Athens, Marathon & Ancient Olympia, Greece June 25-July 5, 2015

Given the increased international interest from a number of humanitarian, educational, sport, NGO practitioners and civil society institutions to promote the use of sport, arts, cultural and educational programs as vehicles to address local and global humanitarian challenges, change agents and agencies are expected to possess skills and competencies that traditional academic programs do not provide. 

To address this largely unmet need, the annual Olympism4Humanity (O4H) Praxis Summer Program provides interdisciplinary and applied professional development opportunities to advance evidence-based policy and programming.

Building on the great success of the first O4H professional training programs that took place in ancient Olympia in Summer 2013 and 2014, the 2015 O4H Praxis Summer Program offers an annual 10-day residential professional development program in Ancient Olympia, Greece. The Praxis Summer program includes participation in the O4H Summit for the first five days.


The O4H Praxis Summer Program is ideally suited to the needs of change and humanitarian agents and agencies, NGO practitioners, students, athletes, Olympians, policy makers, faculty, researchers, program officers and educators. This annual Professional Development program in Ancient Olympia aims to provide the tools and skills for community-based prevention programming and scholarship.

Who is eligible to apply? NGO practitioners, Humanitarian actors, Academics, Researchers, Universities, Teachers of primary, secondary and tertiary education, Government /policy-makers, Corporations, High school and university students, Athletes and Coaches.

Why Olympism and what is unique about O4H?

The goal of Olympism is to build a peaceful and better world – to inspire and motivate the youth of the world (International Olympic Academy’s mission)

Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced way the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education,Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. (International Olympic Committee’s Charter) 

The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity. (International Olympic Committee’s Charter) 

What is unique about Olympism For Humanity Alliance?


O4H Alliance is unique for many reasons:

• O4H Alliance is the first Olympism global venture that bridges disciplines in theory and practice.
• O4H Alliance is the first inter-disciplinary academic advancement platform that aims to promote integrated applied Olympism teaching, research and community service
• O4H Alliance members design and deliver a strategic action plan, which issupported throughout the year with the mentorship and support of prominent world leading experts and agencies.
• O4H Alliance members engage in cause-oriented, youth-led, project-based endeavors that are grounded in the foundation of the Olympic Spirit.
• OH Alliance has established the first Sport for Development and Peace and Applied Olympism Summit and Summer Program solely focusing on the application of the Olympic values as a tool for social change.
• O4H Alliance curriculum and principles are grounded in the first sound applied Olympism and sport for development and peace scientific research, tested theory and evidence from the field.
• O4H Alliance builds cause-oriented bridges with change agents and agencies regardless of age, gender, educational, ethic or socio-economic background.

The 2015 O4H Praxis Summer Program (June 25th-July 5th, 2015), provides extensive training on applied skills and competencies related to: 

(a) Humanitarian applied Olympic Education and Olympism in Action foundations

(b) Prevention and evidence-based program design and delivery

(c) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and impact assessment

(d) Non-profit and special event management

(e) Fundraising strategies and grant proposal writing

(f) Curriculum development for formal and non-formal educational systems (e.g., community and after school programs, primary, secondary, and tertiary education)

(h) Olympic and Paralympic Games, Marathon & Mega Events Legacies.


After our very successful Programs in 2013 & 2014, we are returning to implement our annual professional development program in ancient Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. 

The 2015 O4H Praxis Summer Program will accept applications from highly motivated and committed individuals who are interested in this emerging field.


Click here to download the 2015 O4H Praxis Summer Program e-brochure.

Be part of history- make your first steps towards your O4H legacy and light up your O4H torch by submitting your application here.

Theme: Humanitarian action, prevention and resilience: bridges across agencies, policy and practice

 A call for humanitarian action and collective wisdom

Submit your abstract by May 30th , 2015

2015 Olympism4Humanity Summit Marathon & Ancient Olympia June 25-29, 2015

Olympism For Humanity (O4H) Alliance is organizing an annual conference (O4H Summit) during the first five days of each year’s O4H Praxis summer program, aiming to advance interdisciplinary, academic human-centered alliances, scholarship and educational opportunities that will facilitate the resolution of existing global challenges.

History has taught us that the direct and indirect effects of the economic recession, unemployment, poverty, and civic disengagement are interconnected with xenophobia, immigration, war and violence across groups and cultures. While a number of scholars, academics, policy makers, practitioners and humanitarian agencies have been engaging in discourses and programming related to the resolution of existing social challenges, “the problems around us grow faster than the actions each one of us is taking.” Based on the foundation that “we can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them” (Albert Einstein), the annual O4H Summit is aiming to establish a world leading platform of an inter-disciplinary community where youth, scholars, researchers, thinkers, policy-makers, and practitioners work collaboratively “to explore and enhance the contribution of Olympism to humanity.”

During this conference, academics, NGO practitioners, youth, educators and humanitarian actors showcase current humanitarian programs and scholarship and participate in workshops to embrace a shared vision.

The 5-day residential O4H Summit will take place in Athens, Marathon and Ancient Olympia, Greece from June 25th– June 29th, 2015. This summit will serve as a platform for introspection, community building, system re-design and global action.

The annual Summit aims to bring together academics, practitioners and humanitarian actors and agencies to serve as a platform for global action on sensitive and current global humanitarian challenges.

We envision this platform as an introspective venue for a journey across “time and space” in an attempt to build bridges across disciplines, cultures and institutions- merging development, social cohesion, civic engagement, peace building, innovation, prevention and resilience.

Our vision is to create an inspiring and enlightened setting for the advancement of a discourse about social innovation and collective global-local actions where the academic world, change agencies, youth and humanitarian actors can be connected to the challenges of our local communities.

Our challenge is to advance applied interdisciplinary scholarship, local action and civic engagement opportunities that will potentially reform the role of academic institutions, youth and humanitarian actors into agencies that reach out and engage, support and collaborate for the improvement of the human condition.

Based on the Socratic notion of wisdom, this summit serves as a journey of knowledge uninhibited by borders of language, discipline, culture, time and tradition. Questioning our current state of being (personal and institutional) will advance collective knowledge and actions towards the improvement of the human condition-locally and across globe.

This summit aims to serve as a space for introspection, inspiration, as well as a foundation for creating actions geared towards strengthening global humanitarian action. We therefore invite you to join a dynamic community at the birthplace of the Olympic Spirit. Join us in Olympia to light your O4H “torch” and become an “Olympian” in service of humanity.

2015 O4H Summit Contributions

• 3 Keynote addresses, 3 Keynote Panels and 4 Parallel Session with Paper Oral Presentations
• 4 Roundtable Discussions, Workshops & Poster Presentation Sessions
• Site Visits: Ancient Olympia Museum, Ancient Olympia’s archeological site, cultural program

Click here to download the 2015 O4H Summit e-brochure. Be part of history – make your first steps towards your O4H Humanitarian legacy and light up your O4H torch by submitting your application for the 2015 O4H Summit here.

  Copyright 2012-2015, Olympism4Humanity- All rights reserved.

...strong drive to write but very overwhelmed with both- the amount - and the deviation of the 3-4 directions of the different frameworks I want to  express and put on "paper"

Muses- are off for the weekend- I guess...

As with the previous unedited with typos pieces- a keyword and a warm up session is essential component for this call 

Cyprus- past- present and future (I can at least start with a context)

Over the week i had an enlightening, inspiring experience at the annual peacebuilding conference that took place in DC. 

Seven main themes that inspired me at the weeklong peacebuilding convention...(I like seven- and it's trendy in social media to come to the 7 best lessons etc) 

1) Quality, intention, personal and institutional sense of purpose of the peacebuilding community. Thirst for ...more

2) Determination- combined with awareness on the flaws- personal and institutional- (acknowledging current state of being- strengths and weaknesses is the first - and essential step for growth and progress)

3) Self- institutional awareness/sarcasm beyond the washy wishy-ness of the terms of "peace" or "peacebuilding" combined with openness for change grounded on futuristic creative design- guided and informed by theory and applied scientific paradigms, is a great recipe with great potential.

4) Academic commitment in spending resources, brain power and institutional drive to move beyond the lala-academic land- questioning and exploring tangible ways where the three major functions of the western academic world can co-exist (education+research/scholarship production+Service)
5) Futuristic peacebuilding designs should be transformed from discourses of content - in
to comprehensions and processes of context. There's more need to prepare individuals that function in a rapidly changing world- and therefore our responsibility should be to see our students (citizens and our communities) not as content carriers- but as higher impact context changers

6) Acknowledgment/reiteration that peace or peacebuilding is often demonized, misused and abused (there is ying yang here as well- personal and institutional) - voicing commitment to move beyond the silos of the lala-land, with more credibility and accountability (personal and institutional)

7) Soundness of the creative scientific connections between peacebuilding- brain functions and neuroscience. Groundbreaking scholarship and scientific endeavors across disciplines are essential if the vision is to challenge and improve state of being.

The tricky thing though-in any human endeavor-  is the complexity of the brain. The scary thing? We should NOT count on the assumption of Mankind's rationality. 

A great picture and metaphor from last week's conference was that human brain is like an elephant. The elephant carry collective memories, social norms, fears and pre-existing complexities. 

The rider, on top of the elephant (our conscious and creative mind)- can set direction and guide the elephant to new places. The choice is on each one of us. It all comes to where we place our focus- (the elephant- or the rider(s))

So what? What is the connection between theory and practice?  Building on the momentum of what is happening in Cyprus- I feel re-energized, excited and pessimistic at the same time.  In complex situations like the center of the universe- (referring to Cyprus) peacebuilding is not about content (only)- but  a process in which we conceptualize and re-design context- that should entail vision, functionality and intentionality- with one foundational purpose. To serve it's  citizens! Healing and apology is essential first step from both sites. Diagnostics  and conflict analysis is a vital step on the existing viruses and diseases (personal and institutional) that continually contaminate human-oriented futuristic vision. Creative personal, institutional and civic engagement on the peacebuilding "re-construction" endeavor is vital- grounded on paradigms and disciplines that will embrace a higher (feasible and realistic) purpose- respecting the old- but most importantly- investing for the new! 

While all this sound exciting- the big question remains the same. Whether the currently engaged actors will reproduce the old- or transform the existing landscape into something new.  Are they (we) going to follow the Elephant or the Rider's pathway? There is hope and a choice. 

To be or not to be...an idiot (which...of course- comes from a greek word #bigreekfatweddingfactfinding)- a word that captures what was not valued in a ancient Greek democratic communities.  Self-centered- and not civically engaged persons (and institutions) that think and care ONLY for their personal interest. Peacebuilding- teambuilding and reconciliation require the opposite. Creativity and Fear do not- and can NOT coexist. Overcoming fear should be our commitment. An an-diotic civic engagement (not referring to the demonized and ngo-ized civil society) can potentially create conditions for both- renovations of old "buildings" (narratives and institutions)- and for creative futuristic design of new  bridges, buildings, cities and communities in a context and design that is  is different form the existing one.

Peacebuilding (Vs the static concept of Peace)- like bridgebuilding, housebuilding and any construction- should serve personal and community needs. Such endeavors should  have a functional vision and purpose. Bridges, housing and any construction enterprise though- once they are built- require maintenance. 

Cost efficiency? It all depends on the actors involved, the  transparency and the commitment the "engaged actors" have on serving the actual purpose- blueprint and design.

Quality and sustainability? Depends on the architectural design, the structure, the ingredients- and the functions they are meant to serve. 

When it comes to Urban, City or Community Design- bigger vision beyond personal or individual needs are needed for both- functionality, accessibility and sustainability.

 A shared vision and higher purpose on the functionality, rationality and the feng shui of the design is essential. Otherwise- why should one build a house- a community on a design that no one would like to use, respect, engage or appreciate. 


PS- next unedited- Theoretical foundations and practical recommendations- metaphor and implications in the current situation in Cyprus. 

Abstraction and linearity- theory building and theory testing- inductive and deductive reasoning- philosophy and rational thinking.

Socrates- Plato and Aristotle working together for the same purpose...

Reflecting on the two first writing without thinking pieces, reinforces- with more clarity, my understanding of the gap - and the potential bridges between theory and praxis.

On the one hand- free "fall" thinking, abstraction, philosophy and channeling ideas through a socratic baby delivery questioning process, makes no sense- if its content is not linked with linearity, simplicity and application in the real world. 

This first mental function, inductive and free way of thinking is where  flow- new ideas are generated beyond linearity (paradox between psychic entropy, Csicksent). New frameworks are being conceived, with new understandings and possibilities. This Platonic/Socratic conceptual part has certain attributes that are considered the foundations of theory building (concepts and propositions). On the other hand- the conceptual part of this abstraction needs to be translated WITH linearity, articulation, simplicity and scientific mindset- by operationalizing concepts into variables, propositions into hypotheses- and abstraction of theory building into evidence and theory testing. This process is considered the foundation of inductive and deductive reasoning- and essential component of the scientific inquiry (tested, validated, published and approved by the gatekeepers of each discipline).

Providing well articulated linear and simple abstraction is needed for (social/public) consumption and application in practice. Clarity- based on well organized and established disciplines, is also important for institutionalizing new knowledge and new practice (social, educational, medical etc). However, this practice has its flaws- (luck of inter-connections between disciplines and absence of unity and holistic understanding).

On the other hand- abstraction, philosophy and lala-ivory tower academic-talk- can be totally disconnected from people, communities and societies- failing in this way to achieve a very basic function. The application of new knowledge in practice- with the  assumption that production of new knowledge should aim the improvement of our understanding of the phenomena around us- and consequently- improvement human condition!

Linear connection with previous sections: 
Both functions (inductive and deductive reasoning) should be embraced without limits. Both proficiencies  are needed in knowledge deconstruction and abstraction- linked with linear- scientific- evidence based operationalized abstraction- applied in practice and expressed in simple well (re)defined variables (applied theory building and theory testing).

In short- this is the main foundation of theory building (Platonic/Socratic) and theory testing (Aristotelian linearity, logic and epistemology). Both functions combined (abstraction, intersection and interplay between  inductive and deductive reasoning)- tested - filtered and approved by the scientific community of each discipline, (gatekeepers). This is the existing "mechanism" of the existing and established culture of science and scientific enterprise.  Many questions and challenges remain unanswered and unresolved though. 

Does over specialization (mastery and proficiencies) often lead to reductionism and knowledge without unity across other aspects of reality?

Do gatekeepers have the ability to conceive new abstractions beyond the already established knowledge?

Are gatekeepers- often trapped in knowledge they've already produced, based on which- they've already gained popularity, tenure, grants and reputation?

Would deconstruction of existing knowledge- and potential change of the existing paradigm be threatening and uncomfortable- as an expected reaction of the humankind to any change- even positive?

If the main purpose of the production of new knowledge (scientific and academic) aims to serve humanity (by definition- this is what universities and academia exist for) then the answer should be linear and simple. The problems around us call us for creative deconstruction and reform of the existing paradigm- enriched with more abstraction, creative and non-linear brain power- translated and tested with evidence from the field-and with bridges across people (cognitions/mental connections) disciplines- agents and agencies across cultures.

We still have a long way to go! Acknowledging though the anomaly of the existing paradigm (diagnostics) is the first step of a journey towards new knowledge, new solutions- progress, innovation and change.

PS Note: Next step of this writing series- complete abstraction and link it with linearity- AMC Theory and application in today's reality. Renaissance-SFDT- O4H System's approach and O4H Governance translated into 12-year old talk and language.

No writing does not mean...no oistros (see previous piece - April 28)
Sometimes the moments of silence can be more oestrogonic once bluetooth and wifi is on.

the last two days i had multiple recollections from the past- reminded how my pedagogy/andragogy was influenced by hellenism- (how one can avoid it by the way:) The first lecture I've attended during my studies in Greece was Pedagogiki (word should make sense to the non-greeksss as weeeeeelllllll) and it was all about Socrates, Virtues, Socratic "baby-dilevery" humor (sarcasm) and wisdom...so going to Greece for sport related studies instead of having Galis, Yiannakis we were all welcomed by the concepts and the spirit of the ancient!

I LOOOOOOVED IT!- it was magic- regenerating, refreshing and inspiring!!! took the best notes of my life- and i believe- those days- were the first days I was sooooo engaged, lost and excited about the direction I was going. So I guess- this was my first intellectual/psychic/cosmic oestros. It felt ecstatic (emotionally and intellectually) Socially though- not so much. How can one keep the balance between the world of ideas and the modern world- especially the first year-months in a college! This framework though- determined significantly the way I think- coached (back in the old days)- teach, theorize and research (need some coffee and will come back)....ok- this framework also determined the political philosophy of the scholarship I've produced- policies, programming, curricula and vocational training I've developed etc etc...(ok now I get it!) without oistros- (and its roots) without the first piece of writing (unedited with typos on April 28)- I would have forgotten the roots of my biggreekfatweddiness kinda way of thinking and how my work was influenced by the ancient times greekness...(Greek heritage, family, papoudin and nonoudin mou- and other factors definitely interplay- but the sure thing-was that this was the trigger) ...so triggers of all the pieces of our peace (Woolfgang - right on with your framework) with positive oestrogonic stimuli- can lead to intense moments of here and now (in terms of emotional response, cognitive intellectual ahhhhahiness- and physical alertness- and physiological ...biologists and neuroscientists should take it on from here) (elaborate on how this relate to nostalgia- Homeric- nostos and algos as a drive for being present and its value for growth, happiness and evolution).

So what? Understanding self- is the foundation of everything- and the more you learn about something the more you realize how ignorant one can be- if limited or trapped to existing (and pre-existing) rationale and narratives. No plagiarism here- Foundation # 1 of Socratic way of thinking (here we go again #greekfatweddingfactfinding)

Foundation # 2- Socrates was a pain in the ...wondering around agora asking questions (think of something like that happening in our days). Questioning and challenging the existing way of being (personal, social, societal and ...institutional) should be a lifelong commitment. Believing that you think you know something is even more threatening (humanity have proven that over the last...thousands of years)

Foundation # 3- peace, happiness and growth should be facilitated within and with structures and conditions that embrace autonomy, relatedness and competence (or Mastery  and transcendence as per Csick and Maslo) (not-what told)  Ryan and Deci Self Determination theory- where did you get your theories? ..what was the context, the root and the stimuli/us? Same with Beedy, Kohlberg Sternberg, Maslow, Csick et al...just saying/asking)

Foundation # 4- Philosophy (pedagogical and political) can be more effective (or at least more humanistic) when guided (and grounded) on certain assumptions- (a) each individual has a unique potential (his/her potential) and should be embraced in the same way gynecologist deliver babies (Socratic meeftiki). Sometimes with smooth and painless birth- sometimes with loooong pain, sacrifices (note-maUknowwhatcametomymamindbytheway7monthsinbed?) and sometimes... without any support! Socratic questioning delivers new babies- but triggers and embraces re-generation, growth- but also pain and frustrations to many....(b) Get out of the cave kind of mindset (driven by light instead of shadows) should also be (and actually is- at least in theory) the ultimate purpose of education. Once you get a wifi with light- then the rest is almost- just history...you get the connection and move one (psyc navigation self talk is needed to avoid crashes though) (c) Humor and eros- IS the drive of everything- without this attraction - yin will keep on talking to yins..yang would also be yannngingg without movement or progress. Progress, growth and evolution require tension, dissatisfaction from existing state of being (diagnostics and regeneration). Acknowledging this (positive with negative principle) with psychic/cosmic navigation - oestros as the GPS in life (and - turn around when possible- when you don't feel it) and with the be-the-crazy-one approach (Steve Jobs' moto) you can attract like-minded and crazy enough people (or re-establish old relationships with the "right oestrogonic mindset")- and then...let eros do the job (intense emotional and beyond attraction cosmic drive etc) Mythology can help us get other concepts as well (operationalized though in todays reality to make sense)--- sooooo you think what I write make sense to other people?...hope so,.where are we? ok..let's regroup *(disclosure- eros SHOULD not be misinterpreted or have to do anything with the pedofilia which is probably one of the most sick crimes of humanity..) Eros- as described (at least the way i perceived it) is the love the educator/mentor should have to his/her mentee - and the something needs to be in air kinddaaa think (pemptousia, kindaa magic or X factor)...(d) the equality kinda thing and foundation of creating new communities that are interdisciplinary and all inclusive is one more assumption (see Alborts Contact theory, more recent applications Pettigrew, Moghadam...and Lyras:-) Socrates was the crazy one (and the one with more wisdom see Oracle- but ok we can challenge that) was going around the elit (aristocrates) of Athens asking questions and delivering "new babies" the non-aristocratic did not have the luxury though to be around- since there were busy surviving, satisfying basic needs (Maslow) and doing other things (access and opportunity principle). So it might be something similar like going to kolonaki, voreia proasteia tis athinas and excluding children from other counties ... (disclosure- I am not a communist by the way...I strongly advocate and support Free market - Capitalism- the one that invest though both in- Human and Social Capital) (See holistic Economics redefined Human-Social- Societal-Financial-Natural). ok this is too long- what else? some clarity on this one-? later-...ok I move to another foundation since this a, b, c is getting tooooo long (will elaborate and fix this though at a later stage- during the reorganization stage for pubs)

so - let's set a GOAL- Oestros, flow and Peak experience have this (setting clear goals) as one of the essential assumption/requirement for growth, self actualization and transcendence (same with organizational, inter-group and institutional). You can only become a great athlete (here we go with sports again) ...if you set goals and create conditions of low/high intensity (Balance between skills and challenge- Chicksent) since this is the pathway of Mastery/proficiency/transcendence. Setting goals in high intensity (and staying committed to mastery) can not be experienced in writing a book, or watching tv- but can at least- initially understood- through Askisi and it's metaphors (learning moments- plato's one hour of play). But askisi without context and GPS posited assumption- can lead to blindsided football players, cheerleaders and couch potatoes- (will elaborate later on this - music, performing arts- holistic development- bla bla)

So- setting goal is Foundation # 5 - Disclosure: Setting goal does not mean the educator should be obsessed with the expectation that student will have clarity/focus on direction (or to know) what goals they want to achieve (many  significant 40-50-70 year old pioneers I know of- are still in search of an exciting goals in life)- Setting Educational goal and defining steps and deliverables- is- and should be, a practice (askisi)- that will teach us how finding what you love (your passion) and follow that with commitment and determination is important in every endeavor (progress of humankind)- reminds me the "find what you love- and let it kill you" quote

Ok we will close this once we reach "the 7 Foundations of...." this is very modern, trendy and a good new technologies practice ...(no idea where this is going) AMC (see and elaborate Lyras-2000, 2002, 2007)

Ok

Foundation # 6- love and hate have the same components- attributes and mechanism (Stern theory)- emotional- cognitive and behavioral (don't remember all the terms of the theory but it makes sense ...it's been a while since I read it)- re-read it and reuse it in this context

Foundation # 7 -.... it's not coming to me....maybe this should be the essence of this foundation. Life has cycles *(I guess), life cycle has different forms (see org change theory 2007/8pub) while I (and any other person) can create principles, best practices, foundations that are grounded in theory and evidence from the field- there should always be an open window for deconstructing everything- reconstructing and regenerating the new- and give space for the unknown....let go- without obsession. If something is meant to be- or if certain foundations  are universal and constant in terms of value-  time and space (*beyond mind and pre-existing perceptions/ knowledge/assumptions/interpretations) then the same principles will reoccur- the right time at the right place and in a more creative context. Fresh- new- exciting and oestrogonic..... 

PS
woke up this morning and wanted to write something about the Cyprus conflict- respond to the current situation= momentum, limitations, threats and potential- but ...I could not resist though, the first and big eros/love . I guess the Cyprus problem will not be resolved until I write sometime about it...this can follow the next days (depending on muses and hermes availability)

Hugs kai kalo mina!