2020 Spring Conference: Creating a Climate for Change
“Man created the environmental crisis by being the kind of creature he is . . . The type of man who survives will be one who can live in better harmony with nature.”
Overview
Spring Conference 2020: Creating a Climate for Change
April 3-4, 2020
Facts about floods, fires, and famine come at us every day. Over 200 national and international scientific bodies — the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) among them — post regularly on the impact of human activity to the environment. Conflict, denial, debate, and other emotional reactions spread like wildfire throughout families and society.
Bowen theory offers distinct ways to thoughtfully engage the challenges of climate and deal with reactions stirred.
What does it take to see one’s family as part of the natural world?
What are examples of adaptation to climate changes from nature and from the history one’s family?
Who is responsible for change?
How does one think for oneself in an anxious family or group
Creating a Climate for Change uses Bowen theory to focus on understanding the impact of climate and humans as part of evolution and the natural world.
The goals for this conference include thinking that can: 1) increase knowledge about human reactivity, and 2) illustrate ways to understand and manage anxious reactions stirred by facts and by changes that are required for individuals and institutions.
This was the Bowen Center’s first Spring Conference where attendance was available through live webcast.
Two Keynote Speakers Set the Stage for Thinking
Distinguished Guest Lecturer
John M. Gowdy, PhD discusses The Evolution and Impact of Human Ultrasociality with Climate Changes and Coronavirus as Examples and Alternative Futures: Collapse or Change with presenters and participants at the Spring Conference. Dr. Gowdy draws upon anthropology, economics, and community planning for research, writing, and teaching. He is a pioneer in recognizing the impact of human economic and social institutions on the natural environment.
As Emeritus Professor of Economics and Professor of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Gowdy devotes much of his current research toward understanding the implications of ultrasociality in humans for sustainability.
His collaborations with Dr. Lisi Krall and Dr. David Sloan Wilson at The Evolution Institute, along with other biologists, economists, and behavioral scientists, provide direction for changing systems through human capacities for individual responsibility and collective action. Dr. Gowdy is active in organizations that establish environmental and economic policies to further sustainability and solutions to climate crises.
Senior Faculty Member at the Bowen Center
Dr. Daniel V. Papero presents on Bowen theory as a framework for understanding and responding to challenges humans have helped create. Wrestling with Complex Systems: Natural Systems Thinking about Human Participation in Climate Change will highlight Dr. Papero’s integration of science, evolution, history, and neuroscience for understanding how families and organizations function under duress. He will discuss the basis for responsible change in human nature.
A senior faculty member at the Bowen Center, Dr. Papero’s writing and teaching help people recognize connections between Bowen theory and a scientific study of human nature. His book, Bowen Family Systems Theory, is one of the classics in the field of family systems theory. As a popular speaker throughout the world, Dr. Papero’s thinking inspires people to grapple with difficult decisions about responsibilities for self in the family and society.
Conference Schedule
Friday, April 3, 2020
Time |
Title |
Presenter(s) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 | Welcome and Introduction Review of Guidelines for Online Participation |
- Anne S. McKnight, EdD, LCSW: Director, Bowen Center for the Study of the Family - Victoria Harrison, MA, LMFT: Planning Committee Chair and Moderator Day 1 |
|
| 8:45 | Wrestling With Complex Systems: Natural Systems Thinking About Human Participation In Climate Change | Daniel V. Papero, PhD, MSSW | |
| 10:15 | Discussion | ||
| 10:45 | Break | ||
| 11:00 | Climate Change and Bowen Theory: Connecting the Dots | Ann V. Nicholson, RN, CS, MS | |
| 11:30 | Discussion | ||
| 12:00 | Lunch Break | ||
| 1:00 | The Evolution and Impact of Human Ultrasociality with Climate Changes and Coronavirus as Examples | Distinguished Guest Lecturer: John Gowdy, PhD | |
| 2:00 | Discussion w/Audience | ||
| 2:45 | Break | ||
| 3:00 | The Growth Dynamic | Stephanie Ferrera, LCSW | |
| 3:25 | Discussion | ||
| 3:45 | Domesticating the Landscape | Joanne Bowen, PhD | |
| 4:10 | Discussion | ||
| 4:30 | What Does the Family Have to Do with It? | Anne McKnight, EdD, LCSW | |
| 4:55 | Discussion | ||
| 5:15 | Concluding Remarks | ||
| 5:35 | Adjournment |
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Time |
Session Title |
Presenter |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:20 | Introduction Review of Guidelines for Online Participation |
Ann Nicholson, RN, CS, MS: Moderator Day 2 | |
| 8:30 | Alternative Futures: Collapse or Change | Distinguished Guest Lecturer: John Gowdy, PhD | |
| 9:30 | Discussion w/Audience | ||
| 10:00 | Break | ||
| 10:30 | Natural Systems Thinking about Environmental Challenges | Randall T. Frost, MDiv | |
| 10:55 | Discussion | ||
| 11:15 | Migration through a Bowen Theory Lens | Ada Luisa Trillo, MA | |
| 11:40 | Discussion | ||
| 12:00 | The Emotional Side of SES | Laurie Lassiter, PhD, MSW | |
| 12:25 | Discussion | ||
| 12:45 | Lunch Break | ||
| 1:30 | Understanding and Managing Anxious Reactions to Facts about Climate | Victoria Harrison, MA, LMFT | |
| 1:55 | Discussion | ||
| 2:15 | A Different Kind of Human | Robert Creech, PhD, MDiv | |
| 2:40 | Discussion | ||
| 3:00 | Steps Toward Fostering Harmony | Patricia Comella, JD | |
| 3:25 | Discussion | ||
| 3:45 | General Discussion: Action Plans for Future | ||
| 4:30 | Adjournment |
CONFERENCE RESOURCES
recommended Readings
Ferrera, Stephanie J. 2017. “The Evolving Relationship between Humans and Earth“. Family Systems Forum.
Pannozzo, Linda. 2019. “The Climate Emergency: Part 4: Our Current Economy Can’t Address the Crisis; What are We Going to Do About It?“. The Halifax Examiner.
Email Newsletters About the Spring Conference
Letter from the Committee Chair – On the Spring 2020 Conference: Creating a Climate for Change
Interview with Spring Conference 2020 Distinguished Guest Lecturer John M. Gowdy, PhD
Notes about the interview: Excerpts from this interview between Stephanie Ferrera and John Gowdy illustrate thinking to be discussed at the conference about what Bowen’s concept of differentiation of self contributes toward understanding alternatives for society. Dr. Gowdy’s research on the impact of details in human interaction with the natural world and economic structures adds facts to consider in one’s own family history. Be prepared to bring your best thinking to the conversations ahead on April 3 and 4.
Other Resources
Purchase Recordings
Full Spring Conference
Morning and Afternoon Sections
Recordings from Previous Spring Conferences
Our previous conference, Exploring a Systems View of Leadership (2019), was held on April 12-13, 2019. Recordings of this and previous Spring Conferences are available to download or rent.
CEUS
The Georgetown Family Center is approved as a(n):
Independent provider of continuing education credit by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners
and the District of Columbia Board of Social Work. Learn more. (ceu link)
CEUs were offered for this conference.
Learning objectives for Creating a climate for change.
To examine facts about the impact of climate changes and human functioning in light of Bowen theory and evolution.
To consider ways to better understand and manage anxious reactions to climate changes.
To use Bowen theory and differentiation of self to think about productive problem solving for individuals and for institutions.
To build upon the ongoing applications of Bowen theory to important societal and environmental concerns
Speakers will address these objectives as they apply for family members, as well as for therapists, clergy, policy makers, community organizers, scientists and students.
Georgetown Family Center, Inc.
ACEP No. 6225
About the Spring Conference
The Spring Conference focuses on a single concept related to Bowen theory. Guest scientists, researchers, and leaders in the study of family systems offer presentations related to the topic during this two-day conference. There is ample time for questions and discussion with the audience.
More Info
For further information, please email The Bowen Center.