@ Philia January Ezine

Avril Orloff over at the Philia Dialogue has offered a number of good thoughts and resources in this months Philia Ezine.

Nourishing Ideas

Me To We
Me to We is a is a philosophy, a manual, a manifesto and a movement. It
embraces the idea that we can all build a better life, and our ideal world, through reaching out to others. By focusing less on "Me" and more on "We": our communities, our nation and our world as a whole. Today, Me to We is
a worldwide movement of people finding purpose through living with compassion, strengthening community and making a commitment to our shared humanity. Join the movement...

Ethics of the "Ashley Treatment"
Much media attention has recently been given to the case of Ashley, a 9-year-old Seattle girl who was born with static encephalopathy and unable to develop intellectually beyond the age of three months. Her parents, with the
support of doctors and ethicists, opted for surgical intervention and hormonal treatments that will keep her small and prevent her from growing into an adult woman. L'Arche Canada has issued a statement questioning the ethics used to justify the "Ashley treatment." Read the statement...

Good Conversation

Compassionate Listening
Compassionate Listening is a powerful skill for peacemaking in our families, communities, on the job, and in social change work both locally and globally. Its healing power comes from the fact that it does not try to give answers.
Rather, it engages participants in a deep listening process that allows each side to see the humanity of the other, even when they disagree. Learn more...

Conversation Cafés
"I envision a culture of conversation – a culture where people talk freely, without fear or taboos, with friends and strangers alike.” That vision inspired Vicki Robin to initiate Conversation Cafés, a network of Cafés where people have weekly drop-in dialogues about the key issues of our times. The conversations are held in public places, and everyone is welcome to join in. And when you put strangers, caffeine and ideas in the same room, brilliant things can happen. Tune in...

Inspiring Action

Disability Savings Plan

The Disability Savings Plan took a huge step towards reality in December 2006. An Expert Panel established by Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty recommended the creation of a Disability Savings Plan, a Disability Savings
Grant and a Canada Disability Bond. The recommendations, if implemented, will be the most significant federal initiative for families of people with disabilities in 25 years: up to three quarters of a million Canadian families would
benefit. Learn more...

Actions Without Borders

Action Without Borders connects people, organizations and resources to help build a better world, where anyone who wants to help another can do so, and where no opportunities for action and collaboration are missed. During the week of February 5-11 they’re launching a global network of people who
want to connect with others to change their communities and the world.
Join in...

“The first duty of love is to listen.”

– Paul Tillich