Ineke Buskens credits her RSE training in how her understanding of knowledge and truth have evolved
Ineke Buskens
On 7 October 2014, the GRACE Network was presented with the sixth Artful Integrators’ Award for outstanding achievement in the area of participatory design of information and communications technologies, having worked out, in an exceptionally creative way, a new integration of technologies and practices. The Artful Integrators’ Award emphasizes the importance of collaborative participation in design, and a view of good design as the effective alignment of diverse collectives of people, practices and artifacts.
RSE South African student Ineke Buskens accepted the award on behalf of the Grace Network as Project Leader. Here is an excerpt of Ineke’s amazing story, with her full description accessible at the bottom:
“My understanding of truth and knowledge has evolved…, especially after I became a student of Ramtha’s in 1999. Truth is personal and subjective. Truth therefore also evolves. Most importantly of all, as human beings we create reality whether we are aware of it or not, so the question as to what reality ‘is’ is less relevant than the question as to what kind of reality one would want to see. I have thus moved beyond asking questions as to whether something is right or wrong – both in the ontological sense of ‘existing in reality or not’ and in the normative sense of good or bad – and am more interested in asking questions that evolve us and our environments. Such questions can be broad as: ‘How can I contribute to a world where all people are free?’ and specific as: ‘How can we use Information Communication Technology (ICT) to transform gender relations in South Africa – for the purpose of ending gender based violence?’
“It is thus quite challenging at times to work outside of the research mainstream. But there are also great advantages: the way I practice and teach social and human science research for transformation is very coherent with the way I live my life as a student of the Great Work in Ramtha’s tradition. Every research project I am involved in, in whatever capacity, is like an initiation, a deepening into my self. Furthermore, because such research processes stimulate every-ones capacity for purposeful intent, many dreams are coming true rippling into unexpected wonderful new realities. We are all connected after all and the movement of a butterfly wing can trigger an avalanche on the other side of our planet.”
“My latest project is GRACE, which stands for Gender Research in Africa and the Middle East into Information Communication Technology (ICT) for Empowerment (grace-network.net). GRACE comprises a network of 21 research teams living and working in 14 countries. It was conceptualized in 2004 and on 9 October this year (2014), our second book came out: “Women and ICT in Africa and the Middle East: Changing Selves, Changing Societies”. On 7 October 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia, I received on behalf of GRACE, the Artful Integrators’ Award for “outstanding achievement in the area of participatory design of information and communications technologies, having worked out, in an exceptionally creative way, a new integration of technologies and practices.”
“The fact that I have been able to inspire other scientists in Information and Communication Technology research, a field which traditionally is associated with science and technology, to take on human intent gives me therefore a deep feeling of satisfaction. It is for now, the crowning achievement of my endeavour to integrate my mind as both an initiate student and a social and human scientist. I am celebrating that right now and I am very happy that Steve asked me to write something for the newsletter so that I share this with you too. It has not been and still is not an easy journey but it has been so worth it.”
“I feel deeply grateful to Ramtha, helping me to unleash the power of the Teacher within. When I thanked him for everything when he was here in South Africa with us in September (there was so much to be grateful for that there would not have been the time to name it all), he smiled and simply said: “This is only the beginning”……and I believe him, of course…… So be That! My thanks also go to JZ who has made RSE possible, who is an awesome teacher and leader in her own right and the first and for a long time, only female role model I had in my adult life. The second one is now me, myself, I. And so be That too! A big thank you also to all the RSE students. There is nothing like growing up together and knowing that we all are looking in the same direction, no matter where we are coming from and where we think we are headed. I accept you all as my mirrors and fellow travelers and the love I at times allow myself to feel for you and from you gives me strength and hope and joy. And So be that!”
Read more of Ineke’s story soon.
Click here for the book edited by Ineke Buskens and Anne Webb:
AFRICAN WOMEN AND ICTs – Investigating Technology, Gender and Empowerment
Click here for the book edited by Ineke Buskens and Anne Webb:
Women and ICT in Africa and the Middle East: Changing Selves, Changing Societies
