Finding 'Home' Amidst Global Change
Taylor Murray, Lauren Owen, Lauren S Power, Beth Hoban
Almost 20 years ago, four women sat round an Indianapolis kitchen table and had a dream. They dreamed of creating a conference that would inspire, support, inform and encourage families living overseas. 2015 marked the 17th Families in Global Transition conference which took place in Washington, DC, attended by people from every sector: corporate, missions, military and education. Researchers, teachers, spouses and authors joined experts in their field to share three common goals: to teach what they know; to make connections; to learn more about what it means to be globally mobile. This book of insights and interviews, garnered from the 2015 event and written by the Parfitt Pascoe Writing Residents provides those who could not make it to Washington a peek into what went on, what is said and what matters at FIGT. The 2015 theme was ‘Finding Home Amid Global Change’. Subjects such as belonging, the importance of rituals, transition and identity were discussed. There were workshops, keynotes and informal kitchen table sessions, but often it is what went on outside the sessions that had most resonance. This is when we met ‘friends we never met before’ and realised that FIGT is where we belong and where we do have a home. Every year four budding writers are selected to cover the conference. This year, the youngest contributor, Taylor Murray, was just 16 years old. Enjoy this book and take a peek into the world of change that is the home of the FIGT family – a family you too can be part of.
Ann Baker Cottrell, San Diego State University Emerita wrote:The Families in Global Transition conference is an ‘all access’ pass to thought
leaders, educators, researchers, service providers and the expat community,
and this volume is a vital resource for accessing the expertise and experience
in evidence at FIGT 2015. The PPWR team have created a valuable window into
the complexities of cross cultural life, whether you are in global transition, or
send or support individuals and families moving internationally.
Valérie Besanceney, author wrote:This book takes you there. If, sadly, you missed the FIGT Conference read
this! It captures the excitement and new intimacies that are FIGT, the shared
bonds in the diversity that is global mobility. Familiar themes and new ideas
come from those well known and those new to FIGT. A great read.
Marilyn Gardner, author wrote:The FIGT conference truly feels like home for anybody whose life is not only
filled with their own transitions but who is also passionate about helping
others go through transitions. This book will give attendees a chance to relive
the conference and reflect on the wealth of information the speakers bring
through the outstanding writing done by the PPWR scholars. And if you didn’t
have a chance to join the conference in person, it is the perfect resource to
still feel part of it!
This book is a rich and comprehensive resource for the globally mobile family
and individual and gives the reader a glimpse into the Families in Global
Transition conference and community. The compilation of writings on a variety
of subjects from Parfitt writing scholars who covered the 2015 conference
has something for everyone.