Host Beyond Genocide at Your Organization

This discussion-based workshop introduces the importance of understanding genocide as a personal exercise. Defining groups and members of the group are introduced and subject for discussion. The concept of crimes against humanity as a legal term is introduced, as well as typologies of genocide and are considered by the group. The 10-stage theory of genocide is outlined for understanding and discussion.

This session is organized into discussion groups for interpretative art analysis. A presentation will be designed by assigned groups based on personal observations, interpretations, and group discussion about the composition, details, and possible meaning portrayed in selected illuminations from Beyond Genocide. Considerations regarding narratives of history and the “truths” they represent are contextualized with opinions and observations offered for discussion.

This session will explore conceptual challenges and practical issues that occur in the aftermath of mass violence. An introduction to the concept of collective memory and “curating difficult knowledge” will be presented. We will discuss socio-economic and psychological/educational issues that may be present in societies where mass trauma has been experienced. We will work in groups to discuss how memory and collective healing can be fostered, and the challenges of victimhood, power, reconciliation, history, justice and expansion of memory into a global context. We explore and evaluate specific case studies through problem solving, where patterns may be evident.

This workshop will familiarize the group with the background and origins of the international tribunals proposed during the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, through the ad hoc trials for the war crimes of WWII. The international ad hoc courts of the Former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and East Timor and the establishment of the ICC , its history of its operations and trials will establish the precedents for the globalization of international crimes of genocide or crimes against humanity.

This session will review with group discussion the concept and history of transitional justice and its objectives of establishing truth, providing victims a public platform, holding perpetrators accountable, strengthening the rule of law, victims’ reparations, compensation, and reconciliation measures. Current hybrid trials for international violent crimes against groups will be presented for group evaluation. International Institutions facilitating transitional justice processes will be outlined, and a brief overview and comparison of domestic trials of international crimes of genocide or crimes against humanity will also be presented and evaluated by the group.

What tools and models are available to policymakers, government, and civic organizations seeking to predict and respond to genocide, the risk of genocide, or other human rights violations of groups? The challenges of information-gathering and assessing risk levels of occurrence (or re-occurrence) are chief in current high-risk situations. We will look at various early warning detection tools and discuss NGO prevention groups that advise on current risk regions. The challenges of deterrence are introduced with facilitated problem solving exercises. Prevention tools by various organizations are explored as well as arts initiatives world-wide dedicated to prevention through education.

This session is organized as a 4-hour hands-on professional workshop introducing art students to the technical aspects of creating an illuminated manuscript. An historical overview of manuscript illumination is followed by a detailed practicum of the methods of creating an original illumination, including using ornament in a composition; calligraphy techniques; gold leaf application; and various drafting methods.

This session invites groups of 2 to 4 participants to paint with markers a “color-your-own” mandala (20 x 20). A brief history of mandala-making is introduced, and students are instructed to work in groups of 4 to complete an outlined mandala as a tribute to genocide victims worldwide.