ALIA Europe

January 10-16, 2010
Mennorode Conference Centre, Netherlands

In turbulent times, how do we release the capacity for innovation and leadership within and across our organizations and communities? What simple but powerful approaches and practices will sustain us? How can we work together to co-create the bright new systems of the future?

We are pleased to announce that in January 2010 the ALIA Institute will host a five-day immersion in the paradigm-shifting skills, tools, and mindsets leaders need to navigate through times of rapid change and complexity. We hope you will join us for this exciting inaugural event.

ALIA Europe follows the design of the acclaimed Shambhala Summer Institute based in Nova Scotia, which as been a magnet for pioneering thought leaders and change-makers since 2001.

Programme updates and registration will be available soon. In the meantime, reserve your place here.

Fees include all programming and meals beginning with dinner on January 10 and ending with a closing banquet on the 15th. Nonprofit and team discounts are available.

Earlybird fee: €2,000
Final fee: €2,600

Accommodations at Mennorode (page translated into English by Google here) (six nights): €396 (single) or €336 (double)

Download an announcement to forward to your network here.

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With the team we have agreed action for next steps. Communication will be found through the Alia institute or the groups on facebook of Alia and CHE School of Synnervation.

What is the Alia program? This is what you can find on the alia website

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Authentic Leadership in Action is a transformational journey of learning, growth, and skill-building that leads to the profound renewal of our organizations and communities.

What exactly is authentic leadership and where does it come from? Although it may be hard to define, most of us know it when we see it. We recognize it in personal examples, whether it is an historical figure, our minister, our CEO, a neighbourhood grandmother, or a politician who is truly inspiring. And we recognize it in our own best moments. When we are authentically present and true to our own internal compass, we are able to bring out the best in others. We are able to communicate without pretense and manipulation because we are not hiding behind ego or driven by fear. We are confident because we trust in the natural intelligence and goodness in ourselves and others. Seeing clearly what is and what could be, we are able to act decisively and effectively.

In today's world, authentic leadership is like a breath of fresh air. And it is needed everywhere. We are all being called to rise to this challenge, whatever our position or domain of work. 

As we move forward with this inspiration, we encounter some key questions: How do we go beyond habits of fear and limiting assumptions? How do we align our compass and strengthen our core presence so that it shines even in the midst of difficulty and uncertainty? How do we release the potential that already exists in the people and situations around us, rather than resorting to control and manipulation? These aren't lessons we will learn at business school or in most leadership programs and seminars. At the same time, we do need strategies and toolkits that are aligned with an authentic way of being, and with an authentic way of empowering others and achieving our goals.  

The challenge of authentic leadership may seem daunting: we are being called to integrate the core of who we are, how we think, and how we respond moment-to-moment with the best strategies, tools, and practices of 21st century leadership. 

To address this challenge, the ALIA Institute draws on two streams of influence. One has ancient roots: the deep and rigorous understanding of "authentic presence" and "enlightened society" as taught in the Buddhist and Shambhala traditions. The other is leading edge: the new-paradigm thinking, research, and tools emerging from adaptive systems and complexity theory, chaordic design, Theory U, social networking theory, strength-based community development, and other disciplines that respond to current issues of leadership, innovation, and change.

The ALIA Institute began as the week-long Shambhala Summer Institute, which has convened annually in Halifax, Nova Scotia, since 2001. Early thinking partners and faculty included Peter Senge, Margaret Wheatley, Juanita Brown, Toke Moeller, Marianne Knuth, Art Kleiner, and a team of professional artists and senior meditation teachers in the Shambhala tradition. The leadership-development model developed by the Institute blends intensive skill-building modules facilitated by pioneers in their fields, mindfulness meditation, creative process, and plenary dialogues. This blend has proven to be more successful and impactful than even the founders had anticipated. The Summer Institute has strengthened the leadership of thousands of people around the world and has resulted in countless new collaborations.

While the Shambhala Summer Institute will continue this tradition, in 2009 we are also setting sail under the banner of ALIA to three new locations, with the intention of working with regional partners to host programs that will spark and support regional place-based networks. We also aspire to develop a virtual campus that will connect these regional nodes and make ALIA's resources and community more universally available.

The ALIA Institute is an independent nonprofit organization based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. The Shambhala Summer Institute is incorporated under the Nalanda Foundation, a charitable organization in Canada and the United States.

Governing Council

Phil Cass (Chair)
Claudia Chender
Michael Chender (Founding Chair)
Aftab Erfan
Chris Grant
Matt Habash
Mark Hazell
Marty Janowitz
John Roy
Susan Skjei
Sera Thompson

Staff

Susan Szpakowski (Exec. Dir.)
Karen Densmore
Gabrielle Donnelly
Cara Lynn Garvock
Glenna Jeffers
Nicola Parker
Ryan Watson
Barbara Zielinski

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I am very much looking forward on the Alia Europe program emerging. and I am glad to be part of the team that is supporting this.

The week-end brought us towards deeper understanding of the program and the value of this happening in Europe. I was inspired with some old friends and found new ones. CHE School of Synnervation supports and recommends the Alia program within the CHE network and with her relations.

Let's make this happen!

http://www.integralleadershipreview.com/index.php

Welcome to the March 2009 issue of integral Leadership Review.

Before you check it out, let me tell you about a couple of things that may interest you.

First, the latest streaming audio interview is with Craig Park, Vice President and Director of Marketing, Lea A Daly, one of the world's largest construction firms. Turns out he is a student of Ken Wilber's work and recently published an article about marketing in a professional association journal that draws on Wilber's work.

Second, please note that we are about to publish Peter Merry's new book, Evolutionary Leadership. You can secure an advance copy at a 20% off retail price discount by ordering at the Integral Leadership Review website before April 15, 2009.

And do notice that you can listen to Michael Jones perform on the piano as you read his article! I hope you enjoy this new issue of ILR and some of its novel features.

Thanks,

Russ Volckmann, Editor