2011 Global Year of Collaboration

In 1997, as Principal of Lifecollege, an innovative personal development academy, I talked to Europe, the USA, Australasia and parts of Africa and Asia about the European Year of Lifelong Learning. At the time I used satellite technology - 'squirting the bird'. We knew little of the web at the time. Responses from Sub-Saharan Africa, Iceland and Russia showed great enthusiasm and led to some great connections, each having many rich experiences attached and leaving lifelong-learning as a virtual by-product. Today I cleaned the sculpture presented to me by the French Minister of Culture at the time for organisating a collaborative exchange to Alpe-Provance-Cote D'Azure linked to Lifelong Learning in Southern France and in South West UK. Great days. My agenda then was 'step-change thinking' - moving beyond mere straight-line progression.

Today I use the internet to launch 2011 Global Year of Collaboration. This is just one of the progressions which have stemmed from the connections made so long ago, now encompassing fully 88 contries, many institutions and hundreds of people.

That which is common is the strength of collaboration between us all. No only the friendship and fun, but the determination to draw the best from the many opportunities of great collaborations. Not only have we many projects, both completed and in progression, but we have true progress for humanity.

Now I have to ask myself: Have I read poorly, or are the ancient texts a little light on collaboration? It does appear that, where undertaken with authenticity and trust theer were some great things achieved along the centuries. Perhaps even the greatest of empires depended upon collaboration in times of gain. Yet where was it later, in times of loss? Is this the true cause of the decline of empires? Trust and authenticity gone and the strength reduces to that of the parts, far inferior to whole held tight by collaboration.

Perhaps, in these austere days we need to look awhile at why collaborations are particularly relevant just now? Well, amidst the miriad of reasons, we can see time, finance and travel as savings and inteligence, expertise and increased potential as fine harvests or returns. Yet what matters to humanity, what is important and raises our quality of life, is also present in great collaborations.

I can only ask you to think about it. Perhaps you have a collaboration which will be something special in this special year of collaborations?