Make that dream come true

By Kath Gannaway
WARBURTON will host the Changing the Dream Symposium this month. Organisers Bianca Rich and Stef Arvanitakis say the event aims to tackle issues of environmental sustainability and social justice in a comprehensive, profound and uniquely inspirational way.
Ms Rich said the first Melbourne Symposium held two years ago saw 160 people connect with each other over issues such as climate change, poverty and global awareness.
“Many symposiums have since taken place all around Australia and the participants leave the day feeling connected to a powerful transformation sweeping the globe and empowered to make changes in their own communities,” Ms Rich said.
“It will be a great chance for people to come and get a thorough overview of how the world is as far as social and environmental issues globally.”
The symposium is an all-day event open which, Ms Rich says, caters for people who have a good understanding of the issues, through to people who may feel that it is all new to them.
Ms Arvanitakis said the program would include audio-visual presentations of international speakers offering information on the social and environmental conditions as well as experiential exercises with participants.
“The aim of the symposium is not merely to learn more about the challenges we face, but to reveal and transform the unexamined assumptions that underlie the way we see the world,” Ms Arvanitakis said.
“Participants emerge with a greater appreciation of, and commitment to what we can do – both individually and co-operatively – to move the world in a new direction.
“It explores the link between three of humanity’s most critical concerns – environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfilment,” she said.
The symposium is at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre from 10am to 4pm on 16 November. For details visit www.changingthedream.org.au or phone Ms Rich on 0405 751 490 or Ms Arvanitakis on 5966 9095.