No More Terror! Unique Workshops for Building Sustainable Masculinity: Building Peace
More bomb blasts in London, Iraq and Afghanistan; with few exceptions the terrorists responsible are men. In order to create a culture of peace we must change how we socialize males. Thankfully weve learned that gender is constructed; there is nothing inherently wrong with men. We dont have to live with war and terrorism; read how.
(PRWEB) July 13, 2005 -- Increasing numbers of men (and women) are training to become peace leaders through a series of unique Australian led seminars and workshops. Working in an atmosphere of humor and support they confront hard topics such as domestic violence and sexual assault within America, while learning skills for local and international peace promotion.
Facing squarely the impending danger of global conflicts, imminent collapse of the biosphere, widespread financial inequities, violence in homes and cities and overpopulation, these men are solutions focused, but with a difference. They are trained to work on themselves while working with others!
The workshops prepare them see these dangers as both a challenge and opportunity. They are trained to recognize the current crises as an opportunity for men and women to work in partnership to co-create innovative solutions. These challenges create unique opportunities for men to embrace new attitudes and behaviors; new male norms.
Thankfully, due to workshops like these and the increasing understanding of gender construction, we are experiencing significant social changes in men from the dominator model which initiates wars, rape, and domestic violence, to the partnership paradigm, which encourages balanced masculine and feminine input. This is the birthing of sustainable masculinity; foundational to all global peace.
The numerous personal benefits are one of the main reasons men are learning to change. Participants of peace skills courses report improved relationships with their partners, their children and their workmates. As men (and women) learn emotional agility they are more sought after as companions and confidents; they attract quality friends because they are more authentic and positive. Studies show (Golman) that the happiest people are those with the best relationships based on emotional competence and partnership skills.
In our workshops we explore new male norms (values) and consider them within a framework of sustainability. That so many men are signing up to change themselves and help others in the process is re-affirming of our potential to create a local and global culture of peace; re-affirming of our ability to adapt and survive. Our work is always inspiring, helping men and boys change one at a time is like adding a dropper of dye to a beaker of water, drop by drop, until suddenly all the water turns the same color, the color, a metaphor for the new male paradigm, a true partnership paradigm -- partnership with men, women and children of all races, partnership with the environment.
Embracing the new male paradigm also asks for different types of courage, perhaps greater courage than men have required before. The first requires a commitment to our inner work, developing emotional intelligence and including a ruthless examination of ourselves. The second type of courage is the courage of conviction. We will be pitched against a powerful force -- the inertia of the old dominator ways. We may be teased, ridiculed, isolated or threatened for that is how the old way maintains itself. However our workshops and ongoing coaching ensure that men are well trained to meet whatever comes at them. It can be a challenging journey but there has never been a more urgent need of re-directed male courage. Its a journey men must make and as we build sustainable masculinities; we build peace.
Various peace skill workshops and coaching are offered including, Communication Skills, Gender Violence Prevention, Gender Reconciliation and Dialogue, Peace Skills for Body/Mind - Managing Stress.
For additional information on services that are the subject of this release contact Pip Cornall or visit our website.
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