love and forgiveness

Friday, November 3, 2006
Lesley University

In collaboration with the Fetzer Institute.

The Campaign for Love and Forgiveness is a secular, non-partisan initiative that explores how love and forgiveness can effect positive change in individuals and communities. The multi-year campaign—initiated by the Fetzer Institute—will encourage community conversations throughout America, inviting everyone to connect on the topics of love and forgiveness.

In support of community conversations, the Campaign for Love and Forgiveness will employ three documentaries slated for broadcast on PBS. The first, The Mystery of Love, was aired on PBS in December 2006. In popular culture, one type of love—passionate sexual romance—is prized above all. But there are many kinds of love that give shape and meaning to life. This film explores real love stories—love in marriage, family, community, science, forgiveness, the search for the divine, friendship, and even war. Actor, playwright and author Anna Deavere Smith is host of the two-hour special.

The second documentary, The Power of Forgiveness, examines the power of forgiveness in alleviating anger and grief caused by the most dramatic transgressions imaginable and those that are more commonplace. Among its subjects the film will feature families of victims from the tragedy of 9/11, and forgiveness education in Northern Ireland, where unforgiveness has been a way of life for generations. The final film, tentatively titled Unforgivable, will explore in detail the question, "Is there any act or atrocity committed against another human being that rises to such a level that it cannot be forgiven?" The dramatic and moving stories introduce real people who have faced a horrific tragedy and have struggled to find it in their hearts to forgive. These two documentaries are projected to air in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

The Campaign was launched on Friday, November 3, 2006, in Boston and five other communities around the country. In addition to this conference, other Campaign activities will include a series of live and virtual conversation across the nation, a letter writing campaign and a kick-off event in Boston.

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