Dear Peacemakers:

On February 17, 2003, Patrick Tyler of the New York Times identified “World Public Opinion” as the Second Superpower. He was referring to the millions of people worldwide who visibly protested the preemptive war about to be waged against Iraq. Patrick Tyler may have done for this generation what the mythical prince did for the Sleeping Beauty. The realization that we might wield considerable political power constitutes nothing short of a Great Awakening.

Prior to the identification of our Superpower status, we were not aware that we could wield any significant power. We led protests, wrote letters to the editor, created non-profit organizations, and settled for incremental change. We haven’t trusted power because we have associated it with repression and exploitation. But, power in itself is value neutral. Have our beliefs about power limited our success?

The challenge: How do we focus our awakening power in extraordinary, responsible, and effective ways? How can we effectively lobby for systemic peace, sustainable lifestyles and social justice? How do we consciously transform ourselves and the body politic? And, what kinds of beliefs are stopping us from manifesting that power today?

The above questions are examples of the inquiries set forth at our conference. We will explore the beliefs and myths that hinder the manifestation of systemic Peace and a vital Democracy. But, we will also explore the emerging stories ---- stories that inspire and empower us, stories that point the way to an empathic, engaged, and transformed citizenry.

The type of politics we know now and the vision we hold for them in the near future is the alchemical “Great Work” --- the transformation of base “lead” to gold, of base politics to a Golden Age of civic participation.

Please join us for an inspiring, energizing, and hope-filled meeting of concerned individuals and organizations. Together, we can consciously dream, envision, and manifest a systemic and vital Democracy. Only we, the second Superpower, have this mandate and possibility. The decisions we make (or do not make) today will have a profound impact on the century before us. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for ---- the time is now!

In Peace,
Georgia Kelly

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.  Anne Frank