Sunday 30 November 2008

PDF Guides to the OICD Under Production.

I have been working on a series of pdf guides tailored for general members, research affiliates and executive members. They are looking as though they will be nice booklets. The final versions will be around 20 pages and cover pretty much all basic aspects of the OICD. I have posted a couple of text and graphic excerpts below:






The Organization for Intra-Cultural Development at a Glance



What does the Organization for Intra-Cultural Development do?


The OICD sets out to improve the quality of and access to cultural symbolism and cultural information that people use to represent themselves in the world. We also work to counteract the influence of divisive cultural myths and symbolism that causes conflict and restricts social, economic and/or political stability and growth.

Why does the OICD do this?

The OICD works to increase social capital as a means to improve social cohesion. Increased social cohesion is linked to the reduction, resolution and prevention of many kinds of sectarian conflict and also to the general raising of social, political, economic and security standards in society.

How does the OICD achieve this?

The OICD employs what it calls Intra-Cultural Development which is a process of mapping, utilizing, managing and maintaining the symbolism and interpretations that individuals use to identify themselves as socio-cultural beings. Such management is effective in creating spaces for dialogue between previously divided groups, and thus in the creation of new social networks and levels of social and civil engagement.

Who makes up the OICD?

The OICD network and development programs consist of a wide variety of people: Anthropologists, Psychologists, Historians, Script Writers, Film-makers, Political Scientists, Linguists, Development Workers, Practitioners, Media experts and Artists.

Where does the OICD work?

Intra-Cultural Development is effective in increasing economic, social and political standards in any region. The OICD is determined to work in all locations in the world.


The OICD Organizational Structure







Japanese and Fijian Multiculturalism

I made a short presentation at the Anthropology of Japan in Japan (AJJ) meeting at Osaka University a couple of weeks ago. http://www.ajj-online.net/Site/Fall%20Meeting%202008.html

I talked on the subject of Japanese multiculturalism and some of the possible ways that anthropologists and historians may be able to contribute to policy making and social cohesion in this area.

I introduced the audience to our OICD working graphic, http://www.oicd.net/oicdapproachgraphic.pdf

...and also talked about the OICD media campaign project in Fiji, showing the video found on the project's website (need to download the video as the youtube link is currently not enabled for public viewing):

http://www.oicd.net/ourfiji.html

There was a lot of positive feedback from the presentation and several people expressed an interest in joining the OICD as general members and research affiliates.

Founding Executive Committee Reaches End of Two-Year Term

Well, it's been just over two years since our first executive committee was established in Kyoto in 2006. http://www.oicd.net/2006meeting.htm

A big thank you to all those executive committee members for their contribution to the OICD over their two year term! The 2006-2008 members were:

Joy Hendry, Ellen Kaplan, Gordon Mathews, Peter Ackermann, Bruce White (Director), Greg Poole, Rebecca Pino, Michael Shackleton, Sebastien Boret.

I will soon announce the executive committee for 2008-2010.