Upon returning from this years NSU summer session in Roosta, Estonia there is much to ponder upon and many experiences to process.
Personally one big question for me, is how did I end up on the new board?
I was wishing that we would be able to start a new study circle on Hospitality and Solidarity - Feminist Philosophy in Thought, History and Action after the summer session was over. At the same time, I had definitely not planned to take on more tasks and responsibilities then that!
What instead happened, has at least three different reasons to it.
The first, is the NSU spirit. To finally gather in this kind of relaxed atmosphere with people from across The Nordic region and beyond, coming together with their passion to question, talk, share and wonder about the space-time we inhabit with its specific ethical, environmental, political and scientific challenges, is such a Unique experience. To add to that, the possibility of truly cross-disciplinary discussions and a format that is open both to more academic presentations as well as workshop modes of working, what is created is something truly Inspiring! Finally, when all of this is put together in a grass-roots mode of action, what in Swedish is called TALKO anda, where participatory democracy gets to have its say, what awakens in me, is Hope!
Thus the second reason for me to step into the new board is reveled. What is meant with TALKO anda, is a pattern of voluntary work. A situation where everything is done in the spirit of a communal action, working while enjoying life and most of all nobody getting a full-time salary for that work. To experience this TALKO anda in full action by the arranging committee and the members of the board, gives me reason to once more Hope that political action makes a difference. With this I mean that not only my private lifestyle and personal choices can change things for the better, in our world. (This is a thought I never gave up on) I also find hope for the possibility that people may come together and bring their energies and know-how together, to create something that is even more powerful then what individuals can do on their own (more or less loosely connected to each other).
Taking me to the third and final aspect of why I chose to join the board. This is the possibility of being able to experience how/when a more closely linked together community of people with specific tasks, skills and visions decide consciously to come together in order to work for a common goal. Particularly as we now have in mind a very strategic way of working where people’s strengths are used as assets, we are choosing to structure the work in a more balanced, pleasing and effective way as well as, planning to have FUN while we do this.
So, to sum it up. There are enough of positive and possible synergy effects of what COULD be created, that if feels worth investing all the energy of what I will be needing to learn!
For the rest, we need only luck, good food and some sense of humor joined with grace!
May it be a good year.
Sunshine,
Laura
