Businesses We Believe In
The next Swapathgami – Walkouts-Walkons
gathering will be an intergenerational exchange on ‘Business We Believe
In’. This would bring together young
people interested in starting their own businesses, with those who have begun
businesses in diverse fields: organic foods, artisan crafts, publishing,
restaurants, consulting, and more...
What sets
these businesses (and their founders) apart is their commitment to both
challenge the violence, exploitation and injustice prevalent today, as well as
to regenerate a more healthy, balanced and honest world. They serve as examples of how ‘walking out
and walking on’ can be possible, even as we earn what we need to stand on our
own feet. The integrity and truthfulness
of such work — especially in this day of cutthroat competition and insatiable
greed — makes it inspiring for swapathgamis.
We
anticipate holding this gathering in March 31-
The
gathering would have multiple dimensions.
First, we hope to share stories of starting up such businesses: the
challenges and opportunities. We also
want to include some support in practical skills – like setting up a space
(office or shop), nurturing a team, managing money/accounts, etc. During the gathering, we will also give
people a chance to share their business proposals and form useful contacts with
more experienced friends.
We would
also take the time to explore issues and possibilities like local currencies,
fair trade, real needs and voluntary simplicity, redefining our relationship to
the market, etc. And, of course, as
with all Swapathgami gatherings, there would be an
emphasis on sharing and exploring all parts of the self, our different
interests, talents, dreams and experiences.
We hope to
explore questions like:
-
What
are our passions, talents and inner convictions?
-
What
are the current needs and interests of the community we live in?
-
What
kind of business would serve our communities in the long term, to enhance its
well-being, to recover its balance, and to contribute to greater justice?
-
What
are the tools and resources we can share to start such a business?
If you are
interested in being a part of this gathering, or have suggestions for others to
include, please contact Shilpa Jain at
<shilpa@swaraj.org>