September 27, 2004

Re-Gathering

Attendance: 12 members and 3 guests

Introduction

Gerri Schwartz introduced the program with a short presentation on the “Literacy of Citizenship”. Gerri's inspirational address covered the following points:

• It is now 3 years since we held Connections II on September 15, 2001 in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and on the Pentagon in Washington on September 11, 2001. Because of the ensuing disruption to air travel our scheduled keynote speaker, Gail Holland, author of A Call for Connection, was unable to attend and Gerri filled in for her, taking as her theme “Today I am a New Yorker,” symbolizing the connection of all of us to that set of tragic events.
• Since then the world has changed in both dramatic and subtle ways and all of us, as well as the Institute for Ethical Leadership are learning how to reinvent ourselves to deal with the changed reality.
• The new operative concept is global interdependence. Not only are we struggling with economic and ecological global interdependence, but we now have an interdependence of shared danger. All of us are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. This is a danger within the global community so that we are all interdependent in ways unknown to previous generations. Each of us is now responsible to contributing in whatever ways we can to saving the world.
• Some people will choose to do this through their work and on volunteer service activities to assist the disadvantaged. Others will address the big picture future of humanity.
• The World Council for Human Development, an assembly of scholars from universities and research agencies around the world, has published a report (2002) entitled Toward a Psychology of Global Interdependency. The authors stress the importance of early childhood education to prepare children to become global citizens. If children do not learn to be cooperative and empathetic at an early age, it can lead to unhealthy self-interest and potentially aggressive behaviour in later life. The new literacy of citizenship is respect for diversity and a capability for reflective thinking. Underlying this is a new moral ethic of shared responsibility for the future of the world and respect and compassion for the whole of humanity.
• All of the themes of the Institute for Ethical Leadership are embedded in this new global ethic. The most sacred thing to do is to respect the whole of humanity and our interconnections with the natural world.
• Teaching the new ethic is a long and difficult process, but we must never give up.
• Gerri referred to a concept from her own Jewish tradition of tikon olam—repairing the world. The highest act in this tradition is helping others to help themselves.

Discussion

In a brief discussion following Gerri's presentation the following points were made:

• Working to help others brings personal well-being.
• You can't do God's will by hurting others.
• The current paradigm of separateness is embedded in all of our institutions. It will require a monumental learning effort to shift to the new paradigm of interdependence.
• All of us need to do our own learning and share it with others.

Roundtable Discussion of Themes for Connections III

Theme 1: Inspiring students and young people as tomorrow's leaders to embrace high values of respect, cooperation and responsibility.

Highlights of Mini-Conference, January 26, 2004: An audience of 60 people, including participants from 8 school districts, heard a presentation on the Living Values program and discussed strategies for the teaching of values in schools.

Developments since the Mini-Conference:

• Discussions have been held with the Vancouver School Board
• New Westminster has re-confirmed their interest
• The Institute sponsored a workshop for teachers at Sir Winston Churchill High School in Vancouver.
• Gudrun Howard has presented workshops for several schools.

Theme 2: Leading the way on initiatives to transform industrial society for a sustainable future.

Highlights of Mini-Conference, March 22, 2004: An audience of 50 people, including participants from several municipalities, heard presentations on the challenges and dangers facing us locally and globally because of the enormous consumption of energy (mainly from fossil fuels) by industrial societies and because of the rapidly declining reserves of oil and gas. In the discussion period participants put forward a large number of ideas for action.

Developments since the Mini-Conference: Desmond Berghofer is working with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO to focus national and world attention on sustainability. The City of Vancouver has developed a draft plan on a response to climate change. Other jurisdictions are also showing leadership on this issue.

Theme 3: Fostering a spirit of stewardship for the Earth to sustain our spectacular natural heritage for all future generations.

Highlights of the Mini-Conference, May 31, 2004: An audience of 27 people, including school district plant personnel, heard a presentation from the GVRD on the Benefits of Eco-Efficiency in Our Schools, Institutions, and Businesses and shared their knowledge and expertise in making their plants more ecologically efficient.

Developments since the Mini-Conference: Desmond Berghofer reported that he has assumed the Chair of the Board of the Gulf Islands Centre for Ecological Learning, which is moving towards the implementation of residential and day programs for students in 2005. Jim Haliburton reported that the GVRD has committed to doing a full environmental audit on 5 educational institutions.

Theme 4: Setting the standard for ethical competence and relationships to support an advanced and enlightened 21st century society.

Gerri Schwartz and Diane Jennings described the plans for the Mini-Conference to be held on this theme on October 25, 2004. A flyer describing the program was distributed (attached). Several guest speakers will make presentations on their achievements through partnered work. The audience will be engaged in dialogue to enhance partnering relationships. Everyone was asked to invite guests who would have something to contribute to this discussion.

Theme 5: Enlarging the vision of health to include prevention and complementary care and make British Columbia a lighthouse of healthy living for the world.

The Mini-Conference on this topic will be held on November 22, 2004. The intent will be to highlight stories of what people are doing to promote prevention and healthy lifestyles.

Connections III

A discussion was held on how the above themes could be brought together under the general theme of interdependence outlined by Gerri in her introduction.

Connections III was envisaged as a forum of displays and opportunities for people to meet and share their ideas on living well together in a sustainable way.

Everyone is invited to submit ideas for the planning of Connections III to Desmond and Gerri at desgerri@direct.ca.

Next Meeting
October 25, 2004: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Vancouver Public Library
Theme: Relationships and Personal Development
Topic: Partners in Action