Taiwan Presbyterians, Politicians and Aboriginal Leaders

[douglas germann]

Larry--

Thank you for reporting on what you were up to! Pretty heady stuff.

How did this group decide on the two days, What/How breakdown? Would you
use it again?

				:- Doug.




On Mon, 2009-10-26 at 10:57 -0400, Larry Peterson wrote:
> After the wonderful experience of WOSonOS in Taipei (thanks Gail and
> all) described well by both Gail and Suzanne here, I led a four day
> journey the following week with OST as the centre.  The first two days
> were a two part Open  Space with about 30 people – political and
> church activists.  Their theme was to find vision and strategy for a
> vibrant and independent democracy in Taiwan.  Day 1 focused on the
> “what” of the next 3 years.  In Day 2 the space was opened again
> focusing on “how” and lead to action planning and first steps.  Some
> clear actions emerged including some broad based OST events to engage
> more Taiwanese in these important conversations with, I believe, some
> real recognition of what opening a space means.  They are well
> connected enough in the political party that they just might pull it
> off.  One was a former cabinet member.
> 
>  
> 
> I had led an OST workshop 2002 with a broad based group, and an
> earlier workshop in 96, and was pleased to find that they were using
> OST for a variety of conversations, including community conversations
> in response to the impact of the Typhoon.  (I also had heard of
> similar stories at WOSonOS from the NGOs.)  The aboriginal leaders who
> joined the political and church leaders for day 3&4, an OST
> “facilitators” learning journey, had all experienced or led at least
> one OST conversation.  All of these events were in Mandarin or
> Taiwanese and working with a translator (a Ph.D. with Canadian
> expertise in Mad Cow disease and conflict management) who was
> certainly more than a translator was a delight.   It was clarifying to
> have a few moments between each sentence as it was translated.   The
> video I made for Thomas and Eva on self-organizing systems and Wave
> Riders was an evening event and some were keen to have it translated
> into Mandarin.  The Presbyterian Church staff who set up and managed
> the computer room were amazing in preparing reports and a CD.
> Obviously they had done it before.
> 
>  
> 
> These folks, after having lost the last election, were ready to move
> beyond ideology to opening space for engaging conversations.
>  Aboriginal leaders from the mountainous regions were looking for ways
> to engage tribal societies in more open conversations in the face of
> climate change, earthquakes and typhoons.   I’ve been traveling to
> Taiwan since 1986 (when Marshall Law was still in effect) and the
> culture has become more open, energized and extremely productive.  The
> transit system and high speed trains far surpass Canada and anything I
> have seen in the US.  Many people truly understand hosting and respect
> for “elders”, both at WOSonOS and the second week.  People are
> extremely friendly and helpful throughout the city.  The number of
> young people is overwhelming compared to Toronto and all feel safe to
> ride transit.
> 
>  
> 
> So, in the haze of my body again shifting night for day, you can see I
> had a great time too and wanted to share some more of the story.
> 
>  
> 
> Larry
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Larry Peterson & Associates in Transformation
> 
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
> 
> larry at spiritedorg.com   416.653.4829 http://www.spiritedorg.com
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> 
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