| Global Education Center |
| Free E-Book for On-Line Study |
| Oklahomans for Global Solutions |
| Envisioning a future in which people work together to abolish war, protect our rights and freedoms, establish a culture of peace, and solve the problems facing humanity that no nation can solve alone. |
| "I salute the flag of the State of Oklahoma. Its symbols of peace unite all people." |
Speaker's Bureau Our "chief instigator" delivers informative, illustrated talks to student groups, civic organizations, church groups, etc. Presentations include any of the 4 topics listed below, and they can be customized for your audience. Topics include-- <> Citizenship in a Global Era; <> Oklahoma's Culture of Peace; <> The International Criminal Court; <> The Quest for a World Parliament and Democratic Global Governance. A thumbnail description of each topic is given below. For an insightful presentation on our world today, contact us by email ... click here. TOPICS-- Citizenship in a Global Era Each of us is a citizen of the world, in addition to being a citizen of our state and nation. As the world knits itself together into a tighter community, the need for good citizenship is more important than ever. It’s not an easy task. How can we be individuals, family members, community members, nation members, and global citizens as well? How should we engage ourselves as productive members of a global civil society? The answer lies partly in adopting the right attitude about our role as global citizens. Partly, too, the answer depends on how we become involved with “NGO’s” – the thousands of international Non- Governmental Organizations that are working to improve the human condition. This presentation offers some ideas about how you can become more comfortable in your understanding of what it means to be a citizen of the world. Oklahoma’s Culture of Peace UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, is sponsoring a project called, “Peace in Our Hands Through Local Heritage.” It is part of a worldwide campaign to support a global Culture of Peace. Oklahoma has a rich heritage of values, attitudes, and ways of life that reject violence and help to build a peaceful world community. This heritage includes significant symbols, rituals, places, and stories. In this presentation, we recognize and celebrate some important elements of Oklahoma’s Culture of Peace, including some of our “Peace Heroes” – people like Black Kettle, Charles William Kerr, Will Rogers, and John L. Peters. The International Criminal Court It has been said that, “The 20th century was the most war-ravaged century in history. While wars became more frequent and more brutal, the majority of the horrific crimes perpetrated against innocent people were committed with impunity. What has been missing is the means to enforce legal standards, a commitment from states and organizations to participate in ensuring that these standards are met, and a clear indication that no nation and no individual may be above the law.” The International Criminal Court has been the missing piece in our defense against genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Now, with the International Court in place, will it be successful? Will it work as intended? Or, will the recalcitrance of some national leaders undermine its effectiveness? In this presentation, you can learn about the features of the International Criminal Court and its importance to our global society. The Quest for a World Parliament and Democratic Global Governance The world has become a “global village.” We all live together and work together on one small planet Earth, which seems to grow smaller and more fragile with every passing year. Many voices are suggesting that what we need now is a properly constituted ‘village council,’ to give more power to the world’s people to deal with the global problems that confront all of us in common. The vision of a World Parliament is not new. William Penn advocated the creation of one in the 17th century. But, what would a World Parliament look like in the 21st century? What kinds of powers would it have? And, how could a World Parliament develop in the next few decades? These are some of the topics that will be addressed in this informative presentation. # # # As a life-long Oklahoma and as someone who is hopeful that a more peaceful world is within our grasp, if we reach for it, I’m happy to offer these presentations at no cost to your non-profit group or organization. Please send me an email message if you’re looking for a presentation on “Global Solutions.” Thanks! Bill Bryant Chief Instigator Oklahomans for Global Solutions |
| Visit the website of our National Organization: |
| This website is maintained by Bill Bryant, dba Small World Business Services ... Page created September 18 2006. |
An on-line resource
for independent study
If you enjoy reading and have an
interest in the future shape of global
governance, you may want to have a
look at an online book by Professor
Christopher Hamer called, "A Global
Parliament." It is available in its
entirety (158 pages) at no charge over
the internet--
Free E-Book
The book is reference reading for a
college-level General Studies course
at the University of New South Wales.
Dr. Hamer is a professor of physics.
You'll have to read the preface to find
out how he arrived at teaching a
course on, "Nuclear Arms and the New
World Order."
The chapter headings are:
<> The Need for World Federation
<> Some Snippets of History
<> The United Nations
<> Europe
<> Principles of World Federation
<> Problems and Objections
<> How Do We Get There From Here
for independent study
If you enjoy reading and have an
interest in the future shape of global
governance, you may want to have a
look at an online book by Professor
Christopher Hamer called, "A Global
Parliament." It is available in its
entirety (158 pages) at no charge over
the internet--
Free E-Book
The book is reference reading for a
college-level General Studies course
at the University of New South Wales.
Dr. Hamer is a professor of physics.
You'll have to read the preface to find
out how he arrived at teaching a
course on, "Nuclear Arms and the New
World Order."
The chapter headings are:
<> The Need for World Federation
<> Some Snippets of History
<> The United Nations
<> Europe
<> Principles of World Federation
<> Problems and Objections
<> How Do We Get There From Here
Links to Educational Programs and Resources
OASIS:
Oklahoma Associations Supporting International Studies
This is a collaborative project of the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education,
the Oklahoma Department of Education, and the Oklahoma Department of
Commerce.
From the website: The focus of global education
is the relationships of the world’s cultures and
systems and the connections of human beings
and their common fate, regardless of the
national boundaries within which they live.
“Recognizing the importance of Oklahoma’s international connections,
teachers must equip students with greater international knowledge and skills in
order to compete in the global economy.” — Governor Brad Henry
OASIS was created to support one of Oklahoma's strategic goals for economic
development: "To ensure a workforce prepared for global competition."
American Forum for Global Education
The American Forum for Global Education provides leadership to strengthen
the education of our nation's youth by fostering the ability to think creatively,
analytically, and systematically about issues in a global context.
For over thirty years, the American Forum has been nationally recognized for
providing leadership and assistance to school systems, state departments of
education, and colleges and universities, by initiating hundreds of programs
and developing educational materials, teacher training seminars and
publications to guide and implement these programs.
Their website has a large collection of publications for download.
UNESCO
The Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO declares that "since wars begin
in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must
be constructed." With 190 member nations,
the United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization works to create
the conditions for genuine dialogue based
upon respect for shared values and the
dignity of each civilization and culture.
Their website includes pages dealing with human rights education, non-
violence education, and citizenship education.
Center for UN Reform Education
The mission of the Center for UN Reform Education is
to encourage, generate and sustain a serious public
discussion of various specific proposals to reform and
restructure the United Nations System, all with a view
toward improving the effectiveness of that System.
Eighteen monographs, three special papers and two
books have been published over the last 20 years.
Many of these can be ordered from their website.
Participating organizations in the Center include:
<> Campaign for UN Reform
<> Center for War/Peace Studies
<> American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
<> International Clean Energy Coalition
<> World Federation of United Nations Associations
<> Citizens for Global Solutions
OASIS:
Oklahoma Associations Supporting International Studies
This is a collaborative project of the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education,
the Oklahoma Department of Education, and the Oklahoma Department of
Commerce.
From the website: The focus of global education
is the relationships of the world’s cultures and
systems and the connections of human beings
and their common fate, regardless of the
national boundaries within which they live.
“Recognizing the importance of Oklahoma’s international connections,
teachers must equip students with greater international knowledge and skills in
order to compete in the global economy.” — Governor Brad Henry
OASIS was created to support one of Oklahoma's strategic goals for economic
development: "To ensure a workforce prepared for global competition."
American Forum for Global Education
The American Forum for Global Education provides leadership to strengthen
the education of our nation's youth by fostering the ability to think creatively,
analytically, and systematically about issues in a global context.
For over thirty years, the American Forum has been nationally recognized for
providing leadership and assistance to school systems, state departments of
education, and colleges and universities, by initiating hundreds of programs
and developing educational materials, teacher training seminars and
publications to guide and implement these programs.
Their website has a large collection of publications for download.
UNESCO
The Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO declares that "since wars begin
in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must
be constructed." With 190 member nations,
the United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization works to create
the conditions for genuine dialogue based
upon respect for shared values and the
dignity of each civilization and culture.
Their website includes pages dealing with human rights education, non-
violence education, and citizenship education.
Center for UN Reform Education
The mission of the Center for UN Reform Education is
to encourage, generate and sustain a serious public
discussion of various specific proposals to reform and
restructure the United Nations System, all with a view
toward improving the effectiveness of that System.
Eighteen monographs, three special papers and two
books have been published over the last 20 years.
Many of these can be ordered from their website.
Participating organizations in the Center include:
<> Campaign for UN Reform
<> Center for War/Peace Studies
<> American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
<> International Clean Energy Coalition
<> World Federation of United Nations Associations
<> Citizens for Global Solutions
The International
Volunteer Programs
Association (IVPA)
www.volunteerinternational.org
The International Volunteer Programs
Association (IVPA) is an alliance of
nonprofit, non-governmental
organizations that are involved in
international volunteer and internship
exchanges.
IVPA encourages excellence and
responsibility in the field of
international volunteerism and
promotes public awareness of and
greater access to international
volunteer programs. Organizations
that are members of IVPA are
encouraged to follow IVPA's
Principles and Practices as guidelines
for good programming.
People of all ages, backgrounds,
income levels, and abilities have
chosen to spend two weeks to three
years of their lives, volunteering in
many different capacities on projects
all over the world. With enough
research and persistence, you could
volunteer on almost any type of
project imaginable.
So why should you consider
volunteering abroad? There are
countless reasons why thousands of
people volunteer abroad each year.
You may start with a desire to travel,
learn a new language, or meet new
people. By volunteering, you'll also
have the opportunity to lend a hand to
people who are working to improve
life in their communities. Through your
daily work and interactions with
members of a local community, you'll
gain a better understanding of the
culture, as well as the issues that
affect that part of the world. You'll also
learn a lot about yourself, as you take
on the challenge of living and working
in a completely new environment.
But can you really make a difference?
According to the authors of
"Alternatives to the Peace Corps"
(Food First Books), "While a volunteer
may wish to feed the hungry, heal the
sick or house the homeless, these
social and political problems are often
more complex than they may
seem…Thus the volunteer's most
appropriate role is that of a student.
Working abroad can better your
understanding of the world and the
forces that keep people impoverished,
and enhance your appreciation of the
richness of other cultures…For many,
volunteer experiences marks the
beginning of a lifelong commitment to
ending poverty and hunger."
Volunteer Programs
Association (IVPA)
www.volunteerinternational.org
The International Volunteer Programs
Association (IVPA) is an alliance of
nonprofit, non-governmental
organizations that are involved in
international volunteer and internship
exchanges.
IVPA encourages excellence and
responsibility in the field of
international volunteerism and
promotes public awareness of and
greater access to international
volunteer programs. Organizations
that are members of IVPA are
encouraged to follow IVPA's
Principles and Practices as guidelines
for good programming.
People of all ages, backgrounds,
income levels, and abilities have
chosen to spend two weeks to three
years of their lives, volunteering in
many different capacities on projects
all over the world. With enough
research and persistence, you could
volunteer on almost any type of
project imaginable.
So why should you consider
volunteering abroad? There are
countless reasons why thousands of
people volunteer abroad each year.
You may start with a desire to travel,
learn a new language, or meet new
people. By volunteering, you'll also
have the opportunity to lend a hand to
people who are working to improve
life in their communities. Through your
daily work and interactions with
members of a local community, you'll
gain a better understanding of the
culture, as well as the issues that
affect that part of the world. You'll also
learn a lot about yourself, as you take
on the challenge of living and working
in a completely new environment.
But can you really make a difference?
According to the authors of
"Alternatives to the Peace Corps"
(Food First Books), "While a volunteer
may wish to feed the hungry, heal the
sick or house the homeless, these
social and political problems are often
more complex than they may
seem…Thus the volunteer's most
appropriate role is that of a student.
Working abroad can better your
understanding of the world and the
forces that keep people impoverished,
and enhance your appreciation of the
richness of other cultures…For many,
volunteer experiences marks the
beginning of a lifelong commitment to
ending poverty and hunger."
| Looking to volunteer closer to home? Check out our "Get Active" page. We might have a part-time "Director" or "Coordinator" job for you! |