Global Carnival 2007 - Bellingen (The Carnival)

CARNIVAL PAGE

Welcome back to Bellingen's Global Carnival

The joy of our return is intermingled with great sadness over the losses we have experienced and the changes we have undergone. The impermanent and cyclic nature to life is a central theme of this year’s festival; a theme symbolized in our artwork and in ‘Turning the Wheel’, a specially designed event to pay tribute to those now gone. This event will celebrate life whilst acknowledging its inevitable changes and losses and we hope as many of you as possible will come and participate in this beautiful and moving ceremony on Sunday evening.

The forum is also back this year and will take us on a journey of self exploration and fun. It too references natural cycles as well as social structures and the way in which we either respond, or perhaps could respond creatively and more effectively to the world around us; decisions and choices that might enlighten and empower humanity who could very well be facing its own self destruction if we avoid developing new ways of thinking, feeling and dealing with each other and this unique and precious planet. Our personal honesty and integrity, our moral courage to speak out against what is wrong and stand up for what could be done better and the way in which we think and behave as individuals or as nations, all contribute to the world as we know it.

Below are some inspiring extracts from Nelson Mandela’s speech at the launch of ‘The Elders’ on Wednesday, July 18th 2007, South Africa. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years imprisoned for speaking out against apartheid and the governing powers who imposed that system of thinking. From prisoner to President, he is now recognized as one of the world’s greatest leaders who was persecuted for pursuing what he knew was wrong but who eventually led the nation. The Elders is a growing group of people who have got together for the sole purpose of delivering positive and pragmatic measures and solutions to a world that badly needs them.

“In today’s world, many of the problems we face are global in nature. These include climate change, pandemics such as aids, malaria and TB. And of course, that entirely human created affliction: violent conflict.
As institutions of government grapple – often unequally - with challenges they face, the efforts of a small, dedicated group of leaders, working objectively and without any vested personal interest in the outcome, can help resolve what often seems like intractable problems. We have the makings of such a group. Using their collective experience, their moral courage and their ability to rise above the parochial concerns of nation, race and creed, they can help make our planet a more peaceful, healthy and equitable place to live.

Let us call them Global Elders, not because of their age, but because of their individual and collective wisdom. This group derives its strength not from political, economic or military power, but from the independence and integrity of those who are here. They do not have careers to build, elections to win, constituencies to please. They can talk to anyone they please and are free to follow paths they deem right - even if hugely unpopular. I have watched the concept grow, gain structure and strength, and become a real, viable, and pragmatic initiative.

I believe that in the end it is kindness and generous accommodation that are the catalysts for real change. They (The Elders) will insist on assuming the essential interdependence of all human-kind. We call this the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’ - that profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of other human beings.”
Nelson Mandela.

The Global Carnival organization is passionately committed to these ideologies. Thru the festival we aim to create an experience which reveals our common humanity whilst reveling in our rich and colorful differences and we can all have a lot of fun doing it together..................have a great Global Carnival!

Bryony