The Origins of The Pachamama Alliance

The Pachamama Alliance is a U.S. based not-for-profit organization that was born out of a relationship developed between a group of people from the modern world and the leaders of remote indigenous groups in the Amazon region of Ecuador. This relationship was actually initiated by the indigenous elders and shamans themselves who, out of their deep concern for the growing threat to their ancient way of life, and their recognition that the roots of this threat lay far beyond their rainforest home, actively sought the partnership of committed individuals living in the modern world.

Pachamama's Work

The Pachamama Alliance is based on the recognition that those of us in the modern world share a deep connection with the people who call the rainforest their home-each of us having a critical stake in the health and well being of this vital element in our global life support system. We also recognize that indigenous people are the rainforests` natural custodians, and therefore, key strategies of our alliance focus on strengthening their culture and empowering their ability to stand for and represent their own interests.

Another underlying principal of our alliance is based on the recognition of the pervasive role economics plays in the fate of our rainforests. It is generally agreed that the Earth`s tropical rainforests are its most valuable ecosystem. Yet, in the economic equations which shape decisions regarding the use of the Earth`s resources, rainforests seldom show up as adding any value simply remaining in their natural state. Also, the direct costs to society of having to use technology to replace the environmental services nature provides are seldom considered.

Pachamama has a commitment both to develop tangible, real-life projects through which rainforests provide more direct economic benefit standing than cut as well as to broaden the general economic view so that the value of standing rainforests and the costs associated with their destruction are measured and counted.Our work takes place in two distinct program areas: social and economic development projects in the South and education and awareness building in the North.

Pachamama's Work in the North: Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream

Indigenous people of South America, who still live in their traditional Earth-honoring ways, refer to our modern worldview as our "dream" and have urged us, for the sake of all life, to "change the dream of the North." Well, it appears that changing this collective dream of ours will be a do-it-yourself-together project. It will be accomplished by committed individuals working in concert with one another, tens of millions of us, each willing to think and act in a whole new way. This is one of the generating principles behind Pachamama's Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium.

The Symposium explores the link between three of humanity's most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment. Using video clips from some of the world's most respected thinkers, along with inspiring short films, leading edge information and dynamic group interactions, the Symposium allows participants to gain a new insight into the very nature of our time, and the opportunity we have to shape and impact the direction of our world with our everyday choices and action.

The aim of the Symposium is not merely to learn more about the world, but to grapple and come to grips with the very assumptions that underlie the way we ourselves see the world and our place in it, and with what each of us can do - both individually and cooperatively - to move the world in this new direction. If you are ready to be disturbed, inspired and moved to action, if you are ready to be introduced to a thriving community of like-hearted, deeply committed cohorts who are actively engaged in awakening from and changing the dream of our modern industrial culture, we invite you to come to the next Symposium.

http://www.awakeningthedreamer.org/

Once you have experienced the Symposium you may discover that you want to present it yourself or "facilitate" Symposiums in lots of different ways. If so, you'lll want to do the Facilitator Training.

There are already about 2000 facilitators around the world hosting and presenting Symposiums. 140 of them came together for the second annual "Global Gathering in July 2008, for an extraordinary 3 days. Addresses by Van Jones, Drew Dellinger, Lynne Twist and many others galvanized the group to inspired action. Check out video and commentary at the Gathering Blog! As of February 2010, the Symposium has been presented in 40 countries on 6 continents.