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Michelle Rosenthal

social worker, Dr Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

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I am making a personal effort to help promote peace by creating my own peace contest called the "Going for A Global Truce" Peace Contest.

After watching Jeromy Gilley's TED Talk called One Day Of Peace and the other TED talks listed below I asked myself how I can help promote peace as an individual.

I thought of the idea of creating a "Going for A Global Truce" Peace contest. My goal was to inspire people to take actions to spread the idea that attaining a lasting global truce is possible. People love a competition where there are winners, and prizes so I just established my own peace contest to get started. I offered my own money for two small prizes, one for contestants under 21 and one for contestants over 21.

As more and more people enter I will seek sponsors to make many larger prizes and awards possible. I just threw in my hat and put the idea out there. I hope it works. The winner(s) will be announced on 9/21/12 on Global Peace one Day.

I hope it will inspire us to imagine peace and global truce.

I also wish to encourage others to think of innovative ideas at how we can move humanity to go peaceful and green.

Do you believe humanity has the capacity to stop war before we destroy the planet with a WW 3

How do you think we can inspire humanity to go peaceful and green? Are you willing to work to put those ideas into action to make them a reality?

Would you like to enter my contest or create other ways to help spread the idea that a global truce is attainable in our lifetime?

How do you think we are we going to stop war?
I think we really need to establish an international "Going For A Global Truce" Peace Think Tank and I will post that as an Idea on the TED conversation and on the Peace and collaborative Network.

I have a telephone conference ID and Pin and I am willing to commit to moderate the telephone conference think tank meeting if people write to me and would like to participate.

I would then give them the phone number and pin to call. We can set a time for instance each Sunday at 2pm or so. We can organize an online planning meeting. What do you all think?

Related Talks:
Topics: contest global peace global truce peace think tank truce
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    Michelle Rosenthal

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    Nov 20 2011: To All of the World Leaders and Followers: Let there be peace on Earth and Let It Begin with you and Me. Together we can change the world. I have a blog of my blogs of ideas that I initiated to help further world please. Any one is welcome to click on the link and see if there is an idea that you would like to follow up upon to help create peace:

    http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topics/announcing-a-going-for-global-peace-contest-for-all-youth-22-and

    Sincerely, Michelle
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    Thomas Jones 100+

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    Nov 4 2011: I just finished reading “Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive” by Noah J. Goldstein, Steve J. Martin, and Robert B. Cialdini.

    I thought this quote from the book was appropriate for several current TED conversations:

    "For the most part, research has demonstrated that fear-arousing communications usually stimulate the audience to take action to reduce the threat. However, this general rule has one important exception: When the fear-producing message describes danger but the audience is not told of clear, specific, effective means of reducing the danger, they may deal with the fear by “blocking out” the message or denying that it applies to them."
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      Michelle Rosenthal

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      Nov 20 2011: Hi,
      Thanks for writing to me. I agree with with you said in your reply. I just uploaded a link with several ideas on how we can creatively contribute to creating a global peace. Feel free to check it out. These are some ideas that can provide clear, specific, effective means of reducing the danger. I hope people therefore will be inspired to begin to take actions rather than just blocking out the message or becoming overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem. Most of all I hope people will get the sense that this is "do"able and war is not just to be accepted as "Human Nature" that we can not prevent. War is a choice and we do not have to chose war. We can chose peace as well and I believe it is a much wiser choice. I hope people help create a new climate toward peace on Earth!

      Please see my blogs at:
      http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topics/announcing-a-going-for-global-peace-contest-for-all-youth-22-and

      Sincerely, Michelle
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    Andrea Morisette Grazzini 30+

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    Nov 4 2011: Michelle-

    What a clever concept!

    I'd like to nominate John Noltner, who I just met this evening at the launch of his stunning book "A Peace of My Mind."

    John captures the stories of portraits of peace-thinkers from all perspectives, professions, ethnicities and experiences.

    To learn more about John's efforts:

    http://www.apeaceofmymind.net/A_Peace_of_my_Mind/Welcome.html

    Andrea
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    Bill Burns

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    Nov 4 2011: Michelle - Thanks for your wonderful and inspired thinking! You are a thought leader leading from the heart.

    In my morning prayer/meditation I "pray peace." In this meditation I create the feeling of love in my body and hold it as long as I can, usually 5 to 10 minutes. Then I create and hold gratitude for having the opportunity to have created this love, this peace in the world.

    This morning I thought .... what if we could have more people doing the same thing at the same time all around the world. It without a doubt would change the collective consciousness of the world and would create peace.

    Research has shown that group meditation can turn off violence and create peace. I recommend this video of Dr. John Hagelin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsvEkPNitdQ&feature=relmfu

    I will have to think how I can teach people to do this simple meditation and to invite more people to do it daily or weekly.

    So, as I like to say.....Love is the verb for peace.

    Love ya!
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      Michelle Rosenthal

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      Nov 20 2011: Hi, thanks for your response. I tried to watch the video you linked but there was no voice. I tried to cut and paste the link to no avail. I would have loved to have heard what was said. Any suggestions? Michelle
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    Thomas Jones 100+

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    Nov 4 2011: First, I support your effort. Promoting peace and promoting a cessation of hostility are both worthy goals.

    Second, peace and the absence of war are not the same thing. One can (and, I think, should) promote peace without having to reference war or hostility. Focus on what we want (peace) not what we don't want (war.)

    Third, that we stop shooting at one another especially at the "institutional level" (country to country or ideology to ideology) is a good and noble undertaking.

    Yes, if we all experience peace as individuals, we will not support or condone war-like behaviour. (We do condone and even celebrate such behaviour now. And suggesting that we should not, usually, results it a huge public "outcry." Just try suggesting we stop celebrating those who "gave their lives for ________ [fill in the blank] and see what happens.")

    [Watch.]

    Waiting for everyone to experience "inner peace" before we stop shooting one another is not a good idea. We should stop shooting each other now, no matter how we feel.

    Doing both - experiencing peace, and refraining from hostilities - is a good idea.

    Seeing them as independent "movements" is also a good idea.
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    M. d'Arsinoe

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    Nov 2 2011: Beautiful vision! Count me in, please..
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    Frans Kellner 100+

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    TED Translator
    Oct 25 2011: To start out it can be helpful to list those that already walking that same track.
    Some take a bit different route or speak other languages but if the direction is the same the impact can multiply.

    Here is one: http://www.avaaz.org/en/index.php

    This is two: http://www.wiserearth.org/article/About

    Maybe there are more, tell us.
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    James van der Walt

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    Oct 25 2011: Yeah, I've build a prototype and it worked fine. It could power a couple of lights etc but I'll need to build a full scale one and leave it in the water for a couple of months to really iron out the details.

    There definitely is better ways to harness the wave power but not this cheaply. My prototype cost under $40 because I scavenged most of the materials, just like I want the final version to work. There so much people can recycle but just don't make the effort.

    I've enrolled for my masters in renewable energy next year. Here I'll get access to the resources and expertise I need. I told the professor whom I would be working under about the idea and typical academic he was very sceptical. According to him rural communities will not be about to build something like this. It made me so angry to hear that some people can be so naive. But then this project is to help them out of their mind set too. Once people see that even in Africa people have the will to improve their conditions and they don't want to be poor maybe they will start to believe that ANYTHING is possible. In fact that is my number one goal. I want to help people out of ignorance.

    I'm busy writing the business plan now. My first estimate is that I need about $50k the first year and then to make the leap to grid connection I need about $350. But this still very rough. I need to build a full scale version first before I'll know for sure. I have some money saved for my pension and I'm going to use that.

    Thanks for the links. Have you seen the barefoot project? http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/bunker_roy.html
    It just shows that we can fix poverty and the energy crisis if we just start to believe. I feel like Neo in matrix. I starting to believe.

    As for posting the idea on TED. That is a great idea! Can't believe I haven't done it yet. I think I'll update my design video and post it soon.

    PS. If you want to keep updated join my facebook page. Just search for Ugesi Gold :)
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    Karl Frank

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    Oct 25 2011: Yes, Go! and Keep Going! This is the first and only time in the entire history of the planet when such a radical notion as world peace is possible. We are at last connected together by this massive electrical web and we can agree to be peaceful together. We can look around the entire planet at once and see the humanity in each others eyes and not feel fear but love instead. Governments can not lead us there but we the people can persuade them to follow our lead. We can rise up and our sheer numbers can cause them to back down. We would need to organize a massive citizens coalition for disarmament and this would idea would need to spread to every corner of the globe. It is ambitious yes, but certainly worth working toward. Why would we want to keep walking down this path loaded with cluster bombs landmines, nukes and so much suffering when we could choose to create another? Are we at the right moment in our history to take control of our collective penchant for violence and choose to live peacefully with each other? The 'occupy' protests have been modeling this energy nicely. Would you agree?
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    James van der Walt

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    Oct 24 2011: Go Michelle! GO! That's the spirit! Inspire! Live by example! Find a project that inspires you and see if you can join. Email and ask. (I love the information age)
    Or like you're idea here. Just pick a project that's aimed at making the world a better place. There are so many of us now that we can't fail. I see facebook TED page has 1.5 million likes and we know what kind of people like TED. We will change this world.
    I'm following my own project and trying to get support going for it. www.ugesigold.co.za
    It truly is exciting times. We WILL change the world. Just keep excited. It motivates people more than moaning that the world is not perfect. I like to say "The world is not perfect YET, but watch this space".
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      Michelle Rosenthal

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      Oct 25 2011: Hi,James Van der Walt. Thanks for writing to me and encouraging me. I did check out your website and video and I think they are great. We really can harness the power of the ocean! There is an unlimited supply. Since you list that you are asking for various professionals to help and give you input, have you ever put the idea out there on the TED Conversation Idea or question asking the TED community what they think and if they could help? Since you may need funding would you consider accepting micro loans or investments from many people rather than or in addition to accepting large amounts from one source? I got that Idea from a TED talk http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jessica_jackley_poverty_money_and_love.html I would like to help you if at all possible since I think this idea can help humanity. How much money do you estimate would be needed to start or complete this project? How far along have you come. If you are able to harness wave energy big time that will help the peace process. Is there any way to capture more energy of the wave? The diagram or the pulley system and the wind mills seem to be missing the harnessing of the majority of the energy of the ocean and wind. We have to come up with a better plan to utilize much more of the full energy of the ocean. There has to be a bigger idea that we are missing. Please see ted talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/justin_hall_tipping_freeing_energy_from_the_grid.html and site:
      http://www.ted.com/speakers/justin_hall_tipping.html Maybe he can give you some good ideas even though he may be working on something else. Please seek out other ted experts that have given related talks or other experts in the field that you seek info. They may be able to help. Have you ever considered establishing a think tank or participating in a think tank group around the question of how to best harness the power of the ocean? Best of Luck, Please let me know how it goes. Michelle
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    Linda Hesthag Ellwein 50+

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    HostTED AttendeeTED TranslatorAssociate
    Oct 24 2011: How wonderful that Jeremy's talk inspired you to do that, Michelle! I'm always inspired hearing the stories that have inspired others to act.

    Who have you targeted with the contest, Michelle? Is it people in your community, or a broader scope? Where can people learn more about it?

    You clearly have a real passion for peace, and I hope others are inspired by your efforts. :)
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      Michelle Rosenthal

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      Nov 4 2011: Hi, Linda Im hoping that humans can achieve global peace if we set our mind to it by approaching it on a logical systematic basis. I plan to advocate for a resolution to be submitted to the UN where all countries can vote to "go back to the pact" The Kellogg Braind pact that was unanimously signed in 1928 after WW 1, renouncing war as an instrument of foreign policy. Imagine if humanity would have kept the pact at that time we would not have had WW2 or any war after that. I hope we return to that premise and develop our society to implement comprehensive peace strategies / plans such as a global peace manual written in a collaboration from all countries in the world submitting their ideas to the UN where the manual will be complied and issued to all countries of the world and a version for the people of the world to have as well. We can formulate through the UN Global Peace training for leaders, where all leaders are encouraged to participate to learn how to govern effectively without war, genocide and violation of human rights. We can have global counselling, arbitration, mediation, global sports and entertainment, global fun and projects to help redesign our world to be sustainable and green. We can encourage the UN members, government leaders and military staff in various militaries around the world to participate in a 12 step program to overcome our addictions to fighting, war, violence, greed, money, power, domination, energy, oil, drugsl etc. We can establish Peace Institutes around the world, more branches of the International criminal court. Training to all leaders and military personnel of all armies as to what the laws governing war are. War is largely illegal and the militaries of the world need to to be made aware of all of the rules from the International Criminal Court in ongoing training programs. Lets ban landmines, nuclear weapons. etcAnyone may join the contest by clicking on links posted in my reply to M d Arsinoe above. Would u join?
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        Linda Hesthag Ellwein 50+

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        Nov 4 2011: It would be interesting to see world leaders admitting they are powerless, and their world had become unmanageable. :)

        Wonderful vision, Michelle. With specific goals. Good for you. I'll be cheering you on :D
        I'd have to read it first. And I'd most certainly join in holding the vision, and the intent. I generally tend to be an activist 'for' things, as opposed to an activist banning things. It's not that I endorse the behavior, it's just not how my energy is used best. Does that make sense? That said, I will join you in your intention, and do what I can to help make it real. It's fun reading your post because I can feel the clarity you're experiencing. I know that feeling - it's so empowering, isn't it! It makes me excited for you. Gives me stomasaults. ;)

        I think you may live near me...
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          Michelle Rosenthal

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          Nov 4 2011: Im in Bensonhurst in Brooklyn, Where are you? I agree with you and I am for Peace! and a Global truce. It would really be great if world leaders and all of the rest of us as well would begin to take an inventory of ourselves, making amends to all those we have harmed except when to do so would harm them or others etc. I know it sounds funny but this really would help get a healing for humanity. We have to acknowledge our addictive nature and try to recover before we destroy life on earth. All humans can participate in a global program of recovery from compulsive behaviors that are excused as human nature. So many people accept war since they say it is human nature to fight wars. I really see their point but beg to differ. Most humans would not come up with the plan to solve problems through war but rather they are being convinced that that is the honorable thing to do before all peaceful and non violent methods are exhausted. Many people can interact peacefully together even in large groups with out fighting. There has to be a way to greatly reduce fighting and war if we really think about how to concretely do it. Michelle
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        Linda Hesthag Ellwein 50+

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        HostTED AttendeeTED TranslatorAssociate
        Nov 4 2011: 76th and 10th temporarily. :)
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