“The All J&K People to
People Dialogue for Peace and Prosperity”, organized by Pragati
Foundation, was held at the Centre of Initiatives Of
Change, Asia Plateau, Panchgani, between 12th
to 15th February, 2002. Earlier an “Indo-Pak People to People
Dialogue for Peace and Prosperity” was held in August, 2001 at the same venue.
The present conference was
attended by people from all over the state comprising Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist,
Youth, Senior Citizens, former and present MLA’s / Ministers, Political
Activists, Artists and Intellectuals bringing three generations onto a common
platform. Mr.Yusuf
Tarigami and Tsering Dorjay Lakrook in addition to Mr.Tsering Samphel (President Ladakh Buddhist Association), Mrs. Khemlata
Wakhlu (Vice President – J&K Pradesh Congress
Committee), Nirmala Deshpande
(Social Activist), Lt.Gen.Moti Dhar
(Retd.), Mr. Mohd. Yusuf Parry (MLA), Lt.Gen. Srinivas Apte (Retd.), Mr. P. Namgyal (Former
Union Minister), Mrs.Padma Sachdev
(Dogri poetess) and many others were present.
These two conferences are the first ever in this genre using Open
Space Technology, which facilitates taking responsibility, openness, and
expanding love and peace. This leads to awakening of one’s inner guidance, healing, reconciliation
and compassion. The Open
Space process encourages attitudes such as commitment, responsibility,
open-dialogue, listening, faith and trust.
Besides the Open Space Technology, the techniques of Meditation and
Creative Problem Solving were also systematically used in the conference.
The participants acutely felt
the big impact the conference made on them.
Bottled up emotions were expressed, and frank dialogue,
without any bitterness, occurred in an atmosphere of joyful sharing. All this led to a clear understanding of the
roots of the
In order to foster unity amongst
people of Jammu & Kashmir a cultural heritage film titled “The Voice Within” was shown to the
participants. This helped them to
appreciate their vast and glorious spiritual and cultural heritage and values,
which are common to people of various regions of the state.
The Pragati Foundation is playing the role in this whole process of Catalysts for the changing the mind-sets of the people through awareness, understanding, creativity and responsive action.
The following creative
initiatives were resolved to be taken:
1.
Keep the process of interactions and dialogue
amongst the people of J&K going. Expand the
circles of positive thought processes and creative action throughout J&K
and outside.
2.
Focus on my
own decisions, my own restitution, rather than on blame.
Take responsibility for creating a glorious future.
3.
Take Practical Actions and Initiatives moving
towards fundable projects. Pragati will facilitate
networking and resource mobilization.
4.
Facilitate youth of J&K to spearhead the
process mentioned in 1 to 3 above. Youth Conference in J&K,
using Open Space Technology so as to generate mass mobilization for creative
community action.
5.
Raise the voice of all for good governance, which
is receptive and responsive to the needs of the people. Move towards a project for the same.
6.
Taking proactive steps towards attracting private sector
for setting up educational institutions in the state in addition to providing
means of vocational education.
7. Initiating steps for promoting entrepreneurship training programmes and opportunities for the people.
Pune
16th February 2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPEN SPACE
TECHNOLOGY FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY
This brief note
describes the use of Open Space Technology for two related conferences held at
Asia Plateau, Panchgani (120 KMs
from Pune in
The two conferences were:
1.
Indo -
Date : 5th
- 8th August 2001
No. of Participants : 70
A
growing mass of well-meaning people, in
A
group of such people, led by the Pragati Foundation
in Pune, India, and the Foundation for Human and
Economic Development, USA, had a very inspiring and energizing Indo-Pak
dialogue at Panchgani in the summer of 2001 ( 8th
-11th August 2001 ). It was probably for
the first time since 1947, that Pakistanis and Indians, including Kashmiris, sat together at one table, in a spirit of
Friendship, Amity and Dialogue and came up with a shared understanding of what
we need to do, to bring about permanent Peace.
One
of the resolutions adopted at Panchgani was that
another dialogue should be held, in which the people of undivided J & K
could share their authentic heritage and voice their true collective
aspirations. It was agreed that the true
voice of the people of J & K needs to be heard and their deepest
aspirations need to guide actions on the future of the state.
The
next conference was aimed at the above objective.
2.
All J&K
People to People Dialogue for Peace and Prosperity
Date : 12th - 15th
February 2002
No. of Participant : 62
This
dialogue was aimed at bringing together seriously committed people, from the
whole of
In this dialogue, the purpose was
to get together, listen to each other and re-connect back with the rich and
glorious Spiritual, Aesthetic, Intellectual and Universal heritage (including Kashmiriyat) of J&K…… one that has a tremendous
relevance in today's times. We intended
to work together for Peace and Prosperity for all, inspired by the Universal
Spirit, which has guided us all through the ages. This dialogue and
reconnection, gave the participants a chance to reconnect with the Underlying
Values that forge the Kashmiri Spirit,
and realize how deeply they draw from
the Human Principles of Love, Brotherhood and the Universal Oneness of all
humankind. It was also felt that a
solution to the problem of poor Indo-Pak relations, and to the
Both conferences were very successful. Open Space Technology was used in both cases.
Here's why I think OST helped so much:
1.
One of the
needs in the Indian Sub Continent, and Jammu & Kashmir in particular is for
people to take responsibility for
co-creating a future, which is deeply desired by all. Open Space Technology
(OST) gave people an experiential feel of the process of co-creation. It was
a direct way of experiencing the power of Freedom / Responsibility.
2.
The process of
opening space opened peoples' hearts. In situations of conflict and
misunderstanding this is most important for building trust and courage. In both the conferences participants
commented on how the
open, loving atmosphere created in the conference was helpful in healing and re-conciliation.
3.
The process of
OST and the focus on listening to each other with respect, and honouring all voices gave many an opportunity to
voice their feelings freely. For many
people who had never found such a forum, this brought immense relief and deep
satisfaction. It was also an affirmation of the basic human right of free expression. It also was an eye opener for
people to hear about others problems.
4.
There were
many moments when people paused in
silence to listen to Heart / Spirit / Inner guidance. This brought in a sacred dimension in the
proceeding. Since silence is neither
Hindu nor Muslim nor Buddhist, it was whole-heartedly accepted by all. In an
atmosphere charged with religious mistrust,
it gave people a feel of the Peace that transcends religion.
5.
In both the
conferences, there was a lot of sharing
of the practical house work at the conference centre (Dish washing, serving
food, cleaning up, laying the tables etc).
When you do such things with "the enemy", one strongly realize
the basic
commonality of life and human needs.
This was a powerful means of connecting us back to our intrinsic
humanness.
6.
Because of the
unbounded field of human expression that OST provides for, many creative expressions like skits, songs, dances, celebrations, humour and meditation emerged. These helped to bring people into the space
of feelings / heart and thereby helped integration. This was further helped by the cultural programmes
that were part of both conferences in the evenings.
7.
The beauty of the physical environment ( Asia Plateau, Panchagani,
8.
The Law of Two
Feet, paying attention, being present, and showing up all brought people into
integrity. This is the same as reconnection with spirit. Ultimately,
it is spirit that heals, reunites, inspires and gives faith and courage for
creative action.
9.
Many initiatives have rippled out of these two
conferences. With further
conversations and invitations, the ripples of loving action and responsibility will
reach out still further.
Arun Wakhlu
Pragati Foundation
For
more details about these conferences, visit www.pragatifoundation.org