Oraworldmandala pdf

Creating a Model of Education for Ahimsa through Art

‘AHIMSA THROUGH ART’

SARVODAYA

The ultimate goal

AHIMSA

The way

RECONCILIATION

The first step

ART

The medium

TRUTH

The first vow

INDEX

Vision and Mission ________________________________________ Modus Operandi ________________________________________ 1. FIRST STAGE: „Reconciliation to Ahimsa´ _________________________ • Artistic offerings for communal unity ___________________________ • Children, set designers of the scenes ____________________________

2. SECOND STAGE: „Ahimsa for Sarvodaya‟ _________________________ • Artistic productions inspired by the Constructive Programme __________

• Khadi________________________________________________ • Communal Unity (A-HOPE)_______________________________ • Educational health and hygiene___________________________ • New or basic education__________________________________

A Model of Education for Ahimsa through Art: a summary___________ Training for ‘Artists of Ahimsa’ __________________________ Lateral programs _______________________________________ Archive and knowledge base – development ______________________

OraWorldMandala World Theatre for Ahimsa through Art

Gujarat Vidyapeeth University founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920

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OraWorldMandala (OWM) Cultural Association

Indian Headquarter: Peace Research Centre, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380014 (GUJ) INDIA

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Italian Headquarter: Viale delle Medaglie d’oro 219, Rome – 00136 ITALY (CF 97337870154) Tel. 00393356651547 Fax. 0697256956

Mexican Headquarter: Orizaba 101–7, Col. Roma Deleg. Cuauhtémoc 06700 México D.F. MEXICO Tel. 0052 55 5533.1920

www.oraworldmandala.org [email protected]

Creating a Model of Education for Ahimsa through Art

Ahmedabad, August 21th, 2009

OraWorldMandala Creating a Model of Education for Ahimsa through Art

VISION AND MISSION OraWorldMandala is a peace movement whose objective is to transmit the practice of Ahimsa - Nonviolence through art. OraWorldMandala principally operates in India and Mexico in a partnership with the Peace Research Center, Gujarat Vidyapeeth (the university founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920) and the CCUT-UNAM, Tlatelolco University Cultural Center - National Autonomous University of Mexico, for creating actions and activities to overcome social conflicts. OraWorldMandala´s mission is Sarvodaya - Upliftment of All, the final objective. Ahimsa is the path that is proposed. Reconciliation as its first step. Art as its way, and truth is the basis for action. OraWorldMandala has emerged out of an artistic investigation of the Mandala‟s concept, a universal icon of peace. Ora: (Latin) `invitation to pray‟, World: our planet and its human continent and Mandala (Sanskrit): ̀ a circle of goodwill‟. The concept of Mandala has taken shape from the visions of many ancient traditions and civilizations where external reality is perceived as a reflection of human consciousness. The Mandala also represents the chain of interdependence, from comprehension through motivation till the intention for action. It represents the resonance that arises when elements and forces are in equilibrium and harmony with each other. Human beings are interconnected with each other and with the earth through five elements that are manifested in many forms. From the space and air that we share, to the plants and animals that are the part of the life cycle. We lack consciousness of this relationship, that is why it is important to increase our harmony with this interdependence, an undeniable state of our existence. The art of a world Mandala is a way to express the interdependence among all beings.

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MODUS OPERANDI Since April 23rd, 2005, OraWorldMandala has experimented with a series of actions based in the eight areas of the UN Action Program for a Culture of Peace, defined as: - Education for a Culture of Peace - Human Rights - Gender Equality - Disarmament and International Security - Understanding, Tolerance and Solidarity - Democratic Participation - Sustainable Economy and Social Development - Participating Communication and Free Flow of Information The eight experiments function in an active way to create a Model of Education for Ahimsa through Art, adaptable to different scales, depending on the needs of the peace process. Its studies and art productions are developed with the objective of spreading the message of Nonviolence in a local and a global way. The eight experiments, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy, will integrate the different cultures of the world through art, spirituality and science of the Mandala. The experiments propose a series of actions performed by the people who share this vision of a peaceful planet, and who are willing to explore their own evolution, and those of their associated institutions, along the way. Through the eight experiments, OraWorldMandala works as a collective theatre for Peace and active Nonviolence, building bridges of reconciliation between divided realities and their differences. All participants, regardless of their culture, gender or personal beliefs, can be the constructors of peace. The Model of Education presents a proposal for cities (urban model) and a proposal for rural areas (rural model). The urban model is developed in Ahmedabad and its counterpart at the other side of the Tropic of Cancer in a community called Real de Catorce in Mexico.

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The Model of Education presents two operating stages: In the first stage, the artistic offering of the five elements is the instrument adopted to reach a state of communal unity. This stage of the peace process is defined as `Reconciliation to Ahimsa‟. The artistic offering of soil, fire, water, air and space, is the principal representation of the collective theatre for Peace and active Nonviolence. The script of the actions is the result of dialogues established among groups or communities who are experiencing different types of social conflicts. Through the dialogue, their members become the main actors of the artistic representations and their children the set designers of the scenes.

The creation of each artistic offering suggests the following main steps: • analysis of the social conflicts • interaction with the local educational system • building bridges with the civil society • construction of a common platform • co-creation of the offerings/participatory actions • design of the settings created by the children

Each step implies constant research and field work. The second stage denominates as `Ahimsa for Sarvodaya‟ is inspired by the constructive social programs* developed by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle of India. In this stage OraWorldMandala intends, with the creation of artistic productions, that the local actors use the experience acquired in the previous stage for developing a communitarian integral participation to motivate common well-being and sustainable economic development. The productions of the groups' work and artistic creation build a common space that facilitates communication among participants. The collective construction of this Model of Education for Ahimsa through Art proposes to converge in a cultural continuum through the constructive intention of each participant, so the practice of Ahimsa can be a positive instrument for social transformation.

* M.K. GANDHI, Constructive Programme, it´s meaning and place. Ahmedabad, India, Navajivan 1941.





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RURAL MODEL URBAN MODEL

Real de Catorce MEXICO

Tlatelolco University Cultural Center

National Autonomous University of Mexico

Human Rights Second Experiment

Ahmedabad INDIA

Gujarat Vidyapeeth

University founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920

Education for a Culture of Peace First Experiment

OraWorldMandala Creating a Model of Education

for Ahimsa through Art

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FIRST STAGE: RECONCILIATION TO AHIMSA

In the first stage, the artistic offering of the five elements is the instrument adopted to reach a state of communal unity. This stage of the peace process is defined as `Reconciliation to Ahimsa‟. The artistic offering of soil, fire, water, air and space, is the principal representation of the collective theatre for Peace and active Nonviolence. The script of the actions is the result of dialogues established among groups or communities who are experiencing different types of social conflicts. Through the dialogue, their members become the main actors of the artistic representations and their children the set designers of the scenes. The creation of each artistic offering suggests the following main steps:

• analysis of the social conflicts • interaction with the local educational system • building bridges with the civil society • construction of a common platform • co-creation of the offerings/participatory actions • design of the settings created by the children

Each step implies constant research and field work.


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FIRST STAGE: RECONCILIATION TO AHIMSA Actions/artistic offerings of the five elements for

COMMUNAL UNITY (2005-2009)

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The artistic offerings of the five elements shown here are principally related to the Urban Model in Ahmedabad, India and the Rural Model in Real de Catorce, Mexico. Other cities and rural areas working for the development of peace as a comparative experiment also appear.

23rd April 2005, ‘Opening’ (first action of the peace process) Ahmedabad, Sabarmati Ashram and Gujarat Vidyapeeth

On 23rd April 2005 the OraWorldMandala initiated an inter-faith communion and, for the first time un many years, especially after the estrangement and suffering caused by local religious conflicts in recent years (Gujarat riots, 2002), people from twelve religious communities came together in order to pray, to sing devotional songs, to dance and to share food, to enjoy and to laugh together, and to remember Mahatma Gandhi´s message of love and harmony. The twelve communities are: Brahma Kumaris, Buddhist, Catholic, Hare Krishna, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Parsi, Protestant, Sikh, Veda and Vedanta. Five hundred people participated in the action at Gandhi‟s Sabarmati Ashram. The Ashram was the most appropriate place to serve as the “soil” from which his message would resonate and radiate to the world. It was from this place that Mahatma Gandhi launched his peaceful Salt March to demonstrate that the power of Nonviolence was inherent in all human beings and could be deployed by anyone who was committed to it. The action culminated in an offering of the „earth‟ element, in which each religious group brought soil from its sacred place to be placed in a common receptacle, a large earthen pot that in Gujarat is normally used to store grain and water. This is the „Archive of the Earth‟.


All religions prayer around soil offering Eating together

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Twelve religious communities Soil offering

Soil offering in the „Archive of the Earth‟ Dancing around the soil to be offered

23rd April 2005, ‘Opening’ (first action of the peace process) Ahmedabad, Sabarmati Ashram and Gujarat Vidyapeeth


18th December 2005, ‘Yatra for a World of Equaty’ Ahmedabad, Gujarat Vidyapeeth – Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram

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From this seed of peace, a second action bloomed in the form of a colorful lotus: thousands of paper petals, created by the children of the different religious communities, were installed around the „Archive of the Earth‟. All children, including differently-able and blind, led together a „Yatra (march) for a World of Equity‟ from the Gujarat Vidyapeeth University to the Sabarmati Ashram. Through their petals, children expressed their dreams of Ahimsa in writing, painting and singing their hopes for a better future. More than seven thousand children, women and men, in colourful dress, marched and sang the "Chant of the Wind", to evoke the beauty of a world that still believes in the value of Unity in diversity. At the end of the march the children created a „flower of peace‟ with the petals.


21th December 2005, ‘All religions prayer’ Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram

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Leaders and children from the different communities praying at sunrise around the „flower of peace‟

Three days later, at sunrise of the Winter Solstice, the founders of the experiment met at the Sabarmati Ashram to perform the Surya Namaskar (Salutation to the Sun) followed by the Sarva Dharma Prarthana (All religions prayer) of Mahatma Gandhi, around the beautiful flower that bloomed from their aspiration of peace. A message from his Holiness the Dalai Lama encouraging the continuation of the action reached this auspicious moment of communal harmony: "...Harmony among different religions is essential for peace not only in the world at large, but also in the very localities where we live. In order to develop genuine harmony, it's extremely important that we cultivate genuine respect for one another. Religious differences should not be the grounds for antagonism. Religion should be the basis for friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood. I believe that people with religious interests have special responsibilities in this regard and I am impressed by the efforts being focused in this direction by concerned citizens of Ahmedabad..."

11th June 2006, ‘The Eye of Truth’ (first edition) Real de Catorce, Quemado Mountain

Wirrarikas, native Mexicans, are considered one of the most preserved populations of ancient Mexico and they escaped the Spanish invasion in 1530. Their sensibility for musical and figurative arts is why OraWorldMandala has committed to a five-year project consisting in an annual pilgrimage to Real de Catorce at the top of the Quemado Mountain in San Luis Potosi. The Quemado Mountain represents the culmination of their cosmology, a sacred path in search of Truth. This five-year commitment is a great opportunity to establish a dialogue based on the values and principles of their culture. Around two hundred people (representatives of the five Wirrarika communities, also known as „Huichols‟, leaders from different spiritual traditions and movements, managers, scientists, social workers, friends) from around Mexico met in the main square of the colonial town of Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi, to begin the silent pilgrimage to the Cerro Quemado. At sunset, at the top of the Cerro Quemado, the people expressed their commitment to Ahimsa in a moment dedicated to Gandhi. A text of the Mexican writer Carlos Montemayor was read to stress the importance of the values transmitted by the Mahatma. At the same time, at the Sabarmati Ashram, people assembled to connect themselves in the same intention, to trace symbolically the human axis connecting opposites points of the globe, aligned at the Tropic of Cancer. The night was accompanied by sacred chants performed by an elder Mara‟akame (shaman) in dialogue with his Gods. At sunrise, the petals of the colourful lotus created by the Indian children (see 21st December 2005 action) were offered to the Elders to preserve the purity of a real hope for Peace. Then the master collected soil from the Quemado to be offered to the "Archive of the Earth" of Sabarmati Ashram where soil from the twelve communities of Ahmedabad have been previously donated.

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Pilgrimage Fire offering and native Mandala

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11th June 2006, ‘The Eye of Truth’ (first edition)



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In India October 2nd is celebrated for the birth of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). In Mexico is the commemoration of Tlatelolco‟s tragedy (1968). In 2007 the UN declared this date as the „International Day of Non-Violence‟. On this day, in 2006, the people of India and Mexico expressed together their intention to create a reconciliation of their minds and hearts, resonating of Ahimsa from themselves towards the others and the entire Planet. In Chapultepec Park of Mexico City at the monument of Mahatma Gandhi, individuals and groups with different missions formed a collective Mandala. Each participant offered in silence a handful of soil for the creation of the Mandala. The action was performed on Monday, the day in which Mahatma Gandhi traditionally observed silence. After the offering, Raul Alvarez Garin, representative of the Comite‟68, read a text stressing the importance of Ahimsa today, in Mexico and across the world. In Ahmedabad Sabarmati Ashram, at the same moment of the offering going on in Mexico city, a group of native from Mexico put the soil taken from their sacred place (see 11th June 2006 action) together with the soil offered by the twelve religious communities in the first action. This alliance of the ancient knowledge of the two countries sealed the opening of the „Archive of the Earth‟. Now the Archive is open to receive soils from different sites of the world offered by people who share the vision of a peaceful planet, and are willing to explore their own evolution, and those of their associated institutions, in fulfilment of that vision.

Mexico - India

2nd October 2006, ‘Reconciliation through the Opposites’ (simultaneous action at the antipodes of the planet)



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2nd October 2006, ‘Reconciliation through the Opposites’ (first edition of the simultaneous action)

Mexico City, Gandhi Monument Ahmedabad, Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram

Iftar (Muslim celebration)

Union of the soil of India with the soil of Mexico

Peace prayer with different religious communities of Mexico City

Soil offering performed by a policeman

Mexican children singing Raghu Pati Raghao

Wirrarikas native people from Mexico at Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram

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31st May 2007, ‘The Eye of Truth’ - referred to the 11th June action (second edition of the commitment with the Wirrarikas)

Real de Catorce, Quemado Mountain

Participation of the Tibetan monks

Ambassador of India to Mexico

The Mayor of Real de Catorce

Native Mandala

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From the Quemado

Preparing the fire offering




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22nd September 2007, ‘Soil Offering’ San Francisco Tlaltenco, Mexico

On October 2, 2008 the soil collected by the farmers of Tlaltenco who have long been struggling for the preservation of their land, was offered at the monument of Mahatma Gandhi in Mexico City.

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September 2007, ‘Soil Offerings’ 20 Villages of Gujarat

On October 2, 2008 the soil collected by the inhabitants of 20 villages in Guajarat who have long been struggling for the preservation of their land, was offered at Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, India.

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Mexico City, Gandhi Monument Soil offerings by some religious communities of Mexico

Ahmedabad, Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram Soil offerings by the twelve religious communities

2nd October 2007, ‘Reconciliation through the Opposites’ (second edition – referred to the 2nd October 2006 action)

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Director of the United Nations in Mexico

Representative of the UNESCO in Mexico

Director of the IMJ (Mexican Institute of Youth)



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Delhi, 2nd October 2007


Varanasi, 2nd October 2007

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Gokarna, 17th January 2008

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17th January 2008, ‘All together for World Peace’

This artistic offering has been created by representatives of different religious communties of Gokarna (India) in support with the work for communal harmony developed in Ahmedabad.

Soil offering made by different religious communities

On 18th April 2008 the OraWorldMandala welcomed the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Mahatma Gandhi Monument on occasion of Her first visit to Mexico. The President proved Her belief in the power of Ahimsa by walking on the soil of a „Mandala of the Earth‟.

18th April 2008, ‘India: Cradle of Ahimsa’ Mexico City

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Message of the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, at Gandhi Monument in Mexico City

The organizers of this event OraWorldMandala, Ambassador Shri Rinzing Wangdi, and Mrs. Pema Wangdi, Children and Students from different schools in Mexico City, and Ladies & Gentlemen. I am deeply honoured to be here this morning to offer tributes to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi in the beautiful country of Mexico. As you know, he is the Father of the Indian Nation. By installing his statue in a prominent place in this huge metropolis, the people of Mexico have honoured his memory and the values he stood for. As the President of India, I thank you for this. The presence of young and innocent children early in the day, joining me in paying this tribute, is most appropriate to remember him. Mahatma as like a child in the purity of his values. He was stubborn like them too in upholding these values in his owm life. These uncorrupted minds are the best hope to keep his values alive and relevant in the world. I wish to congratulate the organizers for their thoughtfulness in involving these young children in the ceremony this mornig . More important is for you to inculcate Mahatma Gandhi principles of Truth, Honesty and Nonviolence into them from this tender age. I would also like to conver my appreciation to all of you, who, I understand, observed the first Non-Violence Day at this venue on 2nd October last year with great dignity and serenity. It speaks for your conviction in Gandhian values and principles. Yes, these principles have relevance transcending times and regional boundaries. Gandhi said that violence can kill the physical body, but no the spirit and the values inside. This faith in Nonviolence is what we need to instill in to the minds of our younger generations. I express my admiration to the Goverment and the people of Mexico for the love, affection and respect they have shown to Mahatma Gandhi, his values and his memory. Thank you.


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19th May 2008, ‘The Eye of Truth’ – referred to the 11th June 2006 action

(third edition of the commitment with the Wirrarikas) Real de Catorce, Quemado Mountain

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All night fire offering with the Wirrarikas

2nd October 2008, ‘Reconciliation through the Opposites’ (third edition – referred to the 2nd October 2006 action)



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Mexico City, Gandhi Monument Ahmedabad, Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram

2nd October 2008, ‘Reconciliation through the Opposites’ (third edition – referred to the 2nd October 2006 action)

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Soil offering with women and children

31th May 2009, ‘The Eye of Truth’ – referred to the 11th June 2006 action

(fourth edition of the commitment with the Wirrarikas) Real de Catorce, Quemado Mountain

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2nd June 2009 ‘Real de Catorce, World Theatre for Ahimsa through Art’

Real de Catorce

After four years of work with the Wirrarikas native people, respect and integration for the ancient tradition in the modern society has taken place in the village. The villagers welcomed the native people with songs of love and brotherhood in different locations of Real de Catorce. The action culminated in an offering of the five elements, as their tradition also suggests.

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2nd June 2009 ‘Real de Catorce, World Theatre for Ahimsa through Art’

Real de Catorce

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Peace process in Tepito district Started on 15th July 2009

Mexico City

Tepito is a district located in Mexico City. Since pre-Hispanic times there has been an open-air market in this neighborhood. Historically it was an underprivileged area which has been affected by violent incidences for generations; in Tepito there are also many people who are ready to work for Peace and Nonviolence. Since July 15th 2009 several families are creating, together with volunteers of OraWorldMandala, several artistic offerings for Nonviolence in their district. Last fall on October 2nd the families also participated together in a program at Gandhi monument in order to honor the Mahatma in Mexico City.

From Tepito

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15th July 2009, ‘Fire Offering at the Kid Azteca’ Tepito, Mexico City

The Ambassador of India to Mexico, Shri Dinesh Kumar Jain and his wife, Dr. Sergio Arroyo, Director of the Tlatelolco Cultural Centre and habitants

of Tepito making a fire offering and planting a cactus.

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6th August 2009, ‘Fire Offering for Peace and Nonviolence’ (follow up of the 15th July 2009 action)

Tepito, Mexico City

Donation of the “Laurel de la India” (Mexican plant) to the people of Tepito by the Ambassador of India to Mexico.

Ambassador walking in the open market.

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11th August 2009, ‘Fire Offering by Tepito People’ (follow up of the 15th July 2009 action)

at the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan

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18th August 2009, ‘Fire Offerings with the Families’ (follow up of the 15th July 2009 action)

Tepito, Mexico City

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15th September 2009, ‘Fire Offering in the Market’ (follow up of the 15th July 2009 action)

Tepito, Mexico City

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Mexico City, Gandhi Monument

Inauguration of the Eternal flame for Ahimsa

in the presence of representatives of different religious communities,

people from sensitive areas, children, youth, native people, social activists, artists, farmers,

dignitaries from different Embassies and local authorities.

2nd October 2009, ‘Ahimsa through Art’ (fourth edition – referred to the 2nd October 2006 action)


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Ahmedabad, Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram Candle lighting with the participation of A-HOPE

(Ahmedabad Harmonic Orchestra for Peace Everywhere), an inter-religious orchestra inaugurated on 20th Feb 2009

in the presence of Martin Luther King the III


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San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, Mexico

Member of the Intercultural University of Chiapas with native Elders from San Juan Chamula

Urban Ashram, Pune, India

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Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi, India




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Santo Domingo Square, Oaxaca, Mexico

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2nd October 2009, 'Ahimsa through Art’ (fourth edition – referred to the 2nd October 2006 action)




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Five elements offering with women groups, native people, children, artists and social activists


Ahmedabad, India

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12th November 2009, ‘Fire Offering with WEC’ (Women Empowerment Corporation)




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Candle lighting with women of different cultures and religions


Chapultepec Park, Mexico City

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30th January 2010, ‘ Inauguration of the Restauration of Mahatma Gandhi´s Monument’




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30th January 2010, ‘Inauguration of the Restauration of Mahatma Gandhi´s Monument’

Mayor of Mexico City


Founder of OraWorldMandala




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30th January 2010, ‘ Inauguration of the Restauration of Mahatma Gandhi´s Monument’

Eternal flame at Gandhi´s Monument

Soil offering for the creation of a „Platform of Dialogue for Nonviolence‟



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Mexico City

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1st March 2010, ‘Fire Offering with CDHDF’ (Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Distrito Federal –

Commission for Human Rights of Mexico City)




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June 08th, 2010 – ‘Soil offering at Lucio Tapia Primary School’ Morelos District– Tepito, Mexico City

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In order to develop the peace process started in Tepito on 15th July 2009 several families started to integrate Gandhi‟s values and principles in the local education. The proposal consists in experimenting the methodology adopted by OraWorldMandala to implement a systematic approach on „Ahimsa through Art‟ and generate through the children, their families, the neighborhood and further near districts a sustainable social transformation in the area of education for peace.


Historical Center, Oaxaca

June 18th, 2010 – 'Offering a Mandala of the Earth’




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Artistic offering in preparation of the action of the 2nd October 2010





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June 29th, 2010 – ‘Soil offering at Luis G. León Primary School’ (follow up of the peace process started on 8th June 2010)

Morelos District– Tepito, Mexico City

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July 2nd, 2010 – ‘Soil offering at Italia Primary School’ (follow up of the peace process started on 8th June 2010)

Guerrero District – Tlatelolco, Mexico City

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July 5th, 2010 – ‘Soil offering at Carrillo Puerto Primary School’ (follow up of the peace process started on 8th June 2010)

Valle Gómez District– Mexico City

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July 6th, 2010 – ‘Soil offering at Rabindranath Tagore Secondary School’ (follow up of the peace process started on 8th June 2010)

Col. Santo Tomás – Mexico City

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July 6th, 2010 – ‘Soil offering at Estado de Chihuahua Primary School’ (follow up of the peace process started on 8th June 2010)

Guerrero District – Tlaltelolco, Mexico City

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July 8th , 2010 – ‘Soil offering at Dolores Correa Primary School’ (follow up of the peace process started on 8th June 2010)

Morelos District– Tepito, Mexico City

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Since the beginning of the peace process OraWorldMandala is training the children as such as the teachers to create the settings for the artistic representations. The training consists in understanding the interdependence among all beings through the five elements and creating works of art related to this subject. The works of art are used as scenes of the actions.

SOME SETTINGS CREATED BY THE CHILDREN FOR THE SCENES OF THE ARTISTIC OFFERINGS

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SOME SETTINGS CREATED BY THE CHILDREN FOR THE SCENES OF THE ARTISTIC OFFERINGS

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The second stage denominates as „Ahimsa for Sarvodaya‟ is inspired by the constructive social programs* developed by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle of India. In this stage OraWorldMandala intends, with the creation of artistic productions, that the local actors use the experience acquired in the previous phase for developing a communitarian integral participation to motivate common well-being and sustainable economic development. The productions of the groups' work and artistic creation build a common space that facilitates communication among participants. * from the Constructive Programme by M.K. Gandhi, Navajivan 1941:

1. Communal unity 2. Removal of untouchability 3. Prohibition 4. Khadi 5. Other village industries 6. Village sanitation 7. New or basic education 8. Adult education 9. Women 10. Education in health and hygiene 11.Provincial languages 12. National language 13. Economic equality 14. Kisans 15. Labour 16. Adivasis 17. Lepers 18. Students

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SECOND STAGE: AHIMSA FOR SARVODAYA




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Up to now OraWorldMandala has developed constructive works on: Khadi, Communal Unity, Education in Health and Hygiene, New or Basic Education. These processes are showed in the following pages.

SECOND STAGE: AHIMSA FOR SARVODAYA Artistic productions inspired by the Constructive Programme

of Mahatma Gandhi

KHADI After several artistic offerings of the five elements created together with the 12 religious communities of Ahmedabad, OraWorldMandala, Gujarat Vidyapeeth and WEC (Women Empowerment Corporation) started a training on Khadi developed by the Italian artist Wanda Casaril Zamichieli.

July 2007, ‘Khadi-Art Workshop’

Ahmedabad, Gujarat Vidyapeeth

Vice-Chancellor, Sudarshan Iyengar visiting the Workshop.

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November/December 2008, ‘Khadi-Art Workshop’ Ahmedabad

Women of different religions of Ahmedabad working with Wanda Casaril Zamichieli

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Follow up of the Khadi-Art productions: creation of a training and production centre in Ahmedabad

A few artistic productions of Khadi-Art

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Ahmedabad, Ashram Road, Juhapura

April 10th, 2010 – Start up of the Shanti Krupa Laboratory



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Founders of the Shanti Krupa working together (Hindu and Muslim women)

Wanda Casaril Zamichieli at the Shanti Krupa during the training process for the first production



May 16th, 2010 – ‘Presentation of Kadhi Art’ Conceptualized by OraWorldMandala, materialized by bhu:sattva and WEC

Ahmedabad, Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute



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Chief Guest Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee

COMMUNAL UNITY

20th February 2009, Inauguration of A-HOPE (Ahmedabad Harmonic Orchestra for Peace Everywhere)

promoted by

OraWorldMandala and Gujarat Vidyapeeth with the support of

Faculty of Performing Arts The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

On the invitation of the Consulate of the United States of America ' A-HOPE„ welcomes Martin Luther King III to Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram through the performance of „We Shall Overcome‟. The orchestra is composed by the members of the twelve religious communities of Ahmedabad.

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Action program organized in collaboration with the American Consulate of Mumbai




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A-HOPE performing in the 2nd October 2009 Action Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad

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A-HOPE Peace Research Center of Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad

Follow up of the orchestra: preparation of the repertoire.

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20th December 2009

21th February 2010



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21th July 2010

9th May 2010

1st October 2008,’Musical Safai’ in communally sensitive areas of Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad (Shahpur, Khadia and Jamalpur)

EDUCATIONAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE

Singing Gandhian songs and doing safai-cleaning- together with Hindus, Muslims and people from all religions.

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17th December 2009, ‘Musical Safai’ with Dr Subba Rao Jamalpur, Ahmedabad

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18th July 2009, ‘Musical Safai with the Children´ Tepito, Mexico City

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28th February 2010, ‘Musical Safai at Dandi and Parikhshitlal Bridge´

Ahmedabad, India

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Start up: 24th February 2010 Real de Catorce, Mexico

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After several artistic offerings of the five elements with the Wirrarikas and the participative action of the village developed from June 2, 2009, a constructive program on education was started on February 2010. It's an experiment inspired by the concept of 'new or basic education' proposed in the Constructive Program: here the villagers and the children work together in the regeneration of the local knowledge bridging with Mahatma Gandhi's values and principles. The kindergarden, the primary, secondary and high schools are all integrating into their classical curriculum lessons about history of the local food and nutrition, traditional medicine, local history, traditional music, tree planting, values and principles for the preservation of the local identity, yoga, literature on Nonviolence and art based on the respect of the environment by the use of the five elements.

NEW OR BASIC EDUCATION



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Start up: 24th February 2010 Real de Catorce, Mexico






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Villagers and children attending the different lessons for the empowerment of the local culture





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3th – 6th June 2010 Real de Catorce, Mexico


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Villagers acknowledged for their work and dedication

A Model of Education for Ahimsa through Art .

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Summary and links between the processes and stages of the proposed model of education

TRAINING FOR ARTISTS OF AHIMSA

An Artist of Ahimsa is any individual who, through creativity, is educated and educates in Ahimsa, placing at the disposition of society his or her specific abilities for the Sarvodaya.

Since 2008, OraWorldMandala is organizing trainig seminars for Artists of Ahimsa in India and in Mexico. These are the facilitators of the action programmes proposed in the peace process.

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Training referred to the OraWorldMandala methodology which is aimed to develop the „Model of Education for Ahimsa through Art.‟

26th April 2008, Seminar at the Embassy of India Mexico City

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31th May 2008, Seminar at the Miguel Hidalgo Delegation Mexico City

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12th June 2008 Seminar at the UNESCO Catedra for Human Rights UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico)

Mexico City

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25th June 2008, Seminar at the Mahatma Gandhi College Mexico City

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4th July 2008, Seminar at Primary School Real de Catorce, Mexico

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Eleven days training seminar in the peace process proposed by OraWorldMandala with the Peace Research Center of Gujarat Vidyapeeth. The seminar was inaugurated by Shri Narayan Desai, Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and Shri Roberto Toscano, Ambassador of Italy to India.

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08 -18 December 2008 ‘Synergic Training Seminar for Artists of Ahimsa’

Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad




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Artists of Ahimsa visiting the 12 religious communities.

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Eleven days training seminar in the peace process proposed by the OraWorldMandala




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Eleven days training seminar in the peace process proposed by OraWorldMandala

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Gujarat Vidyapeeth members delivering lectures




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18th December 2008 Signing the MoU with the Director of the CCUT of the UNAM

(National Autonomous University of Mexico) Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad

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22th-23th April 2009 Seminar at the Tlatelolco University Cultural Center UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico)

Mexico City

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20th May 2009 Seminar at the Faculty of Philosophy and Literature UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico)

Mexico City

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20th June 2009 Seminar at Tlatelolco University Cultural Center

UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) Mexico City

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7th August 2009 Seminar at UniTierra (University of the Earth)

Oaxaca, Mexico

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Prof. Gustavo Esteva, founder of UniTierra




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19th February 2010 Seminar at Montessori Tonalli School

Mexico City

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1st March 2010, Seminar at CDHDF (Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Distrito Federal –

Commission for Human Rights of Mexico City) Mexico City

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16th March 2010, Seminar at CCC (Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica –

Training Center for Cinema) Mexico City

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Abril 18th 2010, Seminar at IMJuve (Instituto Mexicano de la Juventud)

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May 07th, 2010 - Seminar at Ing. Alejo Peralta y Díaz Ceballos Secundary School

Morelos District – Tepito, México, D.F.



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Morelos District – Tepito, Mexico City

18th May 2010, Seminar at Lucio Tapia Primary School



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25th May 2010, Seminar at Luis G. León Primary School Morelos District – Tepito, Mexico City

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Morelos District – Tepito, Mexico City

26th May 2010, Seminar at Lucio Tapia Primary School




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27th May 2010, Seminar at Rabindranath Tagore Secundary School Col. Santo Tomás – Mexico City

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1st June 2010, Seminar at Dolores Correa Zapata Primary School Col. Morelos – Tepito, Mexico City

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04th June 2010, Seminar at La Sapienza University Faculty of Humane Studies

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Rome, Italy





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07th June 2010, Seminar at Italia Primary School Guerrero District – Tlatelolco, Mexico City

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9th June 2010, Seminar at Felipe Carrillo Puerto Primary School Guerrero District– Tlaltelolco, Mexico City

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10th June 2010, Seminar at Rabindranath Tagore Secundary School Guerrero District– Tlaltelolco, Mexico City

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June 14th, 2010 – Seminar at Luis G. León Primary School Morelos District – Tepito, México, D.F.

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June 17th, 2010 – Seminar at Rabindranath Tagore Secundary School Santo Tomás District – Mexico City

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June 21th, 2010 – Seminar at Italia Primary School Guerrero District – Tlaltelolco, Mexico City

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June 23th, 2010 – Seminar at Felipe Carrillo Puerto Primary School Valle Gómez District – Mexico City

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June 28th, 2010 - Seminar at Estado de Chihuahua Primary School Guerrero District – Tlaltelolco, Mexico City

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June 29th, 2010 – Seminar at Estado de Chihuahua Primary School Guerrero District – Tlaltelolco, Mexico City

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LATERAL PROGRAMMES

OraWorldMandala is the Mexican editor of ‘The Yamuna’ (a global children’s newspaper)

Gandhi Media Literacy Programme for children was initiated by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in 2003 as part of the centenary year of Indian Opinion, the journal started by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa in 1903. The Gandhi Media Literacy Programme is aimed to help Parents, Teachers, and Students to pay more attention to the use of mass media, to help them to distinguish between reality and fantasy and separate fact from fiction, think critically about media messages and help them to consider whether media values are their values. As part of the Gandhi Media Literacy Programme, the Samiti has launched The Yamuna, a global children‟s newspaper. It is presently a quarterly newspaper and has child reporters not only in different parts of the country but also in other countries.

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June 14th, 2010 – Yamuna Mexico Workshop at Rabindranath Tagore Secundary School


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June 28th, 2010 – Yamuna Mexico Workshop at Rabindranath Tagore Secundary School


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Platform of Dialogue for Nonviolence

Ongoing process, started on 30th January 2010. In the minds of the people, the commemoration of the Mexican Revolution is not just memories. They are seeking new revolutions in different areas to further improve the political, economic, social and other systems.

The anniversary of the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi has been the day designated by the people of Mexico, institutions and peace makers to inaugurate the Centenary of the Mexican Revolution with the creation of a „Platform of Dialogue for Non-Violence‟. The need of a constructive dialogue to overcome the social conflicts nowadays has become an openly manifest imperative.

The Municipality of Mexico City renovating the Mahatma Gandhi monument and inaugurating an eternal flame in tribute to the Father of Nonviolence represents a tangible intention to support the cause of peace and harmony in Mexico and in the world at large.

The proposal of the Gandhi monument as a site where people and institutions can engage in a dialogue for overcoming conflicts and to initiate development of a peaceful and harmonious society is significant, as it would concretize the idea and facilitate action at the ground level. Since 2005, the OraWorldMandala peace movement, in association with Peace Research Centre of the Gujarat Vidyapeeth (University founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920), is working for „Nonviolence through art‟ in India and in Mexico. The growing linkage between the two countries in promoting the common cause of Nonviolence is also a homage to the message represented by Gandhi‟s life and his martyrdom. The Gandhian movement is spreading today in Mexico City and in various urban and rural areas of the country organizing action programmes for Nonviolence and facilitating processes of reconciliation. On 2nd October 2009, during a peace action organized by OraWorldMandala at Gandhi‟s monument in Mexico, representatives of various groups embroiled in conflicts expressed their will to engage in a peaceful dialogue with their counterparts, and likewise relevant institutions expressed their will for a positive, constructive approach. This is the day in which people and institutions marked a new step in this direction.

LATERAL PROGRAMMES



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The methodology proposed by OraWorldMandala adopts art as the medium towards reconciliation on the path of Nonviolence. The ultimate goal of Nonviolence is the welfare of all. This is the motivation that brings together the people at the „Platform for Dialogue for Nonviolence‟. Truth is the vow taken and the path to be followed by all in pursuit of the dialogue. PHASE 1 - Artistic action performed on the „Platform‟ by the different groups to express the intention of „Reconciliation to Nonviolence‟: The dialogue starts through the creation and performance together of a script of an artistic offering of the five elements (candle lighting for the fire, representation of the earth with soils offered by all participants through defining a circle, etc.). Songs and other artistic expressions would be shared during the action by the participants. PHASE 2 - Meeting at the „Platform‟ to share, each group from its own angle and perspective, the reasons for the conflict: With the statement of Gandhi “Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love” being the source of inspiration for the participants, and artists and peace makers intervening as needed to harmonize the emotional moments with quotations on peace, songs, and poems, etc., the meeting would end with each group giving to the peace makers a short report on the issues involved. These would be analysed by the experts and Gandhian exponents (as identified by the Peace Department of the Gujarat Vidyapeeth) in the various specific areas of action (land issues, crime, human rights, etc.). PHASE 3 - Mediation sessions at the „Platform‟: The first session would start with a performance by children to remind the groups about the spirit of Nonviolence showing the way. Participation of the children in the peace process is an active program of education where the children also grow to become peace makers. After the performance, the groups would sit in a circle for discussion on the views and advice given by the experts to overcome the conflicts in the Gandhian way. The discussion would be interspersed with moments of silence, to facilitate necessary introspection for overcoming the conflicts and for the acceptance of constructive mediation.

This action programme would be a unique example of coherence and reconciliation, to be emulated by the people and the institutions.

LATERAL PROGRAMMES



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Since 1810 and every 100 years Mexico makes a Revolution: 1810: the first Mexican Revolution or War of Independence (1810–1821) was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The Mexican War of Independence movement was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought independence from Spain. It started as an idealistic peasants' rebellion against their colonial masters, but finally ended as an unlikely alliance between liberals and conservatives. 1920: the Mexican Revolution (Spanish: Revolución mexicana) was a major armed struggle that started on 20th November 1910 with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against long-time autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution changed from a revolt against the established order to a multi-sided civil war. After prolonged struggles, its representatives produced the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The Revolution is generally considered to have lasted until 1920, although the country continued to have sporadic, but comparatively minor, outbreaks of warfare well into the 1920s. The Cristero War was the most significant relapse of bloodshed. 2010: in the mind of the people the commemoration of the Revolution is not only memoirs. Rebels from different parts of the country against the social system are declaring since long time a new start up. It‟s important for the activists of nonviolent movements to unite forces for a campaign of education on Ahimsa. As a contribution of this effort the OraWorldMandala is proposing a programme that will begin on next 2nd October 2009 till the 20th November 2010 in violence-prone areas of the country.

LATERAL PROGRAMMES

2nd October 2009 – 20 November 2010 ‘Mexico: campaigning for the Ahimsa Revolution’ (tour in Mexico City, Oaxaca and Real de Catorce)

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OraWorldMandala is developing a steady and accessible archive and knowledge base, so that it facilitates access to all of the information and knowledge being generated by the peace process during its research and operational stages. OraWorldMandala is constantly producing information and knowledge provided by the participants involved in its different works around the world, this creates the need to develop a logic order that will not only offer ease of access to materials that range from basic administrative presentations, diplomatic papers, to video, pictures and general multimedia, but also create a system that facilitates easy and fast integration of newer information generated as the process goes on. The work will focus on identifying all of the types of materials that we will be working with to create a definite order that can also integrate other documents scattered in other OraWorldMandala operational centers. With a solid archive as a foundation, in the next phase, OraWorldMandala will focus on implementing a reliable digital format to facilitate access to OraWorldMandala archive and the knowledge of all its main operational centers (India, Mexico and Italy) with the intention of creating a network to share and facilitate the consultation of this media.

ARCHIVE AND KNOWLEDGE BASE - DEVELOPMENT

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Oraworldmandala pdf

Education

Transcript of Oraworldmandala pdf