Global Perspectives
Eight years ago, the 2002 Christian Brothers’ Rome Chapter named all those women and men bringing life to new and existing expressions of Edmund’s charism the Edmund Rice Network. The word network continues to prompt a range of reactions from within our Network, a likely reflection of the range of understandings of what it means to be Network. Variety is good. No single definition can capture all our Network is or hopes to be. But have we really embraced the wisdom given to us at the 2002 Chapter? Perhaps now is the time.
Admittedly, in the years since that Chapter, we have learnt that if we focus too much on the Network construct, we risk losing sight of a far more important reality – the energy, goodwill and spirit that transcends the many and varied works we do through Edmund’s inspiration – the mortar that holds us together. Consequently, the subtleties in meaning have seen us focus more recently on the language of networking rather than network.
The globalization of our planet has seen the art of networking flourish across all fields of human endeavour. But for what purpose do we network? Some network to meet their own needs. Others are more magnanimous in their outlook and recognise the mutual benefit of networking. For us in the Edmund Rice Network there must be a distinctly different motivation. As a network of people who proclaim liberation and justice for all creation, our questions of networking are not about me or even about you and me. Our question must surely be - how does networking enhance our mission to bring about liberation and justice for all life?
Imagine our potential as a liberating force in this world if this question was at the heart of our networking. This is the potential we are really yet to contemplate much less realise. Perhaps now is the time.
The 2008 Oceania Chapter called the Oceania Leadership Team to determine suitable forums to engage the Edmund Rice Network before and at the time of the next Chapter. 2010 is the first stage in a journey of engagement that will lead us to this critical time in our Network story. During July 2 – 4, representatives from newly formed ERN Wisdom Groups will gather in Brisbane. Our purpose will be to re-visit the wisdom of network and networking. A larger gathering is planned for 2011 and our journey will all the time be working towards the realisation of an authoritative gathering of ERN representatives at the time of the next Oceania Chapter.
Neither the Wisdom groups nor their representatives can hold all the wisdom but they will be charged with creating an ongoing wisdom dialogue throughout our Network so that we are all growing ever closer towards our potential. Yes – now is the time.
Danny Moore
ERN Regional Coordinator – VIC/TAS
