HISG Connects Key Leaders From Around the World
“This (Expo) is the best networking platform I have ever attended.”
HISG hosted a Starfish Community Expo in South Carolina to connect some of the key leaders from our networks. Dozens of nations were represented, along with subject matter experts from service areas like transportation and logistics, education, micro-enterprise, water services and several others. The name “Starfish Community” is taken from the book The Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom. Like a starfish that has no central nervous system, the Starfish Community has no hierarchy or chain of command. There is a new emerging model of decentralized collaboration where networks of individuals and organizations are united by the common goal of transforming communities.
“It has been really exciting to start thinking about asset-based community development.”
The conference featured the HIST model, a practical guide for asset-based community development. Many of the attendees were from nations that, historically, and received tens of millions of dollars in foreign aid, that has produced virtually no lasting change. The participants were eager to learn the HIST model and to see the challenge of community development in an entirely different light.
“This event expanded my vision for my geographical region and created opportunities to share resources with needs.”
More than 30 nations were represented, giving the conference a truly global perspective. The broad spectrum of attendees also made the conference an ideal setting for strategic conversations on how participants could work together to affect change across an entire region. The different workgroups of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Asia, and North Africa could discuss the challenges specific to their part of the world, and work face to face with other participants to address those challenges.
“This was an excellent gathering of diverse people from around the world!”
The Starfish Community is a dynamic and growing network with enormous potential. The power of the Community lies in the ability to leverage a number of diverse strengths across the entire network. Since the Expo, the discussion has gone online, to www.StarfishCommunity.net. It is free to join, easy to use, and a doorway to connect to hundreds of individuals who are making an extraordinary difference around the world.
Humanitarian International Services Group | 870 Commercial Lane, Palmer Lake, CO 80133 Phone:(303) 662-0845 | HISG is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization