February 2004

Foundations for Freedom Newsletter 24 Greencoat Place, London., SW1P 1RD, UK tel: 020-7798 6000, www.f-4-f.org, F4F@london.iofc.org Issue 35 February 2004 In this issue...

Z. Borbulevich: My Action for Life ‘What is essential’ by Bhav Patel ‘What happened to them?!’ by Milan Balan Vision and Values in British schools

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A new Moldovan/UK project ‘Where does the money come from’ by J. Paine News from the Treasurer F4F 2003 Review

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My Action forLife Now it has been face another psychological turmoil – “batthe fourth month of tle” with my family “Action for Life“ (AfL) who could not underprogram, when, for the stand why I would first time, I’m aware want to participate in enough to stand back AfL. and observe myself, my So, India! I arthoughts, feelings, and rived there still having decisions. It has been my parents’, relatives’, a long rough way to get even UK employer’s to this point. Though I voices shouting at do realise that it is just each other in my the very beginning of head - demanding, my journey of self-disblaming, trying to covery, self-transformaconvince me not to go, tion, self-realisation. giving all possible inI was very structions. That is stressed out when I how I felt when I came on AfL. Though I started my AfL jourdid not realise it at that ney. time I didn’t realise Zoryana’s infamous smile!

The first 4 days how stressful the in “Asia Plateau” whole previous year, (MRA/IC centre in India) were the most diffiwhich I spent in UK, was, as well. It was difficult physically and psychologically. “But cult ones. It was a time of adaptation, inner that’s the way life should be”, I used to say to struggle: what am I doing here? What shall I myself. I left no time, space or chance for my- be doing here for the next 9 months? Was self to contemplate, to analyse, to become that the right thing to do to come here?

You may wonder what’s happened to more aware of all the events and consequences in my life. I was living on inertia, me… I was so eager to discover more about feeling that I could not go on like that any this world, to get the “bigger picture”, but I longer, but being afraid to ask myself what’s immediately got scared once this opportunity next, afraid to discover that I would not have was given to me. Fear of unknown! Fear of the answer, though I had to extend the bor- leaving my comfort zone! Or fear of reality, ders of my world somehow. And the answer which might easily break my expectations or rather dreams about the world I am living in! found me – Action for Life! Decided!

But I chose to face my destiny (instead I packed my stuff in UK (in a typical stressful way) and took off to Ukraine for two of hiding behind its back), to accept its inviweeks (before going to India), where I had to tation and the offering which life was gener1

ously giving me, to look into the narrow streets and corners of the life.

During the first month in Asia Plateau I have been happily indulged into friendsmaking, team-building, practising my Quiet Time, going through all possible trainings (Hindi lessons, yoga classes, singing etc.), learning from, sharing about, sometimes struggling with other’s cultural differences. I realised that in the given circumstances we could only survive on 5 absolute principles: closeness, honesty, support, sensitivity and love, which leads us smoothly over all roughness.

Ready! Steady! Go! The Outreaches!

Huge, dusty, crowded, noisy cities, meetings every day, lots of new faces, theories, exciting dinners and the most dreadful and unforgettable experience – Bombay trains! Dirty, half naked children running around and begging for money; polluted beaches, endless slums, scary stories about cheating, intimidation and corruption. It all made me feel so helpless and disappointed. I felt so guilty and struggled with the questions: How can one be happy if all this is happening in the world? How can we (AfL) help in this situation? Wouldn’t it be better to use the money we raised for Action for Life to build schools for the underprivileged?

It took me some time to understand that we are not here to solve the problems or to deal with them directly, but rather to understand why, when and how it all came about and how change can be initiated. Initially I did not want to listen to long theoretical speeches about how bad the situation really was. I wanted solutions right there and then.

Now all my doubts, insecurities and questions have been washed away through our interactions with student NGO’s, experience in rural areas, staying in Ashrams, interaction with the Center for dialogue and reconciliation and through all the people we met and from every smile that we were given.

I left my “either/or” attitude behind. Now I no longer perceive the world as either black or white. There are many more colours to it. Life can be learned again and again; there is no end to it. Peace!

Zoryana Borbulevich (Lviv, Ukraine)

WHAT IS ESSENTIAL After two months in hot sunny sweaty India, I was hoping to see snow in Moldova. I arrived to see a white landscape and was told I missed most of the snow.

Then it happened, a huge snowstorm and over a metre of snow! I was so happy, I have never seen such weather in my life and was glad my Angel gave me my wish! I stayed for two 2

Catia The Dog and her friend

weeks, which was not enough time.

Catching up with friends and seeing how they are doing as a team was my main objective.

Everyone was well, and the team I believe is adjusting to most of its people being in jobs. This is a big step for an individual, to go from Student to Work, and I believe it is also a big step for the team. Some of the team will also come back this year after getting

training abroad, and I know this will have an impact. Overall, I felt all was as it should be, and that continued support is ESSENTIAL. My biggest inspiration was seeing Didi’s project, an Elderly Day Care Centre. Didi, a yogic nun, came to Moldova with nothing. Moving forward in Faith, and not willing to pay one bribe, she has managed to get the funding and start a brilliant Centre that provides food, showers, leisure activities, and clothes-washing facilities, for the under-privileged old people of a village. Many local people and companies have given their help and materials for free! For me, this is true MRA at work, going forward trusting the Spirit…………….and the Spirit answered!

My commitment to Moldova is to support the people there and go at least once a year.

Beyond projects, these friendships/relationships are important to me, and an essential part of life. I am hoping to go back to Action for Life soon, and after that looking to my Angel for guidance. Thank you ALL for trying, “trying” is a sign of hope and courage.

Bhavesh Patel (UK)

What happened to them?!

The first Changing Course in Romania, which took place in Ocna Sugatag in May last year, was the event that produced some really interesting changes in the participants’ Ukraine’s future... lives. Seven months later here is what has happened in these people’s lives (the majority - teachers) in Romania.

Carmen is an experienced teacher in a high school. She had not had the courage to go on trips with her students. She was afraid to take up this responsibility and had not done it since she started teaching. After The Changing Course Carmen has overcome her fear in the past 7 months she organised 6 excursions, in and outside our county, for students and teachers.

Maria is a history teacher. She comes from a village in Maramures, and for a long time she wanted to move to the capital city, Bucharest, for her own professional development. She did not feel ready - her fear and lack of confidence had stopped her moving further. Now she has gained enough self-confidence and overcome her fear and she is ready to go.

Gabi is an art teacher. She has come to Baia Mare from distance of 300 km. Before The Changing Course she was ready to go home. ‘Who am I?’ was her main concern.

Now she has found her identity near the friends of change. She has decided to stay in Baia Mare.

Milan is an inspector in education and orthodox priest: “After the Changing Course I learned that ‘to share’ is an essential verb in the work I am doing. Sharing is a kind of special communication. Since then I prefer

to communicate by ‘sharing the feelings’. I consider this being necessary for my moral refreshment and perhaps for moral change in the world.”

A more subtle issue was an exercise of courage and democracy by Suzi, Marian and Dumitru (religion teachers in our town Baia Mare). Before the Changing Course they had not had the courage to speak out their mind in the teachers’ meetings in Baia Mare. Everyone was afraid of the co-ordinating teacher of teachers’ professional development in Baia Mare (an elderly lady). She was appointed and sustained by some local high-ranking people.

The problems appeared when this lady started addressing public offences, unfoundedly, to some of our colleagues and made numerous injustices in school contests. The teachers have not approved of her attitude, but she could not be officially superseded. The three teachers have found a way of protesting against these abuses and expressed their opinions democratically (they had the initiative of change, peaceably). First they came up with the proposal of organising a new teachers’ workshop group of the religion teachers in Baia Mare apart from the existing one. This new group has been approved. Then, the teachers one by one started joining the second professional group and, in approximately 2 months, 52 teachers joined the second group and in the first one only five teachers remained. Now the leader of the first group (lady x) has been left by those whom she had offended. This lady still has the responsibility of organising the school contests. Every year more than half the prizes in these con3

tests were gained by lady x’s students- the best ones. Each time there was the suspicion that lady x made some abuses like: she had stated the subjects by herself and told them to her students before the contest or she entered the contest rooms and gave her students some hints or she identified her students’ papers and overestimated them etc.

This year something unforeseen came up. During a general meeting, Suzi, Marian and Dumitru, had the guts to express themselves and had the following proposal - every step of the school contests to be organised by lot. This means the subjects for the contest were not to be made up under lady x’ s co-ordination, but by more groups of teachers. On the day of the contest the subjects will be chosen by odds. The surveying teachers will be chosen by odds. The examiners will be named by lot. The teachers gathered there agreed with the proposal, they voted it positively and so lady x lost control over the school contests. It appeared interesting to me that lady x seeing these reactions started correcting her attitude towards her colleagues and became more kind. I remembered that the Indian people became a power peaceably, the British authorities began to respect them and change their attitudes.

What happened in Baia Mare, in the teachers’ group is an unimportant event to society, but it is an important democratic exercise for Suzi, Marian and Dumitru. They have understood and applied this democratic principle simply and neatly - change in the world begins with a change in you!

Milan Balan (Romania)

Vision and Values in British schools ----------------------------------------------------------

Last year s February issue had Lena Felonyuk from Simferopol (Ukraine) to share about her experiences with the Schools Programme.

This time Tanya Sokolova from Novosibirsk (Russia) and Sandra Lapkovska from Riga (Latvia) will tell us how it is this year.

---------------------------------------------------------Taking my steps and walking my life Almost a year ago someone helped me to change my rocky mountains into feather full hills, helped me to find the sparkle in my soul and gave me the spirit for my life. For some of us it might sound ‘cheesy’, but I guess we all know what I am talking about.

Knowing that there is someone out there who understands me and who knows the feeling inside of your human body, makes me smile and hope for a better world.

Last year, after finishing high school, I had a very dizzy future for myself (as it always appears to be that way), but the train of life never stops and as some of the people I know would say: “the angels will give you a sign” where to go.

And here the story begins: While ‘jumping and enjoying the fairy tale in Denmark’ (as I call my six-month time that I spent over there in autumn 2003), I lived in the present moment. At some point another “bird whispered” and I was invited to be here where I have already spent one and a half-months - England! For some it is a 4

dream Sandra country - a place to reach for and a place to hope for. For me it is, first of all, a l o n g path for my emotions and my time of sharing, listening, observing, a n d growing. Trying to find the answer where and why do I run. Where am I going in my life? What steps

am I willing to take and how am I willing to take them? Am I “running or walking” my life?

During the first part of the days - its session time, involving travelling from one place to another place, where you are the one who gives your energy to others. In the evenings ‘you’ try to find ‘your’ way of receiving energy for further moves. Places for that I find around me. Sometimes its music or the spirit within it, sometimes - people who inspire ‘you’ with their opinions and experiences, but sometimes its just ‘you’ on your own, trying to find the energy inside of ‘your’ human body. That is the way I enjoy this time over here in England together with the Initiatives of Change and the School Program Team, together with my soul.

Thank you for the feather hills.

Sandra Lapkovska (Latvia) We’ve spent half of our time with Schools Programme. I can not believe it. I either lean towards thinking it’s only started or everything is ahead, or that I’ve been here for ages.

We are talking about Vision and Values in schools. I feel I have neither myself, or at least I do not have the former. I had looked forward to coming here, and diving into this programme and challenges and solitude that it offers. I came, and dived. But it doesn’t look like a bottom of something; on the contrary, it seems like a top. Because I had been so looking forward to it, and because it had been for a very long Tanya time the top of my aspirations; so now I feel as if I’m on the top, and everything is below, and I am looking all around, and now I’ve reached this peak, what should I do? Descend? Fly? Well I will come back to Russia and proceed studying International Business, which I had no idea about what it is, and which isn’t

something I would be interested in. I’m scared to have my life like that; I definitely want there to be more to my life than this. I want guidance; I want to talk to the people who stand behind the Course that changed my life so drastically, that turned me out, freed me, threw me out of myself into the unknown. At the same time, I am afraid to meet them and to look them in the eye. I’m afraid that they know not more than I know myself. I’m afraid that I will have to be responsible for my own soul, so challenged, so torn into pieces, so crying. I am afraid to be free.

Now, trapped between London and Oxford (the toy-like city, where my favourite musical band comes from, who create desperately melancholic, sophisticated, exquisite, bittersweet music), I will take my time to contemplate. I need to breathe deeply and keep myself from demanding too much from other people, especially those I hold so dear.

Because, after all, the main thing is Love and Gratitude that I feel towards them all, who welcomed me in their land so gently and British-ly. I am afraid (again!) that I will not be able to give back, to cough up, afraid to get in debt. But I have to bring together my Courage and Trust. ‘It’s the landscape and the dreamscape’ that I’m in love with. It’s the programme I follow and the vision I desire to obtain.

Tanya Sokolova (Russia)

Inspiring BuildingInitiatives, Partnerships Project Since summer 2003 an idea to match the needs of Moldovan society and IC ideas/ people has emerged within Moldovan IC community. Liliana Botnaru, Andrei Tarasenco and Slava Balan took this idea forward by holding regular meetings to discuss it. Following the initial phase of internal discussion, the idea was taken to the broader F4F arena, including the wider IC community in Moldova, other F4F regions, the UK F4F team. A consultation meeting with the aim of establishing a Moldovan-UK partnership to elaborate further the project was organized in London in the beginning of January 2004.

Objectives of the new project are: 1. To develop and consolidate internal structures, intra-organizational 5

relations, culture and practices in Moldovan NGOs active in the social sector and thus to increase their performance and efficiency; 2. To establish sustainable partnership relations between the social nongovernmental sector, on the one side, and governmental agencies/authorities and business community, on the other side; 3. To transfer organizational development and partnership building skills from international experts into Moldovan NGOs active in social sector.

The project seeks to promote a model of NGO based on the principles of: - shared responsibility inside organization, as opposed to concentration of information, resources and decision-making power around one (even very bright) person; - personal example, i.e. the organization and its members shall strictly follow the values and principles it is promoting, as opposed to applying “double standards”; - service and commitment, as opposed to mere ‘technocratic’ implementation of the activities and “functional” approach to the beneficiaries; - developing long-term sustainability as an organisation, as opposed to being driven by available resources and funds or/and treating organisation just as starting point or facility for other activities or ends (be it politics, business or promotion to other “more serious” institutions and organisations).

The project is mainly addressed to Moldovan NGOs active in the social sector. Its wider target group is the Moldovan community and especially population groups affected by social problems addressed by the direct 6

beneficiary NGOs. The project shall last two years, starting in January 2005. At the moment the project is in process of advanced drafting. It still needs a lot of consultation between the two main partners (F4F and CN), with F4F and Smileregions of the month! teams, with the experienced advisers.

By now the project has received much support and understanding inside Moldova, in UK and some other countries. Nick Foster, Gordon Fuller, Miles Paine, Chris Evans, David and Judith Curtis and Oleg Ermurati were very much involved in the first interparty consultation, which took place in UK. Later Charles Danguy joined the wider team actively supporting it with the information and time. As concerns the support of other F4F regions, the Novosibirsk team supported the project by sending a special “blessing” letter.

To be successful, however, the new project still needs a wider F4F and IC support.

At the moment one of the main points of attention for the planning team is the issue of funding. Many efforts are undertaken by both parties to identify possible fundproviders. The first target in this respect will be the funds of the European Commission allocated within its TACIS IBPP Program. The deadline of this institution is 14 April 2004 and the major efforts of the team are concentrated in this direction.

Veaceslav Balan (Moldova)

Friends from Moldova

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? (by Janet Paine) People sometimes wonder - and ask - how a programme like Foundations for Freedom is financed. F4F is one of the outreach programmes of Initiatives of Change/Moral ReArmament, with world perspectives and responsibilities. Are there substantial funds in the background somewhere? The magic and miracle of provision for this work and all its undertakings is no mystery, however.

Contributions in cash and kind come from people who value these ideas and what they can do in the world. Usually these are individuals who have seen the effectiveness of change in their own lives. My father gave generously to MRA from his weekly salary because of the new spirit he and my mother had found through it. The conference centre in Caux, Switzerland, was purchased and made available to the world through the sacrificial giving of three Swiss families and countless others’ contributions.

When I left school at 17, I decided that I wanted to work full time with MRA as a secretary. During the last half century I have never had a salary, and yet I have never lacked what I needed. More than a dozen people have supported me financially and in many other ways.

When Miles and I had children we wondered Diary whether we couldF4F afford their upbringing and still work full time with MRA. The quiet and reassuring thought came: “The boys will always have what they need, even if they may not always have what you would like them to have.” And this has been abundantly borne

F4F Diary

19 March - F4F UK committee meeting 10 - 19 April - 8th Regional Meeting in Chisinau (Moldova) 25 April - 1 May - Changing Course and anticorruption seminar in Romania May - Follow-up visit to Novosibirsk (Russia) May - Changing Course in Crimea (Ukraine) July - August - International Conferences in Caux (Switzerland)

out.

Evelyn Davies of Edinburgh, Scotland, who died recently, has just left a generous legacy to F4F, as well as giving sums on a couple of previous occasions. She met MRA in the ’40s and has given to me regularly each month for 50 years. Our correspondence over the years has sustained us both, I know. A very ordinary woman (like me), she loved children, cats and her garden; but she also had a passion for what was right and wanted to do what she could to help this spirit prevail.

This is where the money comes from no mystery, no millionaires, but men and women who see the need, contribute to and decide to be a part of the answer for the world.

News from the Treasurer...

Thanks to gifts, legacies from three people, and grants, in the UK and the Netherlands, Foundations for Freedom received more income in 2003 than expenditure by about £10,000. So for the short term we can cover our anticipated expenses. Our grateful thanks to all those whose hard work, prayers and generosity has made this possible.

We await the results of two grant applications, one for courses in the Moscow area in partnership with the Ametistov Foundation, and one to enable us to help people get to Caux in July. We would appreciate prayers for these, and for the longer term where, as always, the opportunities are far in excess of resources.

The power point presentation on F4F, which we hope will help build a stronger base of support, is ready to roll (in the UK at least).

It is a 20 minute presentation of the ideas and story so far of F4F, to which can be added as much conversation and discussion as the occasion allows. Our idea is that it will be delivered by at least two people, of whom one would be from east Europe. If you know of groups who would be interested to see it, please let us know.

Chris Evans Watch out for the next issue of the newsletter in May 2004!

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Foundations for Freedom 2003 Review 24 Greencoat Place, London., SW1P 1RD, UK tel: 020-7798 6000, www.f-4-f.org, F4F@london.iofc.org

F4F Mission Statement F4F aims to inspire purpose and vision in individuals and teams grounded in the values that underlie a truly free and just society and to nurture and support them in the process of transforming their own lives and societies.

2003 Programme The main focus of F4F activity during 2003 was to support teams committed to laying strong moral and spiritual foundations for their own societies in Eastern Europe, by means of training courses, visits and other activities. Many of these teams exist as a result of earlier F4F programmes. As well as organising further F4F courses, they typically undertake work to improve life in the community around them, for example through anti-bribery campaigns, visits to schools to discuss drug problems, and supporting old people’s homes or orphanages.

F4F has an openly stated intention to devolve greater responsibility for its programme to teams in the region. The outstanding events of the year were as follows:27/3 – 6/4 A faculty led by Dr Nick Foster delivered a ‘Changing Course’ for 33 young leaders of NGOs in Latvia, which was followed by a cross-cultural dialogue. “We live in a culturally diverse society in a very small state… but we don’t know each other well enough to have a proper dialogue on the issues that worry us most.

This has led to the creation of certain stereotypes. We need to get to know each other in order to break the wall and start talking. Did the course reach its goals?

Overall, yes.” – from a report by one of the Latvian hosts.

28/4 – 4/5 Regional Meeting in Lviv, Ukraine, drew together 30 from F4F teams in Ukraine, Russia, Latvia, Moldova, USA and UK. How to devolve more decision-making in the F4F programme to teams in Eastern Europe was a major theme.

16/5 – 19/5 A team led by Dr Nick Foster delivered a ‘VCII’ course in Chisinau, Moldova, focused on teamworking and leadership skills, to those responsible for the NGO “New Civilisation”.

28/4 – 8/5 A team led by Kees and Marina Scheijgrond delivered a ‘Changing Course’ to 28 participants near Baia Mare, Romania, many of whom were teachers. “These were not lessons where the teacher says what you have to do. We were given some suggestions, and we were the ones to choose what is right from what is wrong for us. I was not sure whether people would take anything useful ..[but].. there were some moments, some words and some deeds that prove they really changed something inside. I think about a lot of things differently, in a better way. I try to be optimistic – that is also a change!” – from a participant’s account.

2/7 – 8/7 8

52 from F4F teams in Central and East Europe participated in international conference on ‘Service, Responsibility and Leadership’ at Caux, Switzerland.

31/7

Completion of 10-month project in Ekaterinburg, Russia, in which F4F collaborated with International Business Leaders Forum (London) and International Consulting Company (Ekaterinburg) to raise awareness, build trust and promote best practice between companies and NGOs.

2/10 – 11/10 A faculty led by Kees and Marina Scheijgrond delivered a ‘Changing Course’ to 21 students of the State Transport University, Novosibirsk (Russia) and a 27hour refresher course to 20 lecturers at the University. “It gave me confidence, helped me find belief in myself, and made me sure that I can do something for people around me” – a student participant.

24/11 – 30/11 A faculty led by David Curtis delivered a ‘Changing Course’ to 20 young politicians and NGO leaders near Chernigev, Ukraine, in co-operation with the Centre for Political Education, Ukraine.

In addition there were numerous follow-up and support visits undertaken during the year, with groups visiting Serbia, Ukraine, Siberia, Lithuania and Moldova. During 2003 there was also a noticeable increase in visits and exchanges between the teams in the region.

During 2003 a major 5-year funding proposal was submitted to USAID, but was not successful.

It was agreed, however, to proceed with work along the lines of that proposal at whatever speed funds allow.

Personnel Gabrijela Leovic from Germany and Oleg Ermurati from Moldova gave their whole time to the F4F programme in 2003, based at the IC centre in Greencoat Place, London. In October Dr Nick Foster was re-engaged as a consultant to the programme, working on average 4 days each week. These three, along with Gordon Fuller, meet on a weekly basis as the F4F Management Group. This group is answerable to the 11-member F4F Committee, which meets monthly.

Many others gave substantial amounts of their time, including Ross Andren from Saffron Walden who took six months’ sabbatical from his project management work. In November and December, he spent two months at the State Transport University, Novosibirsk, by invitation, studying Russian, lecturing in conflict resolution, and participating in the F4F team activities there.

Finance Income for 2003: Gifts from individuals £ Legacies Interest received Grants: Tirley Garth Trust UK Dept.for Int. Development A Church Foundation in NL Karl Popper Foundation The Oxford Group general fund Initiatives of Change – NL TOTAL

£

6,237 4,250 23 4,000 (re 2004 expenditure) 500 6,517 11,460 17,856 1,724 ———— 52,567 9

========= Expenditure for 2003: Course delivery £ Support to teams in E Europe Regional Meeting Caux conference Fees & overheads TOTAL £

12,049 3,668 1,640 19,206 5,465 ———— 42,028 =========

Additional support in the form of office facilities, fees and living expenses for full-time volunteers worth an estimated £26,000 was received during 2003 from The Oxford Group. A very significant amount of time was given without any charge or recompense by volunteers, for which no figures appear in the accounts.

The above are provisional accounts. Once audited, they will be incorporated with those of the Oxford Group/Initiatives of Change and of Initiatives of Change in The Netherlands.

Plans F4F will continue to respond to opportunities which arise and to requests from teams in Eastern Europe, with a view to supporting them and encouraging them to develop their own agenda and programmes.

Much work during 2003 has gone into writing a new F4F course, the Ethical Leadership Workshop, intended to be launched in 2004. This is a 3-day course, shorter than the ‘Changing Course’ which lasts from 8 to 10 days, and easier to deliver. Once tried out and finalised, it will be a tool in the hands of teams across the region, alongside the rest of the F4F courses and programme. It is due to be tried out and assessed at a Regional Meeting in Moldova in April 2004.

Dear Reader, We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this issue of the F4F Newsletter. If you think that someone else you know should get this newsletter or if you have any suggestions, please contact the editor Oleg Ermurati at oleg@london.iofc.org. Thank you.

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