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WORLD THOUGHT LEADERS CONVERGE IN ASSISI, ITALY FOR HISTORIC “GLOBAL GATHERING” PEACE CONFERENCE
Scholars, Academics, Business Leaders, Artists Engage in Forums, Presentations and Performances on the Power of Love and Forgiveness
Global Gathering, Inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness Dalai Lama, Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of The Fetzer Institute
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Performances by Andrea Bocelli, Dionne Warwick and top Musical Artists
Can love and forgiveness ultimately solve some of the greatest crises the human race faces today.
Can love and forgiveness ultimately solve humanity’s crisis of of war, poverty, prejudice and violence?
The Institute uses its philanthropic resources to work with an international team of advisers to research and create programs that foster awareness of the power that love and forgiveness can have in our world.
The inspiration behind the Global Gathering emanates from a challenge issued by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama for mankind to turn away from fear and violence and foster goodness, love, compassion and caring.
The Fetzer Institute chose the city of Assisi, the birthplace of Italy’s patron saint, Francis. Assisi was chosen based on its reputation as a stronghold for peace and open-thinking for centuries.
Global Gatherers were enchanted by Assisi’s breathtaking backdrop of mountains, medieval architecture, and historic edifices, including the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Piazza del Comune, the Rocca Maggiore, and the Cathedral of San Rufino
Art exhibits also captivated attendees...as the artists tried to push through the trans-formative powers of love and forgiveness.
Some works of art were created especially for the gathering.
Can love and forgiveness ultimately solve humanity’s crisis of of war, poverty, prejudice and violence?
That’s what hundreds of thought leaders and participants from around the globe are trying to figure out as they assemble in Assisi, Italy for the first-ever “Global Gathering.”
Within the span of six days in September 2012, leaders from a diverse range of endeavors...including law, science, academia, the world of sports and the arts, shared their insights through a series of panel discussions, video screenings, interactive presentations, workshops, readings, artistic displays and musical performances - all focused on the power of love and forgiveness.
The host of the Global Gathering is The John Fetzer Institute - a non-profit foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan which was established by broadcast pioneer John E. Fetzer ….
The Institute uses its philanthropic resources to work with an international team of advisers to research and create programs that foster awareness of the power that love and forgiveness can have in our world.
The inspiration behind the Global Gathering emanates from a challenge issued by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama for mankind to turn away from fear and violence and foster goodness, love, compassion and caring.
The Fetzer Institute chose the city of Assisi, the birthplace of Italy’s patron saint, Francis. Assisi was chosen based on its reputation as a stronghold for peace and open-thinking for centuries.
Global Gatherers were enchanted by Assisi’s breathtaking backdrop of mountains, medieval architecture, and historic edifices, including the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Piazza del Comune, the Rocca Maggiore, and the Cathedral of San Rufino
Art exhibits also captivated attendees...as the artists tried to push through the trans-formative powers of love and forgiveness.
Some works of art were created especially for the gathering.
The power of love and forgiveness was brought to life in several musical performances at the Global Gathering.
Internationally acclaimed recording artists Andrea Bocelli, and Dionne Warwick along with Pretty Yende, sang from their hearts selecting music with the theme of love.
So we again ask the question: can love and forgiveness solve the world’s most pressing problems? The scholars, artists, and attendees at the first Global Gathering think so.
The vast and diverse group of Global Gatherers may have arrived in “one state of mind” as Fetzer Institute President Lawrence Sullivan stated in his introduction, but they are departing as beings of a vastly different kind, with a mission ad destiny they may not yet fully understand.
As they return to their respective countries, these “global gather-ers” are primed to spread the message of love and forgiveness in their family and professional relationships, in their places of work and play, in the communities, and in their civic activities.
Internationally acclaimed recording artists Andrea Bocelli, and Dionne Warwick along with Pretty Yende, sang from their hearts selecting music with the theme of love.
Bocelli, celebrated his 54 birthday, singing two specially composed new songs for this event.
Warwick delivered her iconic soul, rhythm & blues, and pop hits from her many years as one of America’s most beloved chart-toppers.
South African soprano Pretty Yende added a youthful pretense to the concert with her spirited operatic offering....
The first full day of the four-day event was described as a “feast” of great stories and examples of love and forgiveness playing a powerful role in various areas of professional, personal and spiritual lives. After a morning of plenary sessions that focused on the arts, education, engineering and design, the afternoon offered in-depth breakout sessions on six themes, from public interest design to how love and forgiveness can heal divides in a variety of contexts.
The sessions, and the unique gathering of more than 500 practitioners of various forms of love and forgiveness from around the world, offered great opportunities for networking, education and personal reflection ….
So we again ask the question: can love and forgiveness solve the world’s most pressing problems? The scholars, artists, and attendees at the first Global Gathering think so.
The vast and diverse group of Global Gatherers may have arrived in “one state of mind” as Fetzer Institute President Lawrence Sullivan stated in his introduction, but they are departing as beings of a vastly different kind, with a mission ad destiny they may not yet fully understand.
As they return to their respective countries, these “global gather-ers” are primed to spread the message of love and forgiveness in their family and professional relationships, in their places of work and play, in the communities, and in their civic activities.
Christina Pascucci has more from Assisi, Italy for the CNN iReport
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