[Dialogue] Research at Oklahoma City Univeristy

[Terry Bergdall]

During the past several months you have probably heard about ICA-USA's increasing work with Oklahoma City University (OCU). Details are now in place for a major event this coming summer.

ICA-USA is co-sponsoring a research conference with OCU and its Oikos Honors Program on July 12-14, 2010. This year’s event will be followed by three similar annual conferences during 2011-1013. The purpose is to develop curriculum, both for use in the classroom and beyond, to prepare university students, and others, to respond to the moral responsibilities and spiritual implications of twenty-first century global challenges.

This has come about because of the university’s interest in 45 years of social engagement symbolized by the EI/OE/ICA Archives. This is an opportunity for ICA constituents (both old colleagues and new faces) to ensure that our institutional wisdom and experience is expanded upon and practically incorporated into new educational undertakings. There is a potential for ICA to be involved in virtual classroom courses, intern placement programs, and academic research based on the EI/OE/ICA Archives. This later point especially underscores the importance of the current work on the Archives taking place this month in Chicago.

Please consider registering to attend the conference this summer. Work will be convened around three themes:  Peace, Poverty, and Planet Earth. Between now and July, preparation will be occurring in the each of the three and we urge everyone -- those cannot attend as well as those who can -- to be involved in the pre-conference discussions. Contact the following coordinators for more information about preparation work for each theme. Peace: Jim Stovall j_stovall at site.net or Jim Wiegeljfwiegel at yahoo.com. Poverty: Bill and Marianna Bailey bailey03132 at charter.net or Jan Sanders janetasanders at hotmail.com. Planet Earth: Bruce Texley texley at sbcglobal.net.

Registration information can be found at http://www.oikosmovement.org/events/event_details.asp?id=89659. I can also email you a e-brouchure if you let know that you are interested in receiving one. Oklahoma is the place to be in July! I hope you can join us.

For those of you who can, you may also wish to come a few days early to participate in a “Mindfulness Retreat” conducted by Larry and Peggy Ward. It will take place July 9-11 near Oklahoma City, For more information, contact Pat Webb at the Silence Foundation by email,webbpat1 at cox.net, or phone at 405-286-0091 or 209-7117. Lodging on Sunday night can be coordinated with your stay for the conference on July 12-14 on the OCU campus.