Upcoming World Appreciative Inquiry Conference draws global interest
Participants from 38 countries registered with spots open for more to join
Monday November 9, 2009 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
Next week’s 2009 World Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Conference is drawing interest from around the globe as people from 38 countries have registered to participate.

More than 300 participants will attend the fourth annual global AI convention held this year in Nepal, while another 100 are registered to take part through an online forum.

“We are thrilled with the interest we have received from around the world,” says Lindsey Godwin, conference co-chair and professor of management at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky.

Registration to participate either in-person or online, is still open for the Nov. 16-19 event. Details are available at http://www.2009worldaiconference.org/register/.

An exciting recent development in regards to the convention is the decision by the Nepali government’s Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction to join conference host Imagine Nepal in organizing a dialogue on peace for the fourth day of the event.

“This is very exciting news for us. Government becoming interested (in being) a co-organizer is a unique experience,” says Dhruba Acharya, conference co-chair as well as chair of Imagine Nepal, an initiative aimed at restoring peace in Nepal by focusing on what’s already working in the country.

Godwin notes another recent conference development is that Justice Albie Sachs from South Africa, who played a critical role in helping form the new democratic constitution for South Africa, and who has served as a member of the Constitutional Committee and the National Executive of the African National Congress, will contribute to the peace discussion on day four.

Other keynotes include David Cooperrider, founding thought leader of the AI movement, Jim Hartzfeld of InterfaceRAISE, a sustainable development thought leader and Marica Odell, director of the world’s largest AI-based women’s empowerment initiative.

In addition to the presentations, the conference is to include 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.”

As the event approaches Acharya says he is most looking forward to seeing participants “from around the globe sharing the experiences, examples and practices of strength-based approaches, and (inspiring) people to focus on the strengths, the life-(giving) energies.”

Godwin says she is excited about bringing together people from around the world “who are dedicated to making the world a better place.”

For full details on the event, click here.

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