Re Connections Findhorn 2014

Reconnections@Findhorn: Values-driven leadership for the planetary emergency

Delivered in partnership between Forum for the Future and Findhorn Foundation

18 – 22 May 2014, Findhorn Foundation (near Inverness, Scotland)

The severity of the crises occurring on our planet, coupled with the acceleration of human impact on the environment, can leave many of us feeling helpless in our businesses and not-for-profit organisations. We know we have to do something to change, but how deep are the changes needed, and what is the first step? What does effective leadership really entail in the profoundly challenging situation humanity is now in?

Building on the success of the Reconnections programme originally created by Forum for the Future, and on six well-received iterations of the Findhorn International Forum on Sustainability, this new programme tackles these questions head on. Set in a unique eco-village community, we combine expert input from those working on the front-line of the global transition to a sustainable future, with an experienced audience and a practical, solutions-focussed context.

Our aims: 1) To revisit, re-ignite and sustain our

own energy, passion, values and focus.

2) To work together to figure out how best to influence others to bring about the changes we need.

Reconnections@Findhorn: Values-driven leadership for the planetary emergency | 18 - 22 May 2014, Findhorn Foundation

This experience aims to both challenge and inspire, taking the opportunity to stand back from the normal press of life to ask big picture questions, debate solutions, and immerse ourselves in the beautiful Findhorn environs.

The programme will include news from the frontline of sustainability from Jonathon Porritt; facilitation and Mythodrama from Robin Alfred; biodiversity and international human impacts with Kosha Joubert; values and systems with Kate Rawles, plus experiential outdoor sessions in and around the powerful Findhorn land and seascapes. Throughout the course, there will be time to reflect, integrate and activate ideas and solutions.

Key questions will include:• What does values-driven leadership

mean at this time of planetary emergency and how do we embody it?

• What values do we need to adopt in ourselves, in our organisations and economic systems?

• How do we ignite and support lasting change to the systems we are part of?

• What does biodiversity loss really mean for us, and how should we think and act as a part of the natural environment?

The experience

Philosophising about life is interesting but there is no alternative to the practical demonstration of alternatives. The beautiful and inspiring location of the Findhorn Foundation provides a great place to envisage a positive future, drawing on the authority of lived experience. The ideal outcome? A deeper understanding of where we are; a strengthened motivation to help lead the transition to somewhere much, much better; and some powerful insights into how to influence transformation within (and beyond) our own organisations.


The team


Jonathon PorrittForum for the Future, Founder Director and Trustee

Robin Alfred Findhorn Consultancy Service, Founding Director

Kate RawlesUniversity of Cumbria and freelance Outdoor Philosopher

Kosha JoubertGlobal Ecovillage Network, President

Jonathon Porritt is an eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Willmott Dixon Holdings, is a Trustee of the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy, and is involved in the work of many NGOs and charities as Patron, Chair or Special Adviser.

He was formerly Director of Friends of the Earth (1984-90); co-chair of the Green Party (1980-83) of which he is still a member; chairman of UNED-UK (1993-96); chairman of Sustainability South West, (1999-2001); a Trustee of WWF UK (1991-2005), a member of the Board of the South West Regional Development Agency (1999-2008), and Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission (2000-2009). Jonathon was installed as the Chancellor of Keele University in February 2012.

Robin Alfred is an organisational consultant, facilitator, trainer and executive coach and Chair of Trustees for the Findhorn Foundation. Robin worked as a trainer, educator and social work manager for 15 years in London, before moving to Scotland in 1995 where he founded the Findhorn Consultancy Service. He has 25 years of experience leading and developing groups and individuals across all sectors – corporate, public, and third sector.

Robin is trained in a wide variety of approaches to personal and organisational development including: Appreciative Inquiry, the Frameworks for Change Coaching Process, Process Work, Spiral Dynamics and Tools for Corporate Transformation. His facilitation work draws on these processes as well as Open Space, World Café and other innovative processes to maximize the group’s collective intelligence. He is also an Associate and Lead Presenter for Olivier Mythodrama Associates

Kate Rawles works as a senior lecturer in Outdoor Studies, teaching ‘big picture’ environmental issues, environmental education, sustainability and a bit of sea-kayaking. Her freelance work includes lecturing on ethics, values and sustainability for Forum for the Future, the University of Surrey, and the University of Cumbria.

She was the academic director of the original Reconnections programme and runs regular ‘outdoor philosophy’ courses. In 2006 she cycled from Texas to Alaska, chatting to North Americans about climate change and has since given ‘Carbon Cycle’ talks to many diverse audiences. The Carbon Cycle; Crossing the Great Divide was shortlisted for the Banff Mountain Festival adventure travel award and was a runner up in the People’s Prize. Kate is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and sits on the Food Ethics Council.

Kosha Joubert was born and grew up in South Africa. The system of Apartheid deeply influenced her life’s path. She decided to devote herself to the study and practice of trustful communication and community building in diverse settings.

She has been living in intentional communities for the past 20 years and currently serves as President of the Board of the GEN-International and Secretary General of GEN-Europe. She co-authored the Ecovillage Design Education Curriculum (www.gaiaeducation.org). Today, she organizes EDE-courses and trainings on social tools internationally and works as a facilitator and consultant. She co-edited Beyond You and Me - Inspirations and Wisdom for Building Community and is author of a book on Collective Wisdom and Collective Stupidity.

Forum for the Future

Established in 1996, Forum for the Future is now the UK’s leading sustainable development charity, with 70 staff and over 100 partner organisations including some of the world’s leading companies. Forum for the Future works with business and government to inspire new thinking, build creative partnerships and develop practical solutions. They also share what they have learned so that others can benefit – and act. Working with pioneering partners, this organisation transforms the essential systems of food and energy to secure a more fulfilling life for us and future generations.

Over the past 15 years, Forum for the Future has succeeded in changing the debate about sustainable business by highlighting the opportunities sustainability offers, and has been instrumental in altering the way leading companies operate. It has trained thousands of leaders through its master classes and Masters Programme, equipping graduates to face global challenges such as climate change and shortages of vital resources, and promoted long-term thinking and positive visions of tomorrow with businesses, government and NGOs, through its ground-breaking futures and scenarios work. It has also sparked the innovation of new products, services and business models that will make our world more sustainable.

The partners

Findhorn Foundation Community

The Findhorn Foundation Community is over fifty years old and is a growing ecovillage of around 600 people. The Findhorn Foundation is a living experiment and centre of demonstration and education for the notion of non-monetary, low carbon abundance. This world-renowned community has no ideology other than to foster the highest in human potential, co-creating with the rest of the natural world, and taking inspired action. Its programmes address both the externals of sustainability and the importance of the inner life of human beings in their search for meaning and purpose. It is the birthplace and home of seminars and trainings for CIFAL Scotland, part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and has UN Habitat Best Practice designation.


Date: 18 – 22 May 2014Time: Start on Sunday at 12.30pm, end Thursday 12.30pmLocation: Findhorn Foundation, The Park Ecovillage, Findhorn, Scotland, IV36 3TZCost: £1,500Included: Four nights’ accommodation (Sunday – Wednesday), all meals (vegetarian), all programme content.

Available at additional cost: Bed & breakfast Saturday 17 and Thursday 22 May (£35 per night).

Travel (not included): There is a sleeper train from London and there are regular flights to Inverness.

Additional information: Findhorn is a strikingly beautiful place with accommodation in charming community facilities. Small groups of delegates share thoughtfully designed residences that include kitchen and comfortable lounge areas. All rooms are individual. Some bathrooms and toilets are shared, but this co-location does give you the opportunity to have breakfast ‘at home’ with other participants.

Delegates are encouraged to arrive on Saturday, taking time to ‘change gear’ and settle in before the course starts. Bed & breakfast is available on Saturday 17 May (£35) if required.

Contact: For further information and to apply please email [email protected].

Logistics


We look forward to engaging with you in shaping a truly sustainable world.


Documents

Re Connections Findhorn 2014