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ICIS
The International Center for Integrative Studies (ICIS) was founded in 1962 by Erling A. Thunberg to help address the challenges and concerns of many scholars and scientists at the end of the 1950s regarding the future. Their and his concerns included the recognition that tremendous changes were taking place at an accelerating rate in the world in technology, values and culture. Rapid industrial growth, changing political structures and increasing influence of mass communication were having a major impact on how humankind perceived itself, resulting in rapid fluctuations in attitudes and social customs. With this also came a major increase of information with growing specialization and fragmentation of knowledge. It became clear to many of the leading thinkers of the time that integration of knowledge and understanding was critical. Erling Thunbergs contacts and discussions with some of the most outstanding scholars and scientists of the 1950s and early 1960s influenced his decision to establish a new organization to address the challenges in new ways. His vision for ICIS included:
- ICIS would focus on the future and be concerned with furthering a deeper understanding of the social, cultural and psychological dynamics of the individual and of society. It would advance interdisciplinary communication and cooperation among the humanities, the behavioral, social and life sciences.
- ICIS would focus on the totality of humanity standing for building understanding of the whole person out of the best provided by each of the disciplines and fields of human expression.
- ICIS would act as a catalyst for change aiming to have an impact on the quality of relationships and values, mirroring the best that culture and science from past civilizations had provided while developing new modalities for the future that affirmed interrelatedness and wholeness in humanity.
- ICIS would give special attention to the significance of the existential, social, political and spiritual crises confronting humanity at the time focusing attention on the implications of new images of the individual.
- ICIS, above all, would stand for the integrative approach to the future. By drawing on the best from different disciplines, cultures and ways of thinking, ICIS would seek to counter the fragmentation typical of modern life. As a community of persons uniting work and living, ICIS would manifest its commitment to an integrative way of life.
While specific program emphases and priorities have changed since ICISs founding, it continues to work to co-create a common consciousness to kindle new visions of positive futures for humanity and the planet. It creates intentional networks for people whose concerns and commitments draw them together in a common bond of shared holistic and spiritual values. Its activities foster the interplay among theory, visions, and concrete applications.
ICIS activities demonstrate that it is an education, communications, research and consulting organization devoted to developing integrative and interdisciplinary concepts and models to meet the pressing needs of the time.
Some of the current ICIS Activities include:
The ICIS Forum A cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and international dialogue focused on world issues and concerns operated over a 25-year period with a network of 300 thinkers and practitioners from 40 countries and representing a wide range of disciplines. The Forum published a quarterly journal and hosted roundtables and seminars in New York City from 1968 to 1994. It is currently being re-established as an on-line multilogue.
ICIS Salons A program which brings together small groups for informal dialogue in New York City on topics of contemporary interests. Salons are designed to deepen understanding and appreciation of a range of perspectives.
RiverTides A program dedicated to strengthening healthy, sustainable nonprofit organizations and communities. RiverTides provides a range of consulting and support services to nonprofit organizations navigating times of change. It also offers educational programs in leadership development and Conversations, a salon-like program in the mid-Hudson Valley to foster informal and reflective dialogue on critical issues.
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