New Horizons of Human Development: Art, Spirituality and Social Transformations

(July 5, 2008 - Indian Business Academy, Bangalore)

The discourse and practice of development are at cross roads now and contemporary processes of transformations challenge us to find new ways of understanding and nurturing development as manifold processes of human flourishing, well-being of all and planetary realizations.

In the workshop, “New Horizons of Human Development: Art, Spirituality and Social Transformations,”, organized by Indian Business Academy, Bangalore and Dr. Ananta Kumar Giri of Madras Institute of Development Studies, Chennai, the participants from Business schools, academicians from social sciences, artists, activists and concerned persons explored particularly the aesthetic, ethical and spiritual horizons of human development, issues which have received little attention in the prevalent and dominant discourses of development including in the recently valorised discourse of human development initiated by Prof. Amartya Sen.

The thought provoking dialogue on themes such as development ethics and development aesthetics, practical spirituality and human development, violence of dominant development and aesthetics of transformations led to a new paradigm of insights and reflections on the need for applied spirituality and art in social activism while striving for social transformation.

Introducing the Charter of Human Responsibilities by Sudha in her presentation on Art & Social Activism has produced new direction to the discussion and ripple effect in the minds of the participants.