TESTIMONIALS
- People co-operate in situations where they need others to survive.
- Machines first create unemployment in informal economy followed by employment in formal sector.
- Machines also require creation of Governments and Markets.
- Interest based currency results in scarcity and competition.
- People are competitive in a situation where survival depends on taking from others.
Lane Henry, USA
I thought it was interesting to have a close view from the outside on how people from ‘developed’ western countries think, and how their thinking changes while traveling when they are given some perspectives, thereby forcing them to challenge their worldviews.
I studied ‘Development’ in school- African Development was my area of study. I am aware of the concept of self-reliance but I hadn’t thought deeper about how colonization imposed machines and industry on rural communities. It was also insightful to learn about rural development and the changes that have happened in Indian context. History and Impacts of Development look different everywhere and having the discussions/ perspectives brought more meaning to our course and travel here in India.
Laura Chase, USA
I have learned to look at things from all perspectives and to have an open mind. I also learned that more is not always better.
Nishal Patel, USA
I have become much more aware of my biases as well as my peers’. As westerners I think we forgot just how drastically different our lives and upbringings are. It is vitally important we are made aware of this so that we can live as purposefully as possible. This workshop would be incredibly beneficial to anyone interested in changing their actions and beliefs in a meaningful way.
Bess Haugh, USA
Through this workshop, I understood how much urban upbringing impacted our understanding of rural communities, even without us knowing it. When we went to village visits, I learned how quickly, and because of whom, did rural life change over the past 50 years. In following simulations, I learned so much about Governments and Markets, and how they can take self-reliance away from communities and replace it with greed.
Priya Subberwal, USA
I have learned about the advantages and disadvantages of Globalization, and the influence of machines and currency in a rural context. And also what I am most grateful for learning was the meditation practice combined with Tibetan Buddhism.
Maria Luiza, Brazil
I have learned about meditation and how to calm down the mind. I have also learned about the noble truths; I had never heard of it before.
Joelle Reisner, Switzerland
Everything I know about Buddhism, I learned from this program. Also I found out how to properly meditate by keeping my mind clear. This program also opened my eyes to the economic issues the west has in some cases arguably brought upon the east.
Alec Eyle, USA
I learned an incredible amount during this Rural Development Dialogue. In addition to learning new things, this course also developed and corrected my previous knowledge on the subject of Rural Living, Interest Based currencies and self-reliance.
India Haber, USA