Connecting for Change brings together innovators from the business, social and philanthropic sectors to build connections and understanding about how to work together to create sustained social change, thus a more compassionate and peaceful world.
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Your Holiness,
Exactly one year ago, your statement, “Yak head, sheep body – you going to create funny animal!”, generated much laughter amongst the 60 corporate executives and 60 social sector leaders participating in the Connecting for Change Dialogue here in Vancouver.
I am not sure if we created a new animal, but since that day there have been many ripples of connection, that have led to building new, and enhancing existing, collaborations to help make a difference in the world.
We continue to be grateful for your presence as we gather feedback from those who attended. We have spoken with all 120 people since the Vancouver Dialogues to learn about the impact that those two days had. Two important levels of connection and change are apparent in the feedback. Some participants speak about connecting more deeply to their inner self and are aware of a shift from concern for self to concern for others. Other participants speak about connecting with others in the external world but doing so with a more focused priority on respect and compassion for those with whom they are collaborating to create change.
We are honoured to share some examples as well as some thoughts about how we see the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education continuing to build on the intentions of “Connecting for Change”. Here are a few comments and stories.
"I had no idea there were so damn many ‘do-gooders’ in the world who could afford to drive cars and own houses. I was blown away by the amazing work that people are doing to make the world a better place. I have spent my whole life, focused on maximizing money for my shareholders, and now realize that there is something else I have to do. Thank you for opening my eyes to new possibilities!"
The CEO of a large multi-national corporation, answering the question, “What was most impactful about the connecting for change dialogue?”
"I returned from the dialogue in Vancouver, affirmed in my commitment to building understanding and connections across apparent boundaries. I also came away with a greater understanding of compassion being a practice of the heart and that any meaningful connection for change begins within. We must, first and foremost, be the change. “Be the Change” is now the central theme and rallying cry for our organization." Molly Baldwin, Executive Director at Rocca, a Massachusetts based organization working with some of the nations most challenging and very high risk youth. Roca has become a model for many seeking to understand how to build connections across and between some of the most unlikely groups (youth gangs, police, lawyers, judges, etc.)
Penny Irons, the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Mothers Center, who spoke with you about the hole in her heart, is now connected with a group of business leaders who helped her secure millions of dollars to build a shelter and a training/employment center for First Nations mothers living on the streets of Vancouver.
Puanani Burgess from the island of Hawaii organized a series of dialogues called “Shout it Out”, modeled on the approach we took in Vancouver. She brought government leaders to listen to the stories and suggestions of homeless people living on the beaches of Wiani. She continues to develop programs and initiatives that build on the ideas that came from these conversations.
There are many other stories that speak to the shift in mindset and values that your presence and the dialogues inspired as well as to the ingenuity expressed in the commitment to work together to bring about change for a more peaceful world. We hope to one day share the stories of connecting for change more fully with you. The Center will continue to build on these and other important partnerships to create future dialogues that bring people together from across apparent boundaries. We believe these dialogues play a significant role in developing the awareness and understanding required to make long term commitments to collaborative actions that can change our world.
Thank you once again for initiating the intention behind the DLC and opening the space for us to begin this important work. I dearly hope that we will have the chance to engage you again in a Connecting for Change dialogue in Vancouver or elsewhere in the world!
Kind Regards
Charles Holmes
Connecting for Change Program
Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
Exactly one year ago, your statement, “Yak head, sheep body – you going to create funny animal!”, generated much laughter amongst the 60 corporate executives and 60 social sector leaders participating in the Connecting for Change Dialogue here in Vancouver.
I am not sure if we created a new animal, but since that day there have been many ripples of connection, that have led to building new, and enhancing existing, collaborations to help make a difference in the world.
We continue to be grateful for your presence as we gather feedback from those who attended. We have spoken with all 120 people since the Vancouver Dialogues to learn about the impact that those two days had. Two important levels of connection and change are apparent in the feedback. Some participants speak about connecting more deeply to their inner self and are aware of a shift from concern for self to concern for others. Other participants speak about connecting with others in the external world but doing so with a more focused priority on respect and compassion for those with whom they are collaborating to create change.
We are honoured to share some examples as well as some thoughts about how we see the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education continuing to build on the intentions of “Connecting for Change”. Here are a few comments and stories.
"I had no idea there were so damn many ‘do-gooders’ in the world who could afford to drive cars and own houses. I was blown away by the amazing work that people are doing to make the world a better place. I have spent my whole life, focused on maximizing money for my shareholders, and now realize that there is something else I have to do. Thank you for opening my eyes to new possibilities!"
The CEO of a large multi-national corporation, answering the question, “What was most impactful about the connecting for change dialogue?”
"I returned from the dialogue in Vancouver, affirmed in my commitment to building understanding and connections across apparent boundaries. I also came away with a greater understanding of compassion being a practice of the heart and that any meaningful connection for change begins within. We must, first and foremost, be the change. “Be the Change” is now the central theme and rallying cry for our organization." Molly Baldwin, Executive Director at Rocca, a Massachusetts based organization working with some of the nations most challenging and very high risk youth. Roca has become a model for many seeking to understand how to build connections across and between some of the most unlikely groups (youth gangs, police, lawyers, judges, etc.)
Penny Irons, the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Mothers Center, who spoke with you about the hole in her heart, is now connected with a group of business leaders who helped her secure millions of dollars to build a shelter and a training/employment center for First Nations mothers living on the streets of Vancouver.
Puanani Burgess from the island of Hawaii organized a series of dialogues called “Shout it Out”, modeled on the approach we took in Vancouver. She brought government leaders to listen to the stories and suggestions of homeless people living on the beaches of Wiani. She continues to develop programs and initiatives that build on the ideas that came from these conversations.
There are many other stories that speak to the shift in mindset and values that your presence and the dialogues inspired as well as to the ingenuity expressed in the commitment to work together to bring about change for a more peaceful world. We hope to one day share the stories of connecting for change more fully with you. The Center will continue to build on these and other important partnerships to create future dialogues that bring people together from across apparent boundaries. We believe these dialogues play a significant role in developing the awareness and understanding required to make long term commitments to collaborative actions that can change our world.
Thank you once again for initiating the intention behind the DLC and opening the space for us to begin this important work. I dearly hope that we will have the chance to engage you again in a Connecting for Change dialogue in Vancouver or elsewhere in the world!
Kind Regards
Charles Holmes
Connecting for Change Program
Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
Submitted by Charles Holmes on January 20, 2009 - 6:22pm.
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