1st International Conference on
Religion, Conflict, and Peace: 
Walking The Talk Through Fear of the Unknown
To Understanding And Harmony 

March 13-15 , 2009
Oakland University ~ Rochester, Michigan USA

How to Register On-Line: 

1) Select type of registration and any meals from list above. Confirm your selected items, then click "Order Now" and movie to the 2nd page to complete registration information (Note: A full, detailed summary of fees selected will also be provided by PayPal at the final stage of registration payment to print and retain). 
2) Complete and confirm information requested on 2nd page of this form, then confirm and click "Continue" to move on to PayPal website for payment.
3) Process your payment through PayPal - by credit card or E-check withdrawl. At successful completion PayPal will provide you with a receipt of your payment and items. Please PRINT THIS RECEIPT for your records. * This will be your Fee Payment Receipt and Confirmation. Please bring this receipt page to conference check-in on-site as verification in the event it is needed. 

Please submit a SEPARATE REGISTRATION for EACH PERSON. Also please include Email and phone information at registration in the event we need to contact you regarding your registration. 
Note: For your convenience, if you should experience any difficulties in processing paymemnt through PayPal you can call their help line directly for assistance: 1-888-221-1161  

Registration Options
If you wish an alternative to on-line registering:
• A Hardcopy Registration form for land mailing or faxing is available on our website at: http://www.cbiworld.org/Pages/Conferences_RCP_Fees.htm
• An Email Registration form is also available by request at: SOlweean@aol.com  

• On-Site Registration is also available - Begins Friday March 13 at 8:30 am (see Registration page of website for details) 

See below for FEE RATES and PAYMENT INFORMATION

Note: Half (1/2) Conference Registration - Attending 1 day:
Participation for 1 day is available at 1/2 the above posted fee
(* 1/2 Conference registrations must use the hard-copy or Email version of the Registration form [see "Registration Options" above]. The On-line registration process does not allow for this.)
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REGISTRATION  FEES

 There are Separate fees below for 
     1. CONFERENCE Program  and 
     2. MEALS 

1) Conference Program Fees (see website for
There are discounts for full time student status, and members of co-sponsoring and supporting organizations. All discounts are with proof of status at check-in on site.
(See separate MEAL fees below):  

REGULAR Registration: Through 3-6-09
  1) $ 175  General
  2) $   85  Student rate    

LATE Registration:          After 3-6-09
  1) $ 185  General
  2) $   95  Student rate 
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2) Meals: *
On-site Conference meals offer invaluable opportunities for networking, additional interactions with presenters, and community building. Some Programming also conveniently occurs in the same ballroom immediately after dinner.

A - Conference Community Meals: All meals are Vegetarian
There are 5 conference meals: 
  1) $   7  Friday Lunch *
  2) $ 17  Friday Dinner 
  3) $   7  Saturday Lunch *
  4) $ 17  Saturday Dinner 
  5) $   7  Sunday Lunch *

*Please Note: Registering for meals on-site is on an as-available basis. Due to increased cost for late meal reservations, cost for lunch will be $13 rather than $7

B - Special Saturday Dinner Fund Raiser Event (4:45 - 9:45 pm):
  1)  Individual seat:    $  50
  2) Table of 10 seats: $500

C - Breakfast is on your own:
(Those staying at the Crowne Plaza Auburn Hills hotel will have breakfast provided at the hotel).
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◊ Sponsoring Participants and Tax Deductible Contributions to Scholarships:  
To assist in promoting important important diversity of participation and accessibility, we make every effort to include students and low income community activists by providing subsidies and scholarships. To assist in this effort, we appreciate donations to our scholarship fund. Contributions are Tax Deductible and can be made to: the International Humanistic Psychology Association, a US Federal 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Contact CBI for details.  
In addition, organizations and groups are encouraged to sponsor participation of their representatives and members of target groups they serve.
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Cancellation Policy: Full refunds are given for cancellations received in writing by February 1, 2009, minus a $50 non-refundable administrative fee. After February 1, 2009 no refunds are possible.  

Assignments possible:
You may also assign your registration to someone else for participation at no charge (assignments must be made prior to the conference date in person by phone or in writing directly to Common Bond Institute). Common Bond Institute 12170 S. Pine Ayr Drive, Climax, Michigan 49034 USA Ph/Fax: 269-665-9393 E-mail: SOlweean@aol.com   _______________________________________________________ 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS  Discounted hotel rates of $95 for single or double rooms (including breakfast) have been negotiated with the Crowne Plaza Auburn Hills Hotel, (located 1 mile from the conference site on Oakland University's campus) for our conference pareticipants. 
The hotel provides a free daily shuttle to and from the conference site.
A Roommate-Find page is available to conference participants at:
http://rcp2009.blogspot.com/ 
See all details on hotel accommodations and directons to the conference site at: http://www.cbiworld.org/Pages/Conferences_RCP_Site.htm

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 Conference Description:

1st International Conference on
Religion, Conflict, and Peace: 
Walking The Talk Through Fear of the Unknown
To Understanding And Harmony 

March 13-15 , 2009

Oakland University ~ Rochester, Michigan USA 

A Multi-disciplinary, Multi-cultural Conference

An "Official Pre-Parliament Event" of the
2009 Parliament of World Religions

Co-sponsored by:
Oakland University Islamic Studies Program,
Common Bond Institute,
and International Humanistic Psychology Association 

Endorsed by a growing number of organizations internationally 

Registration is Open to All 

Keynotes by
John Esposito, Naomi Tutu, and Mohammed Abu-Nimer

Full details at: www.cbiworld.org/Pages/Conferences_RCP.htm

An international forum promoting Inter-religious and Intra-religious dialogue to explore the challenges of Extremism, Intolerance, Scapegoating, and Islamophobia, and the promise of Reason, Understanding, Compassion, and Cultural Harmony 

The spiritual experience is both uniquely individual and universal, tapping into our deepest, most inner self, while connecting us to the oneness with all. How each of us chooses our own sometimes quite different path on this common journey can highlight an appreciation for the rich diversity of human sacred practice, while at the same time setting the stage for the potential hazards of elitism, competition, polarity, and even animosity that paradoxically negate the core message of unity, and hamper us on that journey.  

Religious intolerance, marginalization, scapegoating, and related conflict are not new experiences, whether in the US or globally. Many examples are woven throughout our human history that highlight both the unique circumstances of individual religious groups, and the broader commonality shared by all who have been on either side of such seemingly fundamental divides.  

Although the dynamics and struggles are universal for all religious communities exposed to these ills, a most recent, telling example in the US is the experience of Islam and the Muslim community.  

In addition, dichotomies and conflicts within spiritual traditions themselves, including extremist interpretations and interpolations of religious tenets and practice, are also historical and present day dilemmas for many religions.  

Understanding how these elements and conditions arise, and how they compromise, contradict, and even threaten original spiritual intent, as well as relationships between and within religious communities, are essential to learning and putting into practice methods for appreciating diversity and achieving harmony and peace in today's rapidly shrinking and increasingly inter-dependant world community.  

The RCP Conference seeks to create an engaged, inclusive dialogue to consciously explore together both broader historical dynamics, implications, and possible remedies, and the current specific example of Islam and Muslims in American society.  

    "It does not require that we be the same to be appreciative of, at peace with, and secure in our relationships with each other; only that we be familiar enough with each others story to share the humanity and trustworthiness that resides in each of us."

Join us as we explore:
The mutual dilemmas of religious ignorance, extremism, intolerance, negative stereotypes, prejudice, demonization and dehumanization, scapegoating, and fear of "the other," that can lead to toxic divisiveness, polarization, and social paranoia, with a special focus on Islamophobia and the Muslim community,  
   and 
The promise of personal engagement through dialogue in nurturing a shared consciousness of peace - and in doing so promoting the religious experience as a healing remedy rather than problem.

Itinerary
An outstanding, international, and diverse gathering of over 60 presenters for a 3-Day itinerary of Keynotes, workshops, panels, and dialogue groups, as well as social/cultural events. Complete information, including registration details, the full program, presenter biographicals, and projected outcome goals will be posted in the near future.

Confirmed Presenters include:
John Esposito, Naomi Tutu, Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Joseph Montville, Imam Muhammad Agherdien, Imam Hasan Qazwini, Imam Mohammad Elahi, Imam Mohamed Mardini, Imam Achmat Salie, Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg, Reverend Joseph Summers, Geshe Kalsang Lhundup, Sharif Abdullah, Steve Spreitzer, David Crumm, Krishna Kumar, Steve Olweean, Said Khan, Rasool Chaudry, Imad Hamad, Nadia Fadel, Ihsan Alkhatib, Daniel Tutt, Paula Gutlove, Irene Nasser, Ohad Bar Shalom, Osama Siblani, Sarah Sayeed, Mumtaz Haque, Nadeem Salem, Shereef Akeel, Charles Mabee, Eide Alawan, Brenda Rosenberg, Fatima Al-Hayaani, Cathy Cheal, Michael Sevilla, Jehan Olweean, John Suggs, James Dow, Don Matthews, Padma Kuppa, Mohan Tanniru, Rick Joseph, Joanna Ladki, Terri Heckman, Sonya Friedman, Sudarshan Sathe, Olga Bonfiglio, Victor Naidu, Peter Bettochi, John Barton, George Saunders, Henry Gorman, Sharon (Shea) Howell, Sister Mary VanGilder, Reverend Leonetta, Reverend Sue Camaiore, Reverend Latha Ravi, Father Stan Ulman, Julius Delpino, Abdul Raheman Nakadar, Falguni Shah, Tristin Hassell, Manveen Saluja

Conference Coordinators
Achmat Salie,   Oakland University
Steve Olweean, Common Bond Institute

www.cbiworld.org/Pages/Conferences_RCP.htm

 Other Upcoming Conferences by Common Bond Institute: 

4th Annual International Conference on
"Engaging The Other:" The Power of Compassion
November 13-15, 2009,   San Francisco, CA

www.cbiworld.org/Pages/Conferences_ETO.htm

(see Eventbrite Registration page on this conference for details at:

 http://eto09.eventbrite.com/  )