acquired skills and tools, and follow-up for impact of
specific projects undertaken by participants in their respective communities.
AKODA is also conducting a study forum for discussing writings on peace and
non-violence in both eastern and western socio-political cultures, and their
application in the Israeli context. The study forum will explore the idea of
non-violence as such in political thought, and practical options of non-violent
struggle as a tool for social change, and its work products will be integrated
into training programs.
Collaborating
Organizations
AKODA
could not have come about without the collaboration, support and backing of
many other organizations, including: Peacemaker Circle International;
Doumia-Sakina, the pluralistic spiritual center of Neve Shalom - Wahat
al-Salam; Peace Begins Within Myself; The Israel Center for Mind-Body Medicine;
and IFTIP - The Israeli Friends of the Tibetan People.
For further information: Ilan Luttenberg, ilan_lut@netvision.net.il
or
Carmel Shalev,
cshalev@012.net.il.