»» Ok! Now you also have Rudiger Janish from the Camphill movement, working with Rudolf Steiner’s biography as we approach the 150th anniversary of his birth in 2011. And Dennis Klocek
A Journey to the East: Waldorf Education in Thailand and China by Christopher Schaefer and Signe Schaefer For many years at Sunbridge College we had students from different parts of Asia, and they often and repeatedly invited us to visit. After retiring from our full-time work at the College we were finally ready to say yes and to plan a journey to the East. We went in March and April of 2009, spending two weeks in Thailand and another five weeks in China. While in Bangkok we visited and taught at the Panyotai Waldorf School started by Porn Panosat and his wife Jan Pen. The school was just finishing its 13th year and has now begun its first 12th grade . They have just completed a beautiful purpose-built campus on the outskirts of Bangkok and are a thriving and successful Waldorf School, an amazing accomplishment in such a short time. Then we were off to Chengdu, China, to visit Harry Wong and Zhang Li, students and friends who spent many years in Spring Valley. Waldorf education is booming in China! Everything is booming in China! There is tremendous energy, made visible by the building projects and enormous cranes everywhere you look. It is a country on the move. After their own cramped experiences of school, many parents are searching for a true education for their precious only child. Those who find Waldorf embrace it with a devotion and a hunger to learn more. Many of them first found their way to Montessori kindergartens and schools and are now wanting more. Things happen fast in China, and so there are already over 20 Waldorf kindergarten initiatives in cities all over the country. The work in Chengdu is the most developed with an eighth grade that began in the autumn of 2009, a beautiful campus with five kindergartens and both teacher education and kindergarten trainings. The Guangzhou Waldorf initiative is also quite strong with a capable initiative group and a new school building with several grades. In cities like Beijing there are multiple initiatives, and like in many places cooperation between them is limited. There is a great need for more understanding of what Waldorf education is, including its spiritual foundations. While there are people getting training in Australia, the U.S. and England, the need for help and support from abroad is still very real. It is important, however, to remember that China is an ancient culture with its own long imperial history and its unique philosophical and spiritual traditions. These need to be understood and appreciated by foreigners, as does the complex history of 20th century China. The Chinese people are proud, and they need to feel respected by those who would help them now. We had the privilege of working in four different cities where Waldorf initiatives are developing: Chengdu, Xi’an (and yes, the Terracotta Warriors are truly amazing!), Guangzhou and Zhengzhou. We gave three to six day workshops for from 30 to 90 participants. We met with different school groups. We spoke with many individuals. It was hard not speaking Chinese, but we had wonderful translators; and we found people to be very open and sincere in their eagerness to learn—for their parenting and also for their own inner growth. Often we were working
will join you for the first time, working on two topics: “Natural Laws and Human Potentials: a Cosmic Look at the Climate,” and “The Role of Imagination in Establishing a Meditative Practice.” And many more! Where will all the details be posted? On the internet go to centerforanthroposophy.org and navigate to “Renewal Courses.” Or call 603-654-2566. Or e-mail us at info@ centerforanthroposophy.org.
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