The troubles were/are real and the disruption major, but I would believe that some of the old traditions live on. Wired in at a genetic level, perhaps. This belief is not without some foundation as I have continued contact with Liberian friends of some long ago. As also others have done the same. It is true that I have not set foot in Liberia since the '70's but I have been in related parts of Africa. All I am suggesting is that you start with something familiar (to them) and see if you can build. The issues you describe are real and pressing, but they will be solved, if at all solvable, in an African way. They will have to do that work and putting them in a place of remembering is not a bad place to start. I think.
Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Dr. Potomac, MD 20854 USA 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer) Camden, Maine 20854 Phone 301-365-2093 (summer) 207-763-3261 www.openspaceworld.com www.ho-image.com (Personal Website) To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Susan Partnow Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 4:49 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [OSList] OS in Liberia and Harrison's reflections Thanks for your reflections, Harrison... There is absolutely enormous, deep wisdom to learn, observe, drink in. I appreciate what you are saying, though I fear some of the deep traditions have been so disrupted and even lost for the present generations with the chaos of the last 20 years. The Community Summit was a way to bring many diverse people together who do not have a chance to engage in conversation with other outside of that setting - unfortunately there is not a way for the flow to flow... Over half the population now lives in Monrovia and many have not experienced the richness of village life including the Palava Hut. The youth do not trust or especially respect the elders or chiefs. Women have many concerns. So it is a society in rough transition... Susan Susan Partnow Founding Director, Global Citizen Journey 4425 Baker Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107 tel. 206-783-8561 fax 206-782-7786 www.globalcitizenjourney.org <http://www.globalcitizenjourney.org/> join our mailing list <http://oi.vresp.com/?fid=fb96ddc75f> www.susanpartnow.com <http://www.susanpartnow.com/> Partnow Communications, Organizational Development, Consulting & Facilitation www.conversationcafe.org <http://www.conversationcafe.org/> Co-Founder www.compassionatelistening.org <http://www.compassionatelistening.org/> Sr. Certified Facilitator "When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other." --Margaret Wheatley
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