Gaia Community: Alain's Blog

ALIA Europe - program & registration

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:59:34 GMT

Just returned from the ALIA summerschool program in Halifax Nova Scotia. I am very honoured that CHE School of Synnervation is partner in bringing this progam to Europe in January 2010. Here is some more information on the program and registration.

It is a program with, by and for thought leaders. I'll be there and hope to meet you there as well.

In these extraordinary times, leadership-as-usual is not an option. Every organization and every community is navigating through many unknowns. Collectively we are at a crossroads, and much is at stake. As leaders, how do we rise to this challenge? What simple but powerful approaches and practices will not only sustain us, but move our leadership to the next level? How do we release the capacity for innovation and resilience within and across our organizations and communities? How can we work together to co-create the sustainable organizations and systems of the future?

Welcome to ALIA Europe, a six-day immersion in the fresh ideas, paradigm-shifting tools, and strategic conversations you need to guide your team, organization, or community through complex change. This programme follows the design of the acclaimed Shambhala Summer Institute based in Nova Scotia, which has been a magnet for pioneering thought leaders and change-makers since 2001.

Choose your focus

Parallel modules are led by internationally recognized facilitators and leaders in their fields. Choose the module that best addresses your current leadership challenge.

The Art of Hosting Transformational Change
with Toke Paludan Møller and Phil Cass

Deep Democracy: Resolving Complex Issues and Reaching Decisions that Last
with Myrna Lewis

Embodied Leadership
with Wendy Palmer

An Integral Practice for Evolutionary Leadership and Change
with Peter Merry and Dylan Newcomb

Leading through Turbulent Times: The Art of Effective Execution
with Lasse Wrennmark

Practicing Fearlessness in Times of Fear
with Margaret Wheatley and Jerry Granelli

Solving Tough Problems: Co-creating New Realities in Complex Systems
with Adam Kahane

Transforming Leadership (Including Yours!) through Action Inquiry
with David Rooke and Elaine Herdman-Barker

The schedule also includes...

Plenary dialogues and keynotes. Stretch your thinking and tap into the collective experience of the programme community.
Theme-based sessions. Connect with others who share your interest, question, or professional context, from across the modules. Each theme will be introduced by a special guest and then facilitated in a way that maximizes peer learning.
Guided mindfulness meditation. Start each day by "paying attention to how you pay attention." Create the conditions for authentic insight, listening, and learning.
Creative process sessions. Engage the intelligence of the body and the senses, while freeing up creativity.
Arts events. Enjoy performance and improvisation led by accomplished artists.
Time to reflect. Mennorode Conference Centre has many nooks and crannies conducive to quiet conversation, and an adjacent woods that invites exploration.

"The ALIA Institute combines in-depth cultivation of personal leadership with the organizational issues that are critical in today's global environments. Few other leadership programmes create such a dynamic, living laboratory of personal and collective learning." -Peter Senge, author, The Fifth Discipline, The Necessary Revolution, and others.

Schedule

The programme begins with dinner on 10 January and concludes with a celebratory banquet on 15 January, with departure on the 16th. A more detailed schedule is available here.

Who else will be there

225 forward-thinking leaders and change agents from business, government, education, NGOs, and civil society.

Fees

Fees include all programming and meals (except for the open evening) beginning with dinner on 10 January and ending with breakfast on 16 January. A minimum deposit of 50% will secure an early registration fee, with the balance due by 1 October 2009.

€2,300 on or before 15 September, 2009
€2,600 after 15 September, 2009
See the Registration page for cancellation policy.

Discounts: A 10% discount is available to teams of three or more from the same organization. A 10% discount is also available to employees of nonprofit organizations or educational institutions, and to full-time students.

On-site accommodations at Mennorode Conference Centre: €396 single / €336 double occupancy. English-language reservation page available here; Mennorode website translated into English by Google here. Rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis. For details see Accommodations and Travel, at left.

Coaching option

Four one-on-one sessions with an Institute-affiliated coach will help you make the most of your program experience and maintain the momentum of your learning in your home setting. Click here for more information.

How to register

Register online or by fax. Early registration discounts apply. Some modules fill early, so be sure to indicate your second module choice.
Reserve on-site accommodations at the program venue, Mennorode Conference Centre. Be sure to indicate that you are attending the ALIA Institute programme. English-language reservation page available here.
Questions? Please read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. If you have additional questions, send email to Karen Densmore or call Inge Kuipers at 00(31) 33 467 7760 (in Amsterdam).

Partners and sponsors

Tags: ALIA Europe, School of Synnervation, synnervation, leadership, leadership development, buddhism

Synnervation - 16 Ways - Dylan Newcomb

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:16:15 GMT

CHE Synnervation now constist of 15 Synnervators interconnecting and vitaliseing people, organizations and communities. One of them is Dylan Newcomb. Dylan is a professional dancer and choreographer who has been doing research on movement and sound for over 10 years. The last 3 years Dylan has connected with the Center for Human Emergence in the Netherlands.

The work of Dr. Don Beck and Ken Wilber has been a source of inspiration for the latest developments in Dylan's research. This resulted in an interactive dance production called "This" which is based on Spiral Dynamics integral. The world premier of "This" in The Hague was attended by Dr. Don Beck, founder of the global organisation called " Center for Human Emergence".

CHE School of Synnervation and CHE Synnervate can offer "This" as a kick off in change processes and leadership development programs.

In his research Dylan integrates ancient knowledge from the ‘I Ching' and ‘Ayurveda' with modern philosophies as the Integral theory and Spiral Dynamics. Over the years Dylan has worked with more than 100 people, dancers and participants at workshops, to experiment with movement, sound and chi energy. I am honored to have been part of his research as have Peter Merry, Auke van Nimwegen and few others from CHE-NL.

Integrating Eastern and Western knowledge Dylan has found remarkable parallels and developed a movement practice called "The 16 ways". The 16 Ways is a simple body-mind practice, which powerfully interweaves eastern Yin/Yang movement principles with key understandings from western ‘integral' models of psycho/socio/spiritual development. The movie here explains what the 16 ways are and how is emerged.

The 16 Ways - Moving with the power of opposites

With his organization called "Manybody" Dylan is now developing different programs that support vitality and movement practice. The 16 ways has been presented at conferences in the US, Asia and Europe. Dylan and Kyung Sun are now touring through the US with a series of workshops. You can find more information about the international scheduling of workshops on Dylan's website.

CHE School of Synnervation supports the research Dylan is performing and participates in its further development. The 16 ways is becoming part of an integral life practice for Synnervators. With Dylan we are developing a practice for synnervators that integrates the movements of the 16 ways with concepts of Spiral Dynmics and the actual work in projects. Our flow in projects from seed to maturity is connected with the 16 ways and we are now experimenting how doing the actual movements can bring clarification in projects.

CHE School of Synnervation also offers workshops in the Netherlands. Besides the 16 ways workshop School of Synnervation offers a workshop called "The 16 ways and the spiral of life". Dylan Newcomb and Peter Merry take you through an experience of the spiral using the 16 ways to enlarge your consciousness on your personal strengths and development. The worskshops in the Netherlands are planned for July 13 - 14 and September 28 - 29. You can learn more about the scheduling of these workshops on the CHE School of Synnervation website.

The 16 ways and the work of Dylan are only in its early childhood stage. You can learn more about the basic principles of the 16 ways by watching the video's, by ordering the 16 ways DVD or by attending a workshop.

I am convinced that we will learn much more from the next steps and actions taken in the research. And I strongly believe in it's significance for the development of evolutionairy consciousness as it arises as us.

Tags: Synnervation, the 16 ways, Dylan Newcomb, Spiral Dynamics, Integral theory, School of Synnervation, consciousness development, Center for Human Emergence

CHE Netherlands - Latest developments

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:00:28 GMT

The Dutch node of the Center for Human Emergence has a new website.
Latest development in CHE-NL you can find there. It also offers a calendar with activities, projects, courses and salons.

CHE global, founded by Dr. Don Beck, seeks to put in place the conditions to facilitate breakthrough to the next level of living and working together. These conditions relate to and affect both the individual and collective dimensions, both subjective and inter-subjective human aspects and tangible structural elements.

Integral evolutionary consciousness is a phenomenon currently emerging in groups of people all over the planet. People acting from this consciousness display the following characteristics:

alignment, great clarity, to a higher purpose
effectiveness at manifesting what needs to happen at the right time
clarity of mind and unconditional openness of heart, from which flow powerful action
authenticity in action, with no attachment to the result.

CHE NL is a not-for-profit foundation which:

Creates a context in which people from various backgrounds can connect to explore what it means to be and act from an integral evolutionary perspective;

Scans for radically new insights that may contribute to sustainable solutions for various social and economic issues;

Links the new insights it generates to relevant areas of application in society.

The core purpose of CHE NL is:
To become a catalyser and crystallizer of action for the planetary transformation into integral evolutionary consciousness.

The core principles of CHE NL are:

We practice full presence and radical authenticity
We open our hearts to the voice of the whole
We pay attention to the evolutionary impulse as it arises as us
We move ourselves as that impulse with swiftness, precision and love

The daily board of directors of CHE NL, called the Alignment circle is currently occupied by the following souls:

Name:Peter Merry
Function:Integral Alignment Officer
Purpose:Aligning the organization internally and externally

Peter, as visionary, identifies relevant signals and events and leads the process of development of CHE NL.
Name:Lisette Schuitemaker
Function:Organisational Spaceholder
Purpose:Nurturing and gathering information from the CHE's nonlocal field

Lisette sensitizes the interaction of CHE with the abounding spheres of influence and shares insights with the rest of the organisation.
Name:Marinet Ritz
Function:Integrity Guardian
Purpose:Safeguarding individual and organisational integrity

Marinet safeguards the practice of the purpose, principles, and vision. At the same time, she takes into account individual energies that have a message for the organisation as a whole
Name:Anne-Marie Voorhoeve
Function:Strategic Connector
Purpose:Facilitating strategic connections between CHE and society

Anne-Marie identifies developments and needs that are strategically relevant to CHE NL, and she connects these to CHE NL.
Name:Arjen Bos
Function:CHE Synnervate Lead
Purpose:Manifesting CHE Synnervate www.synnervate.nl

Arjen leads CHE Synnervate. He positions services and activities and develops the consulting practice.
Name:Alain Volz
Function:CHE School of Synnervation Lead
Purpose:Manifesting CHE School of Synnervation www.schoolofsynnervation.nl

Alain manifests the expanding education and research portfolio of CHE, in the CHE School of Synnervation.
Name:Jan de Dood
Function:Financial strategist
Purpose:Developing and implementing the financial strategy

Jan helps to build the financial strategy of the Center for Human Emergence.
Name:Marianne de Jager
Function:Wisdom council lead
Purpose:Maintaining the relationship with the Wisdom Council.

Marianne manifests the value exchange between CHE and the members of the Wisdom Council..
Name:Jan-Willem van Aalst
Function:Organisational connector
Purpose:Nurturing healthy relationship with CHE's wider circles

Jan-Willem connects CHE with its wider circles.

Tags: CHE, Center for Human Emergence, Don Beck, evolutionary consciousness, Spiral Dynamics, Integral theory, change, evolution

Integral Leadership Review - March issue

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:38:55 GMT

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

Tags: Intergal theory, leadership, Craig Park, leadership development, Peter Merry, Integral Leadership Review, Ken Wilber

Alia Europe

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:09:19 GMT

Last week-end there was an Alia Europe design team meeting at Mennorode, the location for the 2010 conference. The first Alia program in Europe.

The open invitation was answered by Susan Szpakowski, Chris Grant, Lenneke Aalbers, Bart Budding, Alice Chilver, Walter Ligthart, Gerard Vreman, Peter van der Lugt, George Por, Helene, Yvonne Burger and Alain Volz.

During two days, facilitated by Chris and Lenneke, included meditation, dialogue and action. We have looked into possibilities of the program in Europe and the location Mennorode.

Here is the offical announcement from the Alia website:

---------------

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!

Tags: Alia, leadership, leadership development, CHE School of Synnervation, Alain Volz, CHE, buddhism, conference, Europe

CHE School of Synnervation - on line

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:05:46 GMT

CHE School of Synnervation is moving forwards, also in the virtual environment.

We now have a School of Synnervation group on facebook.
Here you can find the latest developments and join discussions with other SDi practitioners related to CHE School of Synnervation.

Find out:
- when and where the next course hosted by SoS will be
- who are global practioners with and fans of SoS
- what topics are discussed within the group
- what current news and events are concerning CHE School of Synnervation.

The School of Synnervation website will be on line very soon.
www.schoolofsynnervation.nl

Tags: CHE, School of Synnervation, leadership development, SDi, Spiral Dynamics, education, Center for Human Emergence, meshworking

Integral Leadership Review january 2009 - Leadership in Australia

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:52:32 GMT

A new special edition of the Integral Leadership Review has been published.

Integral Leadership Review is an international magazine on leadership and leadership development from an integral perspective. This years January edition is on Leadership in Australia.

Please support the ILR and help us share the experiences, insights and ideals working with leadership and societal development from an integral perspective. You can register for a free subscription.

ILR January 2009 - Leadership in Australia
The contributions in this special edition show elements of new leadership-maybe second tier-emerging. These elements are fragile and agile. Almost all point out the struggle between including the benefits of the present and transcending the emerging new.

Read the leading comment by Ron Cacioppe, Guest Editor for this issue.

This issue contains the first discussion of a Global Integral Leadership study that we are undertaking at the Integral Institute Australasia. Jay Davies spent three months visiting England and the United States interviewing eight leaders who were identified as having characteristics of ‘Integral' leaders.

A Fresh Perspective: Exploring the World of Integral Leadership: A Conversation with Jay Davies, Russ Volckmann

Roger Stace explores the ongoing puzzle of how humans could have evolved the traits that integral leaders exhibit and proposes a new theory for why these beautiful and inspiring aspects of human nature are adaptive.

Article: Roger Stace, Evolution and Integral Leadership: How the Homo Got Its Sapiens

Tom Morris explores integral leadership in the workplace using the AQAL framework and considers 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives.

Article: Tom A. Morris, En Route to Effective Workplace Leadership: An Integral Novice's Exploration

Steve McDonald also takes us on his personal journey in working with clients to apply the integral perspective to managing change.

Article: Steve McDonald, My Integral Change Journey

Mark Edwards uses three lenses to look at leadership: developmental (stages of development), ecological (leader-follower relations), governance (power), and argues that these are additional important dimensions to the understanding and practice of leadership.

Article: Mark Edwards, Seeing Integral Leadership through Three Important Lenses: Developmental, Ecological and Governance

David McDermott and Ron Cacioppe bring an integral model of four quadrants and six levels to the important subject of environmental sustainability and include examples of organizations such as InterfaceFlor, Bendigo Bank and Google that are demonstrating a commitment to zero environmental harm.

Article: Ron Cacioppe and David McDermott, Integral Environmental Sustainability: Achieving an Integral Vision of Business Success with Zero Environmental Impact

Also in this special edition:

Leadership Coaching Tip: Russ Volckmann, Mentoring and Coaching

Review: Laura Santana reviews David V. Day, Michelle M. Harrison, Stanley M. Halpin, An Integrative Approach to Leader Development

Article: Wendelin Kupers, Thoughts on Leadership in Australia

Integral for the Masses: Keith Bellamy, Focusing on Differences-A Critical Trait for the Aspiring Integral Leader?

Leadership Cartoon: Bill Bates Update

Leadership Cartoon: Guest Cartoonist, Mark Hill

Review: Russ Volckmann, Obama, Leadership and Hierarchical Complexity, A Review of Don Dunoon, In the Leadership Mode , Michael Commons and Sara Nora Ross, On Hierarchal Complexity, World Futures

Global Values Update: Alan Tonkin, Evolving Values in the 21st Century: An Integrated View with Annexure on India and Australia

Notes from the Field

Announcements: Integral Leadership Review , France, Indianapolis, Tucson, Australia, Dubai, Prague, Los Angeles

Support ILR
To continue this important work we also need financial support. You can sponsor ILR in different ways:
- become a friend of ILR and donate $10 or more
- Subscribe to Leading Digest , a leadership magazine with management summaries.
- Buy a copy of Insights on Leadership - a magazine with in depth interviews of leaders.

Alain Volz
Bureau Chief and Associate Editor the Netherlands
Integral Leadership Review

Tags: Integral Leadership Review, leadership, spiral dynamics, leadership development, evolutionary change, Australia, evolution, consciousnesss development

CHE School of Synnervation - Educational program 2009

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:25:08 GMT

CHE School of Synnervation is an initiative of the Center for Human Emergence in the Netherlands (CHE-NL). The school is CHE's entity for research, development and training. It offers in company programs for resilience, meshworking and leadership development, offers individual coaching for professionals in complex environments and offers programs with an open registration.

Differentiation in participation by SoS
CHE School of Synnervation is a living organism and collabortates with other organisations in its offering. The school differentiates it's educational curriculum in 3 categories:
- Hosted by SoS - the event is organized by CHE School of Synnervation, often in co-creation with other partners. CHE donators often receive a discount on registration.
- Powered by SoS - the event is hosted by a partner organization and recommended by the School of Synnervation. CHE donators often receive a discount on registration.
- Supported by SoS - CHE School of Synnervation has no direct involvement in this program, but the offering is in line with SoS purpose and principles. No agreements are made for CHE discount.

Hosted by CHE School of Synnervation
CHE School of Synnervation offers educational programs with an open registration. The school is now offering 5 different programs in the Netherlands, is launching 2 new programs in 2009 and is expanding internationally.

CHE School of Synnervation hosts the following 5 programs in 2009
     - Spiral Dynamics Integral level 1
     - PeopleSCAN practitioner, Spiral Dynamics Integral Level 2 training
     - Conscious Leadership Course
     - The 16 ways & the Spiral of Life
     - A Perfect Present

Spiral Dynamics Integral level 1

The SDi-level 1 is a basic course in Spiral Dynamics integral. It offers deeper insights and experiences in the dynamics of Human behaviour and systemic change. This course leads to a certification approved by dr. Don Beck.

January 26/29 2009

June 2/5 2009

September 28 October 1 2009

PeopleSCAN practitioner, Spiral Dynamics Integral Level 2 training

The SDI 2 PeopleSCAN course offers coaches and consultants practical tools and methods to integrate SDi in their professional practice. This course leads to a certification approved by dr. Don Beck.
March 16/18 2009

October 12/14 2009

The Conscious Leadership Course
The Conscious Leadership Course is a modulair leadership dvelopment program. It is case oriented and enables managers to apply SDi, theory U and other practices in their work. CLC level 1 leads to a certification approved by dr. Don Beck. Levels 2 and 3 lead to a School of Synnervation certificate.

April 8/10 2009

October 14/16 2009

The 16 Ways & the Spiral of Life

The 16 Ways is a simple body-mind practice, which powerfully interweaves eastern Yin/Yang movement principles with key understandings from western ‘integral' models of psycho/socio/spiritual development. Go home with a movement practice that can take you through eight core stages of human development. This course leads to a certification approved by dr. Don Beck.

Mach 30 - 31 2009

July 6 - 7 2009

September 28 - 29 2009

A Perfect Present

This 5 days journey enables you to unveil your personal purpose in life, face your shadow and grow in your personal strength.
Dates in 2009 to be announced.

For more information send an e-mail to Alain@humanemergence.nl
http://www.humanemergence.org/
http://www.schoolofsynnervation.nl/

Tags: CHE, School of Synnervation, leadership development, SDi, Spiral Dynamics, education, Center for Human Emergence, meshworking

Spiral Dynamics at Utrecht College (HU)

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:19:14 GMT

The Utrecht College runs a minor called "Charismatic leadership" . 50 students from different studies wollow this program this year. Theay are challenged to co-create the program with a series of teachings, a retreat and a seminar on authentic leadership.

CHE school of Synnervation is involved in the seminar and tomorrow I'll act as co-creator for one of the teachings on spiral dynamics and charismatic leadership. The seminar will be held on January 29th.

There are few things that I really appreciate about the setup of this minor. Co-creation is part of the program. This aligns with my perception of co-creation as a carrier for individual authenticity in service of collective leadership and purpose. The retreat offers possibilities to party and to meditate or do yoga. It is functional and fun. The way the students are involved in designing their own learning material and series of teachings gives space for creativity and co ownership.

The students I work with tomorrow had a clear idea on what they wanted and it seems to be quite easy for me to step into this. I am part of their program, not the experienced professional coming over to tell them what they need to know. We aligned the individual contributions and created a program that hopefully will be flexible, interactive, inspiring and fun for all 50 students. I know I'll be having fun.

The students will start the session with this video. It explains briefly the vMemes of the spiral. From there the students will go into more depth of the vMemes and I'll step in sharing about characteristics of leadership in the differente vMemes.

Possibly I'll write more about the seminar in January.

Spiral Dynamics by Mathfails

Tags: Spiral Dynamics, CHE, School of Synnervation, Alain Volz, vMemes, Synnervation, consciousness, evolution, learning, leadership

The Hague center for Global Governance, Innovation & Emergence

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:44:12 GMT

The Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated a possibility for young and innovative organisations to offer a proposal for funding international developmental projects. The Dutch Center for Human Emergence has offered a proposal for this center.

The core group of CHE NL involves around 80 - 100 active volunteers. In 2007 CHE NL received € 37,830 as private donations. In 2006: € 38.654. The Wisdom Council of CHE NL consists of prominent, leading persons in Dutch society, such as Herman Wijffels and Carlos de Bourbon, Prince de Bourbon de Parma, Prince of Piacenza.

With the initiative "The Hague Center for Global Governance, Innovation and Emergence" the CHE NL aligns, activates and supports MeshWorks of stakeholders needed to design, implement and learn from solutions to the different and interconnected challenges that humanity faces.

Within the field of International Development it will identify partnerships and align initiatives. It will look at the specific qualities of the different partners and how their uniqueness can be enhanced and vitalized through their connection to other unique partners, thereby adding value in terms of a structural higher effectiveness of the partners activities, hence leading to a decrease in poverty.

The "Hague Center" will focus on different countries from the DAC list. Current activities of the CHE NL that will be incorporated within the "Hague Center", take place in Zambia (listed as one of the ‘least developed countries' in the DAC-list) and Kenya (listed as ‘other low income countries' on the DAClist).

Dr Beck refers to the CHE as a MeshWork Foundation. In his words: "This type of foundation uses the power of "mesh" in identifying, integrating, aligning, and mobilizing all available resources. These, in turn, are focused like laser-beam on specific challenges, goals, objectives, or outcomes.

Such a foundation will be less interested in its own image, data banks, financial resources, or proprietary position in a specific professional or public niche. Rather, it is an open system; one designed to aid and assist other efforts, even if they appear on the surface to be competitive, to work for a greater goal, the power of the Third Win. It will accept, as its unique and transcendent role, the enabling and empowering of all of the elements that can contribute to a positive outcome. This new foundation is an inclusive (rather than exclusive) force designed to raise the total national or global capacity for both short and long term solutions to complex problems. It will use both the cyberworld and personal contact summitry to bring all of the other foundations (and other interests) together around common purpose. It will accept a major information sharing and technology transfer role. It will assist other entities to become healthy and vibrant. It has no need to re-invent the wheel since it is wasteful to duplicate resources and absorb capital in unnecessary expenditures, fancy offices, or expensive public relations efforts.

Such an initiative will be relatively lean in stature, with the capability of big-picture thinking cobbled with a quick-response intelligence. It will offer its "good offices" to the academy, marketplace, milieu, or MeshWork that links all of the efforts and resources in a given field or cause. As a result, more is done by less, solutions are both short-term and long-term, and the whole "brain syndicate" continues to learn, get better, improve, and even develop new and imaginative solutions that no specific effort, foundations, or entity could invent on their own."

This is the role that the CHE plays and that we see for the "Hague Center for GlobalGovernance, Innovation and Emergence"

The website with the proposal, partners and possibility for your comment http://www.thehaguecenter.nl/News/News.html

Partners:

Independent nodes of the Center for Human Emergence global network in the Middle East, Mexico, Brazil, USA and Germany
M.CAM - provides Global Technology Assessments, enables the Global Innovation Commons
Gaiasoft - provides virtual performance, knowledge and collaboration platforms
Arlington Institute - provides technology for systemic mapping and surprise anticipation
HolacracyOne - provides advice on the holacractic organisational practice
Boer & Croon - provide advice on corporate finance and management
Endemol - provides a partnership in multi-channel media communication for the MDGs
PrivaServe Foundation - partner in improving the independence and self-reliance of local rural communities in Zambia through local leadership development in a holistic approach, using ICT and communication as important enablers; creating 8 rural competence centers in the coming two years together with local, national and international partners
LinkNet Zambia - cooperative organization providing for cost based building, operations and maintenance of tailored communications infrastructure and services for special interest groups in rural areas.
Elemental Africa - provides expertise and experience in the application of ecologically sustainable technologies in Africa (based in South Africa)
Young Women's Leadership Institute - nurtures young women's leadership and open spaces for women's engagement in policy processes through capacity building, learning, intergenerational dialogues and creating links (www.ywli.or.ke) ( Kenya)
CHE Kenya i.o - facilitating emergence in Kenya through MeshWorking, dialogues, capacity building and projects - starting with the connection, empowerment and mobilization of the women of Africa in collaboration with Kenyian (for example YWLI) and other organizations, to create the future of Africa and to develop bonds of friendship and mutual learning and support with women (and men) internationally.
MeshWork Millenium Development Goal (MDG) 5 - A collaboration consisting of 20 partners who joined forces in order to make a real contribution to the reduction of the maternal mortality ratio (Millenium Development Goal 5). The MeshWork consists of the partners: AMREF; BIO Connection B.V.; BioFarmind; Cordaid; DRC; GlaxoSmithKline; ICM; Kenisis; KNOV; Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen; Malaria No More!; Mybody; NCDO; NVOG; NVTG; Organon; Share-net; TI Pharma; TNO Quality of life; World Health Organization.
NatuurCollege, Lippe-Biesterfeld Foundation - NatuurCollege wants to contribute to the convelescence of the relationship between mankind and nature, by learningactivities, projects, publications, journalistic productions and the development of an interactive international platform.
Energy4Life - global leader in the field of sourcing, co-developing and validating new distributed energy technologies, know-how and insights to manifest integral solutions for climate change and the global energy, water and food shortages
The Hunger Project - a global, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. The Hunger Project has pioneered low-cost, bottom-up, gender-focused strategies in each region where hunger persists. These strategies mobilize clusters of rural villages to create and run their own programs that achieve lasting progress in health, education, nutrition and family income
City of the Hague network - network of organisations and government institutions in the Hague

Tags: Global governance, innovation, emergence, che, don beck, meshwork, spiral dynamics, macha

Dutch treat - Macha from an Integral perspective

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:49:36 GMT

Earlier this year Anne-Marie Voorhoeve, Dick Uyttewaal from Privaserve foudation and I presented at a CHE Salon our insights and questions in the Macha projects. Leida Schuringa has made a wonderful report from this event. I post her report here and will try to find ways to translate it and publish it in the Integral Leadership Review.

Here is a Dutch treat from Leida as it was posted on the website of Gertjan van Stam.

De Integrale Benadering

We hebben het voorrecht om voor Macha en Zambia met vele professionals samen te werken, uit vele binnen- en buitenlanden. Zo ook met CHE, het Centrum voor Human Emergence. Deze groep gebruikt Spiral Dynamics, een systeem waarmee waardesystemen meetbaar en bespreekbaar worden. Op 10 juni heeft men in Nederland een bijeenkomst gehad alwaar de situatie in Macha is doorgesproken. Leida Schuringa heeft daar een verslag van gemaakt, en door mij bewerkt waren dit de observeringen aldaar;

Inleiding
Macha is een gebied in Zambia. Zambia is ongeveer 20 x zo groot als Nederland (752.614 km2) en er wonen 11,9 miljoen mensen waarvan 60% op het platteland. Dat betekent een bevolkingsdichtheid van 16 per km2 . De gemiddelde levensverwachting is lager dan 40 jaar en het merendeel van de bevolking leeft onder de nationale armoedegrens (die is meestal nog lager dan de internationale grenswaarde van 1 dollar per dag). Tekenend is de uitspraak van een arts: "Blijkbaar is de oogst weer binnen. Ik zie dat de mensen die hier in het ziekenhuis komen, weer wat aankomen." Het merendeel van de Zambianen (>70%) is christelijk. De gemeenschappelijke voertaal is Engels, naast de 71 lokale talen. Ook het eindexamen op scholen wordt in het Engels afgenomen.

De regio Macha is ongeveer zo groot als de provincies Utrecht en Noord Holland te samen. Het is een relatief vlak gebied dat er aan het eind van de regentijd groen uitziet met veel lage, dichte bossages, maar daarna helemaal weer uitdroogt. Macha refereert ook aan de plek waar het project ‘Macha' zich ontwikkelt. Hier staat een ziekenhuis dat in de vijftiger jaren is opgebouwd door de Brethren in Christ Church, en recent het Malaria onderzoek centrum. De dichtst bijzijnde stad is op uren reisafstand.

In Macha werken Gertjan en Janneke van Stam - van Dijk, ondersteund door de stichting PrivaServe Foundation. In het algemeen komt de meeste ontwikkelingshulp terecht in de steden, maar hier wordt geïnvesteerd in plattelandsontwikkeling in brede zin. Janneke is arts en ging in het onderzoekcentrum en ziekenhuis aan de slag. Gertjan, die ondermeer werkzaam was in strategieontwikkeling bij KPN en daar ook kennis had gemaakt met Spiral Dynamics (KPN had Don Beck uitgenodigd), werktte in de techniek. Gertjan wilde het integrale denkraam gebruiken om een community development proces te starten. Naast de medische zorg wilde hij zoeken naar manieren om de economische ontwikkeling te stimuleren en de infrastructuur te versterken.

Relatio = het succes van Macha
Wat betreft de onderliggende dynamieken in de Macha samenleving kunnen we zien dat het als geheel een dominant Paarse samenleving is (zie voor definitie van de kleuren alhier). Alles draait om relatie, de onderlinge relaties zijn bepalend. In het Macha gebied leven de Tongas. Ze zoeken elkaar op om veiligheid te creëren. Hun identiteit is de identiteit van de groep. Ze staan dicht bij de omgeving waar ze ook erg afhankelijk van zijn (honger bij een slechte oogst). Als voorbeeld: Chief Chitanka die verantwoordelijk is voor een gebied dat zo'n 22 dorpen omvat, maakt zich vooral zorgen om de voedselvoorziening. Hij worstelt o.a. met de vraag of en wanneer hij nationale en internationale hulpbronnen moet inschakelen. De mensen in deze samenleving zijn economisch sterk met elkaar verbonden, er is zorg voor elkaar (althans als je je aan de ongeschreven regels houdt). De gemeenschap is sterk gevoelsmatig en intuïtief georiënteerd. Beslissingen worden collectief genomen.

Traditie en stamhoofden spelen een vooraanstaande rol in de samenleving, overigens naast instituties als de politie en het gerechtshof (Blauwe elementen), die vooral zijn ingevoerd in de tijd dat Zambia een Britse kolonie was en door de ontwikkelingshulp. Er is een zekere vrijheid naar wie je met welk vraagstuk toegaat, waaruit blijkt dat er toch ook ruimte is om daarin je eigen weg te kiezen. Blauw vinden we ook terug in de kerk. Het merendeel van de Macha bewoners is christelijk. Het wordt raar gevonden als je niet gelovig bent. Ondanks deze intensiviteit is het toch ook een ‘lokale' kerk met veel zingen en dansen. Er is ook plaats voor andere religies: als Jood ben je hun broeder (Paars). Tegelijkertijd is er ook Oranje technologie in dit gebied zoals auto's, telefoon, radio, Internet en er is besef van klassenverschillen: niet iedereen is even gelijk.

Essentieel in het werk in Macha is om relaties op te bouwen. De gemeenschap heeft daar de tijd en ruimte voor. Eerst een praatje maken, dan kan er van alles. Als ze je kennen, willen ze je graag helpen. Voor veel westerlingen is dit een spannende confrontatie om zo te investeren in de relatie en om de tijd te nemen. De mensen zelf voelen haarfijn aan of de belangstelling gemeend is: "Jullie komen hier echt voor ons en zijn geïnteresseerd in ons en in ons verhaal".

De inzet van het Macha project is om vanuit integraalperspectief mogelijkheden voor ontwikkeling in Macha te creëren. Dat valt in twee vragen uiteen:

hoe creëren we mogelijkheden voor talentontwikkeling (het individu);
hoe zorgen we voor een gezonde ontwikkeling van deze samenleving (het collectief).

Talentontwikkeling
Diverse lokaal talenten spelen een actieve rol in het Community Development proces. Hierbij een aantal voorbeelden:

Fred is defacto de persoon ingevoerd in het Community Development proces. Hij is station manager van de radiozender. Vroeger was hij student en boer en hij is als eerste begonnen met het verbouwen van zonnebloemen voor de pitten. Hij ontmoet erg veel mensen. Zijn denken en handelen is sterk Paars georiënteerd. Hij is sterk in het opbouwen van relaties, luisteren en delen. Hij is de ogen, de oren, de voelsprieten van de gemeenschap. Daarnaast geeft hij mensen hoop, hij spoort hen aan om actie te ondernemen om hun dromen te verwezenlijken. Dit lijkt gemotiveerd door het belang van empowerment. (= positief Rood). Natuurlijk is het een uitdaging om zich los te maken uit de omarming van de gemeenschap. Hij is daarom voorzichtig, probeert altijd de relatie goed te houden. Tegelijkertijd groeit zelfbesef. Schijnbaar kleine dingen hebben een duidelijke impact op zijn ego-bewustzijn (zelfexpressie/ego-ontwikkeling in Rood). Het interne spanningsveld tussen Paarse en Rode waarden komt met name tot uiting in momenten van commotie, in de dynamiek van het nemen van beslissingen.

Gregory, is de operationele directeur van LinkNet, 23 jaar oud en geboren in de omgeving. Opgegroeid in een Paarse samenleving heeft hij nu de leiding over een snel groeiend bedrijf. De vragen die dat oproept kunnen niet vanuit Paars beantwoord worden. Hij zit met allerlei Blauwe vragen rondom structuur en procedures. Ook voor hem is de vraag: hoe kan hij zich als individueel persoon losweken uit de Paarse omgeving? Wat helpt hem om via Rood naar Blauw te gaan? Hij komt allerlei vragen tegen waar hij niet zomaar een oplossing voor heeft.

Esther,is een ruraal Zambia geboren, maar heeft in de stad een bedrijfseconomische opleiding gevolgd. Ze is 'teruggekomen' en wil zich inzetten voor de rurale gemeenschap. Het was eerst wel een grote overgang ("er is hier niets te doen"), maar het contact met de mensen en echt iets kunnen betekenen, maakt alles goed. Zij is verantwoordelijk voor de speelplaats voor de kinderen van het ziekenhuis en koppelt daar allerlei zaken aan vast zoals:

oefeningen doen met de kinderen als verlengstuk van de fysio;
groepsgesprekken met de moeders;
voorlichting geven aan de ouders;
een consultatiebureauachtige functie.

Ze is zichzelf aan het bijscholen door het lezen van litteratuur over Opvoeding en dergelijke.Esther heeft toegang tot het Groen-Oranje waardesysteem.

Lydia en Venita. Lydia houdt de financiën bij en Venita regelt het voorraadbeheer binnen de Ubuntu bouwonderneming en leidt regelmatig mensen rond over het terrein. Beide vrouwen zijn geboren en getogen in de omgeving van Macha. Vrouwen zijn traditioneel actief in het huishouden, dus in de binnenkant van de samenleving en treden vooralsnog niet naar buiten (sterk Paarse taakverdeling). Het zijn vaak sterke vrouwen op wie de zorg voor het eigen gezin en de hele familie rust.

Chief Chitanka is koning van een van de andere regio's. Hij heeft 12 jaar in de stad gewoond, maar toen de vorige koning stierf, is hij aangewezen. Hij wil echt iets bereiken voor zijn mensen ("wij willen dit ook wat er in Macha gaande is"). Hij is een voorbeeld voor Fred. Samen hebben ze een activiteit gestart met als doel: het behoud van de Afrikaanse cultuur. Hij is een actieve pleitbezorger van het Macha project.

Community development
De Stichting PrivaServe Foundation ondersteunt dit ontwikkelingsproces. Het doel is om de mensen in plattelandsgemeenschappen te inspireren om hun collectieve en individuele potentieel te realiseren. Zelfstandigheid en zelfredzaamheid van de plaatselijke bevolking van ontwikkelingslanden wordt zo vergroot door aanwezige hulpbronnen te stimuleren en tot ontwikkeling te brengen (capacity building projects) en door middel van noodhulp waar nodig (emergency support projects). Het gaat erom mensen in hun eigen kracht zetten, te ‘empoweren'. Een belangrijk werkprincipe daarbij is: ‘meet them where they are': sluit aan op hun werkelijkheid opdat het ook echt van hen wordt. Het gaat ook om creatieve oplossingen voor ‘eigenaarschap'. Een voorbeeld hiervan is dat LinkNet is opgezet als co-operatie. Het beste blijkt tot nu toe een combinatie te zijn van ownership, bottom up approach en topdown support (niet of-of, maar en-en) en dit gekoppeld aan het opbouwen van goede relaties.

Het werkt! En dat heeft een stroom van nationale en internationale bezoekers tot gevolg: "hoe doen jullie dit en wat is zo succesvol?" Jasper Bets (CHE) heeft 2,5 maand onderzoek gedaan in Macha om dit in kaart te brengen. Hij wordt hierin gecoacht door Ard Hordijk (Nijenrode) en Alain Volz van CHE ondersteunt Ard weer. Vragen zijn: Hoe geef je een integrale benadering vorm? Hoe creëer je resilience in de verschillende kwadranten? Hoe kun je het proces van synnerveren in beweging krijgen en houden?

Het Macha verhaal is begonnen met Malariabestrijding. Maar naast de meer medische kant, heeft malaria vele gezichten en in bredere zin gaat het om het vergroten van de gezondheid en weerbaarheid van de mensen. Malaria ontneemt levenslust en levenskracht. Het nestelt zich gemakkelijk in een Paarse samenleving, o.a. omdat er discipline nodig is om medicijnen in te nemen. Het kan gemakkelijk gebeuren dat iemand een penicillinekuur niet afmaakt omdat zij/hij zich al beter voelt of de medicijnen gaat delen met andere zieken. Daarnaast word malaria ook in stand gehouden door slechte levensomstandigheden op het gebied van hygiëne (bijvoorbeeld als er water uit onzuivere bronnen wordt gedronken) of als er geen geld is om de gebruikelijke rieten daken te vervangen door zink (waarin de malariamug niet kan nestelen). Nodig zijn daarom - naast medicijnen en muskietennetten - acties op het terrein van:
-    basis gezondheidszorg
-    infrastructuur: elektriciteit, water, wegen, vliegveld
-    economie
-    stimuleren van agrarische investeringen
-    basisonderwijs
-    betaalbare transport- en communicatiemogelijkheden.

Daarbij gaat het vooral om praktische en werkbare oplossingen. Zo heeft bijvoorbeeld een Arabische onderneming in Macha een zendmast neergezet. Daar gaat de winst heen en ondertussen doen de telefoons het!

Dit alles heeft geleid tot grote activiteit op het Macha terrein. Macha omvat nu - behalve het ziekenhuis en het onderzoekscentrum -:

een community center (het oude is afgebrand, maar er gaat een nieuwe, veel groter, centrum gebouwd worden);
een Internet café dat wordt gerund door het IT-bedrijf LinkNet, dat ook draadloos internet verzorgt in het hele gebied rondom het ziekenhuis;
een speelplaats voor de kinderen met vrolijk gekleurde speelobjecten;
de slaapgebouwen voor onderzoekers en gasten;
LinkNet Information Technology Academy training center;
Elektriciteitsvoorziening;
een radio station, en later TV;
een primaire school voorziening: de kinderen krijgen nu tijdelijk les in het MICS House zolang de school nog in aanbouw is (voorbeeld van prioriteiten stellen);
Ubuntu Village waar vele mensen kunnen wonen;
‘Macha airstrip', een vliegstrip waardoor de bereikbaarheid sterk verbeterd is.

En de resultaten mbt malaria zijn bijzonder: het aantal zieken en doden door malaria is met 90% teruggedrongen! In andere gebieden in Zambia wordt dit nog niet echt bereikt noch begrepen. De mensen zien in Macha veranderingen in een gebied waar geen toekomst was, waar nooit gedacht is aan de mogelijkheid dat het anders en beter kan dan in de tijd van hun (groot)ouders. Het inzicht in nieuwe mogelijkheden leidt ook tot nieuwe gedrag: huizen worden nagebouwd, men gaat ook zonnebloemen verbouwen, er wordt druk gebruik gemaakt van Internet (online een HBO-opleiding volgen, research doen, opzoeken hoe je nieuwe dingen kunt aanpakken). Internet wordt hier wel "God's greatest gift on earth" genoemd. Het is een vitale voorziening in het Community Development proces. Omdat hier draadloos Internet is, een voorziening die in de steden vaak niet beschikbaar is, worden ook goede gezondheidsspecialisten aangetrokken. Voor hen biedt het o.a. de mogelijkheid tot research en online benodigdheden bestellen.

Het doel (vergroten van de waardigheid, zelfstandigheid en zelfredzaamheid van de plaatselijke bevolking) kan bereikt worden door:

het veranderen van de levensomstandigheden: perspectief en kansen bieden;
ownership vorm geven;
mogelijkheden aanbieden tot capacity building: ervaring en kennis;
(nieuwe) vormen van gemeenschap creëren;
rekening houden met CAPI (Capacity, Authority, Power en Influence);

Voorwaarde om aan het werk te kunnen is dat de samenleving en de mensen een open houding hebben (dus niet gesloten of geblokkeerd). Er moet een openheid zijn voor verandering.

Analyse vanuit Spiral Dynamics
Voorlopige conclusies: De Macha samenleving is dominant Paars met Blauwe elementen (LO kwadrant); Het kent een open waardesysteem; Deze samenleving wordt blootgesteld aan Oranje/Groene technologie en financiën; De complexiteit van de samenleving neemt - mede hierdoor - snel toe; Meer complexiteit vraagt om nieuwe waardesystemen; In individuele mensen ontwikkelen zich verschillende waardesystemen (tot en met Groen) (LB).

Een belangrijke vraag is: hoe ga je daarmee om? De ontwikkelingscapaciteiten en huidige mogelijkheden van mensen zijn verschillend. Er ontstaan dus ook verschillen.
De verandering van levensomstandigheden roept nieuwe vragen op.

De levensomstandigheden in Macha (de context) vragen om een volgende stap. De samenleving is er klaar voor (o.a. open waardesysteem). Levensomstandigheden zijn de aanjager van verandering en wijziging ervan vereist nieuw denken en gedrag. Een voorbeeld: door (langdurige) migratie dreigen gezinnen en families uiteen te vallen. De trek naar de stad, vaak begonnen vanuit het motief om voor het gezin te kunnen zorgen als het niet meer lukt op het platteland (Paars), is tegelijkertijd een Rood avontuur naar nieuwe oorden en verlokkingen. De vertrekkers (vooral mannen) en de achterblijvers (vooral vrouwen) moeten een nieuwe vorm van leven vinden. Ook het probleem van de honger is een ‘incentive' voor verandering. Blauw biedt meer stabiliteit dan Paars en kan beter reageren op hongersnood omdat ze beter georganiseerd is en vooruit kijkt.

De neiging van een wij-gericht waardesysteem is om naar het volgende wij-gerichte waardesysteem te willen springen. Je ziet hetzelfde verschijnsel bij de ik-gerichte waardesystemen. Er is dus een neiging om van Paars naar Blauw te willen gaan, maar Paars verandert in Blauw via Rood. Wat je niet wilt is dat er te veel ongezond Rood ontstaat er basis voor chaos. Als we spreken over veranderingen gaat het in wezen over veranderingen in individuen. Een individu kan geen stadium overslaan. Dus een van de vragen is: Hoe kun je bij mensen die vanuit een dominant Paars waardesysteem leven, de ontwikkeling naar het Rode waardesysteem stimuleren?

Er is een spanningsveld tussen Rood zelfbewustzijn en het in stand houden van Relaties. In het Community Development proces gaat men een committment aan met en voor elkaar terwijl je ook voor jezelf moet leren opkomen.

Tegelijkertijd kunnen wel randvoorwaarden op maatschappelijk (collectief) niveau gecreëerd worden. Gezond Blauw (regels en structuur) verzekert ook het gezond kunnen voortbestaan van Paars, het biedt veiligheid. Binnen het kader van gezond Blauw kunnen mensen gaan experimenteren met Rood. Als de spelregels duidelijk zijn, komt er meer ruimte voor Rode expressie. Dus de volgende vraag is: Hoe kun je gezond Blauw introduceren in deze samenleving?

Alvorens op die vraag in te gaan kijken we nog even naar het willen behouden van de ‘cultuur'? Wat wordt daar eigenlijk mee bedoeld? Gaat het om het behouden van de relaties? Gaat het om besef van historie? Gaat het om rituelen? Gaat het om een bepaald gedachtegoed? Is het misschien meer een opgelegde vraag vanuit het Westen (dat wij de kracht van de gemeenschapszin willen behouden)? Wie wil eigenlijk deze cultuur behouden? De mannen? Er is bijvoorbeeld polygamie. Waar gaat het om? We concluderen dat het begrip ‘cultuur' hier verwarrend is (omdat dat een element van alle waardesystemen is) en dat hier eigenlijk bedoeld wordt: Hoe kunnen we de volgende stap maken met behoud van de positieve Paarse elementen die we nu hebben?

Er moet tijd en aandacht zijn voor de community. In het Westen is in het verleden door Blauw veel weggedrukt van Paars. Toen was er nog geen bewustzijn van deze processen. Nu wel en dat betekent dat zij het anders kunnen doen dan wij toen. Hoe kun je dus het Paarse waardesysteem ‘transcend ànd include'?

Introductie van gezond Blauw op collectief niveau
De kerk is een van de instituties die een belangrijke plek heeft in de rurale samenleving. Nu vervult de kerk een functie in Paars (het bij elkaar houden van de mensen). Buiten het missiegebied is de religie ook veel animistisch. Zou de kerk ook een rol in Blauw kunnen gaan spelen? Een belangrijke onderzoeksvraag daarbij is: "Waarom gaan mensen naar de kerk?". Is dat omdat ze verbinding met elkaar zoeken (Paars) of omdat er één God is om te dienen en geloof in schuld en beloning (Blauw)? Dit laatste kan een mooi kader zijn om Rood in te vatten. Experimenteren in Rood betekent ook fouten maken, maar in de kerk kun je bidden en vergeving krijgen. In Macha is dit nog nieuw terrein. Een voorbeeld: Een man kreeg straf en kwam terecht in de cel. Wanneer je in Paars iets doet wat tegen de regels in gaat, volgt volledige uitsluiting. In dit geval: geen eten brengen aan deze man.
Er wordt nu een tweesporenbeleid gevolgd: wel straffen als consequentie voor ongezond/onacceptabel gedrag en tegelijkertijd niet de man afschrijven (dus wel eten en drinken geven in de cel). Dat is gezond Blauw. In het geloof leggen mensen aan de ene kant de nadruk op "It is all in God's hands" (acceptatie van het lot - Paars/Blauw), aan de andere kant zien ze het ook als "a Gift of God" dat hun kind zijn/haar droom kan waarmaken (heeft een Oranje tintje).

De kern van de interventie zit in het expliciet maken van de afspraken die in Paars gelden. In Paars gelden impliciete en ongeschreven regels: zo doen we het hier. Blauw maakt deze regels expliciet. In Paars moet je lid zijn van de stam om ingewijd te worden in de regels. Met expliciete regels wordt het systeem opener. Regels kunnen op schrift gesteld worden, maar ook omgezet worden in beelden / symbolen wat in deze fase misschien beter past.

Andere ingangen zijn de School en het Community Center. Daar komen de mannen bij elkaar om samen hun dromen waar te maken en om te sporten. Het initiatief van Esther om vrouwengroepen te starten, lijkt ook erg kansrijk. Vrouwen zijn de drijvende kracht in de community. Meer aandacht voor de rol van de vrouwen is een belangrijk aandachtspunt in Macha.

Ook jongerengroepen kunnen opgestart worden. Het kenmerk van deze groepen is dat ze niet in de eerste plaats ‘family centered' zijn, maar zich vormen rond een bepaalde activiteit of doel. Er wordt dus een extra structuur voor sociale contacten geïntroduceerd en voor samenwerking moet je regels afspreken.

Tags: Macha, CHE, leadership, Africa, School of Synnervation, leadership development

What does rural Zambia need most?

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 23:55:20 GMT

During our stay in Macha, Zambia Anne-Marie Voorhoeve, Jasper Bets and I also visited other regions in Zambia. Fred Mweeta, our host in Macha introduced us with Chief Chikanta.

Chikanta is one of the 50 kingdoms in Zambia. Chikanta is an area as big as the Netherlands, divided into 21 area's, each with their own Headman. It is one of the largest kingdoms in rural Zambia. Chikanta has no hospital, and we haven't seen electricity or streaming water in the rural area we visited there.

We've learned to know Chief Chikanta as a wise and educated man with heart for his people. A good Chief takes care of his people and has as much as the people plus just a little bit extra for serving the community. That is one thing I took with me from our meeting. This as a reflection on my own images before and after our meeting. Actually it is a funny story and nice to share here.

Upfront I had this images of the palace of chief Chikanta. We heard stories of the chief and could feel the love and respect in them. And we were going to meet a 'real' chief in a 'real' palace. Well, I filled this image of the palace with my Western view of what a palace is. And if I am really hounest, my first reaction was one of somekind of disappointment when I got first sight of the palace. Luckily we were still far enough for me to be able to look at this and lagh at myself during the ride to the palace. A first lesson in humbleness for my own western prejudice.

With the Chief we spoke for hours. He told us about his personal background, about his people and his role as a chief and about the importance of the Macha project for rural Africa and for Chikanta. Chief Chikanta has become Chief for his people on request by the elderly Headman of Chikanta. For over 12 years he has lived an urban life in Lusaka, working at the bank. Becoming a Chief and going back to rural Zambia really was a choise. As it is for many of the leaders in rural Africa.

Actually that is one of the things that impresses me the most. Many of the people we have met have so much potential and when it starts to grow there are many temptations that invite them to leave the rural area and go to the town or abroad. The will to contribute to the life conditions in rural Zambia and the willingness to do some personal sacrifice for that is a firm base for success of these people and their mission. At least that is what I believe and hope to be able to contribute in.

I have asked Jasper to edit a small piece of the taped conversation with Chief Chikanta. We've asked the Chief for permission to use the footage which he granted heartedly. The question we asked in this was "What does rural Africa need most?"

I feel grateful to be able to share the response of an expert in this in stead of sharing my vision on it. There are clearly two issues that are needed most in Chikanta. One is very acute and basic, the other based on a long term vision.

Chikanta is a poor area and there has not been enough rain. So the Chief and the Headmen know that there will be famine in short notice. And when there is famine in this area people still share with the community and can rely on the community for their share. Famine is not something that skips families, everyone has to deal with it. The Chief and Headmen were just discussing how to set up an infrastructure to deal with the situation and how to prepare and who to involve.

The footage I've posted here is about the second thing that rural Africa needs most, or at least Chikanta does. That is education. As I have written before the problem in rural Africa is not lack of talent or lack of motivation. Poor life conditions ask for skills that are very specific. Aacademic education or office work will not apply for rural Chikanta. The area needs craftsmanship that fits the environment. People who can build houses and schools, who can grow and harvest in a sustainable wa; and the area -this is my opinion - could grow and set up an own infrastructure of social, educational, sanitational and medicational support.

There is plenty of talent and leadership in rural Africa. In another writing I'll share the story of Esther, an African woman. who studied MBA Business Administration and now is in charge of the childrens playground and parental education in the Macha hospital. With CHE School of Synnervation we hope to contribute to leadership development in Macha Zambia and other initiatives in rural Africa.

The footage might tell you more than I can with my writing. There is only one more thing I'd like to share here. An ideal that came into my mind was the fantasy of a Chikanta Craft(wo)manship College, a practice oriented school/workplace for local people to apply their talents for their communal and individual growth.

During one of our conversations we learned a lot about the African vison on the differences between Westerners and Africans. One sentence still sings clearly in my memory: "westerners deal with problems and small issues in life as catastrophes, Africans deal with catastrophes in life as issues that are just part of life". I don't really know why I write this here, just wanted to share.

Maybe the sentence also is key for what remains in my thoughts. We can't tell Africans how to run their lives or their growth. We can try to create a space where mutual learning leads to co-creation. Bringing African and Western perspectives together in a collective learning environment like Macha could lead to practical applications in a third, possibly new, perspective. Also in another writing in will go more into depth of the value of the Macha project in Spiral Dynamics integral terms.

We also spoke about the importance of internet and ICT facilities for Chikanta and the role of that in the educational and knowledge development in the area. We have also seen the buildings for the Internet cafe. There is only one slight problem, there is hardly no electricity. Support is needed in working on this.

For now, first listen to what Chief Chikanta has to share with us.

Chief Chikanta 'Education as a big challenge'

Chief Chikanta ICT within rural Africa

Tags: Africa, Zambia, leadership, Chikanta, Spiral Dynamics, School of Synnervation, Center for Human Emergence

Spiral Dynamics integral Euroconfab 2008 - pre announcement

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:12:13 GMT

For the third time CHE-NL organizes the international Spiral Dynamics integral conference. This conference is organised by and for practitioners with spiral dynamics integral.

This so called "SDi EuroConFab" will be held in the Netherlands from October 31st untill november 2nd.

Read more on this years program and registration on the CHE website

You can also register directly.
Please book using the registration form on http://www.spiraldynamicsintegral.nl/,
Select the link to the conference page on the left in the orange box.

The program is designed by the participants. You can contribute with a parallell session as part of a semi open space program. There will be plenary sessions with
- dr Don Beck - founder of the Center for Human Emergence
- Anne-Marie Voorhoeve - on developmental aid in second tier; MDG5 and Macha projects
- Kees Hoogendijk - on the next steps in applications of renewable energy.

Meet other SDi trailblazers from all over Europe on 31 October 2 November.

Share experiences with fellow SDi practitioners and exchange best practices.

Be part of creating an International meshwork.

Are you inspired by Spiral Dynamics and do you use the theory in your daytoday work?
Are you convinced understanding and following the evolutionary process is crucial to intervene effectively?
Do you find yourself longing for peer practitioners to cocreate?

Then the Dutch Center for Human Emergence invites you to join the third annual SDi European Confab 31 October till 2nd November 2008 in the Netherlands

It's an opportunity to:

meet kindred spirits and expand your network
present your practice and discuss them, exchange experiences
hear Don Beck speak about the latest insights and the application of his work in the Middle East
hear AnneMarie Voorhoeve share experiences in the application of meshwork to reach the Millennium Development Goal 5, reduction of maternal mortality rate.
hear Kees Hoogendijk talk about exploring the generation of energy out of new sources such as gravity to develop new consciousness.

The conference will take place in the Netherlands, Friday the 31 st of October 13 hours till Sunday the 2nd of November, 14 hours.

Please keep these dates free, soon we will inform you on the exact location, cost and how to enroll. This information will be posted on http://alainvolz.gaia.com/blog/edit/www.spiraldynamicsintegral.nl

If you send an email to auke@humanemergence.nl we will put your email address on our mailing list.

Invitation to contribute: This is a conference is for practitioners by practitioners. So we invite you to put your experiences, quests and questions before the other participants to exchange, share en cocreate.

If you wish to share your daily practice during a session, we invite you to send us a short description of your subject as soon as possible and no later than October 10th .
You can do that by sending an email to auke@humanemergence.nl

Read more about prevous EuroConFabs:
- Report of the 2007 EuroConFab Integral Leadership Review, Januari 2008
- the 2006 program on my blog

Tags: Center for Human Emergence, CHE-NL, Euroconfab, Don Beck, Synnervation, Spiral Dynamics integral, SDi, innovation, conference

Malaria in Macha - Integral developmental aid in practice

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:49:04 GMT

The development of Macha started over 100 years ago with the settlement of a missionary hospital. The first 2 missionaries died within 3 months after becoming ill and the third missionary almost left. Despite all the critics and second thoughts one can have on missionary projects in the previous centuries it is with these pioneers that Macha has started to grow to what it is today.

In 1997 the Macha malaria research institute was founded. Today we had a tour on the Macha site of this institute. Malaria is one of the main causes of death in Macha area. The research institute and the malaria institute at Macha (Miam) play a crucial role in research and reduction of malaria. And they are highly effective in their work. You can also read an article about MIAM's activity in the February 2008 issue of Nature magazine (Nature 451, 1047-1049 (2008)).

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We learned that there are over 30 different kind of mosquito's in Macha area. Only two of them spread malaria. Not only with people, but also with other animals like dogs, goat, cows and even snakes. Though not very high tech in Western standards the research institute is on the leading edge of malaria research. It is here that a methodology is developed to test people for malaria without taking a blood sample. Now it is becoming more common to test people on malaria through urine or saliva. This is not only faster and cheaper. People now don't have to fear for misuse of their blood. This might sound silly, but it is a real problem that people believe that the blood might be misused in spiritual ceremonies or evil spells.

Malaria has two forms, a non sexual one in the mosquito and a sexual one in the blood of humans. Up until now the focus of many research has been on the non sexual form that only exists in the mosquito. With the form in the mosquito t is also important to make a distinction between the part of the body where the malaria parasite lives. Only when in the mosquito's head the parasite will infect when the mosquito bites.

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In Macha also the sexual form is investigated. The reason for this is that a person can be carrier of malaria without becoming ill him/her self. When this is the case this person can infect other people. This means that when - for instance - a parent is infected as a carrier but not ill and the child gets bitten it can become ill. Then after treatment when the parent is bitten again and after that the child this cycle will repeat and repeat and repeat ... Discovery of treatment of the sexual form ot the malaria parasite might lead to a major breakthrough in malaria treatment.

We had a meeting with Philip Thuma, M.D., Board Certified Pediatrician - and P.I. or coordinator for most studies conducted at the The Macha Malaria Research Institute. Philip has been working as a doctor in Zambia for many years, his father also was one of the leading doctors in Macha hospital. Malaria has gone down in Macha and the decrease is far above average compared to other rural areas in Zambia and South-West Africa. We asked doctor Thuma about the underlying causes or ‘secrets' of this high performance and great success. We heard a story that convinced me that here we have to deal with a proven concept of an integral approach. I'll try to share some things here, though the issues are far more complex than I can understand from the few conversationt I've had so far. The following lines are my personal thoughts and impressions; not quotations or opinions of dr. Thuma.

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Dr. Thuma told us that one of the primary reasons for the big success in reducing malaria in Macha was the subscription of ‘the right medicine'. Talking with him we found out what the right medicine meant, and this was more than just the right pill. Relationship, trust, patience, perseverance and doing more than just only medical aid have played a very important role.

One can cure malaria with medical aid, but prevention through hygiene and sanitation plays an important role in sustainable treatment of malaria. So one of the important projects of dr. Thuma has been the digging of water wells in villages. Education and especially maternal knowledge also play an important role in sustainable treatment of malaria in rural area. The better informed the mother is about malaria, malaria prevention and treatment, the better the results will be in reducing malaria.

We also spoke about bed nets and housing. Bed nets definately have an impact on the reduction of malaria, but I believe the impact is much lower than is said to be. Most people in rural area have housing that makes it very difficult to put a bed net in. There are too many people living in one house or the house is not suitable for other reasons. Besides that most people live outside and only sleep in their home. This means that the time that the mosquito is most active people are not in their home, but outside. But this doesn't mean that bed nets should not be spread, every contribution matters. Because the mosquito bumps into the treated bed net it won't survive long enough to spread malaria.

As I find out looking around and talking with many people in Macha a bigger impact reducing malaria is achieved by better housing. Tin roofs make the house warmer and because of that the mosquito won't survive. It needs a cool spot to rest and sleep. Stone houses are more closed that the traditional or wooden homes and because of that the mosquito has more difficulties getting into the house.

A major cause for people to create better housing is economical growth. Therefore economical support and development of sustainable local economy contributes to reduction of malaria. And of other diseases.

Communication, transportation and communication facilities also play an important role in reducing malaria and other diseases. Dr Thuma has shown with his research and statistical measuring that running out of medicine has lead to a major growth of malaria in the area. Now, because of the airstrip and internet connection, it is possible to get medicine in time to Macha. That means, if there is sufficient supply in Lusaka.

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So here you see the bigger picture, an integral approach for malaria prevention. As far as I understand it now. This is what these people here in Macha are working on. I believe this also goes for treatment of other issues like HIV/Aids or maternal health and the other UN Millennium Development Goals.

Jasper Bets is going to do research on the integral approaches in Macha. Hopefully this will lead to a case description that is useful for developmental aid in other rural areas in South-West Africa.

A hospital with qualified doctors and sufficient medicine is a solid base for sustainable treatment of malaria. The impact becomes exponential more effective when this is combined with proper education, sanitation measurements, economical growth, better housing, communication and transportation facilities.

It is not just one thing, but you have to look at the picture as a whole. This is what we call integral. Dr. Thuma called it " to look at the roots of the tree". In my interpretation of it: Some trees have 12 roots and then you have to work on all 12 issues and other trees have 9 or possibly 15. Here is where the local differentiation comes in. Every rural area has its own specific life conditions and in order to be successful and sustainable treatment must be adjusted to these life conditions.

The integral approach is what makes the Macha case - accoridng to me - important for developmental aid in general. Dr. Thuma studied CHE and our website and as told us he was intrigued by our vision and work despite the fact that he didn't understand it all. Well, here is a parallel with CHE and a solid basis for collaboration; mutual respect and trust. One has to build a relationship of respect and trust in order to become effective. Especially if you do not fully understand what the other is working on. This might sound easier than it is. It takes years, an open attitude and the desire to preserve the African culture.

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Another important lesson we learned and that I'd like to share here is the factor of time and patience. Dr. Thuma, Janneke and Gert Jan van Stam are effective in their work because of the long term dedication they have given to this area. Local people and their leaders trust them because they have proven to be sincerely involved with the local community. For building up a relationship of trust one must not think in terms of years, but in terms of decades. Only after more than ten years of hard work, setbacks and many disappointments, the results show significant and sustainable improvement of malaria treatment, economical growth and improvement of life conditions.

A donor could take this in consideration funding projects in Africa. An interesting book to read is "African friends and money matters" by David Maranz. This book describes the differences between Western and African cultures and the mutual frustrations from non understanding.

Tags: Macha, Zambia, Africa, malaria, purpose, CHE, SoS, Center for Human Emergence, School of Synnervation, Develemental aid, rural africa

Leadership in Zambia

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:42:51 GMT

One of the reasons for me to come to Macha is to find out how leadership is emerging in this area and if we can contribute with the CHE School of Synnervation. The last few days we have been speaking with some of the growing leaders. Tomorrow we will meet one of the chiefs. Chiefs are the formal leaders in the traditional line. The emerging leaders are primarily young people who grow in leadership positions through social and economical development.

Traditionally the leadership in rural Zambia is through the lineage of chiefs, headmen and senior headmen. We've been taught about the value this still has in modern rural Zambia and how it is integrated in juridical and police law enforcement. hen does one go to a chief, to court or to the police. This depends on the beliefs and value system of the individual in question, but there are also some general guidelines. When there is theft or violence you go to court or the police for most other disputes one can easily go to the chief as well.

But I actually wanted to share about the leadership by the young bright emerging leaders in Macha area. We've spoken with Gregory, responsible for the IT developments and management of Linknet; with Veneta, responsible for the storage of the Ubuntu village; with Oskar, responsible for the network and hardware in Linknet; with Lydia, responsible for the financial transactions of Linknet and many of the local projects and with Fred, responsible for the radio station and community development in Macha. Fred is also our host during our stay in Macha.

It is quite amazing how these young people take responsibility and grow from a chanceless position to where they are now. In terms of Spiral Dynamics integral the life conditions in Macha are purple or tribal oriented. The individual is part of the collective and community and relationship is highly valued. Ego is not as strongly developed as in most Western countries and some individual oriented questions are not understood. This says nothing of about the intellectual capacity, on the contrary, I am impressed by the quality of leadership. Without knowing the terminology they show us Spiral Dynamics in action. And this is very exciting for me.

Macha is missionary territory and most of the people in this region are Christian. So on Sunday we went to church. Fred took us to a local church which was an adventure for us and for the other visitors of the church. We were welcomed by very warmhearted people and Fred was invited to hold a speech. I can write another long story about the leadership but you can also get an impression for yourself. Here is the speech Fred Mweeta held. Here is an ambitious man with heart for his country and who is willing to sacrifice Self for the well being of his community and his country.

Fred Mweetwa speaking at Kalisowe Church, Part 1

Fred Mweetwa speaking at Kalisowe Church, Part 2

I am honoured to get to know people like Fred, Lydia, Gregory, Veneta, Oscar and Gert Jan and I am looking forward on the next days with them. These are people with a purpose in life and who - through their actions - bring hope for the future of Macha, Zambia and Africa.

I am also very excited to find out if and how we can support each other in leadership development. The first steps are made for what will hopefully become a sustainable, effective and joyful long term relationship between Macha ande Linknet and the Center for Human Emergence and the CHE School of Synnervation.

Tags: Macha, Zambia, Africa, tribal leadership, purpose, CHE, SoS, Center for Human Emergence, School of Synnervation, Develemental aid, malaria

Macha, Zambia - going to school

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:29:31 GMT

And here are some more pictures of Macha.

IMG 1448

We went to two schools today. Above you see the vice principal and one of the teachers of the public school in Macha area. The teacher taught us that children learn best when it is considered to be a playful event. But it is hard work as well. There were exams and below you see the children struggling with a language test. Though the means at this school were simple I was impressed by the quality of the staff. These people are pretty good at their job professionally and well involved with the childrens well being.

IMG 1453

But school also is fun, especially during the break. As you might know soccer is BIG in Africa and Zambia won the Africa cup ... almost.
Well here's the next generation practicing to make it in the national team and one day win the Africa cup for Zambia.

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The second school we went to is still in progress. It is part of the new Ubuntu development project in Macha. Ubuntu means the collective that emerges when people come together. Possibly we would call that a Holon or collective intelligence. Most of the classes still have to be built and are temporarily in the new dormitory.

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But there are already children going to school there and the computer class is also almost finished. Mr Kraus is working hard on the last details.

Tags: Macha, Zambia, CHE, SoS, Center for Human Emergence, School of Synnervation, Develemental aid, malaria, rural africa, africa, SDi

Macha, Zambia - a blogging evening

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:56:21 GMT

Here we are sitting in the dormitory of the Macha community center. My computer just went down because a lach of energy. Well better my computer than me :) Now I've borrowed an adapter from one of the American malaria researhcers who are staying here as well. Anne-Marie is writing her blog on Jasper's computer and Jasper is checking out today's footage in film and photo.

I just wanted to post some of the pictures I've made so far to share the impressions we have over here in rural Africa.

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As I wrote in my previous blog we got stuck with the jeep. Well here is a picture of the heroes that saved us. They came from near villages and just quit what they were doing to support us. Our need was bigger at that moment, no questions, no expectations, just a call for help that needs answered. They picked the jeep up, lifted it and after several times we managed to get the jeep free. Then we brought our saviours back home and we found out that with 7 Zambian and 3 Dutch people in the car there still is plenty of space for more.

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Yesterday evening we got invited for dinner at mrs. Esther's place. We enjoyed her wonderful cooking skills on the grounds in front of the house.

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Actually the houses here traditionally are not just one house. Like many others mrs. Esther has several buildings, some closed and some open. So a house here in Macha more looks like a small village, very nice. Above is mrs. Esther in front of one of the open buildings, used for cooking outside.

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Tags: Macha, Zambia, CHE, SoS, Center for Human Emergence, School of Synnervation, Develemental aid, malaria, rural africa, africa, SDi

Macha, Zambia - working on a resilient and sustainable community

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:34:48 GMT

The day before yesterday Jasper Bets and I left for Macha, Zambia. Yesterday morning we arrived early in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. There we were welcomed by Anne-Marie Voorhoeve and Gert Jan van Stam. Jasper, Anne-Marie and I are her on a mission for the Center for Human emergence and the CHE School of Synnervation. Gert Jan is a man with a mission working in Macha with his wife and the local community.

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Macha is about one hour by Cessna plain or nine hours by car or bus. We went with the Chessna, which was a nice and exciting experience. In Macha we had a very warm welcome by the local people led by Fred, one of the leading people in the local community building projects. Fred is also running the radio station and is an entrepreneur growing sunflowers and pumpkins.

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Five years ago a malaria research center was started in Macha. Janneke van Dijk, Gert Jan's wife was asked to run this center. She and Gert Jan felt like this project could be a good opportunity to work from a more holistic worldview. Linear approaches, only dealing with malaria are affective, but integral approaches working holistic could have a much stronger impact on the community as a whole. Not too many people and organizations were interested in this, but that didn't withhold them from starting and continuing.

The picture you see here is old, Macha has now grown at least twice as big and most of the houses are made of bricks with running water, electricity and comfort.

So what is a holistic or integral approach? Besides the medical and educational programs concerning malaria Gert Jan has also started activities for community building. The idea is to grow resilience, ownership and sustainability in this rural area. Malaria and the life conditions in Macha have had a big impact on the local community. People literally say that the initiatives of the last few years bring hope and prosperity into Macha. It is a fast growing place in many perspectives. Now Macha has a hospital, schools, community buildings, a radio station, (wireless) internet and a growing economy. The work of Gert Jan and Janneke is now supported by a foundation called Privaserve. And I guess working holistic from an integral perspective means doing everything at the same time.

In many cases developmental aid has not a real a clue of local situation and needs. I am sorry to write this, but most of the times there is a relationship of Westerners telling Africans what they should do or a relationship built on guilt for slavery or our economical position being built on Africa's poverty. I don't really believe in these approaches, how well meant they might be. One has to take in consideration the local needs, life conditions, change states and levels of development. We can also learn a lot from Africa and African communities. The Macha projects try to do that as well. Most of the projects are initiated by and for local residents. This grows ownership. The economical growth is also primarily local and based on cooperative initiative and ownership. And today we had a sense of community when we got stuck with the car. People left their village and work to lift the car and get us free. No questions, no expectations, this is what we do for each other when we are in need. Where do you see that in modern Western civilizations?

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The initiatives in Macha have an impact on the community and does change it. A crucial question here is "How can this growth be sustainable and interconnected with the current life conditions of thet people?" Here is where Spiral Dynamics kciks in. Actually Gert Jan does use SDi in his work. And in line with Clare Graves he "meets them where they are" from the perspective that "every one has the right to be who (s)he is". There is a lot of respect for local people and their tradition. Looking at the changes one of the questions is how you develop leadership that is needed in this area and how do you support this using emergence as a key element for growth.

We are here to work on three issues.

One Jasper is going to do research on the integral approach on malaria. After five years of measuring it is shown that the approach in Macha leads to a much stronger decrease in malaria than the approaches in other comparable rural area's in Zambia and in Africa. Anne-Marie and I are here to support him and to set the first steps in this research. Ard Hordijk from Nyenrode University and School of Synnervation will be involved as research guide.

Second we are here to find out and learn on leadership and leadership development. What is really going on over here, how does leadership emerge, what are the big questions and how can we support this? The ambition is high, to develop leadership programs for rural Africa and we start with the five local leaders - or young heroes - that are involved in the community building and business development in Macha.

Third we believe that the approach in Macha has a lot to share and we are looking how to develop a long term and sustainable relationship with the current and future leaders in Africa. Mutual learning and exchange between West and South plays a key role in this.

Where many eyes are looking at China and India we believe that Africa can also play a key role in the 21^st century. Looking at planet earth as one Holon which we are all part of we could learn a lot of these so called less complex societies. And at the same time rural areas in Africa can develop a hope giving future integrating modern technologies and knowledge with an ancient culture of wisdom and communion.

This is only my first whole day here. I'll write more in the following days.

Tags: Macha, Zambia, CHE, SoS, Center for Human Emergence, School of Synnervation, Develemental aid, malaria, rural africa, africa, SDi

Integral Leadership Review - Leadership in the Netherlands

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 12:57:00 GMT

The January Issue of the Integral Leadership Review has been published. This is an international magazine on Integral Leadership and leadership development from an integral perspective.

Theme for this special issue is Integral Leadership in the Netherlands.

You can read my leading comments as associate editor for this issue .

The contributions in this issue show elements of new leadership-maybe second tier-emerging. These elements are fragile and agile. Almost all point out the struggle between including the benefits of the present and transcending the emerging new. Like Spinoza in his time the authors in this issue share the desire to contribute to a better world and are willing to take up the individual challenge this brings by being the change they want to see.

Dr. Don Beck shares his vision on the Netherlands, what is going on from an integral perspective and the possible relevance of it on a larger scale. Margot Bosman's contribution is on how and under what circumstances this current government was formed and what perspectives the formulated policy agreement holds from an integral perspective. Leida Schuringa uses participation as an instrument for integration between different communities in the Dutch society. Her area of practice, Rotterdam, is the first city in the world that has over 51% of its population from a foreign ethnic background.

Not only government, also universities and business environments seem to prepare for a transformation. In the interview by Russ Volckmann Wessel Ganzevoort, Professor in Organizational Innovation, shares his experiences as board member of KPMG Europe and his views on leadership, power and management in organizations and society. Diederick Janse describes the results of two years of experience in transforming a business unit from an integral perspective. The impact of the transformational process are astonishing and build on measurable results in terms of profit, customer satisfaction and employee benefit. Sabijn Dullaart learns us how te be or become a successful coach and business leader through being with intimacy.

Lisette Schuitemaker and I have written an article about different styles of leadership and leadership development. It describes the path to synnervating leadership as one of the aspects of integral resilience. Helen Titchen Beeth has written a book review of Peter Merry's book, Evolutionary Leadership. Unfortunately, this book still is available in the Dutch language only. The leadership quotes by Paul Zuiker, Herman Wijffels and Wessel Ganzevoort also give context to the Dutch practice.

All authors are involved with the Dutch node of the Center for Human Emergence.

Peter Merry describes the evolution of this node and shares his personal thoughts and insights as leader of this node. CHE-NL has for two executive years been the host of the international European ConFab. Douwe Dronkert has written an in depth follow up of Helen Titchen Beeth's report of this Conference. At the ConFab practitioners from over seven different countries and three continents shared their experiences, latest insights, newest challenges and next questions. If you want to be there next year, make a note in your agenda (Sept 26-28 2008) and let us know.

This issue also contains:
- Integral Theory into Integral Action by Mark Edwards and Russ Volckmann
- Integral Leadership cartoon by Bill Bates
- Leadership for the masses Keith Bellamy
- Leadership emerging - book reviews of the latest publications
- Announcements of Not-for-Profit conferences, programs and publications

Please support the ILR and help us share the experiences, insights and ideals working with leadership and societal development from an integral perspective. You can register for a free subscription.

To continue this important work we also need financial support. You can sponsor ILR in different ways:
- become a friend of ILR and donate $10 or more
- Subscribe to Leading Digest , a leadership magazine with management summaries.
- Buy a copy of Insights on Leadership - a magazine with in depth interviews of leaders.

Alain Volz
Bureau Chief and Associate Editor
Integral Leadership Review

Tags: Integral, Integral leadership, integral leadership review, january, magazine, leadership, leadership development, spiral dynamics, spiral dynamics integral, integral theory, che

Rediscovering Spinoza - Integral life practice in action

http://AlainVolz.gaia.com — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:57:06 GMT

Doing research for my contribution in the January issue of the Integral Leadership Review I rediscovered Baruch de Spinoza, one of the most influential philosophers of modern western society. Spinoza, a Portugese jew, lived in Amsterdam from 1632 until 1677. He desired to change the world with his philosophical ideals.

The 17^th century is called in Europe the ‘Age of Enlightenment'. In this ‘age of reason' people believed that systematic thinking might be applied to all areas of human activity. Reason was the primary basis of authority, mysticism and revelation were rejected as the primary sources of knowledge and wisdom, and were blamed for fomenting political instability. The Enlightenment-era is known for its extreme skepticism and inquiry into the nature of "knowledge." This period and these thoughts set the basis for modern day democracy, political economy, philosophy and science.

The Enlightenment era is held to be the source of critical ideas, such as the centrality of freedom, democracy and reason as primary values of society. Many of the Founding Fathers of the United States were also influenced by Enlightenment-era ideas. Spinoza was critical of the perception of God by the Catholic church and Jewish authorities. Spinoza became known in the Jewish community for positions contrary to normative Jewish belief, with critical positions towards the Talmud and other religious texts.

The core of Spinoza's ethical philosophy is that nothing is intrinsically good or bad, except to the extent that it is subjectively perceived to be by the individual. Things are only good or evil in respect that humanity sees it desirable to apply these conceptions to matters. In the universe anything that happens comes from the essential nature of objects, or of God/Nature. According to Spinoza, reality is perfection.

"All things in nature proceed from certain necessity and with the utmost perfection". Therefore, nothing happens by chance and reason does not work in terms of contingency. While elements of the chain of cause and effect are not beyond the understanding of human reason, our grasp of the infinitely complex whole is limited because of the limits of science to empirically take account of the whole sequence.

Albert Einstein named Spinoza as the philosopher who exerted the most influence on his world view (Weltanschauung). Spinoza equated God (infinite substance) with Nature, consistent with Einstein's belief in an impersonal deity. Also today's deep ecology movement is highly influenced by Spinoza.

Personally I am very touched by both his definition of God as his conclusion that emotion is formed from inadequate understanding. The highest virtue of being is, according to Spinoza, preservation of the intellectual love or knowledge of God/Nature/Universe. He also states that emotions must be detached from external cause.

His concept of three types of knowledge - opinion, reason, intuitive - and assertion that intuitive knowledge provides the greatest satisfaction of mind, leads to his proposition that the more we are conscious of ourselves and Nature/Universe, the more perfect and blessed we are (in reality) and that only intuitive knowledge is eternal. His unique contribution to understanding the workings of mind is extraordinary, even during this time of radical philosophical developments, in that his views provide a bridge between religions' mystical past and psychology of the present day.

And here we are in this modern Western society using all these eastern techniques and philosophies. But are we integrating these with our own Western imprints? Or are we trying to transcend without inclusion? In my opinion there also is a tendency of rejection of our own roots. Well for me here is a big opportunity to include while trying to transcend or emerge.

I have been studying more of the Hebrew, especially Kabalistic, foundations and here in Spinoza I find some kind of a ‘soul mate'. We are both Portuguese Jews living in Amsterdam and both critical on the mainstream religious thoughts of our times and both trying to support breakthrough in common thinking in our society.

I see many parallels between Spinoza's idea to make a distinction between emotions and the external cause and that what Buddhists call attachment. Or how Byron Katie translates this into the work. There is the distinction between thought and external environment. "Is that really true?" is one of her key questions that supports to make the distinction between the perception/emotion and the environment/reality.

But I am also reading Spinoza's work and have this question about his focus on reason and rationality. Personally I believe we have reason - and ego - for a purpose and at the same time I consider it as something that can also limit us in our presence. Are we using reason to fulfill our full potential and purpose in life? Do we understand Spinoza's and other great teachers teachings the way they meant them? I dare to doubt that strongly.

The last few days I have been chewing on a triangle that I now see that interconnects mind/thought, emotion/feelings and spirit/presence. Touched by Spinoza I'll try to share some of the thoughts, senses and presence I experienced over this.

Spirit or presence is there, always and everywhere. It is inside and outside the physical body. It just is and it is all there is. Everything is spirit and spirit is everything. There is no good or bad, no right or wrong. There just is. You can call it God, Love, Chi, Allah, Presence, Jaweh, or whatever. It doesn't need to forgive because there is no judgement. It is nature of all things, it is nature and therefore all things.

Us trying to understand is a necessary and at the same time tricky thing to do. So I am on a steep hill with lots of cliffs here. We are one and yet at the same time we experience differences. Or we think we do. We are divine and the divine is something we are part of. Or we believe so. There is a funny and fuzzy ‘something' going on when we try to understand the experiences we have. Does mind understand love? Is the definition that we have given to it ‘true' to the experience of it? Are the emotions that we define as (being in) love really us being - in - love?

The latter I can definitely answer with a NO. The moment we try to describe the experience we are creating a distinction between us and the experience. Maybe that is an essence of duality. I don't know.

But yet we need to describe what we experience. There is this drive to understand and this necessity to share. It also is a driver for all great art. Why do we have this intrinsic drive? Maybe because we are animals living in a group that need to share and maybe because we are conscious beings that sense that the collective intelligence is more than a sum of the individual ones. Andrew Cohen speaks of evolutionary consciousness and impersonal enlightenment. In business environments we speak of sense making in organizations (Weick) and synergy.

As I warned in earlier posts I am an Advaita ... What are you actually if you have experiences and thoughts that are called Advaita? So every attempt to describe reality is just an attempt and not reality it Self. Check Tony Parsons' ideas in this matter. He is quite confronting. So why do we have mind and thoughts and why do we have emotions/feelings?

Well, for one thing it is fun and it keeps us in a way very busy. Look what we have achieved and look at how much better our life conditions are from those of our parents or grandparents. And yes, at the same time there still are huge differences between rich and poor and do 5% of the population own over 80% of the assets. But is that wrong? For me the key question is "How can reason/mind/thought serve spirit in its unfolding?" I don't have an answer, but keep on trying, and trying, and trying ... How would the world be if we would be able to use mind and thought to serve the whole? Well it starts with a question and with the belief that you have a choice, always. This is where consciousness starts. And emotion.

Emotion can be very nice or very painful. ‘I am happy', ‘I am angry', ‘I am disappointed', ‘I am in love' etc. Well you are not your emotions, you experience them. Or you think you do. In the 21 day silent retreat or oneness process in India we were taught that emotions are not personal. We all have them and we all experience them. But, like Spinoza pleas, one must make a distinction between the emotion and the environment. Blaming the external trigger for the emotion is not taking up responsibility and doesn't improve your response ability. Acting according the emotion without taking the emotion in consideration is not being human. It might be natural animal behavior, but mind gives you a choice. You can choose how to act, under every condition or circumstance. This to me is consciousness.

I realize this is easy to write from a warm home with a cup of tea in a wealthy western country, but it is one of the essences of spiritual teachings, scientific researches and philosophies, both eastern and western. And in this complex society we seem to forget. I believe it is time to take this back in. How? Practice, practice, practice. Not to achieve something or to maintain something but for the sake of practice it Self. I really liked the way my friend and colleague Terry Patten expressed this during our CHE afternoon with him. Enlightenment is not something to achieve, it happens just like that. You can't practice or prepare for it. You also cannot maintain it or use practice in order to do so. But practice is needed.

This is difficult enough on an individual level. Mind and emotion blur the clear vision of presence and experience it Self. But it also is not enough to do your own individual work. We are living in a society where we need to collaborate. Therefore the collective is as important as the individual. For me lies here the importance of Ken Wilber and his Integral Theory and Don Beck with Spiral Dynamics integral. The individual practitioners also need to interconnect on order to be able to vitalise.

The Center for Human Emergence is a meshwork where practitioners can meet, practice and share their experiences. This, naturally is not the only one, but one I am closely involved in. At this moment we are in an exciting phase of yet another transformation. My friend and colleague Peter Merry has written about that. For now I'll stick to the philosophical input.

Another time I'll write about the developments with the School of Synnervation and the Conscious Leadership Course. Besides that we are setting up a collaboration with Terry and KenKon to create a group of Integral Life Practice change agents. I am very exited about that as well.

CHE is also an experiment. We don't know what the next step will be but are trying to find out. I admire all the people who step in and go into the nice and messy parts of giving birth. Somewhere I have the feeling this year is going to be one of beautiful experiences and breakthrough.

Time will tell ...

Tags: Spinoza, enlightenment, leadership, integral, integral leadership, Amsterdam, age of enlightenment, reason, einstein, natural design, nature

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