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 Humanite.
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.
We invite you to let us know if you feel inclined to participate in the next dialogues at Fireflies, Bangalore, India, as soon as you can, preferably by the 15th of January 2016. We will take care of board and lodging of participants from 4th till 8th February as well as organise pick-up and drop.
With warm regards,
Siddhartha Shabin Paul
Meeting Rivers
Pipal Tree, Fireflies Intercultural Centre
Dinnepalya, Kaggalipura Post
Bangalore - 560 082 India
Phone: +91-80-28432725 ~ +91-9538226654
