Fall 2004 New York, New York Volume 7 Issue 2 The Bridging Tree In This Issue: Published by The LifebridgeFoundation, Inc. The Power of Networks Networks for a Better World Barbara L. Valocore Exploration of the whole is central to currency systems, from peace groups or Lifebridge’s mission, so we look at the meditation groups to microcredit, these trend toward networks, networking and networks have now become essential to the urge to connect with great interest. the way we “do business”, as almost The networks that connect us are every aspect of our lives is influenced by becoming more tangible, more obvious, networks of some kind. Even networks more real, and affect all of us in many are interconnected! One can easily join a More ways. The amazingly broad scope of this network with a few clicks and movement also illustrates the fact of our “networking”, a new verb, has become Inside This Issue: increasing closeness, interdependence an activity for which time is set aside at and deepening awareness of ourselves conferences. In fact, many people feel as a single human race. Many of the this “time for networking” is the most organizations we’ve supported are valuable aspect of any gathering. Our Networks for a Better actually networks of networks; network is our tribe, our group, our World Barbara Valocore – Pg. 1 intertwining and mutually supportive family and we love to see our network organisms that share a common vision grow and join with others thereby Wisdom Of, By & For The and common goals: to build a better, enhancing the whole. Plus, it’s fun to see Whole more sustainable and just society for all the extent of mutual friends and Tom Atlee – Pg. 3 of Earth’s people. This issue of The acquaintances in a room of supposed Bridging Tree highlights the growing “strangers”. Global Eco­Village Network trend toward networks and the Of course, we can only highlight a May East – Pg. 4 implications this phenomenon holds for few types of networks in this small our global community. space, but all the groups reporting here Positive Partnerships Recently, our global inter­ are working to build positive and life Kim Corrigan – Pg. 5 connectedness has been greatly affirming structures aimed to improve enhanced by the communications the conditions of the populations they Why Is Peace So Hard industry, namely the internet. serve. Arun Gandhi – Pg. 6 Facilitating the communication of Our hope is that you will find Women Connecting countless groups and individuals across inspiration and encouragement within Patricia Smith Melton borders and cultures, this amazing and we’d love to hear more about your – Pg. 7 invention is spurring the growth of networks and what they are doing to networks of all kinds. Many organizations promote a better world. Networks of Hope now have e­newsletters and youth Jennifer Kirk – Pg. 8 groups are using the internet as an organizing tool, seeking to build Banking on Dignity partnerships across cultural lines. NGO’s Sam Daley­Harris – Pg. 9 are collaborating and pooling resources to achieve a more effective impact, and New Grants – Pgs. 10­11 political movements are using the internet to build constituencies and UN Corner – Pgs. 14­15 consolidate their power base. From the Ecovillage Network to local Page 2 The Bridging Tree Volume 7, Issue 2 communities, and on creating an ecologically Are You a sustainable future 12. ...are unhappy with both the Left and the Right in politics, and want a to find a new way that is Cultural Creative? not in the mushy middle 13. ...tend to be somewhat optimistic about our future, and distrust the cynical and pessimistic view Are you a Cultural Creative? This list can give you that is given by the media an idea. Choose the statements that you agree with. 14. ...want to be involved in creating a new and You are likely to be a Cultural Creative if you... better way of life in our country 15. ...are concerned about what the big 1. ...love Nature and are deeply concerned about corporations are doing in the name of making more its destruction profits: downsizing, creating environmental problems, 2. ...are strongly aware of the problems of the and exploiting poorer countries whole planet (global warming, destruction of 16. ...have your finances and spending under rainforests, overpopulation, lack of ecological control, and are not concerned about overspending sustainability, exploitation of people in poorer 17. ...dislike all the emphasis in modern culture countries) and want to see more action on them, such on success and "making it," on getting and spending, as limiting economic growth on wealth and luxury goods 3. ...would pay more taxes or pay more for 18. ...like people and places that are exotic and consumer goods if you could know the money would go foreign, and like experiencing and learning about other to clean up the environment and to stop global ways of life. warming 4. ...place a great deal of importance on If you agreed with 10 or more, you probably developing and maintaining your relationships are a Cultural Creative. 5. ...place a lot of value on helping other people and bringing out their unique gifts “The Cultural Creatives, How 50 Million People are 6. ...do volunteering for one or more good causes Changing the World,” is a ground breaking book by 7. ...care intensely about both psychological and Paul H. Ray and Sherry Ruth Anderson. Written in spiritual development 2000, this important and illuminating book is the result 8. ...see spirituality or religion as important in of 13 years of research documenting the characteristics your life, but are concerned about the role of the of a large portion of North American citizens whose Religious Right in politics motivations reflect values of inclusiveness, social 9. ...want more equality for women at work, and justice and environmental stewardship. Largely more women leaders in business and politics uncounted by traditional methods, this robust and 10. ...are concerned about violence and abuse of significant social group has the potential to help women and children around the world midwife our civilization into a new paradigm more fit for 11. ...want our politics and government spending the 21 st Century. For more information about the book: to put more emphasis on children's education and well­ www.CulturalCreatives.org being, on rebuilding our neighborhoods and The Bridging Tree Published by The Lifebridge ® Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 327, High Falls The Lifebridge Foundation, Inc. was New York, NY 12440 established in 1992 for the purpose of Website: www.lifebridge.org supporting organizations and individuals who, E­mail: [email protected] through cultural, educational, and/or scientific Executive Editor: Barbara L. Valocore means, are dedicated to creating bridges of Editor: Robert Alan Silverstein understanding among all people by bringing to Contributors: Tom Atlee, Kim Corrigan, Sam Daley­Harris, May East, Arun Gandhi, Jennifer Kirk, Patricia Smith Melton, Barbara L. Valocore realization the concepts of one humanity and the interconnectedness of all life. Photo Credits: Barbara Hartford, United Religions Initiative: p. 8 We support groups and individuals whose PEACE X PEACE: pgs. 6 & 7 Erika Petersen: p. 5 innovative projects reflect these concepts; Lucis Trust: pgs. 1, 13 (bottom right) whose work exemplifies a global vision, Dave Magna, Pioneers of Change: p. 1 (bottom) Bob Silverstein: pgs. 10, 13 demonstrates a spirit of inclusiveness, and Melissa Wood: pgs. 3, 12 fosters transformative action in a changing world. ©2004 The Lifebridge ® Foundation, Inc. Fall, 2004 The Bridging Tree Page 3 Wisdom Of, By And For The Whole Tom Atlee There is natural wisdom in and among us. There is a place within us where we are all one ­­ one spirit, one life, one humanity, one story ­­ whether we know it or not. There is a web around us, among us, that runs through us and winds through all the rest, linking us all as co­creative kin, journeying together to a shared destiny of our own making ­­ whether we know it or not. "We all live downstream." The Great Halls of Power and Media are not built to understand this. For the most part, they are prizes in the battle, fought for and held by those alienated from the heart of the world, spouting distractions to spirits yearning for connection, wholeness, a chance to be real. Today hundreds of millions of people are globally networked through computers and common interests, learning together, yearning together, creating new insights and possibilities together, co­evolving Five different forms of citizen deliberative councils constantly. Our interconnectedness is becoming more appeared independently in four different countries (US, obvious and our co­creativity more possible. The fact Canada, Germany and Denmark) in just 25 years (1970­ that so many people put information on the web and 1995). They have now been successfully tested converse there makes it a universal encyclopedia ­­ a hundreds of times elsewhere, suggesting this is an idea true collective memory and mind ­­ that any of us can whose time has come. tap into and participate in. We are developing a global These forums can be organized in ways that deepen collective intelligence, grounded in the free interchange diverse participating citizens into their common core and of ideas and stories that are the trademark of invite them into co­creative interaction, giving them democracy. collective access to higher wisdom than they could Our global collective intelligence can be used ­­ and is access separately. Over and over, people doing these being used ­­ for profit, for healing, for exploitation, for citizen panels have demonstrated that significantly transformation, for disruption, for trivia. It is an diverse citizens ­­ often chosen at random or for their enabler, a source of power for whatever human beings notable differences ­­ can and do work together well to want to do.