The Conference will highlight:

1. TENETS OF NON-VIOLENT PHILOSOPHY
2. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AMERICA'S FOUNDING
DOCUMENTS
3. AMERICAN CIVICS -- HOW BILLS BECOME LAW, AND HOW CITIZENS AFFECT THE PROCESS.
4. THE EFFORT TO ESTABLISH A DEPARTMENT OF PEACE
5. THE EFFORT TO BAN THE WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE
6. CURRENT LEGISLATORS REFLECTING ON CURRENT POLITICS
7. VISITS TO THE WASHINGTON MONUMENTS
8. A DAY OF LOBBYING YOUR OWN REPRESENTATIVES

Explore the many ways that nonviolence and peacemaking can change the course of our world.

Join Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Marianne Williamson, Thom Hartmann and others for the Global Renaissance Alliance's next Democracy Conference, to be held in Washington DC on September 13- 16. Here at the GRA, we feel that every generation of Americans must rediscover for itself the value, privileges and responsibilities of American democracy. The Democracy Conference is a tool for teaching the basic Civics we either learned in school and no longer remember, or never learned at all.

Over two hundred years ago, our Founders laid out an essential vision for the United States that has guided this nation throughout its history. Central to that vision is the role of the individual citizen in guiding the course of our nation. Yet Americans now are too often unaware of the fundamentals of citizenship, and most particularly, how to wield its power.

The Democracy Conference is a way to restore and revitalize the power of your own citizenship. The September Conference, like our last one in April - a great success - will be partly dedicated to the support of Congressman Kucinich's proposed legislation to create a U.S. Department of Peace. At the Conference, you will both learn how laws are made, and participate in supporting the passage of historic legislation. There are now 49 co-sponsors of the Dept. of Peace legislation in the House of Representatives, with 218 being necessary to take the Bill to the next step. We will spend the 15th and 16th of September on Capitol Hill, lobbying our Congressional Representatives to support it.

Also speaking at the conference will be Lynn McMullen, GRA's Director of Citizen Action and Training, and others. We will also be taking a tour of the monuments with Marianne Williamson. You can check our website to learn more about this conference and its featured speakers as the weeks and months progress. Register online now! Read below for pricing and location.

GRA CONFERENCE (WORKING AGENDA)
Hosted by Marianne Williamson

FRIDAY NIGHT -Arrival and opening reception

SATURDAY
-The day will focus on the principles of non-violence, and their historic political significance. Marianne Williamson will lead the day's interactive workshop.
-During the evening, Williamson will lead a bus and walking tour of the Washington monuments.

SUNDAY
-On this day, we will give you the Civics class you either took in high school and don't remember, or never even took at all. You'll receive a fascinating overview of the US Constitution, including an in-depth look at the Founders' vision and the First Principles inscribed in our founding documents.
-During the afternoon, Lynn McMullen, former Executive Director of RESULTS and the GRA's Director of Citizen Action and Training, will lead a training on citizen activism, lobbying, etc.
-Sunday evening, we will host a Congressional panel. Hear legislators give their first-hand impressions of serving on the Hill.

MONDAY
-Today, we present the two issues we've chosen to focus on for this Democracy Conference: establishing a Cabinet level Department of Peace, and banning the weaponization of space. Learn about both issues and the bills that would establish them as law. You will be trained in how to lobby for their passage.
-Carol Rosin, President of the Institute for Co-operation in Space, will give an in-depth presentation regarding the Space Preservation Act being introduced into the House of Representatives on this day. Her website is www.peaceinspace.com
-This evening, Dennis Kucinich will talk about both the peace and weapons in space issues at our GRA banquet.

TUESDAY
-Lobbying at the Capitol.
-Planned press conference on the DoP legislation.
-Leave feeling fantastic, like you made a difference. Because you did.

Feedback from our April 2003 conference:

" The conference was much more than I expected. For the first time in my life, I saw a way to positively make a difference through being an activist, my Spirit felt like it was soaring! I got to know all of the leaders of the conference personally and I met so many people from all over the country who share my passions -- what a great time we had connecting!
Thank you again for creating this amazing event! For the first time in my life I feel excited about politics and the future of our country and world! This conference has changed my life and the lives of so many people! I can't wait for the next conference!"
Michelle Benoit - San Francisco, CA

"My teenagers and I attended the GRA conference in DC this past April and I wanted to write and thank you for a phenomenal experience! With our country at war, we met with great people from all over the country and found inspiration in each other as we worked for peace.
I have written letters, made phone calls and marched in the street with signs but there is something special about talking face to face with your representative in their offices, with the Capitol Dome right outside the window. You can feel the power of the place and you know they hear you. They may not agree, but you can sense when your discussion moves them and that is incredibly powerful." Susan McPeak- Lansing, MI

Conference fee: Sliding scale fee of $150 to $250. Students $75. Those who are able to pay at the higher end of the scale will help defray costs for those who are only able to pay at the lower end or those who need scholarships. This fee includes a banquet on Monday night September 15. Click here to read some tips on getting financial support to come to this conference.

The conference will be held at the Hyatt Crystal City in Arlington VA. Special room rates will be available. Please check back here soon for more details. www.renaissancealliance.org