ALARA News - December 2023

Hello ALARA member

So Near to Year's End and SOOO Many Things Happening

The Festive Season is almost here, and a lot has been happening in the ALARA-sphere - some sad and some good news

Erik Lindhult

ALARA members may have met and had discussions with Erik Lindhult over the last decade or so, since he became involved in our activities. Erik suffered a severe stroke earlier this year and, we hoped, he was on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, he passed away early this month. Erik presented at ALARA and other world events. He was also an inaugural member of the ALARA Global Strategic Publications Editorial Board and was still an active participant until his stroke. His considered and valuable contributions will be missed. ALARA is sending flowers to the memorial service, and his friend and colleague (and fellow Editorial Board member) Azril Bacal will say a few words on behalf of ALARA at that event.

ALARA Secretary

During the recent Annual General Meeting, Teshome Berhe nominated for, and was elected as Secretary of ALARA. This important position (the Secretary is the "Public Officer" of ALARA) must be a resident in Australia and hold a Director Identification Number issued by the Australian Business Register. As a new immigrant to Australia, Teshome could not complete the necessary steps to obtain his Director Identification Number, and he has had to step down as Secretary. Fortunately, Dr Kavita Goel, a long-time member of ALARA, stepped forward, and the Board has approved her appointment as Secretary. Our thanks go to Kavita for taking on this role.

Australasian Conference 2024

After a very long hiatus, ALARA is again planning a conference for all Action Learning and Action Research practitioners. Discussions are still in the early stages, but the conference will be held in Sydney in late 2024 - probably November. More information will be available in late January. If you wish to help, please contact ALARA to offer your support.

Networking of ALARA Supporters

In late November, I chaired meetings of ALARA supporters. These supporters include reviewers of papers for ALARA publications and others who help ALARA in its work. Part of the discussions were about the work in which these people are engaged (as a way to encourage them to consider publishing with ALARA). The participants have requested that ALARA organise regular such meetings to enable networking amongst the AL / AR community. Sumesh Nair (Research Co-ordinator) and I will organise the first of these meetings in February next year. If you wish to attend, please email ALARA.

Action Learning / Action Research Activities

The Action Learning, Action Research News and Activities page on the ALARA website has been updated, and soon these and other events will be included in the AL / AR event calendar. If you have any items you would like listed in either or both locations, please contact ALARA.

Wishing you and yours all the best for the festive season, and I look forward to seeing you (yes, in person) at an ALARA event in 2024.

Colin Bradley
President