The present events in North Africa and the Middle East may prove to be more revolutionary than even the fall of the Soviet Union and its satellites, for nearly every 21st century meta-variable intersects here, powerfully and unambiguously. For the Westerner, it has already suggested that we change our perceptions of the region, from viewing these as exotic lands supposedly fomenting large youth movements of Islamic fundamentalism and violence to realizing that they are principally the home of educated, savvy, peaceful (and young) members of our human family. However, this is but the tip of the iceberg. A short-list of the variables we will consider in this evening’s discussion include:

The evolution of global and individual awareness (psycho-spiritual, communal, political and environmental).
The transcendence of political & ideological dualities (left-right; material-spiritual; local-global, etc.)
The hope found in tipping point moments (e.g. in Tunisia it was the self-immolation of the vegetable vendor Mohammed Bouazizi, and in Egypt the “We are all Khaled Said” Facebook page.)
The role of communication technology and social media in the evolution of consciousness.
The historical record concerning large-scale change (e.g., internal and peaceful solutions versus invasion and violence).
The so far unheard call for economic democracy.
A reflection of our own “democracy” at home, hopefully inspiring us to channel and frame a meaningful discussion so as to apply decisive action for change in an optimal direction (here in our local communities, expanding to the rest of the interconnected Gaian family.)
The historical record (in the U.S.) of legislative success from mass demonstrations and the ensuing erosion of these victories.
The role of the military in society.
The role of American imperialism, financial capitalism and hyper-consumerism juiced by (foreign) fossil fuels.
The inequity of wealth, an issue with increasing resonance in the U.S.
And finally and perhaps most significantly, the realization that even this “revolution” is about freedom, jobs and modernism at the very moment that these and their relation to the biosphere are severely in question.

PRESENTERS: Carleton Schade, Debra McCall & Michael T. Clarjen-Arconada

Carleton’s interests include cosmology, consciousness, earth systems, meditation and literature. He is currently involved in a futuristic project entitled Dieback: the Science and Soul of the Coming Collapse. He found passion in traveling, politics and writing fiction; comfort, fulfillment and love as a householder and teacher; and peace through meditation and yoga.

Debra McCall is Associate Director for Research, Curriculum and Professional Development at the Ross Institute Academy East Hampton, NY. She has served on the graduate faculties of New York University, Adelphi University, Art Therapy Italiana, and Pratt Institute where she was Mellon Lecturer. An Advanced Design Fellow at the American Academy in Rome, she has also been awarded National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and NYS Council on the Arts fellowships in choreography, dance film, and historical research.

Dr. Clarjen-Arconada came to the U.S. with a Fulbright Scholarship to research fundamental etiological factors of illness and optimal regeneration sequences. A published author, he has over thirty years of experience working on fundamental issues of Natural Biological Medicine: Self-Regeneration processes and Self-Regulation Methodologies.. He has taught at Long Island University (Friends World Program) and has led workshops and seminars throughout Europe and the U.S. Recognizing the profound link between illness, toxicity an environmental degradation, he has developed global programs seeking environmental regeneration and universal healthcare. He has forged the code: Return to the Garden, as the main catalytic instrument for the regeneration of the Human Being and Society, and their transformation toward genuine Optimal Sustainable Development. More recently, Dr. Clarjen-Arconada was appointed part of an International Committee for the Development of Ecological Communities under the auspices of The European Union.