Taiwan Presbyterians, Politicians and Aboriginal Leaders

[douglas germann]

Larry--

Thanks. That rounds out my understanding a lot.

			:- Doug.



On Tue, 2009-10-27 at 09:06 -0400, Larry Peterson wrote:
> 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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