Traditionally, the panels and discussions at Gaia Gathering have focussed on the issues we experience as Canadian Pagans living in the 21st century, with special emphasis on the experience of being Pagan in the host city. While some of the slots in the programme are filled by the local host city, the vast majority of the conference programme has historically been developed collaboratively by Pagans from across the country using the Gaia Gathering YahooGroup. We hope this year, that discussions will also take place on the blog and on our Facebook page.
To give you an idea of what we’ve done in previous conferences, some examples of past discussions can be found here, here and here. Our final Vancouver 2009 programme is also available here.
Some of the ideas that have already come up this year are:
- Edges of Pagan identity - divorcing from “paganism”
- Pagan forms of activism
- Language and history
- Mental health
- Gender and sexuality
- The quiet revolution
- Music stream
- Breakfast discussion on traditions
- Media
- Chaplaincy
- Power of words
- Discrimination and legal rights
- Rites, rights and laws
- Pagan parenting
- Event organizing
- Environmental ethic
- Pagan mediation
- Leadership.
- Ancestors
- Aging, hospice and death
- Men’s spirituality and male menopause.
- Clergy burn-out
- Pagan documentation
- Archiving our legacy of elders
- Sacred texts - pagan canon
- Storytelling as a guide
- Sexual abuse
- Fundraising techniques
- Managing volunteers
- Impact of secularism
- Sacred space and sacred places
- Technology and paganism
- Pagan community etiquette
- Pagan taboos
- Pagans, conflict, and the warrior path
So, do any of these topics interest you? Are there topic that you’d like to see but aren’t on this list? What discussions would you like to see at the Montreal conference? Share your thoughts and ideas. This is your conference. Tell us what you want!
ps. This year, in addition to a full line-up of panels and roundtables, we will also be adding a handful of workshops into the programme. An official call for workshop proposals will go out shortly.
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1 comment:
I work for the Alzheimer Society and would welcome a discussion on aging. Assisted living, long term care..How will we take care of an aging pagan community?
Dementia. How do we include one another in the community events and planning for future. Can we adapt?
Rituals and ceremonies for the dying. Burial practices. What kind of experience is out there. How do we sensitize the funeral homes and hospices?
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