Axiom News, a Peterborough, Canada-based media company and two time WorldBlu List awardee covered the WorldBlu LIVE event in New York City, October 16-17, 2008. Below is a reprint of their article entitled, “Organizational democracy has ripple effect in society.” You can read the article at its source on the Axiom News website by clicking here.
Organizational democracy has ripple effect in society
Influences prosperity, ethical behaviour, civic engagement, leaders say
When John Engle began working in Haiti about 15 years ago, what began as a two-year commitment quickly turned into a new life direction.
“I found the history and the culture (of Haiti) so compelling, and also so painful,” said Engle, painting a verbal picture of the country’s dark history, which is rooted in slavery.
“You couldn’t have a less democratic base,” he said.
 John Engle (second from the left) is taking part in a group discussion during an open space meeting in Carrefour, Haiti. |
The effects of those beginnings can still be seen today in the sense of shame that many Haitians have for their native language (Haitian Creole) as well as in common teaching and leadership practices which tend to be brutally authoritarian, according to Engle.
The exciting part, though, and why he feels compelled to stay, is the evidence that times are changing — and that the work he is doing is playing a vital part in that change.
Engle is co-founder and co-director of Beyond Borders, a not-for-profit that aims to promote change through education, leadership development, and advocacy for child rights.
Beyond Borders is distinct from many other community development agencies in that it has, since its inception, aimed to honour the autonomy of the Haitians, while at the same time supporting them along the path of change.
One of the most effective tools it has used is something called Open Space Technology (http://www.openspaceworld.org/), a simple yet powerful method for inviting engagement and helping to bring out the voices of the people.
Because of Haiti’s history, using this and similar methodologies has required extreme care, according to Engle, but at the same time it has been embraced as people find themselves respected and honoured and listened to.
Today hundreds of Haitian practitioners are using Open Space Technology in their organizations, and teachers and leaders are becoming more democratic in how they work with their students and staff.
Little by little, Beyond Borders is having a “ripple effect” across the country, which is only 15 years old as a democracy.
Engle said he believes this is the way to bring peace and justice to the world in general; to create “a world where all the children have enough to eat and all the children have access to education.”
“Day in and day out (we need to be) working on honouring community, using democratic practices that honour people, and persevering,” said Engle, who was a presenter at WorldBlu LIVE, an organizational democracy conference that took place Oct. 16-17 in New York City.
The findings of WorldBlu, the organization, corroborate the view that justice and prosperity can be furthered in society through organizational democracy.
WorldBlu states that organizations that operate democratically have higher levels of innovation and job creation, contributing to overall economic development within a country.
It points out that organizations operating democratically are transparent and open to employees, shareholders and stakeholders, making it harder for unethical practices, such as nepotism and corruption, to occur.
WorldBlu also makes the point that less corruption means a more stable economic and business climate for further business development.
Related article:
Beyond Borders uses democracy to drive development
Photo credits — Axiom News
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