This course,
run over
19 days, provides an in-depth introduction to Goethean
methodology specifically as a means for developing a new
approach to social intervention. It addresses itself to four
aspects: understanding living process; practicing new ways of
seeing and thinking (developing methods), engaging in processes
of self-development (to facilitate our own change as our
understanding and approach changes); and translating and
applying our new understanding and capacities into the
situations with which we are engaged.
We hover
precariously on, and inhabit, realms of conflict and
environmental chaos where engagement with our long-term future
often feels inadequate. While there is much conversation and
practice around social transformation, most of this focuses on
attempts at engineering external realities. Yet there seems to
be little recognition that what we see ‘out there’ is a
reflection of our own inner stories, that our own way of
approaching the world has a significant role to play in
addressing the enormous challenges which we face at this time in
world history.
This course
explores the relationship between processes of outer
transformation and how these affect, and are affected by, our
inner processes – of perception and participation, of
self-understanding, and of ecological cognisance. The individual
(inner), the social (interpersonal, group, organisation), and
the natural (ecological) are interdependent; it is a real
experience of this interdependence that we aim to build.
Much of our
capacity to contribute towards social revitalisation will depend
on our own inner process of transformation. To become
responsible for that which is alive we have to develop an
awareness – a way of being with the world, of knowing it and
responding to it – which is equally alive. This means going
beyond techniques and procedures, tools and instruments, or the
constructing of models with which to ‘explain’ situations; it
means that we have to become something other by
developing a sensibility for living process.
This
‘becoming’ involves a qualitative thinking to supplement
quantitative thinking. Nothing less than a development of
consciousness. Developing the fluidity and stability required to
flow with living process. Not to try to control or predict or
explain or measure, but to portray, anticipate, engage and
appreciate. To read for meaning whilst participating in the
narrative, rather than – as an outsider – to analyse for cause
and effect in order to engineer and advise. This ‘becoming’ also
involves feeling into the skin of the world through this
enlivened understanding, so that we may find ourselves
participating in and contributing towards healing and wholeness.
This course
will provide an experiential overview of a new methodology as a
point of departure for further work, and will at the same time
enhance and renew the practice of those practitioners who are
already well versed in intervention as an art.
Facilitators
Sue Soal, CDRA
Allan Kaplan, The
Proteus Initiative
Sue Davidoff, The
Proteus Initiative
Who should
attend?
Any practitioner of
development, in whatever capacity (be it fieldworker, facilitator,
researcher, trainer, evaluator, donor, manager etc), who wishes to
develop their understanding of and practise in this specific and
disciplined methodology for social intervention.
A current practice, of
some years standing, is an essential requirement.
Dates and
structure
The course starts at
9.00am on Monday 18 May, in Cape Town, and closes
at 3.30pm on Friday 5 June 2009. Most working days will
last from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Although leisure time
is planned into the course design, participants are asked to ensure
that they are available to engage in course activities for the whole
19 days, including weekends.
The programme includes
a 6-8 day residential retreat. This will run over a weekend. The cost
of travel to, and full board and lodging on the retreat is included in
the course fee.
Costs
The total course fee
is R14 500.
In addition,
participants from outside of Cape Town should budget to cover the
costs of their travel to, and accommodation in Cape Town (guest house
recommendations available from
pauline@cdra.org.za).
Bursaries
A limited bursary fund
is available to assist selected participants who, due to a shortage of
funds, might otherwise be unable to participate in the course. This
fund cannot, however, cover the full costs of participation in the
programme.
Application
dates
Applications to join
the programme, and applications for financial assistance, close on
6 February 2009. Contact Pauline –
pauline@cdra.org.za - for further information.
Download Application form with brochure
