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We've just released a short film about Initiatives of Change's approach. We hope you enjoy it and share it widely among the changemakers in your life.
Most people want to see the world change. But how do you do it? How do you 'be the change you wish to see in the world'? Initiatives of Change shares four simple steps for being a changemaker: make space for reflection, start with yourself, dialogue in diversity and take focussed action.
Directed, Filmed and Edited by Paul Briggs and Charlotte Sawyer
Actors: Savandie Aberyratna, Sally Kah, Brenda Garner, Howard Garner, Les Simnor
IofC in Brief
Who we are: Initiatives of Change (IofC) is a world-wide movement of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, who are committed to the transformation of society through changes in human motives and behaviour, starting with their own.
Purpose: We work to inspire, equip and connect people to address world needs, starting with themselves, in the areas of trustbuilding, ethical leadership and sustainable living.
Omnia Marzouk, President, IofC International
'Nothing lasting can be built without a desire by people to live differently and exemplify the changes they want to see in society.'
Comments
This doesn't do it
Sorry,
This film is fine as far as it goes -- but it doesn'\'t go far enough. In my opinion, IofC has been making this core mistake for decades -- concentrating so intensely on the importance of personal change that it all but ignores the need for building the skills and commitment for translating personal introspection into focused and effective action.
I think it is wrong to urge people to "take focused action" without preparing them to do so effectively in a world where change agents must often confront violence in word and sometimes deed, unbridled greed, ruthless opponents,manifold ignorance and minds closed shut by ideologies of one stripe or the other.
I' ve been a change agent for decades and my experience is that even the most well-meaning people will burn out when thrust into a very tough world without the tools to cope. And by and large, I find that most Iof'C people don't have those tools,and that the current governance and training mechanism in IofC falls far short of providing them.
I am not trying to sell books, but I think IofC should expand its coaching for change in ways described in my book, Stick Your Neck Out--A Street-smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community and Beyond http://www.giraffe.org/stick-your-neck-out/
With all respect,
John Graham
It's not meant to (not on its own)
Good evening John,
OK, I'll take the bait.
This is a short promotional film, designed to introduce people to what IofC is about. It draws directly on the Preamble that the IofC community agreed last year, which has these four elements.
If that was the end of the message and IofC's offer stopped there, then you would be right. What value are you adding if you invite people to take action but don't offer any resource, network or support in doing that?
If you look at what IofC is actually aiming to do, we say (in the new 'framework for common action') that our mission is to inspire, equip and connect people to live the integrity and build the trust needed to answer the world’s challenges.
So, assuming (a) we adopt this and (b) we mean it, then we must equip people with the tools to cope, as you put it. If we don't, we are failing to deliver our mission. This film is doing the first bit, inspire. You can't blame it for not covering the rest, it's only a film.
Has IofC made this mistake in the past? Definitely. It has fired people up and then sent them out to fail, which depending on their personality could be a life-affirming experience, a deep personal crisis or anything in between. But I don't think it is fair to conclude from this film that IofC is setting out to keep perpetuating that mistake. The film doesn't offer any evidence, one way or the other.
Incidentally, I see no reason why IofC shouldn't expand its coaching to include the tools and techniques you advocate. In fact one might think that this is exactly what IofC's mission will lead us to do . . .
Best wishes,
Francis
"It's only a film!"
Hello Francis,
I had a fair amount to do with how that Preamble turned out. I say this to reconfirm that I am as committed to the success of this organization as anyone.
To dismiss the shortcomings of this film by saying "it's only a film" is, to be very charitable, an unconvincing argument.
This film is meant, as I understand it, to attract and inform many people, including those who may know little of nothing of IofC. But there is little, if anything, in it that demonstrates that IofC is committed to teaching and supporting a wider set of strategies and tactics for change, beyond changing oneself. So it gives a misleading message, one which, I think, will turn off many people who have deep spiritual lives but who are looking for a group that will help them move to the next step--harnessing their connections to spirit with the street-smart courage and skills to successfully solve the real-world public problems they face. God means for us to succeed in service to the many, not just in the improvement of our own lives. And that means moving outside of ourselves,including taking risks that IofC, from what I see now, is still not willing to take.
With all respect.
John
Thinking Behind the Scenes
Hi John, Francis,
Thanks for your input. It's duly noted. Since I commissioned the piece, I thought I would share the ideas that formed it.
The main aim was to share the most basic message of IofC's approach with a wider audience. We used the Preamble and Dynamics of Change model as a basis. All four areas are addressed with a bare minimum of explanation. It was meant to provoke people's thinking and serve as a hook to connect with IofC.
What it wasn't trying to do was explain what IofC is or how it goes about supporting people in their pursuit of 'being the change'. So I agree with you to some degree. In the big picture, it certainly doesn't go far enough. But for the sake of why it was created, I think it's on target.
Of course, your point has bigger implications and I am keen to follow them up. IofC would do well to have a clearer plan of how we help people to have both an experience of personal change and become well-equipped changemakers.
John, will you be in Caux this summer? Could you bring me a copy of your book?
Chris