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Initiatives for Social
& Global Change
Summary of Initiatives
Our particular mix of practical
experience and theoretical thinking can sometimes enable us to identify
a particular need or a new approach to an issue that is not being
addressed by any other organisation and is inappropriate to fit into
the remit of another organisation. On such occasions we will develop
proposals for new schemes to address these needs.
At present, some of the schemes outlined
within this section exist only as proposals - a vision. A great
deal of positive feedback has been received regarding individual
schemes, but now support - both
financial and in the form of human skills and time - is urgently
needed to turn each into reality.
Click the title or logo next to each of the summaries below to find
out more about them. If, after this, you would like to know more
about any of the projects, or feel inspired to support any of them
in some way, do get in touch with us using the details in the 'Contact'
page.
Schemes to date include:
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'just think'
A national self-taught scheme that aims to encourage and empower
the ordinary individual to develop a well-informed, considered
and independent approach to living within the confusion and
complexity of the modern world in order that they may live more
positive and fulfilling lives. The ultimate scheme to encourage
ethical living.
'The admirable goal of 'just think' is to help people take a
well-informed, considered and independent approach to life,
by
learning how to think for themselves. I give my whole-hearted
support to that aim'.
A.C. Grayling
Writer and Academic |
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The Change
Institute
A think tank and research institute
developed specifically to support the broad range of organisations
and individuals within the loose entity that could be termed
the 'movement for global change' (MFGC), which ultimately aims
to increase the practical impact of this movement. It pursues
this aim through the development and practical application of
theoretical, academic and strategic thinking from a range of
disciplines to the following ends:
1. To provide the theoretical support
currently missing in certain areas of practice within the MFGC,
in order to provide those practitioners within the MFGC with
a new theoretical perspective on their work from other expert
sources:
2. To build a bridge between theory
and practice in the MFGC - in order to improve both.
3. To provide the resource for the
MFGC to 'stand back' from the coalface of the work it is doing
and explore some of the broader theoretical and strategic issues
relating to its work, aims and practices. |
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The Big Idea
A movement for the 21st century.
An organisation with a vision of a better future that is enshrined
in a set of 7 basic values relating to some key social and global
issues. These values can be embraced by everyone, regardless
of any differences that may exist between their foundational
beliefs that lead them to adopt these values.
The aim of the organisation is to turn the aspiration for a
'better' world into a powerful, effective and intellectually
credible movement to which millions of people lend their voices
and efforts. |
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Green Socials
A national network of local groups,
each holding an informal monthly gathering at a local pub
or similar venue to enable people to get more involved in
their local community and to
get to know other people within it.
The two main aims of Green Socials are to bring local people
with similar interests together into a social network and
to make ethical issues (from organic food schemes through
to participation in campaign groups) more accessible to the
wider public. Worthing Green Social has been running successfully
for over 3 years.
If you are interested in setting up
your own local Green Social, do contact us if you'd like some
advice or support.
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Have
Your Say
A not-for profit organisation that
encourages debate among the public on important issues and enables
the voice of the people to be heard by decision makers.
HYS hosts conversations on key contemporary issues and provides
members of the public with the chance to vote on each issue.
The poll result for each issue is distributed to those with
political power so that they can take account of public views.
It's simple - the more users HYS attracts, the more attention
decision makers will have to pay to their views. |
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Perspective
Weekends
Residential courses that help people
to stand back from the fuss and involvement of their normal
day-to-day lives and put their lives in some perspective.
The weekend contains a variety of interesting
components, from stimulating courses on topics such as astronomy,
science and philosophy through to simple pleasures such as
nature, cooking and socialising.
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How
to Survive the Modern World
An international on-line community
of people and organisations who - for a diverse range of reasons
- are questioning whether they feel truly happy or at home
in the modern world and whether it really enables them to
live the sort of lives they want to lead.
Based on a similar principle to MySpace.com, the initiative
aims to create a new, virtual, alternative society for people
seeking to live beyond the corporate, bland, uncreative, unhuman
and unsustainable mainstream. This will provide a sense of
belonging for members, enable them to build up substantial
shared information resources on various areas and allow them
to develop a thriving on-line community.
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Conversation
Cafes
A national network of local groups
that seek to revive the principles of the salon culture of the
17th century by bringing people together in informal social
settings such as cafes and pubs to discuss ideas and issues
- from philosophical principles through to the big political
issues of the day.
By giving people a forum in which to discuss these issues, these
schemes enable individuals to learn, form social networks and
gain motivation to get actively involved in local and global
issues.
Such schemes have already been set up in the US, with considerable
success. See
www.conversationcafe.org for details of the US scheme.
If you are interested in setting up your own local Conversation
café, do contact us if you'd like some advice or support. |
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