Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Group final blog - VirtualWeLoveWeCare.com

 
(Perspective by Religion Organization)
 
Introduction
Having friendly exchange of views and communications can make believers with different religions express their thought in a comfortable and peaceful way.  World peace can start with the individual and to be spread out one by one. It can help to prevent and reduce conflicts between people, countries and different religions. Religion organizations fully support to spread the peace message all over the world.
Virtual collaboration between religions and world peace organization can help to spread the common values, world peace, love and care, all over the world, in a significant way. At the same time, it can reduce conflicts between diverse religions, and increase connection and support of people by sharing knowledge and resources.
 
The vision for both organizations is to spread out “World Peace” and “We love, We care” message in the world, at the same time, to provide the opportunities for people to participate in and contribute to “World Peace”.
In view of this, conflict resolution between different religions requires continuous negotiations, communications, dialogues, cooperation, interventions, exchanges, interactions, ground rules. Virtual WeLoveWeCare.com can provide an open and safe place for people to understand each other, to feel comfortable to express and promote world peace.  This can enable public to participate in world peace no matter what cultural background, religious doctrine, political affiliation or age demographic.
 
 
Why World Peace?
 
World Peace is an ideal of freedom, peace, and happiness among and within all nations and/or people. World peace is an ideal state which nations are willing to cooperate, either voluntarily or by virtue of a system of governance that reduces national conflicts and wars. This can be achieved by stopping all hostility amongst all humanity such via human rights, animal rights, technology, education, engineering, medicine, diplomats and/or an end to all forms of fighting.
Many individual non-governmental organizations are working hard to promote world peace. Their aim is to establish positive policies and practices in the form of educational aids, media events, and other promotions worldwide to achieve world peace. Yet, there is lack of international coordination and platform for the public share their views and take part.
There should be an open and safe place for people to understand each other, to feel comfortable to express and promote world peace.  This can enable the public to participate in world peace no matter what cultural background, religious doctrine, political affiliation or age demographic. This can be achieved by setting up the VirtualWeloveWecare.com, which draws people from different religions, world peace organizations and the public together to do something for world peace.
Different religions have its different beliefs, cultural, world views, worship of gods. Since religions deal with the central values in human experience, religious conflict is charged with great importance and emotion. The vision of both Religions and World Peace organizations is to spread out “World Peace” and “We Love, We care” message in the world.
 
Examples of Religious Views on World Peace:

Buddhism - Buddhists believe that world peace can only be achieved if we first establish peace within our minds. The idea is that anger and other negative states of mind are the cause of wars and fighting. They believe people can live in peace and harmony only if we abandon negative emotions such as anger in our minds and cultivate positive emotions such as love and compassion.

 
Christianity - The basic Christian ideal specifies that peace can be come by the Word and love of God. With the love of the God, Christian would like to spread out love and care to all the people.  “I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your heavenly Father” (verse 44). This declaration of radical non-violence and reconciling love finally rendered obsolete the primitive notions of God.
Hinduism - "The world is one family." The essence of this concept is the observation that only base minds see dichotomies and divisions. The more we seek wisdom, the more we become inclusive and free our internal spirit from worldly illusions or Maya. World peace is hence only achieved through internal means—by liberating ourselves from artificial boundaries that separate us all.
Islam - faith in only one God and having common parents Adam and Eve is the greatest reason for humans to live together with peace and brotherhood. Islamic view of global peace is mentioned in the Quran where the whole of humanity is recognized as one family. All the people are children of Adam and Eve. The purpose of the Islamic faith is to make people recognize their own natural inclination towards their fraternity

What is VirtualWeLoveWeCare.com?
Different religions have its different belief, cultural, world views, worship of gods. Since religions deal with the central values in human experience, religious conflict is charged with great importance and emotion. The vision of both Religions and World Peace organizations is to spread out “World Peace” and “We Love, We care” message in the world.




WeLoveWeCare.com is a website that provides an international platform to gather people from different religions and non-religions to make the world peaceful.  Through the 24-hour update of the website, people can get the most update news regarding the world peace. There are many functions in this website for people to participate in World Peace via ongoing dialogues, communications, interactions, educational materials, workshops, seminars and activities etc.
Firstly, people can register to be a membership at this website. Members can get the most update e-newsletter and news regarding world peace such as political, world attention news, ethical news etc. Moreover, members can join our petition, campaign and activities such as voluntary job, meetings, workshops, talks, exhibitions, symposium etc. These activities not only help the members to participate world peace but also help to promote world peace. Furthermore, this website establishes a global discussion forum where people can hold conversations by posting messages online. People from diverse religious backgrounds, different beliefs, values, moral standards, cultures and world views have different understanding and conflicts. For examples, people can share their religious belief, knowledge, resources, points of views on positive news (fascination, courage, hopefulness) and sad news (violence, crime, wars, disasters) etc via this interactive resource.
In addition, there are interviews and speeches from religion leaders, world leaders, professional expertise, professors, psychiatrist, artists etc. These people would have high impact to spread out the message. For example, Mother Teresa who is Albanian, Indian Roman Catholic nun said “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” and Dalai Lama XIV who is the head monks of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism said “World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.” According to the US president Barack Obama Nobel peace prize acceptance speech in 2009, he said “a just peace includes not only civil and political rights it must encompass economic security and opportunity. For true peace is not just freedom from fear, but freedom from want.”
Speeches by Obama


Speeches by Pope Francis


Speeches Charlie Chaplin


 
There is a way to show love and care by making donations via the website. With kind donations which will be used to run all world peace campaign and activities in the world. With support, it can stop conflict, save lives and help people to build peace and heal their own communities.
Virtual WeLoveWeCare.com can provide an open and safe place for people to understand each other, to feel comfortable to express and promote world peace.  This can enable public to participate in world peace no matter what cultural background, religious doctrine, political affiliation or age demographic.  It’s believable that conflict resolution between different religions requires continuous negotiations, communications, dialogues, cooperation, interventions, exchanges, interactions, ground rules.


In the VirtualWeLoveWeCare.com, there are videos of hot topics and news. The following is the interviews of few residents in town and they shared their vision and comments on the Potential war initiated by North Korea.

This Christian is very concern for the North Korean War but what she could do is to pray for world peace. She is looking for opportunities to share about her feelings and contribute to stop the war.

 

Another citizen  who always takes part in voluntary work. She expressed her feelings on North Korean War and would like to do something to help the suffering people.



The virtualWeLoveWeCare.com provides a virtual platform for the society to participate and discuss their feelings and views towards hot topics and news.


What Values Added to both Religions and World Peace Organization?

The value that both organizations gained by the virtual platform are to spread out “World Peace” & “We Love, We care” in the world, to let the public participate in “World Peace” and to share resources.  By the collaboration through the virtual platform, both organizations can gain values from each other.   World Peace Organization wants to spread out the message of "We Love, We Care".  At the same time, they want more people to participate in world's peace; however, they are lack with resources and they did not have the right platform.  Religion Organization wants to spread out the same message as World Peace Organization but they are lack with experience in organizing events and functions.   Moreover,  people in different religion did not have a right channel to communicate with each other and to share ideas and beliefs.  Through the virtual platform, both organizations can share resources, such as venue, manpower, experience and talents.  For example, World Peace Organization provides their experience in organizing events and functions.  They can provide training to volunteers before visiting Africa.  The Religion Organization can provide venues for storage of resources, training and briefing.  At the same time, they can provide manpower and network in the countries.

 
What Values Added to Different Religions?
The value that Religions gained is to let different Religions over the world gather together to know each other more, to provide a platform for the Religions to enhance transparency to the public and attract more attention from the public who are focus on environmental protection, human rights, animal rights, health, etc.  As there are almost 4000 religions over the world, people in different religions did not have a platform to share each others' background and beliefs.   Through the virtual platform, people in different religions have an international platform to gather together to share their beliefs, background, knowledge and the thoughts on bad news and good news. 
What Values Added to the society?

The virtual platform offers a free and safe channel for the public to get the latest news on world peace. In addition, people can express thoughts and feelings on some hot topics via the discussion form. The Public can know more background of different religions through the virtual platform.  The Public can contribute to world peace activities by joining the membership.   Customized features are provided to the people who register as members, volunteers and donors. As members, they would get the latest news on hot topics regularly. As volunteers, they would be informed of the volunteering opportunities and apply for the services. As donors, they would get the information on who are in need and how they could make donation.  The donation or resources collected via the platform will be used to support the activities organized by Religions & World Peace Organization to help promote world peace and rescue those suffering people in the world.  It would be an additional funding support to help the victims in disasters (e.g. famine, earthquake, tsunami & war).




How Religious Differences Creates Conflicts?
In the VirtualWeloveWecare.com, participants are from diverse religious backgrounds. They have different belief systems, cultural systems, moral standards and world views, etc.
The five largest religious groups by world population, estimated to account for 5 billion people, are Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Chinese folk religion:
 
Many religions have their own symbols, organized behaviors, holy places, scriptures, rituals, festivals, funerary services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service or other aspects of human culture.  Usually, a person either has one religion or none and it is seldom to see interaction and exchanges on faith or belief system among different religions. Sometimes, religions can be regarded as competitors for memberships and their belief systems may be mutually exclusive. 


 

This virtual collaboration creates potential conflicts like discrimination between different religions and protest by anti-religion groups. In extreme cases, history tells religious wars across states with a different religion or a different subgroup within the same religion may occur. 
However, the common value of “World peace, We love We care” of Religions and World Peace Organization helps draw different religions together via this VirtualWeloveWecare.com.  Besides spreading out this value in the world, the virtual platform provides opportunities for people to participate in and contribute to “World Peace”. This is an open and safe place for different Religions and people without religions to share their views and actions on promoting world peace and, at the same time, they have a better understanding of each other and encourage respect. The transparency of religions to the public is also enhanced.
Conflict Management Outcomes
Due to the anticipated conflicts between different religions in the virtual collaboration, we have to first understand what outcome we need to achieve in solving a conflict, followed by conflict resolution strategies in the conflict resolution process. As a result, we can arrive to a win-win situation that expanding the benefits to all parties.



When we have to confront a conflict, one of the below five possible outcomes (Table 1) will occur. The virtual collaboration between Religions results in the integrative outcomes. It is because the virtual platform not only helps to spread out their common values, World peace, We love and We care, all over the world, it also reduces conflicts between diverse religions through sharing knowledge and resources and people of different religious backgrounds learn to respect to each other.
Table 1
 
 
 
Conflict Resolution Strategies
   “Be Calm, Be Patient, Be Respect”



(1) Changing our Attitudes toward Conflict
First, we need to change our attitudes toward conflict. We have to actively communicate the group with the common goals and values, i.e. to promote “We love We care and World Peace” message. We always have to bear in mind to focus on the task but not the people, that is to keep people and problems separate.
(2) Active listening and Make a Joint-decision
Secondly, active listening is very important. Actively listen to others can help understand where the other person is coming from before defending your own position.  By knowing others more, you will learn to respect others’ positions and perceptions.
When problems occur, parties should try to explore options together and being open to the idea that a third position may exist, and that you can get to this idea jointly. Resolving a conflict by face-to-face negotiation with the aim of reaching a joint decision, the outcome can be a mutual agreement, a decision to involve a third party helping to solve other issues, or no agreement at all, which free parties to take separate action.
(3) Third Party Intervention
Lastly, sometimes, when the arguments cannot be solved after long discussion, intervention by a third party is another way out.  When there is a conflict between different religions, the World Peace Organization perfectly serves as the third party to provide an objective views on the problems and balance the benefits of different religions. Communicating difficult truths indirectly through a third party and make suggestions through stories can be very effective in handling conflicts.
Conflict Resolution Process


Step 1: Set the Scene
It is important to ensure all parties to understand that the conflict may be a mutual problem which may be best resolved through discussion and negotiation rather than through raw aggression. During the discussion, we have to emphasize on the fact that you are presenting your perception of the problem.  Actively listen to others allows you to hear and understand other's positions and perceptions.
Step 2: Gather Information
Before presenting your views and stands, gather as much information as possible helps you to understand the interests, needs, concerns, motivations and goals of other parties. If others are too conservative, you will need to actively ask for their viewpoint with respect, and indicate the need of their cooperation to solve the problem.  Don’t forget to leave personalities out of the discussion and focus on work issues. It will help you to see a clear picture of the problem.
  Step 3: Agree the Problem
After we have a better understanding of the causes of the problems, all have to agree the problems that you are trying to solve before you work together to find a mutually acceptable solution.  It is because sometimes different people will see differently and interlocking the problems. This ensures all parties are aware of the problems and pointing to the same direction for solution.
Step 4: Brainstorm Possible Solutions
All the participants have fair input in generating solutions. For example, there should not be any religious hierarchy. Religions with a smaller population in the world should also have the equal opportunities to give opinions and be respect. In this step, all participants can brainstorm possible solutions and be open to creative and fantastic ideas, including ones you have never considered before.
  Step 5: Negotiate a Solution
By this stage, the conflict may be resolved. Both sides may better understand the position of the other, and a mutually satisfactory solution may be clear to all. It may also have uncovered real differences between different positions of parties. Win-win negotiation can be useful to find a solution that, at least to some extent, satisfies everyone.
 
How do Religions and World Peace Organizations Negotiate?

The vision of both Religion and World Peace Organization is the same. The aim is to spread out “World Peace” and “We love, We care” message in the world, at the same time, to provide the opportunities for people to participate in and contribute to “World Peace”. This collaboration requires negotiation of two parties to work on this virtual entrepreneurship.
Decision Making Model of Integrative Negotiation is a model which is prescriptive and it focuses on what negotiators should do to reach agreement, not what they actually do.

 
The first component is resource assessment. Religion organization considers the coverage or promotion issue on the WeLoveWeCare.com. It aims to let all people to have sharing and discussion via the virtual platform so that people have more understanding of different religion belief, cultural and system. As Religion organize lots of functions and events over the world. It also concerns the resources sharing by both parties such as facilities, venues for functions or events, manpower etc.
The second component is assessment of differences. To focus on assessing the difference in probability, valuation and capability of the same goal, financial budget etc. Religion organization assess its values is to promote world peace. To assess the financial budget and capability to make sure this virtual organization can be established.
The third component is construct offers and trade-Offs. Religion organization focuses on the high value to itself but low cost for the World Peace organization to provide. For example, World Peace organization can provide voluntary opportunities so that Religious party can take part in it.
The fourth component is current “Best” terms. It’s important to set terms that both organizations find acceptable. "Negotiators who set specific, challenging goals are more likely to continue to search for integrative agreements than do those who do not set goals or who set easy goals" (Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 1986). Religions organization would like to help public to care and participate in World Peace and learn respect different religions. Having the same idea to promote world peace, both can cooperate in order to provide network and promote the idea together.
The last component is implementing of agreement. It’s essential to sign the agreement for both parties since collaboration require trust and respect.
Negotiation Styles
 
From the Negotiating Style (Figure 1), Religion organization uses “Collaborate” to have negotiation with World Peace Organization. This makes the in-win situation since both parties have gained value from the collaboration. Religion organization has high concern for goals which is to promote world peace to public. Moreover, it also has high concern for relationship such as allowing both parties to fully contribute and have respect the other party opinions and comments. Furthermore, when problems arise, Religion Organization would bring the team together to assess every different competing option and produce the best overall solution by taking shared responsibility for its implementation. This is to make sure both parties have agreement on the design of the virtual platform so that it could benefit for both parties and to be fair for both parties. This can enhance transparency and trust can make both parties to collaborate in good relationship and effective way.
It’s important that negotiator should be prepare. To prepare understand and know more about World Peace Organization before negotiation and concern its perspective. Negotiator should be open that being open-minded and learn from others. To be share so that both parties can intelligently sharing enables generation of mutually beneficial outcomes. To be exchange so that the goal and objective can be met and delivered. To be record by documenting the commitment which is an essential part of helping facilitate collaboration successful.
Figure 1
 

 

How Do Two Communities Share Talents and Resources?
Talent of World Peace Organization  and Religion Organization

The talent of World Peace Organization is there are many experts who are with well experience on processing events and functions but they are lack with resources, such as, venues, facilities, manpower and network.  For the Religion Organization, they are lack with experience in organization events and functions.  However, they can provide network, venues, manpower, etc. for the World Peace Organization.  Sharing talents can help achieving common goals which are to spread out the idea of Spread out World Peace” and “WE Love, We care” in the world and to provide the opportunities for people to participate in and contribute to “World Peace”.

Advantages for organizing a virtual team
 
The advantages for organizing a virtual team are best workers may be located anywhere in the world, less travel time, and ease on space sharing.  Members from two organizations are in different countries over the world, they can reduce travel time by organizing virtual team.  They can also give immediate response to others by virtual platform.  The virtual platform can be updated quickly by the members 24 hours from different countries.  In the virtual platform, they can share knowledge, such as, religious beliefs and views on sad news and good news.  At the same time, they can share resources, for example, venue, facilities, manpower, and network.
Experience sharing from user

One of the user of the virtual platform, Carman, a Medical student of a local university learnt from the WeloveWecare.com that were recruiting volunteers to provide medical and health care and support to the children in Africa which happened a long period of famine. Many children are suffering, lack of food and parental care, even in lack of fresh water and basic food. Carman joined the activity in last summer, to contribute her professional knowledge and skills to help those in need.  She saw many children are unhealthy and have abnormal body weight. She assisted doctors to provide medical treatment. After Carmen joining this volunteer activity, she has learnt a lot.  Because of joining the membership in WeloveWecare.com, she can receive regular news about the latest activities & events.  Through this platform, she also saw the collaboration between World Peace Organization and Religion Organization and how to share knowledge and resources, for example, before going to the trip, volunteers received training by World Peace Organization.  Religion Organization coordinated the events in Africa, for example, venue for briefing, storage space, and network with local communities.  The platform is also able to collect donation & resources (such as fresh water, food & medical resources) from all over the world to direct to the people in need.


 
Carman, a Medical student of a local university
She shares how she makes use of this VirtualWeLoveWeCare.com to gain a valuable experience in helping the suffering children in Africa.


 

 
The interview speeches from Carmen
“I am Carmen, a Medical student of local university
I learnt from the WeloveWecare.com, they were recruiting volunteers to provide medical and health care and support to the children in Africa, there was a long period of famine. Many children are suffering, lack of food and parental care, even in lack of fresh water and basic food. That’s why I joined the activity in last summer, to contribute my professional knowledge and skills to help those in need. I saw many children are unhealthy and have abnormal body weight. I assisted doctors to provide medical treatment. After joining this volunteer activity, I have learnt a lot. Because of joining the membership in WeloveWecare.com, I can receive regular news about the latest activities & events. Through  this platform, I also saw the collaboration between World Peace Org. & Religion and how to share knowledge and resources, For example, before going to the trip, I have received training by World Peace Org. I have no religion background but were surprised by the coordination by Religion in Africa. For example, venue for briefing, storage space, and network with local communities. This platform is also able to collect donation & resources (such as fresh water, food & medical resources) from all over the world to direct to the people in need. I would like to Thank the WeloveWecare.com for giving me such a great opportunity to participate in this meaningful volunteer event I will share my experience of using the WeloveWecare.com with my fellows & family.”
 
Challenges in the beginning of collaboration
 
The coordination of talents from World Peace Organization and Religion Organization can help to achieve the common goal which is to spread out the idea of Spread out “World Peace” & “WE Love, We care” in the world and to provide the opportunities for people to participate in and contribute to “World Peace”.
 
There are challenges in the beginning of organizing the virtual team.  In the virtual team’s survey, “Respondents also reported that generating innovative ideas was more challenging in a virtual environment than when working face to face. As serious as it is, this challenge is not surprising because virtual team members who are located outside of their home countries may face the combined hurdles of language, culture, and time‐zone difference as they try to complete their work.” (Virtual teams survey report – 2012).  The challenges for the two organizations are time gap, cannot meet face-to-face and differences in language, culture, living habits and values. The solutions of solving the challenges are focus on common values, understand different cultures and living habits, set deadlines and make use of different communication channels.

Solutions for solving challenges
 
Focusing on common values can solve the challenges on different culture.  When members from both organizations focus on their common values which are promoting “World Peace” and “We Love, We care” and to provide the opportunities for people to participate in and contribute to “World Peace”, they will understand the culture of each other more by focusing on their common beliefs.  The virtual platform facilitates them to promote the idea together in a jointed effort.  They need to set terms that both parties find acceptable.  For example, activities which can help encourage the public to care about and participate in “World Peace” can be posted on the platform for promotion and volunteer recruitment, regardless of the organizing parties.
 
Make use of different communication channels can solve the challenges in time gap and difference in language.  Members in both organizations can provide immediate response by many virtual communication channels.  At the same time, the virtual communication
channels, such as email, forum provides spaces for members to leave comments.  Members can get back and reply the comments even though there are time gaps.  Lots of virtual communication channels provide translating function and this can solve the challenge of difference in language.
 
Reach an agreement can also solve the challenges. Firstly, the coverage/promotion on the VirtualWeLoveWeCare.com can help sharing of knowledge and resources (e.g. facilities, venues for functions/ events, manpower of both parties etc.). Then, to assess the probability, valuation and capability of the same goal, financial budget, etc., to see which the best way to arrange the resources is.  After they have worked out the agreed items, they sign the agreement of the cooperation. If there is problem come from either party, they are open for discussion for improvement.
 
Conclusion

Virtual collaboration between Religions and World Peace Organization can help to spread the common values, World peace, Love and Care, all over the world, in a significant way. At the same time, it can reduce conflicts between diverse religions and increase connection and support of people by sharing knowledge and resources.
The common goal for both organizations is to spread out World peace, We Love and We Care message in the world, at the same time, to provide opportunities for people to participate in and contribute to “World Peace”, which supports our strong position:
Conflict resolution between different religions requires continuous negotiation, communication, dialogue, cooperation, intervention, exchanges, interaction and ground rules. VirtualWeLoveWeCare.com can provide an open and safe place for people to understand each other, to feel comfortable to express and promote world peace.  This can enable public to participate in world peace no matter what cultural background, religious doctrine, political affiliation or age demographic.”



What Kind Of World Do You Want

Got A Package full of wishes.
A Time machine, a magic wand, a globe made out of gold.
No instructions or commandments,
Laws of gravity or indecisions to uphold

Printed on the box I see,
A.C.M.E.'s built a world to be,
Take a chance, grab a piece,
Help me to believe it.

What kind of world do you want?
Think anything.
Let's start at the start, build a masterpiece,
Be careful what you wish for...
History starts now.


Should there be people or peoples?
Money, funny, pedestals, for fools who never pay.
Raise your army, choose you steeple.
Don't be shy, the satellites, can look the other way..

Lose the earthquakes, keep the faults.
Fill the oceans, without the salt.
Let every man own his own hand.
Can you dig it baby?

What kind of world do you want?
Think anything.
Let's start at the start, build a masterpiece,
Be careful what you wish for...
History starts now.

Sunlight's on the bridge.
Sunlight's on the way.
Tomorrow's callin,
There's more to this than love.

What kind of world do you want?
What kind of world do you want?

What kind of world do you want?
Think anything.
Let's start at the start, build a masterpiece, Yeah
History starts now, starts now.

Be careful what you wish for...

Start now, now.

References
1.      Jeff Weiss and Jonathan Hughes (2005). Want Collaboration? Accept – And Actively Manage Conflict
2.      Catherine H. Tinsley and Jeanne M. Brett, Managing Workplace Conflict in the United States and Hong Kong, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 85, No. 2, July, pp. 360–381, 2001
3.      Johnson, L. (2002). Does E-mail Escalate Conflict? MIT Sloan Management Review, 44(1).
4.      Golnaz Sadri and John Condia (2012). Managing the virtual world
5.      Charles Handy (1995). Trust and the Virtual Organization. Harvard Business Review, May-June 1995
6.      Huber, V., & Neale, M.A. (1986) Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 7.      Conflict Resolution - Resolving Conflict Rationally and Effectively
8.      Understanding and Resolving Conflict PowerPoint slides
9.      The Challenges of Working in Virtual Teams, VIRTUAL TEAMS SURVEY REPORT – 2012
10.  Conflict to Collaboration, Harvard Business Review Notice of Use Restrictions, May 2009
11.  Effective Teamwork, A Best Practice Guide for the Construction Industry

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