ABSTRACT

Anjali Hazarika Ph.D. New Delhi, India is the Director, National Petroleum Management Programme. She holds a doctorate in Business Management & developed ‘Creativity & Dreamwork’ as a new holistic learning methodology for executive education. Author of "Daring To Dream : Cultivating Corporate Creativity through Dreamwork." Founded National Forum of Women in Public Sector Enterprises, and served as its President.

Summary of Presentation

The future of ASD remains very closely linked with the future of Dreamwork & its application in a wide variety of professions. The 20^th Annual ASD Conference calls for collective reflection & introspection in the light of A.S.D’s contribution in the last twenty years. This paper will map out A.S.D.’s contribution in the past & suggest strategies for future.

Abstract 

What will be the future of dreamwork? This question becomes important in order to commemorate the 20^th Annual A.S.D. Conference. The 20^th Anniversary calls for collective reflection and introspection. In order to answer the question about the future of dreamwork which is closely linked to the future of ASD, we first have to map out ASDs contribution in the last twenty years.

A.S.D. has laid a foundation for something unique, and in my opinion, something very very significant. A.S.D. is the first institution created for the exploration of dreams and dreaming. It consistently works towards enhancing awareness and appreciation of dreams in both professional and public arenas. Most importantly it provides an ongoing platform for interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and constructive debate on the critical themes emerging from year to year.

Humanity is currently undergoing a fundamental shift that cuts across all categories, all disciplines and all aspects of life. In this context, what direction ASD would like to take in the future? Will it provide services that can be called as "More of the same"? Or will it add new services to the previous list that reflect the changing times and the needs of the global community?

If we continue to do what we have been doing for the past 20 years then the possibility of ending up in the same way several decades from now is quite certain. That alone perhaps will not succeed in bringing the rich potential of dreams to the attention of the global community.

• For instance, it will not reach the generation Χ through the educational system. It will also not reach other target populations in search of deeper truth & meaning in various professions such as business and industry, governments and diplomacy.

• Considering that the intrinsic nature of dreaming lies in its inter-connectivity, can there be something in the subject matter or the chemistry of enquiry itself than would lead to transformational learning? Would it facilitate the birthing of a new archetype or a new paradigm?

• Against the backdrop of world wide terrorism will dreamwork play a significant role in enhancing our mutual interdependence as members of our global family?

• Would dreamwork explore the intrinsic link between dreaming and creativity and increase our capability to approach a "complex problem situation" of finding solutions to problem that before seemed insoluble? These situations would include the professional problems of diplomats, executives, social scientists, life scientists, attorneys & designers….. This would mean developing an integrated approach where hunches & intuitions, hits & miss, intangibles and the "gut" feelings usefully coexist with powerful concepts, streamlined technology, sophisticated methods and high power electronic aid. This aspect of dreaming often appreciated by writers and business executives and occasionally by scientists has never been explored in right earnest.

• Then of course there is the healing potential and power of dreaming whose application can be multiplied in various sections of the community whose members are increasingly taking more responsibility for the maintenance of their own wealth. These are some of the things one would like ASD to explore by organizing a constructive debate among its members. It is also time for defining a bold new vision with an action plan that is implementable.

Admittedly dreamwork is still very low on the list of priorities in an industrial society that exclusively focuses on material well being. The task remaining before the ASD members therefore at the moment may be to work towards extension of dreamwork through spreading educational awareness across the globe and preparation of competent leaders. This is mainly because dreamwork is eminently teachable.

This will require concerted & committed efforts from every member of ASD together with skillful use of media. There is wide range of talent, experience and expertise available in our membership. This would call for extensive networking & broader partnerships among interested people to set up mutually beneficial collaboration. Seeking inspiration from the past leveraging present opportunities ASD can secure glorious future in order to bring this dream into reality.

 [abstracts index]  [conference index]   [member pages]