My friend, colleague, teacher and fellow GiGee (Girl Geek) Amy Lenzo has launched a new venture, weDialogue. She has asked me to be part of a launch event, a free, wide-open conversation on “Communities in the 21st Century” on April 1st. I decided it was so exciting it was worth saying yes even though I’ll be in Australia and it will be 3am for me. That’s how easy Amy makes it to say “yes” to her! Seriously, how can you resist the invitation to talk about community!!

Here is the information:

“Just as the tumultuous chaos of a thunderstorm brings a nurturing rain that allows life to flourish, so too in human affairs times of advancement are preceded by times of disorder. Success comes to those who can weather the storm.”
~ I-Ching, The book of change
In association with the World Café Community Foundation, weDialogue is hosting a series of interactive online “Conversations for the 21st Century” designed to stimulate collective innovation and new patterns of thinking in response to the global challenges we face today.

Each session will focus on a different key topic–e.g. Democracy, Food, Money, Aging, Creativity, etc.– and begin with a round-table exploration from the perspective of three “conversation starters” who are making significant contributions in the field being discussed. Conversation starters are chosen for their diversity in order to give the widest possible “opening” for the dialogue that follows.

After the round table, we’ll move into a World Cafe format with three rounds of small group conversation, followed by a “harvest” when the whole group comes back together to share insights and experiences.  Conversations for the 21st Century will also feature a “Call to Action” where participants can learn about cutting edge initiatives related to the topic at hand, and how to get involved.

We encourage everyone with an interest in our subjects to participate – we all have something valuable to contribute. The World Cafe is based on the idea that we are wiser together than we are alone, that together we have the answers to any problems that beset us.  So, we believe it’s important to hear from all of us and that every voice is necessary for the re-imagining of a better future.

Conversations for the 21st Century are held over the telephone and you must register to participate. We’re pleased to announce our first session:

“Community for the 21st Century”
DATE: Friday, April 1st
TIME: 9am-12pm PST/12-3pm EST/5-8pmGMT / 7-10pm South Africa / 5-8am New Zealand

COST: Free (except for any long distance charges you may incur)
Your donations to the World Cafe Community Foundation, however, are very much appreciated:

REGISTER: Please use THIS LINK to register (you must be registered to participate).

“Community for the 21st Century” conversation starters:

Peter Block, author of Community: The Structure of Belonging, and The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods

Nancy White, co-author of Digital Habitats, and an experienced guide in the realms of online community and e-learning.

Sarah Whiteley and Maria Scordialos, co-founders of the land-based community Axladitsa Avatakia in Greece.

If you know someone you think should be part of this conversation, please invite them, too. Here is a downloadable pdf to pass on: C21C