2016 Sustainable Journeys

An annual event of the Meeting Rivers programme of Pipal Tree, Bangalore

Date
 • Thursday, February 4, 2016 4:00 pm to
 • Sunday, February 7, 2016 5:00 pm 

Venue
 • Fireflies Intercultural Centre, Bangalore-India

Key Areas
 • Women’s struggles for dignity and democratic rights.
 • The challenge of creating climate-neutral communities and villages.
 • Alternative marketing strategies which connect the producer farmer with the consumer.
 • Peace, pluralism and pro-active religious and secular perspectives in the context of conflicting world views.

Dear Friend,

 We are pleased to announce the next February Dialogues, rechristened now as ‘Fireflies Dialogues’, to take place at Fireflies Intercultural Centre, Bangalore between the 4th and 7th February 2016. As most of our friends know Fireflies Dialogues is associated with the global network of events known as Dialogues en humanité.

About Fireflies Dialogues 2016:

The need to facilitate urgent, accelerated and democratic change on the social and ecological fronts is no longer an option. There are millions of individuals and organisations all over the world who are already attempting the required changes and stimulating discussions are under way on the best approaches and practices.

The challenges before us are many.

We are already facing the growing threats unleashed by climate change. The erratic monsoons in India, drought, growing numbers of farmers suicides, and recent reports such as the one by James Hansen stating that sea levels are likely to rise by as much as ten feet this century, underline the fact that climate change may be happening faster than we thought. Recently the city of Chennai was under water and residents had to move around in boats. At the same time farmers in Vidarbha region were committing suicide due to drought. Delhi has become the most polluted city in the world and the majority of inhabitants are suffering from lung ailments.

Women are facing the brunt of the reaction as the backlash against human rights and democratic freedoms takes its toll. Atrocities against women, including rape and molestation, are showing an alarming increase.

Globally we are witnessing the rise of cultural, religious and racist strife: whether it is the refugee problem in Europe, the issues around racism and religion in the USA and other places, or the growing sectarian intolerance in South Asia.

As mentioned earlier, despite the indecision on the part of the power brokers we are also observing remarkable people and organisations taking a stand. The present pope is one such inspiring figure. The Hindu declaration on climate change at the World Parliament of Religions in Melbourne is another path-breaking document. Buddhist and Muslim organisations are also urging action on the climate front. But more than individuals and organisations we are witnessing mass mobilisation on a growing scale that is pushing governments to address the above-mentioned challenges.

The Fireflies Dialogues 2016 will address some of the crucial issues mentioned.


programme schedule

thursday, 4 february 2016

04:00 pm - 04:30 pm

evening tea/coffee

04:30 pm - 05:00 pm

registration

05:00 pm - 05:30 pm

welcome and introduction to the 2016 fireflies dialogues siddhartha and genevieve ancel

05:30 pm - 06:00 pm

interplay and self-introductions facilitated by prashanth olalekar

06:00 pm - 08:00 pm

sharing by participants on the theme ‘sustainable journeys’ facilitated by siddhartha, veena pai and shabin paul

08:00 pm - 09:00 pm

dinner

friday, 5 february 2016

06:45 am - 07:00 am

morning tea/coffee

07:00 am - 08:00 am

movement meditation at the meditation hall facilitated by prashanth olalekar

08:00 am - 09:00 am

breakfast

09:00 am - 09:30 am

interplay

09:30 am - 10:30 am

keynote address: sustainable development challenges in india ashish kothari moderated by veena pai

10:30 am - 11:00 am

panel on sustainable practices moderated by ashwani vasishth
1) lifelong learning in the context of sustainable futures. dominic d'souza

11:00 am - 11:30 pm

tea break

11:30 pm - 12:30 pm

continuation of the panel on sustainable practices moderated by ashwani vasishth
2) the practice and challenges of climate-neutral villages. t. pradeep
3) just change: taking back control of our economy. stan thekaekara

12:30 pm - 01:00 pm

the mandala ceremony and interplay

01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

lunch

02:00 pm - 02:30 pm

interplay