Thought Leader Dialogue 2009

IMAGES AND VOICES OF HOPE, in its 10th year, gathered 22 journalists and documentary producers for The International Dialogues for Thought Leaders in Media: Journalism on June 25-28, 2009 at The Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University in Indiana. Thought Leaders from Bhutan, Canada, Israel, England and the United States participated in a process of dialogue and deconstruction designed to extract lessons learned from their success. The goal is to capture and disseminate these lessons so others will be inspired and equipped to take on similar challenges. 

"Personal Mission/Social Impact: Our Values and Voices in Volatile Times"

Last year, when we gathered at the Fetzer Institute, we were honoring path-breakers in journalism who, through leadership, courage, or innovation have created outstanding media work that has led to positive social change.  This year we continued our strong focus on the social impact of the Thought Leaders' work.  However, recognizing the tsunamis we have all been through, we will come in for a closer look at what the events we are living through mean to each of us as individuals.  What core values are guiding us?  What other values are coming into play?  What do we believe, and what do we feel we must do?  And, how does this connect us to our sense of purpose and the social impact we want to have? 

PROGRAM COMMITTEE:

Roberta Baskin, director of the Investigative Team, ABC7/WJLA-TV (Washington, DC).

Jon Funabiki, professor of journalism and director of the Renaissance Journalism Center, San Francisco State University.

Gayatri Naraine, representative to the United Nations, Brahma Kumaris, (New York).

Judy Rodgers, founder, Images & Voices of Hope (Haines Falls, NY).

Dr. Robert M. Steele, Eugene S. Pulliam Distinguished Visiting Professor of Journalism, DePauw University (Greencastle, IN).

Keith M. Woods, dean of faculty, The Poynter Institute for Media Studies (St. Petersburg, FL).