Allies for Social Change:

An International Engaged Buddhism and Peacebuilding Course for Women



International Women’s Partnership for Peace and Justice (IWP) announces a 10 day course for women, 26 July - 4 August 2007, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The course, Allies for Social Change: Buddhism and Peacebuilding, will bring together an international community of women to learn and share together. The workshop will focus on bringing a Buddhist feminist framework to cultivating inner peace while engaging in social action in our communities and the world.



What will be covered in the course?

v An introduction to Buddhist teachings

v Applying Buddhist and feminist concepts for reflection on personal life experiences and contemporary social issues

v Buddhist feminist analysis of structural violence, power, privilege and social action

v Understanding the intersections of engaged Buddhism and feminism and how each supports the other

v Building peace within through daily mindfulness practices

v Daily meditation and yoga



Who is the course open to?

We welcome women of all ages, cultures, religions, and sexual preferences to join us for the course. We are seeking women who are engaged in social change or are interested in doing so. The course requires participants to be open to sharing, learning, and challenging themselves in a safe and supportive environment. The course will be limited to 20 participants.



What are the intended benefits to women who participate?

v Building a supportive community of women from diverse cultures and regions who have a common commitment to social change.

v A forum for women from the Global South and North to interact with one another with mutual respect and understanding.

v Time and space for personal growth and reflection in a supportive environment

v Increased knowledge and skills in social change work

v Exposure to local and international women’s and peace activism

v Time and support to build peace within through daily yoga, meditation and mindfulness practice

v Simple living in a rural Thai village, healthy, organic food, and peaceful surroundings.



Dates, location and fees:

The course will take place 26 July - 4 August, 2007 near Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Participants should plan to arrive in Chiang Mai by 25 July. Accommodation and the workshop are at Ban Than Tip, the training center of IWP, located in a rural Thai village about 40 minutes north of Chiang Mai. Housing is communal in dormitory-style rooms. Meals are primarily vegetarian Thai dishes.



Course fees: sliding scale of $300-$500 USD for women living in the Global North, and $100 USD for women living in the Global South. Fees cover the 10-day course, including training fees, food, accommodation, and transport from Chiang Mai to the training center. There are limited scholarships available. Please contact us for details.



See our website: www.womenforpeacean djustice. org for more information about IWP and our programs, or contact Ginger Norwood at ginger@womenforpeac eandjustice. org. Please register by May 15, 2007 to reserve a space in the course