Dean to be in Rome on Interdependence Day.

[madfloridian]

I never heard of this event, and the article is a little confusing.
Sounds like it is held worldwide and in the states as well. It tells what it is, but I just never heard of it.

http://camden.villagesoup.com/orgnews/Orgnews.cfm?StoryID=12308
SNIP..."What is Interdependence Day?

Interdependence Day is an annual commemorative occasion for reflection on the reality of interdependence and its civic implications. In this post-communist, post-Cold War, post-9/11 era, Interdependence Day stands as a symbol of commitment to a more collaborative and humane future in which people throughout the world can enjoy the fruits of democracy--the promise of liberty and justice for all.

The first Interdependence Day event was held in 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2004, celebrations will be held at venues around the nation and the world. The main event will be held in Rome, Italy, and will feature European Commission President Romano Prodi, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Governor Howard Dean, and Polish Solidarity Leader Milan Kucan. Organizers envision that this will become an annual event, held each year on September 12 in communities, on college campuses, in churches, wherever people gather around the world..."

It sounds amazing to me.

[hedda_foil]

1. Wow. This is awesome.

I've never heard of this event before.

[madfloridian]

4. Looks like it just started in 2003.

:hi:

[DeadHead67]

2. Just re-watched the movie 'Independence Day' . . . .

. . . with Will Smith, about Earth invaded, and nearly conquered, from outer space. At the end, after the defeat of the invaders, the President of the United States declared that now July 4th. would be a significant commemoration for ALL nations. VERY Interesting . . . . .:grouphug:

[madfloridian]

3. Snips from an article about Gorbachev. Parallels show up.

http://keirsey.com/gorbachev.html

SNIP..."Gorbachev had a great desire to reach the common people and have a dialogue with them. He realized Perestroika -- the process of change must be started from above. He had to teach the people about democracy -- real democracy not just using the rhetoric that had been used in the Soviet Union since Stalin had taken control. Rather, Gorbachev went through towns and villages carrying his message of change -- real change. It was difficult to get the people to talk, they had been use to keeping their thoughts to themselves and had seen the negative consequences of speaking out. Gorbachev was candid and encouraged discussion. As time wore on, Gorbachev promoted people that were willing to change the system and not interested in maintaining the status quo."


We can't go on living like this
-- Mikhail Gorbachev
March 10,1985

[dave29]

5. I used to tell people

there should be an international holiday where everyone around the world gets the day off. This sounds like a good start :)

[madfloridian]

6. Yes, it sounds like a good start. This is amazing, really.

I gather it just started last year. I started remembering more about Gorbachev, and the paragraph I posted above goes with a lot of what I recall.

There has to be a way to "start the world all over again." We have really made a mess of it.

[NYCGirl]

7. It is a remarkable idea...

that could go a long way to getting our respect back in the rest of the world. And September 12th is the perfect day, since it was on 9/12/01 that the world seemed as one.

A right-wing friend of mine (yep, there are a few in NY) says "Who cares what the rest of the world thinks of us?" I simply cannot understand an attitude like that.

[madfloridian]

8. I found the website. Fascinating stuff.

http://www.civworld.org/

There is a statement of purpose, a video, and a lot of other stuff.
Here is a summary of the meeting in Philly last year, the first.

What Happened Last Year?

Interdependence Day 2003, PHILADELPHIA

"Distinguished international luminaries, including Harry Belafonte, former Senator Gary Hart, Lord Frank Judd, former university president Yolanda Moses and Leoluca Orlando (former Mayor of Palermo) were among those present to officially declare their interdependence. Messages were also read from Vaclav Havel, Kofi Annan, and Chiara Lubich."

"In Budapest, noted pianist Andras Schiff gave a concert dedicated to Interdependence Day and civil society. A roundtable of individuals from leading NGOs and the Hungarian Parliament was organized by Ivan Vitanyi, member of Parliament. The day included the participation Erpad Goncz, the first President of democratic Hungary, and a performance by noted pianist Andras Schiff."

[rucky]

9. That's what it's all about

thanks for the info. that just made my day.

[madfloridian]

10. Why they chose September 12.

"On September 11th, as the World Trade Center began to crumble, one of greatest examples of interdependence ever was on television screens around the world. Interdependence was already obvious in the harsh realities of global warming, HIV, terrorism, crime and unregulated global capitalism. However, on that day the world saw that the problems of one region are not simply isolated issues, but that our problems are interconnected. Furthermore, the world saw that security was not something guaranteed by power. September 11th is the day we look back, we mourn the ones that we have lost. The 12th "we celebrate the living so that tomorrow we can embrace those who are not yet born."

Celebrating Interdependence Day in Philadelphia was great success and brought together many different people. Rome promises to be even greater as our message spreads and our movement grows."

http://www.civworld.org/day.htm