Stories Inspire

The theme – Stories Inspire – remains an inspriation to all who understand the power and wisdom to be gained through the sharing and hearing of stories. ICNZ’s vision is to create opportunities for community strengthening through dialogue and story telling. Why?  Read on…

We are made of stories. From the time we come into the world, people tell us stories. As we grow older, we speak them, understand them and remember them. Everyone has a story to tell.

“People who hold common stories about where they come from, who they are, and who they will, or want to be are a community. A community cannot be a community without a shared narrative” (Julian Rappaport).

Stories have the power to strengthen or break down community. Creating and telling stories that isolate people eats away at the fabric of community.

Compelling stories about real people in real situations have widespread emotional impact. Stories that motivate, persuade, inform and inspire; stories that are memorable and powerful; they move us.  They change our beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. Stories can trigger change and change generates stories.

The sharing of stories can facilitate recognition of diversity and inclusion of all people, ultimately strengthening communities.  ICNZ’s vision includes exploring ways to assist ‘others’ in turning their ‘tales of terror’ into ‘tales of joy’, where ‘otherness’ is welcomed and valued and celebrated.

American poet and political activist, Muriel Rukeyser, said “The universe is made of stories, not atoms”. Telling one’s own story is an act of empowerment and has the power to transform community.

Community Partnerships

Inclusive Communities NZ (ICNZ) enjoys the partnership and influence of many inspiring people in our community – people seeking to strengthen community through the sharing of their skills, talents and resources. Read more

DUI 2011 Event Cancelled

Inclusive Communities NZ (ICNZ) regrettably cancelled the DUI event planned for February 2011 in Hamilton, New Zealand.  The ICNZ Board met 7 December to discuss the DUI event, particularly that registrations were very low, and – having recently surveyed potential participants – that many had said that the event was not within the scope of their professional development budgets, the timing of the event was not right for them, or the duration of the event was too long. It was believed this pointed to the global recession still hitting hard particularly in community sectors.  After much deliberation of a number of options, it was decided that the most responsible course of action was to cancel the event.

The vision of Inclusive Communities NZ (ICNZ) remains the same – that is, to influence and inspire the strengthening of community. Ongoing focus will be on forming new community partnerships and the planning of other forums for the future.

DUI 2012 will be hosted in Sydney, Australia. We will profile information about that event as advertising comes to hand in the next few months.