Maru just published the latest version of IJB Thinks! (download it here. login: ijb.guest password: cisv4all)
It is interesting how the IJRs main publication has shifted in the last ten years: When I first an NJR, it was called "IJR-infoletter" and completely authored by the IJRs. Mostly in contained anouncements, and reports of recent conferences and developments. On the last page was the famous "Hello from Germany/Austria/Sweden/..." section, where NJRs could write about stuff like their recent minicamps with 20 or so kids.
At some point in the recent years, the IJRs stepped back to being the editors, and articles where mostly written by other juniors, however the topics where still closely CISV-related. Anoucnements and information was limited to small info-boxes. Now, this issue turns the old IJR-infoletter upside down: The medium has turned from a communication tool to a magazine - a philosophical essay collection - that only losely connects to CISVs day-to-day business.
My guess is, that there are now better, and more useful communication channels than an infoltter - in fact it never made sense to bundle information in a single PDF-document (like the IO update still does), when it could be sent out direct by e-mail. Also, IJB-Thinks probably reflects a trend to a more thorough approach to what CISV id doing, digging deeper into its philosophy. The next, most logic step, would be to merge IJB Thinks! with Interspectives. Or will future IJRs turn the clock backwards?
It is interesting how the IJRs main publication has shifted in the last ten years: When I first an NJR, it was called "IJR-infoletter" and completely authored by the IJRs. Mostly in contained anouncements, and reports of recent conferences and developments. On the last page was the famous "Hello from Germany/Austria/Sweden/..." section, where NJRs could write about stuff like their recent minicamps with 20 or so kids.
At some point in the recent years, the IJRs stepped back to being the editors, and articles where mostly written by other juniors, however the topics where still closely CISV-related. Anoucnements and information was limited to small info-boxes. Now, this issue turns the old IJR-infoletter upside down: The medium has turned from a communication tool to a magazine - a philosophical essay collection - that only losely connects to CISVs day-to-day business.
My guess is, that there are now better, and more useful communication channels than an infoltter - in fact it never made sense to bundle information in a single PDF-document (like the IO update still does), when it could be sent out direct by e-mail. Also, IJB-Thinks probably reflects a trend to a more thorough approach to what CISV id doing, digging deeper into its philosophy. The next, most logic step, would be to merge IJB Thinks! with Interspectives. Or will future IJRs turn the clock backwards?
This is interesting.
What I think is that the infoletter was a pre-internet kind of communication tool. "you compile as much as you can in one volume and mail it to people". It was still like that, and it didn't seem to be smart. The switch to IJB Thinks came together with the development of JBPedia (though it only came later), because that seemed like a smarter place to do experience sharing.
And it's interesting what you say about the IJRs stepping back, because that was a conscious movement - of decentralising the space for intellectual dialogue on JB International. Never thought it would be noticed as such by anyone else. hehe
And finally, I don't think the clocks of history turn backwards. But it's true - the pre-internet way of doing things is still the most instinctive for many people; some still find it more attractive.
But that's often because they are thinking "action-based", rather than "goals-based" - and success is measured by what you try and not by what you achieve. And when you become IJR, hopefully you start thinking goals-based (otherwise you go crazy and apologetic).