From Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (HumanDHS)
HumanDHSWorld Dignity University Logo
----- Take a Look -- August 2016 -----
Warmest Greetings

 

We hope this edition of Take a Look strengthens your courage and adds energy to your efforts during these troubling times. Thank you for being a beacon of dignity in your community, in the HumanDHS community, and in the world!
Welcome to All!
Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies 
"Cities at Risk - From Humiliation to Dignity"
September 18th - 25th, 2016
Dubrovnik, Croatia, at the Inter-University Centre
We Welcome You to this Opportunity for Conversation and Collaboration

Recent incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of cities to terrorist attacks. Continuing threats of terrorism intensify pressures already straining people's relationships and livelihoods in our urban centers. City populations worldwide are increasingly navigating a myriad of conditions that spark feelings of humiliation, fomented by persistent economic injustice, social conflict and unrest, unsustainable planning and development, and environmental degradation. 

This conference aims to advance dialogue and encourage global partnerships to cultivate the knowledge we need to effectively address the risks our cities face. Our challenge is to join together in our efforts to create a world in which all people can enjoy a dignified life.

Important Information for All Who Wish to Attend:
  • If you would like to join us, please submit your introductory information (e.g., contact information, CV, papers, and technical equipment needs) to: conferences@humiliationstudies.org.
  • We do not charge registration fees for our events. We share responsibility for this conference by dividing the expenses equally and inviting all participants to contribute according to their ability. The Inter-University Centre (IUC) Dubrovnik depends on a contribution of 40 Euro from each conference participant for the utility, operational, and technical costs.
  • It would be wonderful if you could spend the entire conference with us so that real dignity-family-building can emerge. However, it is also possible to participate only in our Public Town Hall or Researcher Meetings or only in the workshop portion of our conference. 
     
  • Thank you for making your travel and accommodation plans soon. Please see the conference webpage for details, and please see our short program overview for you to print out and bring with you. 
  • It would be great if you could complete your "Appreciative Introduction" (Word/PDF) and email it to the address above, and, in addition, print it out and bring it with you.
You are Warmly Invited!
2016 Workshop on Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict
"The Globalization of Dignity"
Thursday - Friday, December 8th - 9th, 2016
Morton Deutsch
Honorary Convener
Hosted by HumanDHS and the Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR),
in cooperation with the World Dignity University initiative.

Teachers College at Columbia University 
525 W. 120th St., Horace Mann, Rooms 148 and 150, New York City 

Standing Up for Dignity is the Key! 

Is the world in the midst of a social-climate crisis? Almost daily we see social disasters unfold, sparked by aggression and retaliation, institutionalized discrimination, economic gaps between the rich and poor, polarized and paralyzed political systems, industrialized raiding of shared environmental resources, unprecedented forms of conflict and terrorism, in short, humiliation at all levels.

2015 Workshop Participants
In the face of these deeply worrying events, our direction is clear: We urgently need to globalize the message of dignity.

Our HumanDHS community is dedicated to dissolving all forms of humiliating practices while cultivating the seeds of dignity in every sphere, harvesting and replanting the best ideas that shape a dignifying future for all life on this planet.

Our HumanDHS workshops are part of our global efforts as a creative collaborative community -- united in our diversity -- to address the distressing dilemmas unfolding in the world today. We hope you will join us to share in our endeavor to transform the destructive dynamics of humiliation and conflict into life-enriching systems of equal dignity.

Our Collaborative Format: This workshop series follows a fluid, unfolding format grounded in mutually supportive engagement and insight-cultivating conversations. Rather than having an "audience" listening to "speakers," our aim is to create a community that builds ideas together through dignifying dialogue, or what we call "Dignilogues." Please allow us to share this introductory handout on Digniloguing. 

If you wish to participate in this upcoming workshop, please kindly send your introductory information to: workshops@humiliationstudies.

Please read more about our 2016 workshop....
WDU Globe
Dignity Press Publications

We invite you to view our entire collection of publications at: dignitypress.org

Our newest publications:
Annual Dignity Conference
Dignity in Times of Globalization
August 16th - 19th, 2017 
Indore, India

We are thrilled to announce that our 2017 HumanDHS Conference will be convened in Indore, India! If you would like to join us, please submit your introductory information to: conferences@humiliationstudies.org

Please read the latest information as this conference develops...
Evelin Lindner, MD, PhDs Founding President 
HumandDHS 
Where in the World is Evelin?

Founding President Evelin Lindner is working night and day on her upcoming book: Honor, Humiliation, and Terror. She wants you to know how grateful she is for your kind support and prolific patience during this challenging process. 

Evelin feels an urgent responsibility to articulate a global perspective on the dynamics of humiliation, conflict, and terrorism. You and your efforts are crucial to her work. Our connected actions and collaborations as a "dignicommunity" give Evelin the courage and strength to keep going!
Celebrating Continuing Collaboration
Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters 
University of Massachusetts - Boston


Disasters continue to increase in frequency, thousands of people are left homeless, displaced, or dead, and with massive global economic ramifications.

In these difficult times, we find hope through our ongoing partnership with distinguished Professor Adenrele Awotona and his tireless leadership of the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters (CRSCAD) at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) in Boston. Professor Awotona is a HumanDHS Board Director.

The map above illustrates the reach of this important program and the spirit of our community is reflected in a recent news release below: 

"...CRSCAD's work with the Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies Network (HumanDHS) through its Founding President Evelin Lindner and its Director Linda Hartling, emphasizes how to bring harmony and dignity into the lives of the poor and the marginalized after disasters. Catastrophic events have the most devastating social and economic consequences on the underprivileged, especially in poor countries which are already burdened with debt repayment to international financial institutions."

We invite you to join us for an online CRSCAD course this fall: Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Post-Disaster Reconstruction. This course is especially designed for graduate students or professionals working throughout the world.
Developing Initiatives
The World Dignity University Initiative Joins with the
Western Institute of Social Research to Offer "Dignity Studies"


The World Dignity University (WDU) Initiative and the Western Institute for Social Research (WISR) are pleased to announce a collaboration that will provide adult learners who wish to pursue the multidisciplinary study of topics related to human dignity and social change an opportunity to do so through flexible, learner-centered graduate degree programs.

The WDU-WISR collaboration will allow students to pursue a WISR graduate degree based on multidisciplinary readings and learning projects and to develop a thesis or dissertation on topics related to human dignity. This will entail working with faculty from WISR's core faculty, including scholars from the WDU and HumanDHS communities who will be joining WISR faculty. Two current WISR graduate degree programs are eligible for this "Dignity Studies" specialization:
  • MS in Education and Community Leadership
  • EdD in Higher Education and Social Change
People may even be able to pursue a BS degree (in Community Leadership and Justice), if they can demonstrate prior extensive experience and expertise in community and/or professional involvement.

All three programs have a small number of required courses, with some required readings, but primarily involve learner-defined action and/or research projects culminating in papers relating to the student's purposes and interests. Students pursuing a Dignity Studies specialization would take a 5-credit course entitled, "Dignity Studies," as part of their required courses.

For a recent example of the valuable work being realized through WISR, please see the description of the key role played by Dennis Hastings and Margery Coffey's WISR dissertation  in a case heard before the U.S. Supreme Court!

To learn more about WISR, please visit: www.wisr.edu/welcome
Our Dignity Conferences and Workshops
Creating Courage through Connection
If you wish, you can download this image as a reminder of all of us who support you and
your crucial efforts to bring dignity into the lives of all people.
Quick Links

Thank you for all you do to create a world of equal dignity for all! 

 

Evelin Lindner, MD, PhDs, Founding President

Linda Hartling, PhD, Director

Uli Spalthoff, PhD, Director of Project Development and Systems Administration   

Michael Britton, EdD, PhD, Board Member  

Richard Slaven, PhD, Director of Dignifunding