I am posting this from the Orlando Airport...nice folks here in that they provide a free WiFi service throughout the terminal. This is a great example of generosity offered to travelers when our culture is all about the "what's in it for me" culture.
Monday's and during the Holiday Season could be times that see increased travel activity... and like the trip coming down, the Orlando Airport is not busy. In the past two times I've attended the Baha'i SED conference, the terminal was filled with travelers and the terminal workers stressed to handle the overloads. This year is dramatically different. Another indicator of a down economy now being experienced throughout the world.
What is different this year also is the feel of genuine care and service by those I have encontered. The staff at the Rosen Hotel (where the Baha'i SED was held), transportation drivers and airport personel - all have shown the most heartfelt service. The counterperson at the Northwest Airlines Ticket Office this morning, was extremely cheerful, greeted me with a noticable welcome. I did not get her name but this person took it upon herself to change my seating assignment to an Exit seat with more room (I believe that she did notice my height). If I wasn't already married to Barb, I would have expressed my love for her and proposed marriage on the spot.
With this, I'll end my blog covering my summaries of the Baha'i Social Economic Development Conference for 2008. From my perspective right now, I'll expect that, because of the economic crisis now moving throughout the world, this will probably be my last that I can attend. I believe that now is the time I must contribute to the Social Economic conditions - the time for study is over.
Allah-u-Abha
JohnK
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday afternoon session with Ian Hunter, United Nations Development Program in Afghanistan.
The first half of this presentation featured the country of Afghanistan and its development since it was declared a democracy in 2001. When questioned, the attendees identified terms such as Terrorists, fanatics, extreamists, intolerance, poppy flowers, dope, etc.... Mentioned too was an observation that in 1967, the country of Afghanistan was considered "progressive" in that education and tolerance was widely prized, men and women had access to education and the culture and "civiliz
Ian mentioned that there was no unified or coordinated efforts among relief/development work. "Everyone is in it for themselves and refuse to link with others". Ian mentioned that there is massive amounts of money and resources going into the country of Afghanistan, many agencies there to accept it but projects effectiveness is sorely lacking. People are distrustful of these events and recognize that things may have been better in the recent past.
The second half of Ian's presentation involved analyzing what Spiritual Principles could be used and identified with development projects. In a Baha'i publication regarding the spiritual principles and development, there were identified 5 core spiritual principles:
1. Equality of Men and Women
2. Equity and Justice
3. Independent Investigation for Truth
4. Trustworthiness and ????
5. Unity and Diversity
Importance was placed on the placement of indicators needed to be applied as a way to assess the success of the integration of these spiritual principles to the project. For example Trustworthiness could be indicated by the amount of accountability and assessed with an Audit. Equality of Men and Women could be assessed with analysis on numbers of men and women involved in the project, the recepients of the project and the effect that the project has on the population. Independent Investigation of Truth can be assesssed by looking at how projects handle continuous improvement of project, handle consultation of processes and brainstorm ideas and trends.
JohnK
The first half of this presentation featured the country of Afghanistan and its development since it was declared a democracy in 2001. When questioned, the attendees identified terms such as Terrorists, fanatics, extreamists, intolerance, poppy flowers, dope, etc.... Mentioned too was an observation that in 1967, the country of Afghanistan was considered "progressive" in that education and tolerance was widely prized, men and women had access to education and the culture and "civiliz
Sunday Afternoon with Ian Holland - United Nations Development Programs in Afghanistan:
ation" was a important goal in every Afghani's life. A lot has changed in 30+ years due to war and conflict. What now exists in Afghanistan is a broken state and numerous development agencies are in competition trying to improve things.Ian mentioned that there was no unified or coordinated efforts among relief/development work. "Everyone is in it for themselves and refuse to link with others". Ian mentioned that there is massive amounts of money and resources going into the country of Afghanistan, many agencies there to accept it but projects effectiveness is sorely lacking. People are distrustful of these events and recognize that things may have been better in the recent past.
The second half of Ian's presentation involved analyzing what Spiritual Principles could be used and identified with development projects. In a Baha'i publication regarding the spiritual principles and development, there were identified 5 core spiritual principles:
1. Equality of Men and Women
2. Equity and Justice
3. Independent Investigation for Truth
4. Trustworthiness and ????
5. Unity and Diversity
Importance was placed on the placement of indicators needed to be applied as a way to assess the success of the integration of these spiritual principles to the project. For example Trustworthiness could be indicated by the amount of accountability and assessed with an Audit. Equality of Men and Women could be assessed with analysis on numbers of men and women involved in the project, the recepients of the project and the effect that the project has on the population. Independent Investigation of Truth can be assesssed by looking at how projects handle continuous improvement of project, handle consultation of processes and brainstorm ideas and trends.
JohnK
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday a.m. Breakout Session featuring a presentation by Greg Lepard:
From Renewable to Non-Renewable - Changing our perspectives.
This session featured the environmental challenges now faced by mankind and a solution being persued by the National Resource Defence Council (NRDC). The NRDC is a group of lawers that is using policy and the rule of law to change the way businesses and governemtal entities operate using the environment. The reason that things are bad is that they remain too expensive to fix.
In regards to agriculture, soil depleation of the world has degraded as follows: 85% U.S., 76% South America, 76% Asia, 74% Africa, 72% Europe and Australia at 55%. With soil degration comes mineral and nutrient depleations that show up in food - food is not a nutrious as it once was. Elements of Sodium, Potassium, Magnisium (sp?), Calcium and Iron are, not found in food in past quantities.
This presentation went into what people can do followed by traditional ideas involving Compact Flor. light bulbs, buying efficient appliances, etc.... One person asked what the solution to the problem would be - "A reduction in lifestyle?" The general response from the attendees was that "No reduction is needed" and an adjustment to sustainablity would be all that's necessary. Another general feeling is that somehow things can be better if we adopt electric cars, solar Photovoltaics for our electricity and buy organically grown vegetables.
JohnK
From Renewable to Non-Renewable - Changing our perspectives.
This session featured the environmental challenges now faced by mankind and a solution being persued by the National Resource Defence Council (NRDC). The NRDC is a group of lawers that is using policy and the rule of law to change the way businesses and governemtal entities operate using the environment. The reason that things are bad is that they remain too expensive to fix.
In regards to agriculture, soil depleation of the world has degraded as follows: 85% U.S., 76% South America, 76% Asia, 74% Africa, 72% Europe and Australia at 55%. With soil degration comes mineral and nutrient depleations that show up in food - food is not a nutrious as it once was. Elements of Sodium, Potassium, Magnisium (sp?), Calcium and Iron are, not found in food in past quantities.
This presentation went into what people can do followed by traditional ideas involving Compact Flor. light bulbs, buying efficient appliances, etc.... One person asked what the solution to the problem would be - "A reduction in lifestyle?" The general response from the attendees was that "No reduction is needed" and an adjustment to sustainablity would be all that's necessary. Another general feeling is that somehow things can be better if we adopt electric cars, solar Photovoltaics for our electricity and buy organically grown vegetables.
JohnK
Sunday A.M. Opening Session with Consulor Farzid Aghdasi:
His thoughts were that the Universal House of Justice could also be known as the "Universal House of Mercy" in that they show and expend Love, Mercy and Guidance to the world. Aghdasi mentioned that we are the last refruge of a tottering civilization and that the closer we knit our hearts to the Universal House of Justice, our thinking and actions will pattern that future civilization and attract others. In the last 12 years, the Universal House of Justice was almost silent when it came to issues involving Social Action. After obedience to and execution of the principles of the teaching plans, what was considered "dispersion" can now expand into "penetration". Now is the time for Baha'is to integrate thenselves into their communities and expand their social action.
As of recently, the Baha'i world has seen transformation from Baha'i/Non-Baha'i to an elimination of this segrigation - in this sense, boundaries separating peoples from us has been virtually eliminated. We are called to participate in joining with other peoples from all walks of life in our walk to Baha-u-llah. There is a new requirement of all of us to bring the teaching of Baha-u-llah directly to the peoples of our communities without the American/Persian/Other cultures that we experience. Feasts in one of the communities in the American Southwest involves music/entertainment featuring "salsa" cultural influences.
Much information of the Faith comes to us from various levels...we have to integrate all information in transforming our lives and communities to that "new civilization" that we are required to build. Many Baha'is tend to gravitate toward a specialty when serving this Cause - some will serve by contributing to the Assemblies, others will serve at national institutions and still others by holding feasts. Now it is expected that each Baha'i can do some part of all requirements expected of us: i.e.: One can do work on an SED, teach the Faith, contribute to building Baha'i Communities and otherwise uplift the state of their fellow man. These activities all take skills to do correctly and we can see the need for a culture of learning to be a part of every member.
The question then becomes "Can you become the Agent of Change" in your community?"... "Can you muster Leadership skills needed to transform your community, region, the world?".
The end quote of this session:
"The day of service is now come!" Baha-u-llah
His thoughts were that the Universal House of Justice could also be known as the "Universal House of Mercy" in that they show and expend Love, Mercy and Guidance to the world. Aghdasi mentioned that we are the last refruge of a tottering civilization and that the closer we knit our hearts to the Universal House of Justice, our thinking and actions will pattern that future civilization and attract others. In the last 12 years, the Universal House of Justice was almost silent when it came to issues involving Social Action. After obedience to and execution of the principles of the teaching plans, what was considered "dispersion" can now expand into "penetration". Now is the time for Baha'is to integrate thenselves into their communities and expand their social action.
As of recently, the Baha'i world has seen transformation from Baha'i/Non-Baha'i to an elimination of this segrigation - in this sense, boundaries separating peoples from us has been virtually eliminated. We are called to participate in joining with other peoples from all walks of life in our walk to Baha-u-llah. There is a new requirement of all of us to bring the teaching of Baha-u-llah directly to the peoples of our communities without the American/Persian/Other cultures that we experience. Feasts in one of the communities in the American Southwest involves music/entertainment featuring "salsa" cultural influences.
Much information of the Faith comes to us from various levels...we have to integrate all information in transforming our lives and communities to that "new civilization" that we are required to build. Many Baha'is tend to gravitate toward a specialty when serving this Cause - some will serve by contributing to the Assemblies, others will serve at national institutions and still others by holding feasts. Now it is expected that each Baha'i can do some part of all requirements expected of us: i.e.: One can do work on an SED, teach the Faith, contribute to building Baha'i Communities and otherwise uplift the state of their fellow man. These activities all take skills to do correctly and we can see the need for a culture of learning to be a part of every member.
The question then becomes "Can you become the Agent of Change" in your community?"... "Can you muster Leadership skills needed to transform your community, region, the world?".
The end quote of this session:
"The day of service is now come!" Baha-u-llah
Saturday Morning Opening Session:
This was given by 4 individuals, Arthur Dahl, Peter Adraince, Duncan Hanks and Tahera (sp?) Nailor.
Building and acting upon sustainable principles will cause change and will (should) result in internanl and external transformation. With increased participation will come social action initiatives as well as greater input into social discourse.
Personal observation of this presentation is that a greater focus is being presented by the Baha'i International Community. Much of this discourse is involving bringing to light issues and consequences of Climate Change now taking place in the world.
********************************************************
Saturday Afternoon Session with Bill Davis on Conflict Resolution:
An interesting point that Bill made is that conflict resolution needs to be addressed BEFORE it escalates. Research data proves that when conflict expands into violence, then the application of justice (and the law) is aggrivated.
JohnK
This was given by 4 individuals, Arthur Dahl, Peter Adraince, Duncan Hanks and Tahera (sp?) Nailor.
Building and acting upon sustainable principles will cause change and will (should) result in internanl and external transformation. With increased participation will come social action initiatives as well as greater input into social discourse.
Personal observation of this presentation is that a greater focus is being presented by the Baha'i International Community. Much of this discourse is involving bringing to light issues and consequences of Climate Change now taking place in the world.
********************************************************
Saturday Afternoon Session with Bill Davis on Conflict Resolution:
An interesting point that Bill made is that conflict resolution needs to be addressed BEFORE it escalates. Research data proves that when conflict expands into violence, then the application of justice (and the law) is aggrivated.
JohnK
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday a.m. Session - Sustainability of Social Economic Development:
A sense of urgency was communicated by the 4 presenters of the morning session. Climate Change has been proven a fact in 2007 and now peoples of the world need to adopt sustainable lifestyles. SED needs also to take into consideration sustainability issues involving Climate Change, Energy utilization, Resource management and more.
Sustainability Statistics:
80% of World Economy is based upon fossil fuels
US is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases by a large magnitude - followed by Saudi Arabia, Australia.
The poorest of nations contribute the least to climate change but suffer the most.
14% of Arctic Ice melted in 2005... 23% more Ice melted in 2007
Climate Change represents the greatest "Market Failure" in history - due to lack of understanding of impact and disbelief.
Solutions involve 5 areas:
1. Responsibility and Accountability
2. Leadership and Innovation
3. Global Solidarity and Unity
4. International Cooperation
5. Enhanced Global Covernance.
JohnK
A sense of urgency was communicated by the 4 presenters of the morning session. Climate Change has been proven a fact in 2007 and now peoples of the world need to adopt sustainable lifestyles. SED needs also to take into consideration sustainability issues involving Climate Change, Energy utilization, Resource management and more.
Sustainability Statistics:
80% of World Economy is based upon fossil fuels
US is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases by a large magnitude - followed by Saudi Arabia, Australia.
The poorest of nations contribute the least to climate change but suffer the most.
14% of Arctic Ice melted in 2005... 23% more Ice melted in 2007
Climate Change represents the greatest "Market Failure" in history - due to lack of understanding of impact and disbelief.
Solutions involve 5 areas:
1. Responsibility and Accountability
2. Leadership and Innovation
3. Global Solidarity and Unity
4. International Cooperation
5. Enhanced Global Covernance.
JohnK
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