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"Europe: a Prophecy (frontispiece)"
by William
Blake
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ABOUT THE DUVERSITY
What is the DuVersity?
The
DuVersity was cofounded in 1998 by Karen Stefano and Anthony Blake, now Director of Studies. Its
focus is transformative education and involves ideas and practices from: psychotherapy,
and group psychotherapy in particular, especially the dialogue/median group process
of Patrick DeMare; structural thinking, such
as the systematics of John Bennett and others,
and 'fourth way' methods such as the movements of Gurdjieff.
The DuVersity has evolved a 'working group' process
- also called 'psyche integration' - that has been successfully presented in the
USA, UK, Turkey and Mexico. It also runs seminar-dialogues on major themes such
as Time about once a year and about every two years sponsors and runs journeys
in 'sacred landscapes'.
The DuVersity publishes its
research in books and electronically, and by a Newsletter available to its members.
It is creating a series of 'video-conversations' with cultural figures it is linked
to in its work, such as Gordon Lawrence,
pioneer of social dreaming.
The DuVersity is linked
with a number of individuals and groups, covering
a wide range including Native American wisdom and systems thinking.
You
can also visit the DuVersity
UK site.
We maintain an e-mail list and a postal
mailing list for your convenience.
Let
us know if you would like to be added to either. We welcome your suggestions,
contributions and questions.
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Mission The DuVersity is concerned
with the importance of diversity for the development of human intelligence. It
seeks to improve communication in groups, encourage multiple viewpoints on the
same reality, understand how thoughts arise, and have insight into the way cultures
arise and are shaped by their encounters with each other. DuVersity is a universal
phenomenon, beyond questions of race and gender.
The DuVersity is not identified with any religion, ideology, political view or
scientific theory. It has developed its own specific tools for its research and
educational programs. The DuVersity has historical
roots in the Systematics method mainly developed by the philosopher John Bennett
in the 60's and in the Dialogue process promulgated by the physicist David Bohm
and the psychotherapist Patrick de Mare in the 80's. It has been applying its
ideas to the design of new kinds of conferencing, as in the series held in Baltimore
since 1997. In 1995 it developed a new system of structured conversation. In 1998
it initiated a new area of study, the study of arrangement or pattern. In 2000,
it began its series of working group seminars, based on many years of investigation
into transformative education. The program of the
DuVersity includes both research and education. It sets up dialogue groups, gives
courses in corresponding and affiliated methods and organizes seminar-dialogues
on wide-ranging themes. It furthers research into methods of thinking, inter-disciplinary
studies and cross-cultural communication. |
The Program
- Dialogue is being introduced
into education, including that of younger children.
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The DuVersity conducts fundamental research into the dialogue process.
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The DuVersity publishes, electronically and otherwise, information on its methods
for the general public.
- Publications associated with
the DuVersity cover such topics as psychology, group process, time, intelligence,
the enneagram, uncertainty and systems.
- The DuVersity
is conducting a series of video-dialogues with creative people of diverse backgrounds.
These will provide data for a study of thought-patterns arising in conversation.
Some of them will be made available to the public.
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The DuVersity has acquired expertise in how to combine different modes of learning
- involving the arts, movement, mental process and dialogue - in a mutually effective
or synergic way. It seeks to introduce the approach to educational establishments
by giving free demonstrations involving their students.
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A major cross-cultural study of the roots of thinking under the title 'The Book
of the World' is underway, a project likely to take several years.
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The DuVersity will expand its program of organizing conferences as seminar-dialogues
and aims to tackle the problem of 'creativity-barriers' by bringing strong minds
together in structures that overcome their mutual separation.
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The DuVersity supports individual initiatives in the arts and sciences, which
contribute towards dialogue and synergy.
- The DuVersity
sponsors 'playshops' facilitated by the Jungian analyst Dr. Edith Wallace, in
which through work with tissue paper collage participants discover new significance
and meaning in themselves and their world.
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| | | Ancient
Days by William Blake |
| Membership
The DuVersity was formed as a non-profit organization
in late 1998 and is now looking for members willing to support its work and aims.
Members will receive a Newsletter three times a
year and have privileged access to DuVersity data. Members will also receive support
in initiating dialogue groups in their locales.
Annual membership falls into three categories: |
| Student | $50 |
| Standard |
$100 | | Supporter
| $250 | |
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| Student
and standard members will receive 10% discount on all publications. Supporters
receive 10% discount on publications as well as seminars.
Membership fees go towards our administrative expenses in providing information
for the public and maintaining our work. The DuVersity welcomes donations - of
both money and services - from individuals and organizations. It is also seeking
to attract funding for its projects. Checks should
be made out to The DuVersity and sent to The
DuVersity, Karen Stefano, 25 Homewood Court, Charles Town, WV 25414, USA.
Membership fees and donations are tax deductible.
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