Welcome to September 2005!

I have a full heart as I write my last letter from the Cultivation Unit (CU). Both Dumisani and I are ending our time on the CU at the end of this month. It has been an incredible journey, standing at the centre of Pioneers of Change for the past 21 months. It has been a great privilege to meet Pioneers from around the world and support the initiatives and learning of some of the most brilliant, inspiring and generous human beings on the planet.

Both Dumi and I have decided to go "home" and Dumi has just returned to Zimbabwe (from Boston) and I will be going back to live in the States (from Johannesburg) in a few weeks. As you will see in the “In Focus” a new team has stepped forward, which will be working to support the Network and I am sure it will bring with it lots of fresh energy and innovation. I want to thank everyone who stepped forward to support the Network, I look forward to working with all of you in this new configuration.

Most of all I want to express my gratitude to all of the Pioneers out there, the ones I have had the pleasure to meet (virtually and in person) and those I haven’t. You have taught me and inspired me far beyond what I ever imagined when I decided to move to South Africa all those months ago.

Warm wishes and goodbye for now,

Sera (and Dumi) The Cultivation Unit

IN FOCUS: New team cultivating the Pioneers of Change Network

Beginning in October a new global team will step forward to support the Pioneers of Change Network.

The shift away from a small full time paid staff to a larger global group, comes due to a variety of factors. Firstly it is our hope that a more dispersed global team (comprised of people who are each focusing their energies on a specific area of the Network) will bring fresh and focused energy to those areas. There will be more Pioneers, more places in the world focused on supporting the network and creating opportunities for involvement.

The other reason is economics, the new team will operate on a volunteer basis. It has been a struggle to find the funds to pay a core staff. We began to feel that more energy was going into sustaining our budget than sustaining the network. We are in the process of deciding how the new team will work together and which roles we will each play, but we are confident that the new team will bring a renewed vitality to the network and ensure that our form is consistent with our means.

There is also a genuine invitation here. The intention of Pioneers of Change is really to be a space for you to create and experiment around your own learning needs. We hope that our new structure creates even more space for those of you that want to get more involved. Now is the time to step forward! Know that your engagement and energy is needed. As we move to a new membership model, there will be more and more room for each of you to co-create the Network based on your own inspiration and needs.

We will keep you updated as the story unfolds.

Events

Ecology of Business 17 September London, UK

Exploring The Ecology of Business - Using Dialogue & Collective Intelligence. London, Saturday September 17, 2005, 10.00 - 16.30. We need to move upstream in our whole process of thought. To exercise Corporate Responsibility is to take account of the significance and implications of our actions in a much wider context than traditional business measures typically would allow for. You are invited to a dialogue at the very edge of new thinking on this subject - exploring the ecology of business. The fee for this event is £25, no VAT. To apply for participation forward an e-mail to Leon Olsen at leon@pioneersofchange.net with name, occupation and a short motivation for your participation (one short paragraph will suffice) as soon as possible and before September 1 2005. For more information, visit http://pioneersofchange.net/localnetworks/london/events or email leon@pioneersofchange.net

The Art of Hosting Johannesburg South Africa September 21-23 2005

How can we create safe learning spaces where strategic and meaningful conversations take place in order to create comprehensive and innovative solutions for the problems that our world, organisations and communities are facing today? How can leaders encourage collective intelligence and creativity to emerge? We offer The Art of Hosting that can help you to explore and develop your own competencies. We invite leaders, trainers, teachers, entrepreneurs, politicians, consultants, pioneers - people with the courage to let go of control in order to achieve better cooperation and results. See http://pioneersofchange.net/localnetworks/johannesburg/events for the full invitation. Contact sera@pioneersofchange.net

Imagine Bildungshaus Rothleimmühle, Hordhausen, Germany 23-25 September 2005

International Seminar connecting and inspiring youth leaders to drive a positive change in society Seminar of AIESEC in Germany and the think tank 30 of the German Chapter of the Club of Rome Are you aware of your personal strengths and values? What are your ideas and visions for the future? How do you challenge yourself? Do you want to meet people who share your ideas and values? Are you ready to shape your future? Imagine connects and inspires youth leaders to drive positive change in society. At the seminar students, young professionals and proactive agents of change from diverse organisations meet and exchange perspectives, experiences, and ideas to actively shape the future. Innovative methods will be used to unleash your potential and to identify new ways of approaching todays most critical societal problems. Key-Note-Speakers include the current President of the German Chapter of the Club of Rome, Prof. Dr. Jischa. With the financial help of our supporters the participation fee can be kept at only 30 €. Please apply until September, 5th. For more information, visit http://www.aiesec.de/imagine or contact Alexander Nick at a.nick@tt30.de

Deep Democracy: A three day course in collective decision-making and conflict resolution Johannesburg, South Africa: 5-7 September Copenhagen, Denmark: 23-25 September London, UK: 29 September - 1 October

You are invited to a three-day intensive course in Deep Democracy in Johannesburg, Coppenhagen or London. The course will provide insight into your role in facilitating decision-making processes in dynamic group situations, understanding of conflict and practical conflict resolution, and unique facilitation tools. The course will be led by Myrna Wajsman Lewis from South Africa. Myrna is a clinical psychologist who has studied Process Oriented Psychology in the US and Switzerland. Together with her late husband Greg, Myrna has been applying and teaching conflict resolution techniques internationally in the corporate sector over the last five years and in South Africa for several years before that. In addition to teaching these techniques in the corporate sector, Myrna is also leading an exciting project to teach these skills to children in South African schools.

The Deep Democracy approach has been developed by Myrna and Greg, and they are the original trainers in this field. The course is designed for participants who are working with change processes in groups, be that in a work team, a school, self-help groups, conflictual groups, associations, or elsewhere. The course will take its own participants as the starting point, and will focus on developing competencies of participants in:

Working with the diversity of the group to discover valuable and hidden wisdom about the group’s own resources Learning to generate initiative through facilitation Becoming aware of your own capacities for decision-making and adaptability.

To register, contact: Johannesburg: myrnalewis@iafrica.com / Copenhagen: carstenohm@carstenohm.dk / London: Adam.Hembury@paconsulting.com see full London invite at www.pioneersofchange.net/communities/london/events

Film Night London, The Hub September 27 19:00

Pioneers of Change, Waterluton (www.waterlution.org) & The Hub are delighted to welcome Futerra to screen 3 films they have produced: The Carbon Trust: ‘In Our Hands’ a film about energy saving in the work place ‘What Works for You’ a film about following your heart in the world of work ‘The Seasons Alter’ a shakespearian drama about climate change. For an evening of inspiring films and conversation please RSVP to lisa.emerson@the-hub.net The cost is 5 pounds. For more info visit www.futerra.org for directions to The Hub visit www.the-hub.net/where

Learning journey on Sustainable Development Brazil 2-12 October 2005

Pioneers of Change in Brazil is offering a Learning Journey on Sustainable Development to be held from 2-12 October 2005. The learning journey is a 10-day experience, starting in an eco-village close to São Paulo to set the context for personal, organisational and societal sustainability. We will participate in a deep ecology experience to enable us to understand our connection to nature and identify how we can personally live more sustainably. We will spend a few days in São Paulo to participate in a cross-sector dialogue and fair and explore the various dimensions of sustainability in one economic sector. We will then travel to Curitiba, a city famous for its integrated social, economic and environmental actions to deepen our understanding of sustainability on a municipal level. We will end the Learning Journey with a day and a half to reflect on the experience, plan next steps and share how each can take personal responsibility for shifting the systems in which we operate to create a more sustainable world. Throughout the journey there will be space for personal and group reflection, meditation, sharing experiences, action planning and cultural events. For more information, visit: http://pioneersofchange.net/communities/sustainability/learningjourney Subscribe to: ljsust@yahoogrupos.com.br

The Inner Development of Contemporary Art Boston 21-22 October

On Friday Oct. 21 evening and Saturday during the day, Jeff Barnum (Pioneer based in Santa Cruz, CA) will host an open exploration of how contemporary art is linking the development of inner capacities (perception, thinking, feeling, and forming intention) to social change. We will begin with a conversation Friday evening, and tour some museums, do some exercises, visit an artist's studio, and have conversation on Saturday. The workshop is intended for anyone serious about how our social conditions connect with our "interior" ones. Those interested please contact Jeff at jbarnum@meca.edu. There will be a small cost to offset expenses.

Inner Peace for World Peace Nepal 29 December 2005 - 5 January 2006

Youth Conference- Serving Humanity How spirituality and consciousness foster PEACE. Youth are invited to join us in Nepal for the "Inner Peace for World Peace -Youth Conference- Serving Humanity" starting on the 29th of December for a period of one week. You are invited to explore groundbreaking mystical and scientific approaches for creating peace in our world. Many facilitators and Spiritual leaders from all religions will share their wisdom and viewing points of how to go beyond the religious perspectives into the heart of our spiritual nature. In addition, scientists will explain the growing body of information that exists and offer the understanding that consciousness is in the "space between form" and will share techniques of how to tap into this wisdom and enter the universal field of "Silent Knowledge". Contact: oran@livingpeaceproject.org

World Leadership Program Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 15-29 January, 2006

Outward Bound, in collaboration with the Global Leadership Network is organizing a learning expedition in Tanzania in January 2005 bringing together young global leaders to participate in an exciting and challenging adventure program. Together they will build important relationships, establish a peer network and develop important leadership capacities. The participants will be emerging leaders ages 25-40. The program will be a rewarding and unforgettable experience for those who attend.For more information on the program, please visit http://pioneersofchange.net/library/globalevents/glp/ or contact Elizabeth at bethanglin@outward-bound.org

African Living Learning Journey Kufunda Village, Zimbabwe 1-12 March, 2006

The March Learning Journey is drawing nearer. It will take place March 1-12. In the face of an incredible economic meltdown and in the midst of political distress, life goes on and people continue to make the most of what they have. And they have much. This is a journey to share the gems and riches of Kufunda, the communities we work with and Zimbabwe as a country. It is an opportunity to connect with wonderful people from around the world, and incredible folks from rural and urban Zimbabwe. We will spend time together at Kufunda living the life of the village, and getting more of a sense of Zimbabwe today. After this initial settling in, we will go on a trip to a rural community, and then out into the wilderness of the African bush, and Victoria Falls. Email marianne@kufunda.org or visit www.pioneersofchange.net/library/globalevents/ for a full programme and/or registration form.

Invitations & Announcements

Kufunda Village Job Opportunity

Kufunda Village is looking for a Income generating projects co-ordinator at Kufunda. It is two year position open to anyone from outside Zimbabwe as a part of a programme run by Belgian development organization Volens.

Kufunda’s intention is to support communities in moving towards economic self-reliance. The job is a two year position to focus on building economic self-reliance in both our partner communities and at Kufunda itself. The position includes business training, coaching and on-going support to project teams. You will also be developing Kufunda’s strategy around economic self-reliance through income generation. You will work with a team of people at Kufunda engaged in income generating projects and community outreach. Current projects at Kufunda which you will be supporting include bee keeping, mushrooms, permaculture and a herbal project. In the communities it is a little more varied. Start by January 2006. For more information please email marianne@kufunda.org

Diversity Caravan

The Diversity Caravan is a virtual and physical project where people are invited to post sustainable change projects on a web site. Later a physical caravan will drive to the selected places (starting in South Africa) and document the projects by film, photo, texts or other material. With this documentation material the ideas can be shared with the rest of the world. Networks can be formed, leaders can get inspired, projects can be analyzed, and there are probably many more possibilities.

You can get involved by joining the mailing list by e-mailing caravan-join@lists.pioneersofchange.net or joining the physical caravan, please let me know if you're interested in any or several of these options.

For more information please visit http://pioneersofchange.net/ventures/caravan/

Social Entrepreneurship in Sweden

In Stockholm the PoC connected NGO "Association for International Social Entrepreneurship" has launched it’s website at www.aise.nu. The activities for the autumn is being planned, amongst them a "Learning Circle" where a group of AISE members will be meeting once a month for discussing publications from the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. AISE representatives will also take part, by giving a talk about poverty and structural injustice, at the art event Human Works arranged by Andrea Hvistendahl at the 11th of September in the Gallery below Café 44.

The preparations for the Learning Journey Social Entrepreneurship has taken a big step forward as planning meetings where held with PoC the 13-14 of August in Copenhagen. The LJ will consist of exchanges where AISE members will visit PoC in SA (April 2006), and PoC members in South Africa will visit AISE in Sweden (May 2006). For any inquires or interest in activities in AISE you are welcome to contact harry@mcneil.se or info@aise.nu. AISE Newsletters are now available. Sign up at http://www.aise.nu/tibet/shoton/template/Index.vm?pageid=1475

e-CIVICUS

You are invited for a free subscription to the e-CIVICUS newsletter. This weekly publication is keeping tens of thousands of people, organisations and programmes informed of the many developments that are taking place in civil society organisations around the world, the many factors that are affecting them and the impact they are having on creating a more just world. The newsletter has recently changed in character, format and frequency and is now reaching over 35 000 people and organisations working on civil society issues. Besides providing you with invaluable information, the newsletter also offers a useful channel through which you and your organisation can share your news, publicise your events, articulate the issues you are dealing with and further the campaigns you are working on.

CIVICUS is an international alliance established in 1993 to nurture the foundation, growth and protection of citizen action throughout the world, particularly in areas where participatory democracy and citizen's freedom of association are threatened. For further details, please refer to our web site at www.civicus.org If you would like to take up this free offer and subscribe to our e-newsletter list, please contact Eric Muragana at news@civicus.org and inform us whether you would like to receive the newsletter in HTML, PDF, WORD or plain-text formats.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Pioneers of Change is an independent network that believes it is critical to retain a free and unbiased position. We also believe that financial barriers should not be a constraint to learning and engaging. As such we work hard at ensuring that our learning is available to as wide and diverse an audience as possible.

We invite you to make a donation to support us in our work. We encourage you to think of this donation as an investment into learning that has the potential of enriching all of our lives. If you have any ideas of individuals or organizations that might like to support us, let us know, sera@pioneersofchange.net

SMALL PRINT

What is Pioneers of Change?

Pioneers of Change is a global learning network supporting practitioners in their mid-20s to mid-30. Founded in 1999, by a group of people from 16 countries and now includes participants from around the world.

Pioneers are people who questions underlying assumptions and move into new territory in order to create the change we want to see in the world. We include social entrepreneurs, member of the business, government and non-profit communities, as well as artists, teachers, and free agents from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds.

When you join Pioneers of Change you explicitly commit to the following principles:

Be yourself Do what Matters Start now Engage with others Never stop asking questions

For more information on Pioneers of Change, see http://www.pioneersofchange.net

To have something included in an upcoming Newsletter contact cultivation@pioneersofchange.net

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