Getting off to a powerful start in 2007, the first Symposium in New York City was held on January 13th, with more than 70 people in attendance. Mayor Michael Bloomberg sent a personalized letter welcoming symposium participants, acknowledging their dedication to future generations and to working together to find solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing us today. On that same day, in Tucson, Arizona, a Symposium was presented to a group of over 80 renowned business leaders at an international conference, to the response of rave reviews.

These Symposiums launched a year of significant expansion. In 2006, the number of people who have attended a Symposium grew by 500%. Given the rate at which volunteers are hosting, producing and facilitating, it is our intention and estimate that the number will increase exponentially another five times in 2007, reaching as many as 25,000 people.

It is the volunteer-based network of Community Leaders and Facilitators who are making it happen - a true grass-roots effort. Teams have been formed in 9 communities nationally, while 6 more are in formation. They are located in Marin County, California, Sonoma County California, the Philadelphia and south Pennsylvania area, New York and New Jersey, Boston, Massachusetts, the South Bay Area, California, Los Angeles, California, and the Contra Costa County, California. We intend to grow and expand this network to 75 active communities putting on Symposiums around the world by the end of this year.

The success of the New York Symposium exemplifies this teamwork, as it was the result of 16 committed and passionate people working together to fulfill a common vision. It was acknowledged by all that the hero of the day was Rocio Yanez, whose vision and commitment brought the Symposium to New York. As a presenter, she had the audience of over 70 in hearty applause when she drew on her own life. Rocio offered that she cleans apartments for a living, and she would continually think about how she could personally make the world more environmentally sustainable. She began using green cleaning products and educating her clients, many of whom have now gone "green." Rocio did not stop there. As an Ecuadorian, she was committed to making it possible for Ecuadorian students in the area to attend and understand the Symposium and its message. She arranged for their attendance and rented the translation equipment necessary for their participation. Then she enlisted her son-in-law, Franklin, to do simultaneous translation of the Symposium for Spanish speaking participants. However, the spirit of the first New York City Symposium shone brightest when one of the Spanish speaking venue staff, whom Franklin had invited to put on the translation earphones and listen in, pondered for a moment and then smiled broadly, fascinated and inspired by what he was hearing.

If you would like to participate in bringing the Symposium to your community, you can call Eve Libertone at 415-561-4522 ext. 107 or email

By Monte Hayes, Associated Press - January 16: Rafael Correa vowed to put Ecuador's poor ahead of foreign debt payments as he was sworn in as president yesterday, at an inauguration attended by members of the growing club of leftist Latin American leaders. For the full story, click here...