As this January/February Update confirms, OneVoice is gathering impressive momentum. We are now moving from arduous preparation to the need for impeccable implementation.
Success depends on all of us -- including you.
It is incumbent upon everyone to do their part so that, together, we will make a positive and concrete difference -- by amplifying the voice of the silent majority and helping moderates seize back the agenda for conflict-resolution.
***MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS****
*DARWISH TO LEAD PALESTINIAN ONEVOICE EFFORTS: Dr. Fathi Darwish, former Director General of the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Non-Governmental Affairs, has been appointed to head the Ramallah-based Palestinian office of OneVoice. Mr. Wassim Abdullah, a Management Specialist, has been appointed as Operations Director.
*LEFFLER TO LEAD ISRAELI ONEVOICE EFFORTS: David Leffler, former Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Science, Culture, and Sports, will chair the Israeli team. Mr. Assaf Halahmi, a seasoned campaign strategist, has been appointed as Operations Director.
* MIDEAST REGIONAL OFFICE BUTTRESSED: Mohammad Darawshe remains as Mideast Regional Director, coordinating overall efforts of Palestinian and Israeli teams. He is joined by Mira Rasthy as Operations Director.
*UNPRECEDENTED SOLIDARITY AS FOREMOST MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN AND JEWISH LEADERS JOIN AS ONEVOICE AGAINST EXTREMISM AND DEHUMANIZATION: In a rare development, prominent spiritual, community and business leaders that normally sit on opposite sides of the debate, have joined the PeaceWorks Foundation's Honorary Board of Advisors.
THE HONORARY BOARD OF ADVISORS consists of foremost diplomatic, business, religious, and community leaders with laudable records of worldwide achievement that command respect and trust among both Israelis and Palestinians. Its founding members are:
Stuart Eizenstat, Fmr Deputy Secretary of Treasury and Undersecretary of State
Edgar Bronfman Sr., President, World Jewish Congress
James Zogby, President, Arab American Institute
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Head, American Sufi Muslim Association
Rabbi David Rosen, Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee
Rabbi Harvey Fields, Senior Rabbi, Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Gary Gladstein, Managing Director, Soros Fund Management
Stanley Litow, President, IBM Foundation
Rhea Perlman, Actress
Danny Devito, Actor
Note: Participation in the Honorary Board of Advisors does not reflect approval or disapproval of any particular issue or position; it reflects support of OneVoice, its methodology, and its critical objectives. The PeaceWorks Foundation and OneVoice provide a neutral platform and do not take any political positions.
*MEDIA COVERAGE: In January, OneVoice was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, two Israeli and two Palestinian newspapers, and several news wires, among others.
*ONEVOICE ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL LAUNCHED: The Hollywood and Mideast Entertainment community is rallying behind this popular effort. Under the leadership of Joel Fields and Rhea Perlman, dozens of celebrities and hollywood icons have pledged to support OneVoice. Danny DeVito, Jason Alexander, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Anniston, Edward Norton, Mili Avital, Charles Randolph, Annie Cusack, Stuart Blumberg and over a dozen other leading performers, writers, producers, and directors have made financial contributions and/or pledged to participate in the OneVoice Communications Campaign.
View selected photos of Recent Fundraisers, including one hosted by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman at Archive on our website.
*PROCLAMATION OF PRINCIPLES TO BE PUBLICLY UNVEILED NEXT MONTH: The much-awaited Proclamation of Principles for Reconciliation is being unveiled in March. The draft created by the OneVoice Steering Committee and reviewed and polished by the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee is now being tested through focus groups to ensure it gains traction. If you want to review a copy of the draft before it is publicly unveiled, please mailto:sepi@silentnolonger.org.
* DAVOS PARTICIPATION: Several Global Leaders of Tomorrow and members of the World Economic Forum that form part of OneVoice attended the Annual Davos meeting and held over 120 private briefings with dignitaries and business leaders. OneVoice Founder Daniel Lubetzky participated in the newly formed C-100 Initiative, a critical effort to foster understanding between Islamic and Western civilizations.
*EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT BRIEFED BY DARAWSHE: Mohammad Darawshe was invited and hosted by the Egyptian government to brief them on OneVoice; he addressed multiple Palestinian and Egyptian political strategists during the trip.
* HONORING THE MEMORY OF ROMAN LUBETZKY -- Mr. Roman Lubetzky passed away on January 8th, 2003. A survivor of Dachau, he had the fortitude to overcome evil and the conviction to prevent future holocausts by reaffirming human life and building understanding. His selfless dedication to his people and to humanity inspired the PeaceWorks Foundation to launch the OneVoice initiative. We honor his memory by rededicating ourselves to our mission and pledging not to falter on this journey.
***VITAL STATISTICS***
Number of
BODY Members Web Access
Steering Committee 11 http://www.silentnolonger.com/wwa_steering.html
Honorary Board Advisors 10 http://www.silentnolonger.com/wwa_hon_advisors.html
Board of Trustees 20 http://www.silentnolonger.com/wwa_trustees.html
Council of Experts 5 To be Unveiled in March
Ad Hoc Advisory Council 205 Being Built
Staff/Core Volunteers 6/15 http://www.silentnolonger.com/wwa_team.html
Donors/Members 143 Being Built
Committed Volunteers 63 N/A
Exec. Supporters List 334 N/A
Gen. Supporters List 623 N/A
Total Number Involved 1286
Member Organizations 16 Being Updated
Proclamation Signatories-- Not Yet Disseminated
People's Mandate Sign -- Not Yet Developed
Number of Core Issues On Which
Broad Consensus Has Been Attained None Yet
*** BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD -- GANDHI ***
We CAN and WILL amplify the heretofore silent voice of the overwhelming majority; we CAN and WILL empower moderates to seize back the agenda away from violent extremists. Hard work lies ahead. But we will not waver, for too much is at stake.
Our goal is to achieve consensus for conflict-resolution at the grassroots level, with a Mandate containing ten key points of agreement for a future based on security, dignity, respect, and the right to build a better future for the next generation of Palestinians and Israelis -- supported and signed on to by the broadest segment of the population we can reach, through a variety of innovative platforms.
The potential of this movement is nothing less than historic in magnitude. Our methodology provides a concrete path towards constructively unleashing the power of the people, bestowing them with the responsibility and the ability to take back their lives -- for their united voice to make a difference. With the challenges our civilization is facing, it is imperative that this initiative succeed.
Make the pledge to get involved, and be a part of the solution.
