Witness, Awaken, Enact!

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Testimonies that Transform

Theatre of Transformation uses the medium of enacted testimonies and poems to bring to life the critical global issues we face, and unveil possible pathways of transformation. The testimonies and poems are based on real people Rama has collaborated with and situations she has encountered in conflict-affected areas and diverse parts of the world. The testimonies reveal the reality of man-made destruction as well as the capacity of the human spirit to transcend and transform suffering into strength. They indicate that transformation is always possible, whatever the circumstances.

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Target Audiences

Theatre of Transformation is designed for:

- Leaders in politics, business, international and civic organizations;
- Policy makers, academics, and professionals;
- Women pioneers and change makers;
- Youth, students and transformation agents;

- Humanitarian workers, peacemakers, and international professionals;
- Survivors of violence;
- Communities in crisis;
- And all Global and Local Citizens who care about our shared future.

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The Impact

Participants from highly diverse backgrounds are lastingly impacted by sessions of Theatre of Transformation. They experience awakened empathy, heightened creativity and revived commitment as they witness the causes and consequences of today’s crises on distant others and their own lives. Through the facilitated process of creative interaction and integral dialogue following the enactment, they discover the potential for change in their own lives, organizations and communities. They begin to forge innovative and collective responses to transform crises to opportunities and shape new possibilities for the future.

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Events and host organizations

50 events of Theatre of Transformation on diverse global themes were offered in 2014-2015 in countries all over the world – including USA, Canada, Brazil, UK, Switzerland, France, Norway, USA, India, and South Africa. Host and partner organizations ranged from United Nations agencies, international and humanitarian organisations, universities, policy institutes and cultural and diplomatic institutions. Audiences and participants included political leaders, diplomats, business leaders, international professionals, women change makers, journalists, scholars, humanitarian workers, war-affected populations, survivors of violence, refugees, women and peace activists, and youth host organizations.

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Themes

Tailor-made programmes are designed, developed and offered to address a range of pressing challenges that are of critical importance in the present and for our future. They fall under four broad themes:

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1. Leadership for the Future

Programmes in this thematic area support exceptional exemplars of transformative leadership from diverse sectors around the world. They mentor and equip inspiring leaders to steward our shared future. Through these programmes, leaders shape new paradigms of power, enact visionary change, and embody the values of transformative leadership essential for the emerging future.

Film: "The Art of Leadership"

at the Human Resources Summit, Istanbul, February 2015

Poem: "Reshaping the Future"

2. Women for the World

Programmes under this theme champion women who dare to transcend barriers and rescript history. They draw on and nurture pioneering women leaders at grassroots, national and global levels on all continents. They particularly support women at the frontlines of crisis, who face grave odds, to transform their lives and societies. These programmes also evoke creative collaboration across genders, foster gender equity and women’s rights. This programme works in close partnership with ‘Rising Women Rising World’, whose aim is ‘to co-create a world that works for all’.

Film: "Women Who Said Yes! Women Who Said No!"

World Woman, Oslo, January 2015

Poem: "Rewriting HerStory"

3. From Conflict to Coexistence

Programmes in this theme highlight the transformative potential inherent in all crises. They awaken our latent creative capacity to transform the conflicts we face in our lives, organizations and societies. Based on Rama’s first hand experience in warzones around the world, these programmes address the causes and consequences of war, the refugee crisis, genocide and mass atrocities. They draw on ordinary-extraordinary individuals and communities who have transformed suffering to strength and built transformative justice and inclusive peace. A significant focus is also to address the refugee crisis, and transform the rising xenophobia and extremism in our societies.

Film: "Fulfilling our Responsibility to Protect"

United Nations Environmental Emergencies Forum, Oslo, June 2015

Poem: "Poiesis of Peace"

4. From Dystopia to OURtopia

Programmes in this theme invite us to ‘reshape tomorrow together today’. They address the systemic crises we face in: governance and politics; economics and finance; climate and ecology; culture and religion. They harness our creativity to shape new paradigms and design new systems for the future. They invite us to work together to transform the fragmented and isolating dystopia of ‘I, me and mine’ we now live in to an OURtopia of ‘We, us and ours’ based on humanity, solidarity and collective wellbeing.

Film: "Co-Creating Tomorrow Together Today"

TEDX London Museum, May 2015

Poem: "OURtopia"

Circles of Solidarity

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The guiding philosophy in all Rama’s work is to create circles of solidarity between people and across cultures in all parts of the world. These circles of solidarity are evoked by and in turn nurture our shared humanity. They honour human dignity, celebrate cultural diversity, and foster peace and justice for all.

The honoraria, fees and funds raised through all Rama’s programmes directly support the peace and solidarity missions she undertakes in countries in crisis, in partnership with local leaders. It is the encounters and experiences in these missions that generate the real-life stories that are portrayed in Rama’s programmes. These enactments evoke empathy, reawaken humanity and creativity, and incite a collective search for innovative and transformative solutions to current crises.

Thus, participants in Rama’s programmes have the dual satisfaction of experiencing transformative change in their own lives, organizations and societies, while simultaneously contributing to the transformation of the very individuals and communities in countries in crisis whose stories they witness and empathise with on stage.

In turn, the individuals and communities Rama works with in countries in crisis feel encouraged and empowered by the knowledge that their stories are heard and serve to inspire transformative change in other people and places around the world.

Honoraria and funds from programmes also support the courageous humanitarian initiatives Rama supports on the ground, and pioneering organisations for transformation she engages with directly.

Peace and Solidarity missions

Rama undertakes peace, solidarity and fact-finding missions to war zones and crisis areas, in close collaboration with inspiring local leaders and trusted grassroots organisations. Her missions support affected communities, especially women, youth, refugees and displaced populations, and chronicle survivors’ stories. Many of these stories are then portrayed in her performances, evoking the empathy and support of distant audiences, and raising funds for further peace missions, thus forging new circles of solidarity.

Voices, Visions and Wisdom Workshops

In countries in crisis and with refugee and displaced populations, Rama offers workshops that provide a safe, nurturing and transformative space for people to voice their stories and concerns. Participants are also encouraged to express and embody their visions for their own lives and for their societies. In the process, they distil and articulate the wisdom and strength that has emerged from their traumatic and painful experiences. Rama also provides mentoring and co-mentoring to people affected by conflict, either one-on-one or in small groups.

Courageous Humanitarian Initiatives

Honoraria raised through programmes or donations made at events support courageous grassroots and humanitarian projects Rama has been deeply inspired by which save lives and sustain communities. They also support the global transformation initiatives in which Rama is personally engaged. Supporters are also encouraged to learn about the remarkable work of these organisations and donate directly to them.

Pioneering Transformative Organizations

Rising Women Rising World: together with Dr. Scilla Elworthy, Founder of PeaceDirect and Oxford Research Group and thrice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and Prof. Jean Houston, Founder of Social Artistry and the Co-Founder of the Human Potential Movement, Rama is the Co-Founder of this new global women’s initiative that aims "to co-create a world that works for all". Rama also leads the Constellation dedicated to transforming global governance.