Diana Nyad, Ted Turner, India.Arie, Michael Kimmel, Elizabeth Lesser Among 30 Presenters to Gather for Women/Men: The Next Conversation
RHINEBECK, NY—While daily headlines have been filled with stories of violence against women and girls, and a growing attack on women’s access to health-care and reproductive rights, there are also stunning signs of progress being made toward gender equality and a greater sense of shared responsibility for the future. Omega Institute, home of the Omega Women’s Leadership Center (OWLC), today announced for the first time in a decade of running its acclaimed Women & Power Conference series, they have invited men to join the stage and audience, because they believe the challenges women face are not just “women’s issues” but human issues. The conference, titled Women/Men: The Next Conversation, will be held September 19–21, 2014, on Omega’s Rhinebeck, New York campus.
“The time has come to build a stronger partnership between women and men that acknowledges and embraces our interdependence, and builds on our mutual interests in achieving gender equality,” said Carla Goldstein, chief external affairs officer, “and we are excited about bringing leaders in this effort to Omega this fall.”
From the former prime minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, to American-born spiritual teacher Adyashanti, to Zach Wahls, whose defense of marriage rights at the Iowa statehouse has been viewed millions of times online, men are stepping up and stepping out to be part of this historic gathering.
Featuring an extraordinary lineup of presenters, each with a unique perspective on this topic, the event begins on Friday, September 19 at 7:45 p.m. and ends Sunday, September 21 at 12:15 p.m. The 2014 speakers come from around the world and from varied backgrounds—from sports to economics, brain science to spirituality, media to activism. The conference program includes keynote addresses by Omega and OWLC cofounder, Elizabeth Lesser; cofounder of A Call to Men, Tony Porter; long distance-swimmer, Diana Nyad; business leader and author, Barbara Annis; researcher Michael Kimmel, historian Stephanie Coontz, artist Sarah Peter, and economist Sarah Jane Glynn.
There will also be artistic performances by poets Azure Antoinette and Carlos Andrés Gómez, Hudson River Playback Theatre, and Grammy Award-winning singer India.Arie.
Additionally, several panel discussions are scheduled (ex. Women and Men in a New Millennium with Barbara Annis, Michael Kimmel, and Carlos Andrés Gómez moderated by social media strategist, Courtney Martin), paired conversations (ex. media innovator and former head of PBS, Pat Mitchell with entrepreneur Ted Turner), and breakout sessions (ex. Gender Reconciliation with interfaith minister, Cynthia Brix; cofounder of Gender Reconciliation International, Will Keepin; president and cochair of the NoVo Foundation, Jennifer Buffett; Emmy Award-winning composer Peter Buffett; Center for Conflict Resolution representative, Zanele Khumalo; and psychotherapist, John Tsungme Guy).
For more than 35 years, Omega has provided interdisciplinary opportunities for human development across the lifespan with an integrated approach to personal growth and social change. An outgrowth of this work, the Omega Women’s Leadership Center (OWLC), supported by a highly esteemed and international advisory council, offers a variety of opportunities for women to strengthen their leadership at home, at work, and in the world.
Since 2002, Omega has received generous scholarship funding to bring more than 800 leaders of diverse backgrounds to conferences, workshops, and events. This year, more than 100 scholarships have been given for the Women & Power conference. Omega is also offering tiered pricing for the conference, allowing guests to choose one of four prices based upon financial circumstance.
To learn more, visit eOmega.org, or call 800.944.1001. A limited number of media passes are available. To apply for a media pass, visit eOmega.org/press.
Follow Omega on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Join the conversation #OWLC, #LeadNow.
About Omega Institute for Holistic Studies
Founded in 1977, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation’s most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 195 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega welcomes more than 23,000 people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York, and at exceptional locations around the world. eOmega.org
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