WEMC 2008: Retrospective
As far as debuts go, the 2008 kick-off of the Why Everything Must Change conference was a roaring success. Attended by over 450 people and featuring the likes of author Brian McLaren, Nobel Prize nominee Fatmire Feka and child rights activist Jamie McIntosh, the event challenged participants to rethink their preconceptions of “normal”, and inspired them to be the change they knew needed to happen in the world. Here’s what a few of them had to say about the conference:
Well done - provocative, engaging, troubling in a good way.
- PeterReally great! Important and necessary. Relevant, engaging and inspiring.
- AnitaThis was a great eye opener. I can’t wait to come next year. As a young person I just feel fortunate to be here and want to be part of the change that’s needed in the world.
- Cardnas
WEMC was inspired by the belief that a new type of conference was needed if a fresh way of thinking about social justice issues was to be introduced. Pressing contemporary problems - whether economic inequality, HIV/AIDS, or child trafficking - require multi-faceted, co-operative solutions; last year’s conference aimed to acknowledge this fact, by featuring in keynote speakers and breakout session leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds. Aid workers, religious leaders, former refugees - all were present at WEMC 2008 to share their views on what individuals can do to improve the lives of the world’s poor and vulnerable. Passionate presentations by these figures, complimented by musical interludes by guitarist Glen Soderholm, created a dual atmosphere of energy and contemplation in which attendees were encouraged to actively consider their role in radical social change.
In case you didn’t have the opportunity to attend last year’s conference, the following video recording of Fatmire Feka’s talk will give you an idea of the insight and atmosphere offered during one of the main sessions at the event. We look forward to hosting you first hand, as you experience WEMC for yourself this October 23-24!
