We work in the dark
We do what we can
We give what we have
The rest is the madness of art
- Henry James

The Be The Change Symposium is the main vehicle for a message from indigenous peoples in the Amazon rain forest to those of us living in the modern industrialized world. It was birthed when the indigenous people first intiated a connection with us via a group from North America, which led to the formation of The Pachamama Alliance. Their message was a request for us to wake up to what is going on in our world, from a perspective that is far wider and more inclusive than is usual for us. Then, from that place, to come to grips with our own place and our role in what is going on, in order to renew our relationship with our world and to find a positive way forward guided by this holistic perspective.

Bernadette was one of the first Europeans to train directly with The Pachamama Alliance to deliver the Symposium, and then bring it to the UK under the auspices of Be The Change. She is now one of the UK’s lead trainers, running potent courses in the UK and Europe to train others as facilitators, and deepen their relationship with the Symposium and its core message (see Training below).

The Symposium initiative* is now in every continent, presented by a rapidly expanding community of trained facilitators (well over 2000 at last count). This includes over 200 in the UK, where it is at the heart of the work of Be The Change Initiative (BTCI).

(* Known overall as the "Awakening The Dreamer" Initiative, the name used for the Symposium in North America and many other parts of the world, where the word 'dream' carries different cultural connotations.)

About the Symposium

Through dynamic group interactions, leading edge information, and inspiring multimedia, participants of this half-day event are inspired to reconnect with their deep concern for our world, and are empowered to make a difference. Designed with the collaboration of some of the finest scientific, indigenous and activist minds in the world, the Symposium explores the current state of our planet from a new perspective, and connects participants with a powerful global movement to reclaim our future.

It is an exploration of four questions

• Where Are We? – an examination of the state of environmental, social and personal well-being
• How did We Get Here? – tracing the root causes that lead to our current imbalance
• What’s Possible for the Future? – discovering new ways of relating with each other, with the Earth and looking at the emerging Movement for change
• Where Do We Go from Here? – considering the stand we want to be in the world and our personal and collective impact.

If you are ready to be disturbed, inspired and moved to action, and to be introduced to a thriving community of committed cohorts, then join us in exploring the most critical concerns of our times, and discover new opportunities to make a real difference in accelerating the emergence of an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet!

Bernadette is an experienced facilitator, both of regular Symposia and events that integrate the Symposium material with other work including 5 Rhythms® dance and The Work That Reconnects.

About the BTCI Trainings

The purpose of the Facilitator Training is to support and empower you in expressing your commitment to the purpose of the Symposium: “To bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on the planet”, in your diverse possible contributions to this work.

Recognising the extraordinary range of skills, talents, passions and experience that shows up at every training, our three days together will concentrate primarily on what is truly unique - our relationship with the material, connection with its origins, and how we work together - so that we can work with the material and message, adapt it and ‘generate’ it with confidence and integrity.
(Source: www.bethechangeinitiative.org)

Bernadette has been on the training team for most of the facilitator trainings to date in the UK and Ireland, and others in Europe, including most recently:

12-14 March 2010, Glastonbury
29-31 October 2010, Ampleforth, Yorkshire
24-27 March 2011, Sweden

[Dates of next UK Facilitator Training t.b.a.]

For more see:
Article: Changing the dream of the modern world?
About Bernadette
Be The Change Initiative (UK)
Awakening The Dreamer Initiative (Global)
The Pachamama Alliance