Bystanding vs. Acting as Principled Partners

When and how do people resist the temptation to rationalize the role of “bystander” and act as principled partners with people targeted by disaster or social ills? Participants are encouraged to reflect upon their own efforts to be reliable partners and to examine the forces—both internal and external—that can make this role a challenging ethical situation. Using decades of working with community development and grassroots community leaders — both local and global — and three years of post-quake collaborations in Leogane, Haiti, four times annually with former BSEC partner Brooklyn/Haiti NegesFoundation.org, Leader Emerita of the Brooklyn Ethical Society Lisel Burns will speak on partnership as ethical action. Burns is Clergy Leader Emeritus of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture (www.bsec.org) and links Leadership and Legacy Projects of the National Congress of Neighborhood Women USA to the global efforts of Groots International (www.groots.org) and other networks in Huairou Commission grassroots campaigns (www.huairou.org). She helps link local social and economic justice efforts to grassroots-led community development initiatives around the world. The Ethical Culture Society of Essex County is a progressive non-theist religion dedicated to living ethically in a complex world. Founded in l876 and established in Maplewood in l945, over the years the ethical culture movement (known as The American Ethical Union) has been instrumental in launching Planned Parenthood, the NAACP, Visiting Nurses, New York Settlement House, Fieldston School, and National Ethical Service at the UN. The Society began a long-running Ethics for Children program and most recently, Essex Time Exchange (a time bank facilitating the exchange of services) among other initiatives. The Maplewood Society was the first peace site in the country. Its motto is: to act so as to bring out the best in ourselves by bringing out the best in others. Contact information: 973-763-1905; www.essexethical.org. Join us for weekly programs, discussions, and fellowship Sundays at 11 am. All are welcome.