Title:
The Value Of Experiences In Wilderness And Nature For Healing And
Reconciliation Of Human Differences
Proposed by: Dr. John C. Hendee
Seconded by:
Marilyn
Riley
WHEREAS,
The wounds of anger and deprivation from social injustice and
inequality are giving rise today, in part, to terrorism, war and seemingly
irreconcilable conflicts over differences in beliefs, culture and
religion.
Escalating terrorism and war threaten the future of humanity and life as
we know it, including visions and opportunities for conservation of
nature.
Scientific and social studies show us that human experience of wilderness
and nature, alone and/or in groups, offer superb opportunities for healing
the wounds of injustice and inequality, and for development of human
reconciliation and tolerance.
This use of wilderness for healing and reconciliation of human differences
is demonstrated in South African programmes in this regard during its
transition to democracy, and in hundreds of wilderness therapy and
personal growth programs worldwide.
THEREFORE,
the 7th World Wilderness Congress hereby
RESOLVES, that
The organizers of the World Wilderness Congress continue to highlight the
values of wilderness and nature as places of healing anger and
reconciliation of differences in the published proceedings of the 7th WWC
and on the programme of future Congresses.
Wilderness and Nature leaders worldwide be urged to feature these values
in their meetings, conferences, symposia, other gatherings and media so as
to increase awareness of their importance and to encourage new methods and
applications for utilizing them.
The United Nations (whose original formation dialogue utilized the
inspiration of nature in the giant redwoods of the west coast on USA) take
note of the values of wilderness and nature for healing and
reconciliation, and that natural environments be used as a place for
negotiation and dialogue to heal wounds and reconcile differences that
threaten the world today.
Relevant groups and organizations in South Africa - and the many hundreds
of other groups worldwide -- better promote their programmes which use
wilderness for healing and reconciliation, so as to be recognized as
pioneering examples and an inspiration to other nations and situations
with similar challenges.
Proposed by:
Dr. John C. Hendee
The WILD Foundation
PO Box 1380
Ojai, CA USA 93024
Tel +1 805 640-0390
hendeejo@uidaho.edu
Seconded by:
Marilyn Riley
Wilderness Transitions, Inc
70 Rodeo Ave
Sausalito, CA USA 94965
rileymr@earthlink.net
