Winter 2025
by Torin Finser
Now in our ninth year, the Waldorf Leadership Development Program has been fortunate to work with our first ever international cohort. In addition to two dozen participants from North America, we have been joined virtually by a small group from Brazil and a larger group from New Zealand. Thanks to an invitation from the Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School just outside of Auckland, we did our first ever international residency from January 24-28, 2025. Located on their beautiful campus (Karine said it reminded her of Emerson College), we were able to do our full program of eurythmy in working life, lectures, discussion group, and color exercises in pastels. Our 32 participants were not only from the host school, but also from the rest of NZ and even a few from Australia. In preparation, Karine and I attended several Maori festivals and visited sacred sites on the north island, and learned more about some of the traditions of this most beautiful place on the earth. We were joined by Simone Hamblett from her school in Christchurch, an experienced eurythmy teacher, therapist and now colleague of Leonore Russell in social eurythmy. We also heard guest teachers who spoke to some of the issues facing schools in NZ today and Karine gave a talk on Resilience and Trauma.
In my past visits to China, I learned about the significance of the number nine, pronounced jiu, which means “long lasting”…………as the largest single digit, it represents the maximum level of mortal happiness, longevity and good luck. This is a real possibility when we reach across national borders and work collaboratively for the good of our students and the schools that serve them.
Torin M Finser, PhD
Program Director
PS We begin our 10th WLD cohort virtually on May 10, 2025, and registration is now open centerforanthroposophy.org
