By Larry Philbrook
Historically, ICA has been a reflective community, giving
members opportunities to share and talk together before<
launching any major strategy. Since we are celebrating our
50th anniversary, it is appropriate to reflect on how we went
about this. In the early days, we did this by gathering annually
in Chicago for research assemblies, followed by councils. This
rhythm ended in 1984. We decided it was no longer practical
and shifted to a two-year rhythm, holding a public research
conference followed two years later by an internal “staff”
meeting. At the end of each event, we held a General Assembly
that would represent our global organization and community,
declare our consensus and make decisions.
 This year in Nepal was the 8th global research event. However,
in December 2011, we had already shifted to a more practical
virtual General Assembly model. At that assembly, we had also
decided to hold an event at the end of each research program.
It would be a Deliberative Process focused on topics from the
research program and other events that would need more
conversation globally.
So Nagarkot was our first such event. We had 45 participants
representing 14 member organizations plus individuals
interested in supporting and expanding the work of ICA and
ICAI. It was an exciting event with open conversation and
profound discourse that were never abstract and which
expanded our context and thinking. We had people aged from
5 to 77 at the event, all contributing and reflecting together
with the aim of sharing this with our community around the
world and making a commitment to action.
 In the ICA community, “we” has always been a powerful phrase.
We have gone through the past 50 years with many “we’s”. This
was done again in Nagarkot as WE took responsibility to care
for the world without leaving the grounding of our individual or
organizational frameworks. Striving to be on behalf of others
without making a claim in their name but trying to make an
invitation for all to join or add to.
We began with a general update which included each ICA
and associated organization creating a banner on their recent
activities and strategies. This was followed by a “market place”
where updates were exchanged. Next was the development of
topics using an Open Space format. There were 30 topics, which
I have grouped into categories (see below). For a full report, go
to http://www.virtual.ica-nepal.org and look under virtual home -
ICA Gathering. Or send an email to icai@ica-international.org
 The third part of the event was regional gatherings closing with
a global dialogue of intention. ICA Nepal hosted an evening
event celebrating the conference and beckoning the future.
Whether we were present in Nagarkot or not, the final question
is “What are the next steps for the ICA globally and locally?
What are you ready and willing to do?”
Conference Follow Through
- Matrix How can we quickly get projects and proposals
- The manifestation of Wayne Ellsworth’s vision for 16 peace
centers, beginning with Nepal as a seed project
ICA/ICAI Program alignment
- A Top Global
- Winds and Waves Magazine
- Constructive engagement What enables communities
to engage constructively with business, govt and other
institutions
- How to facilitate schools to be better place for children and
teacher
- Upgrade and share Community Development Curriculum
- How to develop strategies for Women Empowerment
- 3E Project financing and how we can sustain / How to run a
sustainable project in community through social enterprise
with local people.
Local ICA Support
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