The Call
In the mid-1990′s, through a mysterious set of circumstances, a group of North Americans visited a remote and intact group of indigenous people – the Achuar – located deep in the Amazonian region of Ecuador.This relationship, that was to become The Pachamama Alliance , was actually initiated by the indigenous elders and shamans themselves who, out of their deep concern for the growing threat to their ancient way of life, and their recognition that the roots of this threat lay far beyond their rainforest home, actively sought the partnership of committed individuals living in the modern world.
Changing the Dream of the North
From the beginning, our indigenous partners have reminded us that one of the most powerful actions that can be taken in support of the rainforest and its inhabitants is to “change the dream of the North,” since it is our dream—our desires and appetites—that is driving the destruction of the rainforests around the world.
The Pachamama Alliance took the Achuar’s mandate to change the dream of the north- the dream of the modern world- seriously. It was clear that a task of this magnitude would require the collaboration of huge numbers of individuals, communities, institutions, and governments around the world.
They began looking for a tool powerful enough to meet the task, and after nearly a decade of research and development, culling leading research from across disciplines, they offered the first Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium in March, 2005.
Awakening the Dreamer
Soon after, the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Program was developed as a full fledged department of the Pachamama Alliance and it wasn’t long before partnerships across the country, with organizations in the UK, Belgium, and Australia were formed and brought the symposium to communities around the world.The incredible response the symposium received in such a short time has made one thing clear: people from all walks of life are ready to make an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on the planet the guiding principle of our time.
We think that’s very exciting.
Today, the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium is supporting the shift in humanity, from a dream rooted in consumption and competition, to one of sustainability and mutuality.
