Montessorians are becoming increasingly concerned by the growing number of issues and regulations constricting our ability to effectively serve the developmental needs of children. What can we do to affect change? Do any of us really have time to work with others on these issues, when too often it feels that it is more talk than action?
But the power of conversation is becoming increasingly recognized in a variety of fields (including Politics, Information Technology, Executive Development, and Evolutionary Biology). In fact, some scientists suggest that,"because we live in language -- and in the sophisticated coordination of actions that language makes possible -- we 'bring forth a world' through the networks of conversation in which we participate." (Maturana & Vaela, as described in The World Cafe)
In The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations that Matter, the authors relate a story describing how a dinner conversation among four friends evolved into one of the largest mass movements in Germany since the end of WWII:
"Over dinner, 4 friends decided it was time for them to step out from the 'silent majority' and show their repudiation of the rising number of neo-Nazi attacks on foreigners. By the time dessert was over, each agreed to call several friends and colleagues and share the idea of creating a silent candlelight vigil to bear witness to these injustices. Their first gathering drew 100 friends to a popular downtown bar, each of whom agreed to call 10 others to encourage a larger turnout for a second event. Within days the "candlelight conversation" spread across the city through circles of acquaintances in businesses, schools, churches, and civic groups. The original group of friends -- and the nation as a whole -- were stunned when 400,000 people turned out in Munich for the vigil. Inspired by the Munich gathering, citizens in other cities held conversations and created vigils over the following weeks...The seemingly endless chains of flickering candlelight became a powerful symbol of the nation's collective commitment, born in conversation, to turn the tide against such behavior." (Pg 20)
When viewed from this perspective, "conversations ARE action -- the very lifeblood and heartbeat of social systems like organizations, communities, and societies. As new meanings and the coordinated actions based on them begin to spread through wider networks, the future comes into being."(Pg 18)
If, before the internet, 400,000 people can rally to action within days, imagine what we could do together to defend the developmental rights of children, given the current technology and our community's passion!
Here are 3 ways to leverage the power of conversation and networks:
- Save the date! Saturday, September 27, 2014 for the OMA/NAMTA Conference: "Building A Community For All", to gather as a statewide community and engage in conversations that matter.
- Join in conversations! To facilitate conversations amongst Ohio Montessorians, the OMA has created virtual forums for Montessori families, administrators, guides serving all planes of development, and Montessorians in public schools. Contact us to get connected!
- Widen the network! Talk to those within your networks and encourage them to engage in the conversation by joining the OMA mailing list and virtual forums.
*May this song that Montessorians around the globe sing remind us of the power of conversations and networks to affect change and spread peace around the world.
