7/22/2001

A few weeks ago, we had a cross-cultural session where the Americans were to list our "American Values" and the Ivorians were to list "Ivorian Values."  Since my friends are American, I figure you can think about what we listed as American Values -- hard work, family, success, etc...  You might get great insight into this culture by reading the Ivorian list:

	Respect for age
	Respect for the sacred
	Family
	Solidarity
	Hospitality
	Respect for the dead
	Superstition
	Communal/Community life
	Sorcery
	Alliances between certain groups
	Submission of women
	Traditional medicine
	Animism (practicing tribal religions)

Food for thought from the tropics...  what sort of society results from such values?  The answers to that question drive the basis of my work for the next two years.  I have much to learn!