Witness, Awaken, Enact!

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.

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;

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.

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.

Themes

Leadership for the Future

Portrays new models of leadership and reshaped paradigms of power emerging across sectors around the world, and nurtures creative and collective stewardship of our shared future.

Film: "The Art of Leadership"

at the Human Resources Summit, Istanbul, February 2015

Poem: "Reshaping the Future"

Women for the World

Celebrates and supports women and marginalized people who have transcended barriers to rescript history into OURstory, and evokes creative collaboration to co-create a world that works for all.

Film: "Women Redefining Power to Build Peace"

United Nations – Geneva, International Peace Day, September 2015

Poem: "Rewriting HerStory"

From Conflict to Coexistence

Honours the courage of extra-ordinary people and communities who’ve transformed violence to peace and suffering to strength, and fosters the creative transformation of conflicts in our lives, organizations and societies.

Film: "Fulfilling our Responsibility to Protect"

United Nations Environmental Emergencies Forum, Oslo, June 2015

Poem: "Poiesis of Peace"

From Dystopia to OURtopia

Catalyzes our imagination and collective intelligence to co-create a "home for humanity" for all life on earth, and to replace destructive systems and divisive attitudes of "I, me and mine" with an inclusive culture of "we, us and ours".

Film: "Co-Creating Tomorrow Together Today"

TEDX London Museum, May 2015

Poem: "OURtopia"

Formats

1. Public Artistic Performances on Global Issues

In cultural and historic venues, concert halls, museums and festivals, Rama offers performances that electrify audiences and engage them in creative interaction and integral dialogue to shape new directions for the future. Rama’s constantly renewed repertoire of public performances on global issues energize large and diverse audiences by speaking directly to their concerns. Rama often performs with distinguished musicians who share her passion for peace and transformation. She also collaborates with award winning humanist and ecological artists. Following her performances, Rama facilitates dynamic dialogue and creative interaction with the audience to jointly explore innovative and humane responses to the global and personal challenges we face today.

2. Keynote Addresses at Global Summits and Conferences

At global summits and international, corporate and professional conferences and symposia, Rama tailors her enacted keynote presentations to the specific aims of the event. She designs and delivers keynotes afresh for each context, culture and audience. Her evocative delivery and inclusive and dynamic facilitation skills foster vivifying dialogue among participants to obtain the highest objectives of the event.

3. Transformative Leadership Forums and Global Security Seminars

Rama offers tailor-made Forums in Transformative Leadership for decision makers in politics, business and international organizations, to cultivate visionary leadership and conscious governance for our shared future.
A specific focus is to nurture emerging women leaders, pioneering youth and change makers from around the world and especially from countries in crisis.
Her creative seminars for senior policy makers and practitioners engaged in future planning and crisis management catalyse transformative processes by blending strategic thinking with the power of creativity.

4. Global Security Seminars:

Rama offers workshops for communities and individuals facing violent conflict or trauma, and humanitarian organisations serving them. These safe, aesthetic spaces for creative expression enable participants to share their stories, the wisdom of their experiences, and their visions for the future, and accompany them as they forge pathways towards peace and justice.

5. Voices, Visions and Wisdom Workshops:

Rama offers workshops for communities and individuals facing violent conflict or trauma, and humanitarian organisations serving them. These safe, aesthetic spaces for creative expression enable participants to share their stories, the wisdom of their experiences, and their visions for the future, and accompany them as they forge pathways towards peace and justice.

6. Academic Courses:

Since 2014, as Senior Fellow at Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Rama has used the theatre of transformation approach in all her seminars on global security issues in GCSP’s core courses and specialized short courses. These have profoundly engaged and impacted participating diplomats, military officers, policy makers and practitioners, leading to creative interaction, transparent discussions, and innovative exploration of alternative policy outcomes to build global security. Link: www.gcsp.ch

B.A. course on ‘Becoming Agents of Transformation’, St Gallen University since 2014, jointly taught with Professor Alexander Schieffer. Link: www.trans-4-m.com

Creating Circles of Solidarity

A central motivation of Rama’s work is to create circles of solidarity between people in all parts of the world. The honoraria, fees and funds raised through her programmes support the peace missions she undertakes in countries in crisis, and the grassroots and humanitarian initiatives she supports.

Peace 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 and refugees, and chronicle survivors’ stories.

Many of these stories are then portrayed in her performances, evoking the empathy and support of distant audiences, and thus forging new circles of solidarity.



Recent missions have included Palestine with former Minister of Women’s Affairs, Zahira Kamal; refugee camps and villages affected by communal riots in India with Alternative Nobel Peace Prize winner Swami Agnivesh; Turkey to meet refugees from Syria and Iraq and migrants from Central Africa, with International Migration Organization.


In 2016, peace and solidarity missions to India, Palestine, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo will be undertaken.

Humanitarian Initiatives

Honoraria raised through programmes or donations made at events support global transformation initiatives in which Rama is personally engaged, and courageous grassroots and humanitarian projects she has been deeply inspire by which save lives and sustain communities. Supporters are also encouraged to donate directly to these initiatives.

1. 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" www.risingwomenrisingworld.org

2. World Future Council: safeguards the rights of future generations by championing best policies and laws to protect humanity and the earth. With fifty distinguished Councilors with diverse backgrounds from all continents, and a highly motivated staff, WFC was founded in 2007 by Jakob von Uexkull, founder of the Alternative Nobel Prize or the Right Livelihood Award. Rama is a founding Councilor and Co-Chair of the Commission on Ending Violence vs Women and Girls. www.worldfuturecouncil.org

3. "Bonded Labour Liberation Movement"and "The World is One Family", India: Rama actively supports award winning peace and interfaith activist Swami Agnivesh in his endeavours to mediate conflict, empower indigenous populations, eliminate child labour and modern day slavery, and foster equity and co-existence between religions and castes. www.swamiagnivesh.com

4. Maman Shujaa, Women Heroes of Congo: is a courageous grassroots organisation started by polio survivor and energetic peace activist Neema Namadamu to support and give voice to girls and women affected by the interminable violence in DR Congo.

5. La Maison Rose Dar as Salam, Senegal: Rama supports this first and only shelter for battered women and abandoned children in Dakar, founded by Mona Chasserio, winner of the Humanity Prize www.lamaisonrose.org