What are the other four tracks?
Isn't focusing on what we have in common a veiled attempt at syncretism or a "one world religion"?
Can you give me an example of how Trac5 works to resolve conflicts?
What can I do to get involved?
What is Trac5?
Trac5 is a different kind of path to peace. We work both on the grassroots level and alongside traditional efforts such as the other four tracks of conflict resolution to revitalize the reconciliation process. Trac5 brings three critical elements together to usher in the power of reconciliation:
1) Education: Paradigm busting message capable of core individual and cultural transformation
2) Application: Successful and proven model in both complex regional conflicts and smaller crisis situations.
3) Networking: Work with existing 100 nation leader & youth networks to connect and resource friends across the globe.
What are the other four tracks?
The other four tracks are the traditional solutions/paths to conflict resolution:
1) Diplomats negotiating peace plans balancing interests of each side,
2) Politicians who implement agreements through formal legal processes,
3) Military pressure compliance through peacekeeping forces and;
4) Economic strategists motivate each side with incentives of trade & reconstruction, or threats of punitive actions like sanctions, etc.
Why do we need another path?
In America, the post 9/11"War on Terrorism" has contaminated all aspects of our lives at lethal levels by deadly wars, frustrations with travel, economic hardships and serious challenges to civil liberties. Time-worn political approaches have proven frustrating to policy makers and increasingly ineffective against the fear of growing radical ideology driven by militant interpretations of religion.
Solutions will continue to be elusive as the four political traditional tracks are limited to force and/or appeasing each side with national interests such as power, money, land, etc. Unaddressed spiritual and relational motivators are far too often misdirected by militant interpretations of religion that become a root cause in conflicts. "Tit for tat" does not resolve problems; real reconciliation requires a holistic and spiritual approach to transform the darker tendencies of human nature.
The Trac5 approach works toward this transformation. It impacts what pulls people to either love, or hate; forgive, or seek revenge; and in a broader sense, creates profound cultural impact in order to transition from war to peace. We must build a spiritual bond at the critical origin of human need, unaddressed by any of the other four tracks alone. Trac5\\'s specially trained teams coach key influence makers through a process so powerful it can turn enmity into reconciliation. As this foundational transformation occurs, it gives the other tracks a better chance to work.
What is bold about Trac5?
Hundreds of well-intended efforts focus on tolerance, mutual respect, multi/inter-faith and connectivity as humans. The times demand we go further than these "niceties" in order to really influence the inner human core driving people to hate, mistrust and kill each other. Beyond respecting our differences, Trac5 helps explore, illuminate and focus on the connection points people of faith have in common. We are less interested in all of us agreeing than we are in how we are relating to each other. And we think we should be closer to those different from us. In the interest of defending their own beliefs, people of faith sometimes miss the opportunity to see each other for who they really are.
Isn't focusing on what we have in common a veiled attempt at syncretism or a "one world religion"?
Some of our initiatives focus on exploring the roots of the faiths to see if there is more in common than our modern perspective has led us to believe. This is not an attempt to convert others to another religion, nor a form of universalism or syncretism. Every person holds their personal faith and beliefs dear; we strongly affirm that right and expectation. Yet there is strong evidence for a much broader narrative to encompass the way those of each faith treat others. It is much more strongly supported by religious texts and history than is represented in today's mainstream sensibilities.
Can you give me an example of how Trac5 works to resolve conflicts?
Trac5 has proven to be a real life backdoor in a discreet process already used by key influencers that revitalizes stalemated situations where trust has been demolished. It gets remarkable results by breaking cycles of violence and hatred and can turn enemies into friends. Trac5's unique approach played a direct or indirect role in some stunning successes in recent years with the rapprochement with Libya, deployment of Peacekeepers in Sudan/Darfur, peace treaty in the Congo (DRC), release of Christian "converts" on trial in Iran, release of Korean Christians taken hostage by the Taliban, stopping the Florida Qur'an burning and others.
Most of our work is based on several basic engagement principles for conflict resolution (and really, they work in strengthening any relationship). Trac5's model matured through the experience of well-seasoned teams of peace-seekers with collective travels to over 148 countries and decades of experience searching and finding effective strategies for conflict resolution. You may want to review our "Fifth Track" History page. Some of this history is personified in the narrative of founder Mark Siljander's spiritual journey, described in his 2008 book A Deadly Misunderstanding: A Congressman's Quest to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide.
What can I do to get involved?
Trac5 begins through person to person connections. All of our high level relationships begin first through hospitality: sharing a meal, laughing, talking and hoping to understand someone new a little better. So if you want to be a part of Trac5, take that first step by extending peace to someone close to you. We are so excited about you doing this and want to help however we can. So we have put together several resources under a special Get Involved section of our website to help you get started.
When is your next event?
Visit our Events Schedule to learn what is coming next!
 
 | ||||
