Taiwan Presbyterians, Politicians and Aboriginal Leaders

Larry Peterson larry at spiritedorg.com
Tue Oct 27 06:06:24 PDT 2009 

Doug:

The sponsor decided with other supportive contacts to go for the 4 day event.  The first two were aimed at senior level leaders and the last two (the facilitator learning journey) aimed at folks that might be facilitators.  He hoped that some who experienced the first two would show up for the last two days at a different venue (a retreat centre).  His plan worked partly because his invitations were personal, by telephone. He was also responsible for overseeing the PCT response to the Typhoon the previous month, which was still going on.  It also worked because the first two days with brief framing from me on grief work and wave riding and two potent OST events generated the clarity and enthusiasm for a good group to carry over to the learning journey event.  

The sponsor had previously been asked to facilitate a high level ongoing group to deal with issues related to Taiwan Independence. His Toronto supporter had previously been a member of the legislature. I had a reputation from my previous work and my being the ``Rev. Dr.`` didn`t hurt.  This had created the trust levels necessary, plus his mandate includes working with social justice and aboriginal issues.

I would certainly do it again under the right circumstances.  A wonderful sponsor who really gets it is critical to this kind of event.  (I currently see a dearth of such sponsors in Toronto.)

Larry


Larry Peterson & Associates in Transformation
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
larry at spiritedorg.com   416.653.4829 http://www.spiritedorg.com



-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of douglas germann
Sent: October-26-09 9:31 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: [OSLIST] Taiwan Presbyterians, Politicians and Aboriginal Leaders

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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