IRISC

International Research Institute into Spirituality and Change

Notes on the meeting held 23rd March, 2000, at Bangor

Professor George Poede from Romania gave a public lecture to IRISC and invited University guests  The talk was about processes in the economic field and their effect on the values of a democratic society.

The discussion at this meeting centred around the areas of 

Ethnic Minorities - dealt with in the context of regional development.  Progress has been marked in Transylvania where there is a minority German population, and there has been help from Germany.

Better before democratisation?  - Prof Poede felt this was a minority view, held especially by the elderly

Public Services - the improvement of public services especially for the elderly and children was a priority.  60% of the population are living in poverty, and the churches and NGOs in particular are offering help.

Democracy in transition - Previously Communism offered some protection, but now can capitalism be controlled for the benefit of the population?  Is a Welfare State approach possible?

Role of IMF - in some ways the IMF has acted against the social interest of the population - it has led to inequality of Regional Development and internal economic migration. There is growing illiteracy and a social policy more concerned with survival than development.

Role of the Church - the (Orthodox) church although hierarchical is synodical - and some of its leaders although authoritarian are well-oriented towards change.  Perhaps our analysis is unnecessarily polarised.  Is it possible for a complex web of value-based organisations together to make up a democracy when they are participative at some level?  Need we have a reductionist model of democracy?  

The Church has "always" values that need to be interpreted in a new context.  The tradition may need defence against some new values eg role of women.  "Cooperation" is valued - but in some cases this may mean agreeing with the church - a dualism of doing what you are told to, not what the priest is doing.  The church is still appreciated for the space it provided under communism.  Sight and sound.

Next meeting 31st May 2000 Bangor

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