World Appreciative Inquiry Conference targets creating a ‘positive revolution for sustainable change’
November forum to feature strengths-based leaders and lift up best stories from around the globe
Wednesday July 8, 2009 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
The 2009 World Appreciative Inquiry Conference is targeting the creation of a “positive revolution for sustainable change.”

The forum is slated for Nov. 16-19 and will take place in the country of Nepal, described as a “small but extraordinary country of hope and optimism,” according to forum literature.

Imagine Nepal (IN), an initiative to design a positive future for Nepal and the Nepalese, is hosting the event.

IN was created in 2002 by AI practitioners who wanted to work towards the restoration of peace as well as foster equitable development in Nepal by focusing on what’s already working in the country.

In the years since, IN has been responsible for convening people at all levels of society to address peace and development issues from an AI paradigm.

IN continues to actively engage community-members and has some major goals for the upcoming year geared to its ultimate vision of being a leader in positive transformation.

Hosting the 2009 World AI Conference was one of its primary objectives.

The 2009 conference will feature top leaders, practitioners and scholars who take a strengths-based approach to change and development. Among these will be David Cooperrider, pioneer of the AI movement and honourary chair of the conference.

Throughout the four-day event, best practices and stories of success around AI will be shared from around the globe.

The event is geared to leaders, managers and development professionals in government, non-government and business, as well as “change agents at every level of society.”

In addition to the in-person conference in Kathmandu, Nepal, there will be an online conference so that participants may be involved either in person, online or both.

The forum includes keynotes from thought-leaders in the field, interactive workshops, opportunities to engage in ‘hands-on’ AI sessions, as well as informal social activities so that people can connect, share and “extend their global change capacity.”

This will be the fourth global AI conference. In 2007, the International Appreciative Inquiry Conference took place in Orlando, Florida.

To learn more and register, visit this link. Early bird discounts are available for those who register before Aug. 1, 2009.

— More to come

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