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Working for Change in Tough Times
Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
By Dr. Joanna Ashworth, Director, Dialogue Programs
dialogue-info@sfu.ca
Paul Loeb, the author of seven books on public issues and the role of citizens, opened the “Heart of a Citizen” series with an inspiring talk generating a heartfelt dialogue with over 150 community, government, and business leader at the Wosk Centre for dialogue.
Paul’s stories, questions and images resonated with participants. Here are a few highlights:
In a time of global recession, violent weather events and social disruptions the scale of our societal problems overwhelms our citizenry. Yet many still find a way to get involved in spite of the scale of the issues. This is the hopeful side, yet there are still barriers to involvement.
I am not an expert
Many people are concerned that if they don’t know enough about an issue they do not have the right to get involved or to act. Assumptions about the role of expert knowledge and public involvement are important to examine. Experts are only one part of the equation when it comes to social change, says Loeb. But we all know that experts alone are not going to make change.
Setbacks as learning opportunities
All leaders have their moments of doubt and most experience personal and professional setbacks. Yet, those leaders who prevail are the one who learn about persistence and see their efforts within a vision that unfolds over time.
Like all leaders great and small, we grow into the people we become through acting intentionally over time. It’s the small acts that make history. And it takes a community, not a single act to create change.
Hope is believing in something in spite of the evidence and then seeing the evidence change.
Social change requires asking: What are we trying to achieve? What is our plan? How do we tell our story? To involve others you must speak to their heart, to what they care about, to their deepest values.
Moments of human imagination and courage (see the film “Bringing Down A Dictator”) often create opportunities for human generousity and change.
Acts of courage have a multiplying effect – Nelson Mandela
Courage and transformation: When speaking of the scale of some problems such as climate change the possibility of making an impact is daunting? Adding to the complexity of such a situation is that it is not local in nature. Loeb suggests that it is useful and inspiring to examine the stories of people who have acted with the power they do have (e.g., the Mayor of Seattle formed a US Mayor’s Protocol for Climate Change that involved 900 mayors.) and learn from these stories.
Strange bedfellows make interesting children
Building Coalitions: How do we encourage the involvement of others in the process of social change? For example, how do you connect with corporations or faith-based groups and create a bridge between ideological differences? Dialogue and time are important elements.
As one dialogue participant noted, not all social change involves a fight. There are ways to engage with others that are respectful and compassionate.
How do we keep on?
Keeping on during times of challenge was the core theme of the dialogue and Loeb and others in the room draw their inspiration and strength through sharing stories of support and affirmation in a community of practice or geography citizens. As well as ‘keeping on’ as a theme, the participants explored what it would take for a person to become engaged initially. Signing a petition may be the first act of political action. Participating in peaceful public events and taking on small acts are a start.
Humour and enjoyment was another theme: Personal boundaries are important but so is keeping a sense of humour and being on the look out for indicators of hope.
To hear the entire dialogue with Paul Loeb in WAV format: click here.