Americans for Informed Democracy (AID) and Principle Pictures hosts a series of workshops across the United States to promote citizen diplomacy and peace building.

SPRING 2009 TOUR DATES – Click on the links below to Register!

1. February 17th NYU Center for Global Affairs, Woolworth Bldg, 12:30-3:00pm. Co-sponsored by Perspectives on Global Issues
   
   
2. March 4th Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO - Great Hall, 12:00-2:30 pm. Co-sponsored by Iliff's Justice and Peace Program
   
   
3. March 4th Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, CO, Cafeteria Annex, 6:00 – 8:30 pm.
   
                                                                            Co-Sponsored by 10/10 Project Club


4. March 24th, 6:30 pm, Lawrence, KS - Plymouth Congregational Church, Mayflower Room, 925 Vermont Rd Lawrence, KS
   
   
5. March 25th, 7:00pm, Mission, KS - Mission Theater, 5909 Johnson Dr, Mission, KS
   
   
6. March 26th, 7:00pm, Kansas City, MO - Avila University, 11901 Wornal Road, Whitfield Conference Rom, Whitfield Hall
   
   
7. March 31st 12:00pm, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA – Cinefest Theatre, Student Center, GSU 66 Courtland St SE Suite 240
   With Special Guest Derreck Kayongo, SE Senior Field Coordinator, CARE - co-sponsored by the Middle East Institute

The Workshop

As citizens of the world’s greatest superpower, Americans have a responsibility to promote international understanding, tolerance and peace. By working together, we can make real cross-cultural connections in our schools, communities, nation and world.

The workshop will feature the documentary Beyond Belief (abridged version), which tells the inspiring story of two women widowed on 9/11 who founded Beyond the 11th to support widows and their communities in Afghanistan. Following the film there will be a Q & A period with the filmmakers, a special guest speaker, and focused discussion on global citizenry.

The Goal

The workshop aims to inspire young people to address the difficult issues of our time, while providing practical ideas for creating change in their communities. Organizers will provide tools in the form of education and action-guides for students to take the next step. These action-guides will include how to host film screenings, volunteer, attend workshops, write op-ed’s, and make financial contributions to projects that support others such as Afghan widows.

This conference is held in partnership with Beyond the 11th, CARE, UNIFEM, 1000 Voices Archive, and Peace X Peace. Funding is provided by the Fledging Fund, a foundation that helps innovative projects take flight.

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 11th 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”), 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.  This award-winning film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and will be broadcast on The Sundance Channel. 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. A shortened version of the film will be shown.

www.principlepictures.com/beyondbelief

Links to Film Trailer:
www.metacafe.com
www.youtube.com