Beyond Belief Counterterrorism Leadership Retreat

Agnes-Scott College 141 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
Lower Letitia Pate Evans Dining Hall
Atlanta, GA
September 27, 2008

Directions can be found here

The Retreat
Americans for Informed Democracy is hosting a series of nation-wide leadership retreats to promote citizen diplomacy to counter-terrorism and will be in Atlanta, GA in September!  AID has teamed up with Principle Pictures, Inc., to visit Atlanta and link the producers and featured guests to young Americans that will use the inspiration provided in the documentary, Beyond Belief, to become more globally conscious and proactive global citizens.

  The daylong retreat will bring together young Americans from across the region to discuss methods of counter-terrorism that can be performed in individual communities.  From holding a fundraiser to support impoverished communities and volunteering abroad to raising awareness in local communities, participants will learn the skills and resources available to take part in the global effort to build bridges and become a role-model global citizen.  The retreat will consist of guest speakers, focused working groups, and leadership workshops.  The event will be in partnership with Beyond the 11^th, CARE, UNIFEM, 1000 Voices Archive, and Peace X Peace. 

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER !!!

The Goal
The main goal of the conferences is to translate these ideas and discussions into action.  We will provide tools in the form of education and action guides for students to take the next step.  These action guides will include hosting film screenings, volunteering, attending workshops, writing op-ed’s, and making financial contributions to projects that support others such as Afghan widows.  The conferences are intended to inspire young people to address the difficult issues of our time, while providing practical ideas for creating change in their communities. 

  About the Film
Beyond Belief is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, two women who lost their husbands on September 11^th and channeled their grief into positive action by increasing awareness and raising funds that empower widows in Afghanistan to sustain their own communities and provide a safe, compassionate society. The film takes a distinctly personal look at a highly-politicized issue (the “War on Terror”) and aims to transcend politics by highlighting the common humanity shared by war widows and their children both in the United States and Afghanistan. Susan and Patti’s story challenges viewers to reexamine stereotypes about the Muslim world and encourages all Americans to become more informed and responsible global citizens in an increasingly interconnected post-9/11 world.  The film premiered in April 2007 and has since been shown in numerous film festivals and received many awards.  We hope to bring the film to a broader audience to encourage discussion about issues of war, religion, gender, human rights, cross-cultural understanding and America’s role in the world.

Tentative Schedule
8:30-9:00 – Registration
9:00-10:00 – Keynote speaker - Susan Retik, co-founder of Beyond the 11th - Her story is documented in "Beyond Belief"
10:00-11:30 – Screening of the film "Beyond Belief"
11:30-11:45 – Question and Answer session
11:45-12:45 – Lunch
12:45-2:00 – Panel Discussion including a question and answer session

Panelists include:
Derreck Kayongo, Senior Field Coordinator for CARE's Southeast Region
Dr. Rashid Naim, CAIR Georgia Board Member, Professor of Political Science at Georgia State University
Karin Ryan, Director of the Carter Center's Human Rights Program

2:00-3:00 – Small Discussion Groups*
3:00-4:30 – Workshop & Small Working Groups**
4:30-4:45 – Closing Remarks

**Workshops will address topics such as starting a cross-cultural dialogue, becoming an activist philanthropist, making social change with media, writing an op-ed, talking to peers about countering terrorism with positive actions, organizing cross-cultural campaigns on campus to create lasting change, and policy advocacy. 

*While each conference will be unique depending on the speakers and audience members present, we will attempt to address the following themes and questions at every event. Students will be encouraged to carry these questions with them into their communities and raise them at other events such as house party screenings:

-What is the meaning of 9/11 seven years later?

-How has the event resonated in our communities? (9/11 families, Muslim community, soldiers families)

-How have these communities responded?

-What is counter-terrorism to you?  To the U.S.?

-What actions can be taken by our community to heal the wounds of 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in a way that is constructive and promotes lasting peace?

-How can we promote cross-cultural understanding in our community after this conference is over?  Is it even necessary? 

-What is the role of young people to promote conflict resolution, coexistence, and a broader vision of creating a safer, more compassionate world?

DOWNLOAD THE ACTION AND SCREENING GUIDE HERE