12th GANZ Community Gathering/Hui: Update
Program News: Professional development from the ground up!
The gathering facilitation group has been developing the flow or storyline that underpins the flexible and participative nature of the program for this gathering. While the structure and process of the gathering differs from other GANZ conferences our time together in each of the five sessions will be loaded with valuable insights and outcomes for your professional development. Across the three days you will be able to choose and self-organise into discovery groups that reflect what interests you and your style of learning.
We have all experienced the usual approach to a conference with a program of presenters and keynote speakers. This time the organisers are not calling for papers and workshops as in other years. In the lead up to the gathering you will receive a series of pre-conference activities that will invite reflection on the theme – Catalysts for Transformation: Diversity, inequality, dialogue and ……..? The intention is to facilitate and allow everyone attending to be both a presenter and a participant.
Drawing on the ‘radical’ political foundations of Gestalt therapy, the program design will invite everyone present to move from appreciating our ground as individuals and a community to supporting taking actions in areas of interest in our personal lives, professional practice, local communities and the wider world. The following graphic will give you a sense of the flow and content of the various sessions.
While the content and process of the program for our time together is emergent, the flow of the gathering and the focus and timing for each session is as follows:
Friday Welcome to country
The ground on which we stand: Gathering together
Personal stories of transformation: Me and us – individual and community
Saturday The treasures in our stories: Uncovering catalysts for transformation
Grappling with dilemmas: Catalysts for delivering transformation on the ground
Sunday Actions in the field: Engaging with our interests
Every story is us – every action is ours: Going forward together
More detail on the processes, pre-conference activities and options for participation within each phase of the gathering will be offered soon.
Experimental in design and participatory in nature this event is an unambiguous invitation to participate and contribute to the future of Gestalt informed living and practice in our region.
Find out more about the conversation themes, participatory processes, stimulating program and accommodation options on the newly created website
The Early Bird rate availability has been extended to 15th October. We still encourage you to register and book your accommodation as soon as possible. Attending this unique and novel event, a conference with a twist, at a crucial time in the life of GANZ promises to be a stimulating personal and professional development experience. Too good to miss!
Gathering Facilitation Group
Mike Reed, Brenda Levien, Alan Meara, Gabe Phillips and Ashleigh Power
patricia says
New format sounds fantástic! Gestalt at its core . I really hope I am able to attend .