I think one of the things I have learned is that so long as acceptance and understanding are treated as "ethical oughts" they never really happen, or only happen at a very superficial level. The situation changes radically when acceptance and understanding become practical necessities. One of the implications of this is that you cannot argue somebody into believing that acceptance and understanding are useful - you really have to put people into situations where both (a/u) are operative and essential. At this point we move from intellectual abstraction to existential experience - and it is the latter from which real change and growth occurs. One might say - Don't talk about it - Do it! But how?
I think every time we open space we are "doing it." When people come together in Open Space around a common issue of deep concern - particularly a complex and conflicted one - acceptance and understanding are not just nice, ethical things - they are the only way to go. Resolution simply cannot happen until both (a/u) are present. And somehow, when space is opened acceptance and understanding show up, almost automatically. No need to plead for their arrival, train for their presence, intellectualize their nature and gifts. How or why all this takes place, I really don't know. I guess I could say some words about the "search for fitness" as an essential component of the self organizing process - but I am not sure those words would help that much. Much better to just cut to the chase! Open Space and watch acceptance and understanding show up. Seems to happen just about every time. Not always, not everywhere, but often enough to be interesting. I suspect everybody has their favorite story. Mine comes from that incredible time in Rome with the 50 Palestinians and Israelis. Check out: http://openspaceworld.com/opening_space_for_peace.htm Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20854 Phone 301-365-2093 Skype hhowen Open Space Training <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute <http://www.openspaceworld.org/> www.openspaceworld.org Personal website <http://www.ho-image.com/> www.ho-image.com OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: <http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of fergal barr Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 6:05 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [OSLIST] FW: Acceptance & Understanding - development of curriculum materials I'm currently doing a bit of work for the Curriculum Development Unit (in Northern Ireland) to produce a guidance document on the core principle of Acceptance and Understanding of Others (which is one of three core principles of the 'Youth Work: A Model for Effective Practice', which is effectively the underpinning approach to youth work in NI). "The promotion of acceptance and understanding of others involves enabling young people to respect and value themselves and others. It seeks the appreciation of the difference between and interdependence of people within society, one's own youth group, close community and beyond. It includes seeing cultural diversity as a positive thing..recognising others as equal, different yet related to us, is not easy. It requires an understanding of the meaning of equity and a commitment through youth work to oppose sectarianism and any form of discrimination." The guidance materials will focus on practice with 11-18 year olds but which will be accessible to part-time staff and volunteers. Part-time staff and volunteers make up the majority of youth workers in Northern Ireland. Most of them are not professionally qualified, e.g., Degrees, Diplomas, etc although significant numbers will have basic qualifications in youth work. Many of them will have years of experience that is vital and essential to the delivery of youth work in Northern Ireland. Most Part-time workers and volunteers would contribute between 8 and 12 hours per week and their work would largely be at night and involve face-to-face work with young people. As part of this process and in order to produce a document that meets this aim I'm collating information re 'Acceptance and Understanding of others'. This can mean any of the following: * methodologies * models of practice * theories * activities * your own thoughts on the matter * your own case studies * useful web links * essential reading I also want to identify 6 groups that will act as Case Studies-it might be useful to have an international case study so if you have one then this would be useful. The document produced will help inform part-time staff and volunteers as to how to raise the issue of Acceptance and Understanding in practice with young people. The document will address a number of important issues including: * value base underpinning practice * context and rationale for being involved in work promoting accpetance and understanding of others * the range of issues acceptance and understanding of others addresses * models of practice * how it can be embedded in practice * practical exercises that can be used * sources of information to support work If you think you can help in any way please share whatever information you can. Thanking you in anticipation of your support and co-operation. I look forward to hearing from you. Fergal ____________________________________________________________________________ ________ My book: The Things People Say: Political Quotations from the Northern Ireland Peace Process To buy it on-line: http://www.trafford.com/07-2815 To order it in a book shop: Give the nice man/woman this ISBN number : 1-4251-6179-0 Info about me: <http://trainers.salto-youth.net/FergalBarr/> http://trainers.salto-youth.net/FergalBarr/ Organisation I work for: www.claudyyouth.com <http://www.claudyyouth.com/> Organistion I used to work for: www.offthestreets.org <http://www.offthestreets.org/> How I live my life: Humour is the shortest distance between people;Always remember there is someone worse off than you; It's not a matter of if only a matter of when _____ Windows Live Hotmail just got better. Find <http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/windowslive/products/hotmail.aspx> out more! _____ Share your photos with Windows Live Photos - Free Try <http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/windowslive/products/messenger.aspx> it Now! _____ Windows Live Hotmail just got better. 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