Resolving differences while protecting human rights may very well be the only viable path to unity and true peace.  This challenge calls for concrete efforts and essential skills in order to achieve genuine harmony.  “Resolving Differences: the Seed of Unity” is the theme of FTC 2008 which brings together well-known leaders and practitioners in the field of human rights and conflict resolution.  Through engaging presentations and dynamic workshops, the conference will enhance knowledge, provide tools, teach methods, and inspire social activism.

The Conference begins on Friday morning, April 4th with breakfast and keynote address by Edgar award winning author, Burl Barer, an accomplished author of international reputation with numerous books, both fiction and non-fiction, in print world wide and translated into seven languages. Barer’s keynote address, “How to Always be Right”, will set a high energy foundation to an awe inspiring program of dynamic and skills acquiring workshops presented by leading authorities.  Barer will close the conference on Saturday afternoon with the challenge, “Knowledge, Volition, and Action!”

“HOW TO ALWAYS BE RIGHT” - Burl Barer is an Edgar Award winning author and two-time Anthony Award nominee.   Accolades for his creative contributions have been highlighted in The Hollywood Reporter, London Sunday Telegraph, New York Times, USA Today, Variety, Broadcasting, Electronic Media, and on ABC’s Good Morning America.  Barer wrote, produced, and often voiced, national radio and television spots for such performing artists as Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Eric Clapton, Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, Liza Minelli, Temptations, Four Tops, and many more.  Barer is a powerful motivational speaker, is outrageously entertaining, and has made a life’s work of incorporating principals of human rights, diversity, and the power of unity in all that he does.  While poignant with meaning, as he says himself, “they ain’t gonna fall asleep when Burl’s talking”!

“CHANGE AGENTS FOR DIVERSITY” - Tod Ewing, is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of St. Cloud, Minnesota with over twenty-five years experience in diversity, race relations, conflict resolution, and communication skill training. He is a national speaker on race relations and building models of cultural and racial unity, and is a certified mediator. Tod provides facilitation skill training for those preparing to facilitate community based race related dialogues.  He is co-author of a comprehensive two set leader’s manual and student book entitled, Building Cultural Bridges, now in its third edition, designed to assist educators and students in building models of unity in diversity in their schools. He is also the author/compiler of a spiritually based cultural and racial handbook entitled Toward Oneness.  Tod is currently a master’s degree candidate in the field of spiritual psychology and is working on two other books, a follow up to Toward Oneness and a book about the nuances of being Black in the United States of America.

 “PLURALISM: AN ALTERNATIVE TO EXTREMISM” - Hind Makki received her BA in International Relations, focusing on Global Security and Diplomacy from Brown University. A native of Chicago, she worked extensively within the Muslim community on matters regarding civic integration into American society, interfaith dialogue, education, and youth leadership development. She served as a board member of the Muslim Youth Center located in Bridgeview, IL, and currently sits on the board of the Southwest Interfaith Team (SWIFT), representing the Orland Park Prayer Center. She has been a mentor and team advisor of the Aqsa School Model UN team since 2004 and has presented in forums dedicated to analyzing the impact of genocides on their societies and on violence in religion. She has also led several youth development sessions in national Islamic and Arab American conferences since 2001. 

“BEYOND ENEMY IMAGES: FINDING STRENGTH IN CONNECTION” - Kathleen Macferran is one of approximately 250 people worldwide certified as a Trainer for the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC). She has offered Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training to schools, community groups, churches, hospitals, families, correctional officers, and prison inmates. She is one of the trainers for the Freedom Project, an affiliate organization of CNVC that strengthens community safety through supporting the transformation of prisoners into peacemakers. In addition to working with the Center for Nonviolent Communication, Kathleen has been the Music Director of the Rainier Chamber Winds for the past 16 years. She appears with the Rainier Chamber Winds on the MMC Recordings, Ltd. and RCWinds Recording labels. Kathleen views the music ensemble as a wonderful metaphor for social organization since the well being of one individual clearly depends on the well being of all. 

“CAN WE ALL GET ALONG? TOOLS FOR DIFFICULT DIALOGUES” - Libby Roderick is an internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter, poet, activist, teacher and lifelong Alaskan. The surprising power and depth of her music and the humor and spontaneity of her performances have attracted large and enthusiastic audiences all over the world.   Libby is well known as an exhilarating and witty artist who offers a remarkable blend of passionate music, wry humor and incisive commentary on social and personal issues.  She is one of 225 world citizens (including the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Winona LaDuke and Archbishop Desmond Tutu) whose writing was included in the book Prayers for a Thousand Years: Inspiration from Leaders and Visionaries Around the World.   For the past 25 years, she has performed in concert and conducted workshops on eliminating racism, reclaiming your voice, protecting the earth, honoring diversity, developing leadership, and other issues of human rights.  Since 2005, she has served as a lead designer, developer, and trainer on conducting difficult dialogues for faculty as part of a Ford Foundation grant at the University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University.

Palouse Diversity Banquet  Libby Roderick Concert     "How could anyone ever tell you You were anything less than beautiful? How could anyone ever tell you You were less than whole? How could anyone fail to notice That your loving is a miracle? How deeply you're connected to my soul?"   Featured on Reader's Digest and on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" news show and in the New York Times, ABC News, the Hindustan Times and others, this simple ballad has been extraordinarily powerful in its impact, quickly becoming one of the most beloved healing anthems in the world. Hear “How Could Anyone” and many more original poems and ballads as Libby entertains and inspires at theFTC2008 Palouse Diversity Banquet on Friday, April 4th, 6:00 PM. Dinner and admission to Libby’s concert is included in conference registration fees, or as a separate ticket, $35.00 per seat.  Seats are limited, so register now!