The purpose of Forward Theatre is , step by step , to arrive at a healed being , a more enlightened species , as the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly , as a bud opens its petals .
Alethia Berenice Montero Baena and Guillermina Baena Paz used art to help these women feel reintegrated .
“ The main effect was that they began to feel peace . Not just any kind of peace , but inner peace .”
We found that one of the kindest ways to help them feel reintegrated was using art . Throughout each activity we used friendly , warm facial expressions , manual arts and crafts , singing , dancing and of course theatre . We added a magical “ sugar pinch ” of hugging them session after session , active listening , sincere eye contact and smiles , a pile of smiles . The main effect was that they began to feel peace . Not just any kind of peace , but inner peace . Is this the butterfly effect ? By creating a better quality of life in jail , with a less heated spring of emotional negativity , they began to feel harmony among the other inmates ,
What a serendipity for us as well !! By trying to reach a social reintegration , we found we were getting closer to a personal reintegration !! The question is : Can social reintegration exist without personal reintegration ? If we feel obstructed by the system , fighting against close-minded entities and the prejudice of vested interests with no concern for the common good , it is very tough . The first thing to do is to be
centred within oneself , and from there , to look out towards the social good . Arts in the service of peace is nothing new , but mixing arts with personal futures and life skills is rare , at least in Mexico City .
Let ’ s surrender our darkness to the light and let ’ s relinquish it to the best the universe offers to us . Wanna hold my hand and take the risk ?
Notes : The Sixth International Forum of NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO was held in Querétaro Mexico , 3-4 November 2016 titled ‘ From promoting to building peace with NGOs .” Guillermina and Alethia presented on behalf of WFSF .
Alethia Berenice Montero Baena is a Psychofuturartist and Executive Director of the World Future Society Mexican Chapter . Pioneer of Forward Theater in Latin America , co-creator of the Psychocoprospective Theory , national and International lecturer , workshopper , teacher and has written and translated several publications . WFSF President ’ s Outstanding Young Woman Futurist 2016 award winner .
HUMAN FUTURES 25