Ubud Hosts World Gathering on Healing: Bali

The new Bali Institute for Global Renewal is hosting its third conference in Ubud, Bali, called Awakening Global Action: Leadership, Indigenous Wisdom and Dialogue for a Transforming World.

This seven-day gathering, to be opened at the Bali Classic Center in Nyuh Kuning village, Ubud Gianyar, Wednesday, is designed for individuals who want to help shift the direction of our global future according to the article in the Jakarta Post.

Featured presenters, facilitators and trainers include African humanitarian Prince Cedza Dlamini (Nelson Mandela’s grandson), Colombian peace activists Ricardo Robledo and Caterina Heyck, author, psychiatrist and Balinese TV personality Ketut Suryani, Interaction Associates CEO Linda Dunkel and many others.

Participants include numerous members of non-governmental organizations, global activists, youth, retired professionals, corporate executives, and others — all who share a deep concern for the future and who are ready to become more involved with social issues.

“We anticipate up to 300 people from every part of the globe will be joining our program, from 18- to 80-year-olds,” said Marcia Jaffe, founder and president of the Bali Institute and co-creator of the Quest for Global Healing Conferences that have previously been held in Ubud in 2004 and 2006.

“Our delegates include people from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Thailand, Kenya, China, Argentina, Colombia, United States. The main goal is to inspire people through dialogue and experiences about the role they can play in making a difference in the world.

“Bali and its culture serve as a vitally important container for exploring global issues and learning how to heal, forgive and live harmoniously with one another and the planet,” she said.

The institute anticipates at least 50 Balinese and Indonesians will also be in attendance.

The Bali Institute is an outgrowth of the first two Quest for Global Healing Conferences. More than 1,000 people from over 40 countries have attended, and featured speakers have included such luminaries as Nobel Peace Prize laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams and Betty Williams; Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell; award-winning environmental author Barry Lopez; and the former president of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid.

The program offers a unique mixture of internationally developed leadership training, practicum experiences only available in Bali that integrate personal and collective learning, and indigenous wisdom sessions from numerous cultures including Native American, African, Balinese, Indonesian, South American and other traditions.

The complete schedule is listed on the Bali Institute Web site at www.baliinstitute.org.

More than 30 unique workshops and practicum experiences are being offered as well as numerous evening activities and dialogue dinners.