When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it? — Eleanor Roosevelt

In this workshop, youth examine forgiveness, in both large and small scale. Forgiveness plays out in different ways in relation to social justice. This workshop acknowledges the topic of oppressors seeking forgiveness for oppression, but focuses more on an individual's responsibility to seek forgiveness. If every person accepted this responsibility, perhaps institutionalized oppression would have difficulty taking root in our society.

Goals

This workshop will:

• Identify forgiveness as a quality needed to bring about a more just world
• Demonstrate that forgiveness is connected to the inherent worth and dignity of every person (first Principle)
• Explore forgiveness as a challenging and rewarding activity
• Examine forgiveness on different levels, both large and small.

Learning Objectives

• See forgiveness as an important quality in justice making and imagine ways to be more courageous
• Learn about different acts of forgiveness
• Consider how forgiveness has affected their lives
• Understand forgiveness as what we give to others as well as ourselves
• Explore forgiveness as a process.