INSIDE OUT
International biography conference 14th-17th
June 2007
in Rolduc, Kerkrade, Netherlands
Why did some 120 biographical counsellors from 18 countries
around the world
(A, B, CDN, CH, D, DK, E, F, GB, I, IL, J, NL, NZ, RO, RUS, USA, ZA)
undertake a sometimes difficult journey to Rolduc, Kerkrade in the Netherlands?
Was it to meet and to converse with each other?
Biography is "the journey of the human being to him
or her self", or in the context of the
theme of this biography conference: "the search for the treasure".
Biographical counsellors are also searching on a path, along which there is
always
the need and benefit of being able to orientate oneself anew, and to exchange
with
peers about the 'journey' so far and the 'way' forward, on a personal as well
as
professional level.
The structure, plenum meetings, workshops and smaller group meetings of this conference resonated with the theme of "journeying through the desert by caravan" inspired by Paulo Coelho's novel "The Alchemist". The conference became a three day journey together, including walks in the beautiful park surrounding Rolduc and many conversations about the content and methodology of biography work. Another inexhaustible opportunity for exchange, because the work of biographical counsellors is very individual, despite sharing a general foundation in anthroposophy. This is what is so stimulating.
During this conference strangers and friends met each other, as though at an "oasis", soon becoming engaged intensively in conversations, describing their journeys and experiences: furthering their understanding of what motivates individual colleagues who work with biography, and also what questions they are concerned with in different regions and countries.
Those who have been attending international biography conferences regularly over the years could get a sense of the world wide network of colleagues, in addition to benefiting from thematic content, meetings and conversations. This year in the Netherlands there was again a strengthening of the global relationships promoted through these conferences.
What one comes away with at the end of such conferences may not seem like much; maybe the real treasure is to be found there, from where one came. Probably such an experience is only realised after a long and demanding journey involving many meetings and stimulating experiences.
Is it not so that one negotiates one's own personal biographical path by learning to "follow the signs", just as we do in our work of accompanying others in their biographical development?
In general this applies as well to our inter-collegial work regionally and nationally. In connection with the world-wide networking movement of biography work (cf. International Forum below) regular international biography conferences have been organised since the early nineties. Also professional associations have been established in some countries which are concerned with strengthening both visibility of and the commitment to biography work in the world, by also fostering dialogue and exchange amongst colleagues concerning the advancement of research and professional development.
Professional associations are now established in Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland (see below for contact details). In this respect as well, the international conferences have also been able to facilitate a stimulating exchange, which, for example, has recently been inspirational for colleagues in Israel and Spain.
When it is time to "leave the caravan" and to
continue one's own personal journey, one may experience (again) that it is
only through meetings with colleagues and clients, family and friends, old
and new acquaintances, that one "catches glimpses of one's own legend"
which are necessary and helpful for one's own biographical development.
Author: Albert Schmalhofer, albert.schmalhofer@gmx.de
English translation and editing: Christopher Bee, cbee@christophori.com
Contacts:
International Forum
for Professional Biography Work
c/o Walter Seyffer, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 41, 68535 Edingen-Neckarhausen,
Germany;
Tel. + 49 (0)6203 96 10 37, seyffer@biographie-arbeit.org,
Website (on which all practicing colleagues, trainings and professional associations
can be represented)
International Trainers
Forum
c/o Anita Charton, anitacharton@hotmail.com
National professional associations in alphabetical order.
Germany:
Berufsvereinigung Biografiearbeit auf Grundlage der Anthroposophie (BVBA)
c/o Albert Schmalhofer, Gerbrunner Weg 22, 97074 Würzburg;
Tel. +49 (0)931 784 6471, Fax: +49 (0)931 784 6436, bvba-biografiearbeit@gmx.de
Great Britain:
Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists working out of Anthroposophy
c/o Tessabella Lovemore, tessa.lovemore@gmail.com
Great Britain:
Biography and Social Development Trust
c/o Margli Matthews, biogsoctru@aol.com
Netherlands:
Beroepsorganisatie voor Biografiewerk
c/o Vera Klein, vgkunstenvliegwerk@wanadoo.nl
Switzerland:
Berufsverband Biografiearbeit Schweiz (BBAS)
c/o Christian Althaus, Schule Jakchos, Ekkehardstrasse 11, 8006 Zürich;
Tel. +41 (0)44 363 99 66, Fax +41 (0)44 363 99 65, kontakt@jakchos.ch
