Today is the beginning. All those leaders of the various countries invited to the G8 Summit begin arriving in Muskoka today. The Summit begins tomorrow and then in what will seem like a few hours it will all be over!  It feels like we have been readying ourselves for these two days for a long time. Well, in fact, we have been. The G8 has been talked about for a couple of years. There has been a lot of money plowed into improvements in our communities. There has been much media coverage both positive and negative. As I type a helicopter is flying overhead with its echoing noise pummeling the air. I can’t remember when I felt so observed!

I mentioned in a blog a few entries ago that I attended the Freshwater Summit held at the Rene Caisse theatre. The result of that gathering was to prepare a communiqué to the G8. (The radio coverage of that conference will be broadcast on CBC radio tonight …tune in to Ideas at 9:00 and hear some of the discussion from the Freshwater Summit.)

Trinity United Church in Huntsville is hosting a Prayer vigil throughout the Summit to pray for the G8 leaders that they may together share inspired leadership and courageous action in the fulfillment of the set out goals.

I must admit I am skeptical about the value of such a meeting. I am sure there is something to be gained by the coming together of word leaders but I really have to question if the expense equals the gain. There has been lots of talk about the billions of dollars spent on security alone for the two summits not to mention the incredible inconvenience to those who work in the area of each summit. Will the world be changed because of the conversations that happen in Huntsville and then in Toronto over the next few days? I will celebrate if that is the case but I am afraid my cynicism makes me dubious.

How about you? Do you think the G8 Summit and the G20 Summit are worth the cost and inconvenience?