April 29, 2017

Caring for a World in Transition: Trans4m contributes to 3rd Spirit of Humanity Forum in Iceland

29 April 2017: The 3^rd Spirit of Humanity Forum in Reykjavik (26 to 29 April) was a potent demonstration of the commitment to contribute to the necessary global paradigm shift by its about 200 participants from around the World. Hosted by the City of Reykjavik, and opened by the President and Foreign Minister of Iceland, the Forum places “spirit” and “spirituality” at the very heart of political, economic, cultural and social renewal of the world.“Caring for a World in Transition: Building a Foundation for a Loving and Peaceful World” was the guiding theme for this 3^rd Forum. In the words of the conveners, the Spirit of Humanity Forum “offers a global platform for leaders and change-makers seeking to contribute towards a lasting transformation in the world in which core human values such as love, respect, solidarity and compassion become integrated in our decision-making and relational processes, enabling systemic change in organisations, communities and nations. This is part of our ‘duty of care’ for the Earth and for Humanity at large. The Forum focuses on spirituality in leadership, and explores new forms of governance underpinned by care, respect, trust, dialogue and relationships.”

Trans4m’s Co-Founder Alexander Schieffer was invited to share the concept and potential impact of the Integral Worlds approach to such global renewal. Based on Trans4m’s CARE concept, Schieffer offered a conference workshop entitled “CARE-ing for Worlds in Transition: Exploring and Applying the Integral Worlds approach and its underlying CARE process to effect individual, organizational, and societal transformation”

Through practical cases from around the world, this workshop explored together with all participants, the practice of the Integral Worlds approach as a pioneering integral perspective and “whole life” perspective on the world – interconnecting individual, organizational, communal, societal, and global transformation. It illustrated – through local applications – how this approach integrates and balances all dimensions of a human system: nature and community; culture and creativity; science, systems and technology; enterprise, economics and politics – with love and spirit at the center.

The workshop shared how the CARE-process, embedded in the Integral Worlds approach, serves as a motor to bring about holistic, and locally relevant and culturally resonant solutions to burning issues of our time. Real life case stories cover Africa, Middle East, India, South America and Europe. Finally, and most importantly, the workshop created the space for participants to relate the integral CARE process back to their own context, exploring ways of application and co-creation.

Participants were deeply engaging with the integral interconnectedness of individual, organizational, societal and global perspectives offered by the Integral Worlds approach and were keen to dive deeper into the potential transformative impact the approach could have on their own initiatives and organizations. A number of “follow ups” were arranged in different parts of the world – from the UK to Denmark, from Myanmar to the US, from Slovenia back to Iceland.

The Spirit of Humanity Forum was overall a most inspiring event, with an excellent mix of plenary sessions, workshops and other interactive spaces. Cultural experiences (such as choirs, ballet, theatre, film and music) were powerfully integrated into the overall program and helped to deepen the transformative individual and collective experience of participants.

The dedication of hosts, organizers and funding institutions to make this Forum a success was exemplary. In a concluding remark, and referring back to the host nation, it was of particular significance to witness the dedication of the City of Reykjavik and the Nation of Iceland to embody the aspiration of the Forum of “Caring for a World in Transition”. In its declared vision to purposefully contribute, as a society, to a sustainable and peaceful world, Iceland is setting a compelling role model for other nations.