IFSR Newsletter 2003 Vol. 21 No. 1 November
Bela H. Banathy
(1919-2003)
On September 4, 2003 Bela H. Banathy passed away at the age of 83, at Enloe Hospital in Chico, California, near Reno.
Bela was one of the fathers of the systems movement, a man with a long-range view, with deep concern for the future and the generations to come. His name is connected with many institution, where he has been one of the founders (IFSR, ISI, ISSS, Fuschl Conversations and many others). And he managed to inspire at least two generations of systems thinkers.
He was born on December 1, 1919, in Gyula, Hungary, a laureate graduate of the Hungarian Royal Academy (1940). He received a master degree from San Jose State University (1963) and a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley (1968).
He was a source of inspiration to everybody, a person, a mentor in the best sense, a quiet, helpful person and a model teacher for many, many students. He lived in Monterey, California and only this year he and his wife Eva recently moved to Chico. He is the author of numerous books and articles, mostly on systems theory for global improvement, especially in view of society. In the last years the Agora project received his key attention: trying to recreate a new ideal Agora, supporting social action contexts (public spheres or arenas) in which people can make collective decisions about their future in a democratic discourse. Over his lifetime his ideas were showing alternative and promising ways into the future for hundreds of individuals and were an inspiration to tens of thousands. More can be found on
http://www.whitestag.org/
http://oufcnt2.open.ac.uk/~gordon_dyer/WorldFutures_gdyer_310501.htm
http://archive-ifsr.org/newsletters/nl33/banathy.html
http://archive-ifsr.org/recognitions_anniversaries/#Bela%20H%20Banathy
http://www.evolve.org/pub/doc/ls_guide_banathy.html
IFSR Newsletter 2003 Vol. 21 No. 1 November