Think Piece. An Opening Dialogue with Think Pieces and Feature Articles on Learning in a Changing World in This Journal

Abstract

In approaching this opening Think Piece, I spent some time critically considering the notion of thought and ‘dialogue’. What would a dialogue with the other Think Pieces, the selected Feature Articles and a Viewpoint paper in this journal involve? How might such a dialogue be constituted, and why dialogue? This paper follows a recent reading of David Bohm’s (2004) notable text On Dialogue. Since reading this text I have been fascinated by the way in which he, widely recognised for his contribution to quantum physics, considers reflexive thought and dialogue as important processes in global social transformation. It also follows much internal conversation and reflexive deliberation on the value and validity of organising an (expensive) World Environmental Education Congress in one of the most poverty-stricken regions in the world – southern Africa – which is also my home. Countless times I have thought about the ethical responsibility associated with the process of creating meaningful opportunity for global dialogue in a World Congress environment. What value will the Congress have? How can one create an environment conducive to dialogue within a global frame?