Summary of Discussion

After introductions and some sharing about what inspired us to be there, we got down to the following recognitions (you can skip this bit if you just want to see conclusions and outcome):

- that we all were involved in various single-issue or single-focus and local groups, but felt drawn by something more interdisciplinary, over-arching that attends to how interconnected all the issues around sustainability are; that had been one of the explicit aims of Thriving Sustainably: to bring together diverse disciplines and fields and initiatives and attend – for example – to ‘inner’ as well as ‘outer’ ecology
- there is some question what suitable terms for this interconnection view are; some that we tried out are: bigger picture, interdisciplinary, holistic, systemic,  integral
- we realised that pursuing the bigger picture perspective involves both practical, organisational connections and structures (see Sally’s idea below) and also the capacity to build relationships and connections between people (without which all initiatives soon peter out even with the best motivation and mission in the world – see Kate’s example below)
- that the Transition Towns Network has been inspired by such an overarching, interconnected perspective and has grown on the strength of that, and that Thriving Sustainably speaks to a similar constituency of interested people
- but from his own involvement with Transition Oxford, Cliff said that one of the crucial issues is how such a group holds the shared overarching focus when there is also a pull into concrete activity in specific actions and projects (Transition Oxford has fizzled out about 6 months ago, but there are various impulses to revive it)
- we reflected that the Thriving Sustainably day had been crammed full with interesting workshops and activities, but had not been designed deliberately as a social organism with opportunities for active participation in mind (not many spaces for networking, group process etc); that we would want to improve that particular aspect in future events, taking into account that people are likely to be ambivalent about more active participation and taking responsibility; so we don’t demand participation, but offer opportunities
- that the Thriving Sustainably day had not involved the local community anywhere near as much as initially intended, but had attracted mainly people throughout a wider area (Oxford and Oxfordshire) who are already interested and active, and who had come to deepen their interest
- that whilst this is a definite limitation, we feel OK about it: we’d rather put energy into inspiring events for ‘the converted’ than preaching to ‘the reluctant and resistant’, hoping for a slow ripple effect beyond that eventually;  that some of us are happy to take some authority, initiative and leadership functions until others come forward
- that there are plenty of opportunities to draw in more people who knew about the day, were interested, but could not make it or need some more nudging (Oliver talked about the thriving interest in sustainability on his Urban Design course at Brookes)
- that everything we want to do is based on an attentiveness to social and group dynamics and community building, bringing sustainable psychology to how we invite and create spaces (external and internal)
- Kate illustrated the need for that through the experience of climate action groups who generated a lot of activity for a few meetings, but then got fairly quickly lost in group dynamics and that the momentum petered out

Conclusion:

- we want to set up a series of evening events next year (spring/summer) that would each be focused on a topic, but that we’d retain the integral, overarching flavour not just in the series as a whole, but in each single event
- in terms of the topics, we’ll go with the interests, passions and areas of expertise of those involved in organising it
- that this seems like a realistic and manageable work load and investment of time and energy that keeps the momentum going
- we are open to a few more people in that organising group, but you’d have to come forward soon-ish
- one evening on urban design: Oliver is involved in urban design at Brookes, so one evening will be to do with that area; Michael will contribute his expertise derived from German ‘future workshops’ (Zukunftswerkstaetten)
- Kate, Cliff and others to make proposals for themes for further evenings
- Michael to make a proposal on one evening on social/organisational dynamics and facilitation skills, probably involving a live demonstration on an organisational issue, using the collective intelligence of the group
- number of evenings to be decided
- conducive venues to be decided (Worcester College Dome ?) – further ideas and suggestions for venues needed

Discussion around co-ordinating all the various sustainability efforts in and around Oxford

- Sally Harper and Tony Williams came to the meeting around 7pm and initiated a discussion about ways in which food, energy, carbon and community groups could co-ordinate /share events.
- one next step would be to work towards a more comprehensive map of all such projects - anybody interested in the advantages and possible disadvantages of such an initiative, please get in touch and we’ll involve you in the further detail

Local Food in Oxford

- separate meeting on this topic to take place Saturday evening (Oct. 31st), 6pm – call Michael on mobile 07929 208 217 for details