Open Space write up (UK conference May-07)

Specific Topic Getting the entire community to engage in developing visions of abundance for the future

 

Overarching question How do we sustainably expand and support the network of communities working on transition?

Proceedings

  • Help get people beyond their fear (fear as a pinch of salt)
  • Help them see that this is an opportunity for creating a better way of life
  • In order to make it mainstream, the business community must be engaged
  • Raise awareness of how oil production affects other around the world, creating a sense of connectedness
  • Show the "Power of Community" it has a big and positive impact
  • Do talks in schools
  • Recognise that "community" is the linchpin - warmth, contact, friendship. It will help us through the undoing that will come before the doing.
  • Construct ways to work together as a community:
    • farmers markets
    • workdays
    • not just meetings for talking
  • Be aware of the dynamic between Hope vs Fear. Fear will disempower us, so use inspiring stories:
    • book recommendation: William Morris, News from Nowhere
    • movie recommendations: Local Hero, Groundhog Day
  • Use story telling, drawing and "pull" the vision of the future (eg tell the news for 2020)
  • You can be pushed by circumstance or pulled by dreams [How about both/and? - Ed]
  • Recommended art: Peter Haper of CAT. Drawings of eco-cultures and communities, drawings from Australia
  • Use folk musicians to put music to words
  • Use the international festival for children to talk amongst children
  • Get peer level conversations happening - business people talking to their fellow workers
  • Steer clear of political views - include different visions
  • Training for facilitating "re-connection" would be very useful
  • Get individuals from different disciplines to come together to support one another emotionally, to support one another to act courageously
  • Ask people what is their vision for the future
  • Use students to film and conduct interviews, asking:
    • regarding this community, what do you like most, like least, want to change?
  • Gather the early adopters around you
    • remember that 10% will always be naysayers. Just focus on the ones that will change. Trust the process and wake up the people who are already sympathetic.
  • Use local markets
  • What is the people process:
    • what is my vision of the future?
    • what resouces do I have now?
    • what do I need to do to put my own house in order?
    • have an open day with suppliers to show how it can be done and how it works
  • Recommended inspiration: Paul Hawkins will inspire you to be part of the change
  • Recommended inspiration: http://www.protestmusic.org/gil/ | Gil Scott Heron]] said "Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something"
  • Create a forum where people can share what they're doing that works
  • Tell positive stories