Serving the Earth, Serving One Another
In a world of spiraling ecological, socio-political and economic crises, where does one find hope and wisdom?
Where can we search for and discover our spiritual calling and be one with the world and with each other?
Our Journey of Hope: Our Sacred Activism
GCGI is our journey of hope and the sweet fruit of a labour of love, service and volunteerism.
“With the conscious decision to live in a sacred manner, we attract the understanding, the teachings and information that will help us to unfold our gifts for the benefit of all.”- DHYANI YWAHOO, CHEROKEE ELDER
We work to build a better world
Dedicated to the Common Good- aiming to be a source of hope and inspiration; enabling us all to move from war to peace, from despair to hope, from darkness to light, from hatred to love, and from competition to cooperation.
Our vision and our hope for the flourishing of the Earth Community in these challenging times
Defend the Sacred
Living Earth: Cooperation With All Beings
Mesa Arch Sunrise in Canyonlands. Photo:anyonecanwander.blogspot.com
“A Valley Like This”
Sometimes you look at an empty valley like this,
and suddenly the air is filled with snow.
That is the way the whole world happened –
there was nothing, and then...
But maybe some time you will look out and even
the mountains are gone, the world become nothing
again. What can a person do to help
bring back the world?
We have to watch and then look at each other.
Together we hold it close and carefully
save it, like a bubble that can disappear
if we don't watch out.
Please think about this as you go on. Breathe on the world.
Hold out your hands to it. When mornings and evenings
roll along watch how they open and close, how they
invite you to the long party that your life is.-William Stafford
GCGI-SES Joint Forums, 2012/2014/2016
Waterperry House, Oxford
Group Photos (Photos credit:GNNSJ)
‘The conference attendees came from diverse backgrounds, divergent spiritual traditions, many distinct cultures, and philosophical points of view. Many were teachers and professors, some were entrepreneurs, social and business, some were lawyers, and some were accomplished spiritual, political, and community leaders, to name but a few. All were united by a desire to make this world we live in more just, more equal, more ecological, and more relational. For it is in relationships with one another and in our relationships with the earth and all the species and elements of nature that human beings find happiness, peace and purpose.
This year, we once again found a unity with one another, we found connection. We found it in our search for truth and in our hopes to build a better world in ways both large and small. We listened intently to each other’s presentations. We engaged in dialogue during the formal sessions, and again more informally as we ate together and shared perspectives. What we hope for the world, we found in a special way, this year at Waterperry House.’
You know, I just cannot believe that this journey which we call life goes so fast! What began as a vision of potential 16 years ago, has blossomed into a global family of loving people who share a desire to inspire one another with love, friendship, empathy, working together, cooperating with one another in the interest of the common good. Our vision remains simple whilst our programmes and presentations continue to evolve and expand upon the timeless foundation of the Common Good. We continue to be a 100% all volunteer/ non-profit-making initiative. My deepest gratitude to every one of you for your continued support, love, and friendship. This is why I have always said that whilst the GCGI is a moneyless project, it is, nonetheless, one of the richest organisations ever, because of the loving support and commitments of its family members. We are, because of you. And surely this is why, time and again, we have shown “Why Love, Trust, Respect and Gratitude Trumps Economics”.
coolgraphic.org
Very soon we will come together to celebrate our 14th GCGI International Conference and the 4th Joint GCGI-SES Forum. We will come to Lucca, all of us, experienced and newcomers, young and old, students and teachers and together will form a community committed to exploring and debating visions and ideas for celebrating diversity, appreciating uniqueness, enabling us to transform disagreements into understanding, competition into cooperation and mutual respect.
In addition to plenary sessions and workshops, there will be opportunities for informal spontaneous meetings and dialogue between participants throughout the conference. This, I sincerely hope, will result in invaluable collaborative learning experiences and networking, as well as rich personal interactions.
I am sure, as in the past GCGI conferences and joint SES Forums at Waterperry House, we will all share a common belief in the potential of each one of us to become self-directed, empowered, and active in defining this time in the world as an opportunity for positive change and healing, and for the true formation of a culture of peace by giving thanks, spreading joy, sharing love, seeing miracles, discovering goodness, embracing kindness, practicing patience, teaching tolerance, encouraging laughter, celebrating diversity, showing compassion, turning from hatred, practicing forgiveness, peacefully resolving conflicts, communicating non-violently, choosing happiness and enjoying life.
Below I have noted a few web pages which I hope will be useful to look at, as you get ready to leave for Lucca.
Safe travel,
Go well,
I wish us all a wonderful conference.
Kamran
14th GCGI International Conference and the 4th Joint GCGI-SES Forum, Lucca, 2018: Final Programme
Book of Abstracts: 4th GCGI-SES Joint Conference 2018
Conference venue, Villa Boccella
Discover the Charming Town of Lucca
Below, I have copied the note from our Conference Administrator, Peter Holland, ensuring a trouble-free journey to Lucca and Villa Boccella:
Dear Delegate,
There is just under a month until we meet at Lucca for the Conference. We look forward to your company. Please note the following points for your information and well-being.
Don’t forget your PASSPORT and TICKETS. Flight check in times are 2 hours before flight time due to security checks.
However you are travelling we WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE VILLA BEFORE 4pm; the gate will be locked.
Please advise me if you are GLUTEN or DAIRY intolerant or have any other food allergies
All delegates must ensure that they have adequate travel and medical insurance. EU citizens should bring their “European Health Insurance Card”
The previous email containing travel advice is copied at the end of this document
in case anyone missed it. If you have not done so already please advise me if you would like to use the buses that we are providing.
Check List:
- Health & Safety
- a) You will need sun protection, e.g. sun-cream and a hat.
- b) It is advisable to bring Insect Repellent.
- c) There is a narrow, winding and steep road that passes the Villa. Please take great care when crossing or walking along it.
- d) There will be a first-aider on site at all times. In the local village of Ponte a Moriano there is a Medical Centre
- e) Don’t forget to bring European plug adaptors
- f) Mosquito spray
- Other Information
- a) There are magnificent swimming pools. Please bring your own ‘swimming towel’ and swimwear. (towels can be rented from the villa if you forget). Sheets and bath towels will be provided.
- b) Dress code: Smart/casual during the day when the Conference is in session. No jacket required! We have decided that it is going to be so hot that jackets will not be necessary. Remember you will need to cover up your shoulders if you go to a church! We tend to make an effort with dress for the evening meal.
- c) The food is freshly prepared. N.B. The Villa has a policy of vegetarian food only. NO meat will be served.
- d) Euros are available at the airport or there are ATMs in the village; cheaper to buy them before you travel.
- e) With the exception of the reception on the first evening and the bottles placed on tables for the Gala Dinner wine will be charged for by the glass and will need to be paid for in Euros. The aim is to break even on this and the charge is anticipated to be between 2 and 3 Euros per glass.
- f) The address: Villa Boccella, Via per Tramonte 375, Saltocchio(Lucca) 55100
& telephone 0583 406467 or 348 8224501 David Cullinan (Estate Manager)
All the best,
Peter
Mobile phone: +44 7734213449
Our Sacred Earth Conference -- Travel Information
The nearest Airport is Pisa
The organisers are providing the following buses to and from Pisa airport:
Saturday August 25th our coach leaves Pisa airport at 17. 30 (but will wait for BA 0604, scheduled to land at 5pm ) for the SES pre-conference
Tuesday August 28th our coach leaves Pisa airport at 16.00 for the SES/GCGI conference
Saturday Sept. 1st one coach at 8am, a second coach at 10am. to Pisa airport , for all
As an alternative please find below instructions of how to get to Villa Boccella by taxi from Lucca. (These are in both English and Italian). There is a train station at Pisa Airport from where you can catch a train to Lucca. The trains are approx.. every half hour, take approx. 30 mins to Lucca, and cost £4. Then you can get a taxi to the villa from there (about 25 euros).
THE TRAIN WEBSITE IS Trenitalia
Here are the TAXI instructions in English and in Italian for getting to the Villa from Lucca train station. You could just show it to the driver.
Address: Villa Boccella,
Via Trammonte 375,
Ponte a Moriano,
Saltocchio,
Lucca 55100
Italy
ENGLISH:
PONTE MORIANO. VILLA BOCCELLA VIA TRAMONTE 375
In Ponte a Moriano turn right off main road at the square
Go straight up the hill, over level crossing.
At Stop sign continue of straight. Blue sign: TRAMONTE and PALMATA
Left at sign for TRAMONTE and CONVENTO.
Continue uphill, two hair pin bends.
Left after second bend into Villa driveway.
ITALIAN:
Ponte a Moriano:
DESTRO a piazza
Tutto DIRITTO. Caretllo: TRAMONTE e PALMATA
SINISTRA a cartello: TRAMONTE e CONVENTO
due grande curve!!!
subito doppo la seconda curve a SINISTRA e il viale per la Villa Boccella. Tramonte 375.
Travel from Florence
There are trains from Florence to Pisa that run very approx. every half hour, via various routes, take on average an hour, and prices start at £8 (specific train,non-refundable ,2nd class)
Same website as above, Trenitalia, which is very clear and easy to use.
...And finally, a brief note about the Final Programme, presentations, etc.
I must admit, it is a source of personal happiness and joy that we have been able, as in previous conferences, to keep all panels and presentations plenary.
I can recall, going to conferences, travelling to far and distant places, and then, being given only a few minutes to tell my story in a breakout session. That was always disappointing.
This is why, when the GCGI came into being, I always have done my utmost, to ensure, our speakers will speak in plenary sessions with ample time.
This, however, requires a set of principles that we must all adhere to carefully. Except, the keynotes, workshops, storytelling, all our speakers should speak for up to a maximum of 20 minutes, leaving at least 10 minutes for Qs & As. This will enable the whole conference (speakers and delegates) to come together to maximise the time for dialogue at the end of each and every session.
Furthermore, presenters are strongly encouraged not to read their papers verbatim.
Publication of papers. All presentations will be published in The GCGI Journal We must receive your final papers by 1 October 2018.
And now, my dear fellow-travellers: I’ll close by quoting the writer Anne Lamott, who famously said there are only three prayers: Help, Thanks, and Wow! In my personal life, I say all three almost every day. But at this moment in the life of our world and times, uncertain and challenging as they are, the one I pray most often is HELP! God knows we need it. This is why, I wish to end where I had started, with the wise and inspiring poetry that I had quoted at the beginning of this piece:
“A Valley Like This”
by William Stafford
Sometimes you look at an empty valley like this,
and suddenly the air is filled with snow.
That is the way the whole world happened —
there was nothing, and then…
But maybe some time you will look out and even
the mountains are gone, the world become nothing
again. What can a person do to help
bring back the world?
We have to watch it and then look at each other.
Together we hold it close and carefully
save it, like a bubble that can disappear
if we don’t watch out.
Please think about this as you go on. Breathe on the world.
Hold out your hands to it. When mornings and evenings
roll along, watch how they open and close, how they
invite you to the long party that your life is.