News from Pioneers of Change - May 2007

wallerstein on creativity

It is precisely in periods of transition from one historical system to another (whose nature we cannot know in advance) that human struggle takes on the most meaning. Or to put it another way, it is only in such times of transition that what we call free will outweighs the pressures of the existing system to return to equilibria. Thus, fundamental change is possible, albeit never certain, and this fact makes claims on our moral responsibility to act rationally, in good faith, and with strength to seek a better historical system.


in this issue
offer from the cultivation team
on the inside
bubblings
pioneers calendar
announcements, ideas and invitations
conference postings
pioneers web: networks updates
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offer from the cultivation team
Is your local network quiet? Perhaps your community could benefit from an inquiry. To arrange interviews, write to rabea at pioneersofchange dot net .

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on the inside

just how are you loving yourself?
(1) Consider giving your body a Spring or Autumn break with a short “fast” on water, fresh vegetable juice, or vegetable broth. It will help you become clearer.
(2) Feed the neighbourhood -- plant a fruit tree.


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bubblings

Late in the market play, sustainability has finally emerged as a buzzword. The Ecological Revolution is coming and it will have to be more profound than anything we have envisioned, if we are to demonstrate that peace, as a way of life, is going to prevail over violence. Sustainability, then, is not simply what passes for order, but a revolutionary change in our understanding of humans as participants in Nature.
So what, exactly, is a sustainable community? And a sustainable community of geographically far-flung change agents? How do change agents welcome change in their communal self-concept? How are our concepts connected to the sounds of our children? Or to the guest stars in scenarios with similar claims on your conscience?
We punks work hard. Sometimes the family is not happy. Our invitations are restless. While others are asleep, we pace, wondering about the health of the roots, the roots that anchor the topsoil, the roots of the trees that shade our communities, that offer themselves up that we may inscribe our stories. So what story do you tell, and to whom?


pioneers calendar
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An Invitation to Brasil
The Pioneers global gathering this year will take place between 1st and 8th December - still springtime in Brasil, freezing in the northern hemisphere…
The event (once known as "Summer School") is an opportunity to bring the network together to learn from one another. Join Pioneers from around the world as we engage members new and old, reflecting deeply on our personal and collective journeys as people who dare pioneer change, and on our tools for doing so.
Drawing inspiration from the Learning Journey, one of our most empowering educational models, this year we will be hosting the “Pioneers of Change Global Journey - An Invitation to Experience Sustainable Communities in Brasil.” Your skills as participant, facilitator, co-organiser are welcomed. Further information will be on the website soon. To ensure space for your contribution, or for immediate details, contact Cristina Leal: cristina at pioneersofchange dot net


Pioneers connect!
You are invited to participate in one of our monthly Skype conversations. Pioneers are operating in various parts of the world, often without access to a Local Network. CONNECT calls offer an opportunity to get a taste of being part of a global community by "meeting" people from various parts of the world, get a better understanding of the network and how to get involved, and get clarity on any questions that you may be carrying. Hosts will help to facilitate simple introductions and basic information-sharing to assist you in navigating your journey with the network.
These calls will be limited to 8 people per call so please reserve your place soonest. As we aim to make use of skype conference call, please forward your skype username to Lesley Williams: lesley at pioneersofchange dot net
If you are interested in taking part in calls in Spanish, then please contact Maria Glauser: maria at pioneersofchange dot net
Upcoming dates:
- 14th May: 17h00 - 18h00 GMT
- 4th June: 17h00 - 18h00 GMT
[please refer to http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/ to calculate your time zone]


announcements, ideas and invitations
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The KaosPilots: "The Best School for the World!"
The KaosPilots is a 15-year proof-of-concept from Århus, Denmark. With running programs in Oslo, Norway (2005) and Malmø, Sweden (2006), the KaosPilots is an international school of new business design and social innovation with the mission of training tomorrow's young entrepreneurs who want to make a positive difference in the world. The 3-year program focuses on personal development, value-based entrepreneurship, creativity and out-of-the-box approaches to the problems and challenges in business, society and organizations.
The KaosPilots is taking off in the Netherlands! 35 young entrepreneurs with a head for business and a heart for the global society will be offered the opportunity to join Team 1 (September 2007-10). If you’re ready to change the game, apply before May 22nd, 2007.
Check out www.kaospilots.nl for info on the school, stories from students, dates of information-meetings and info on the application procedure. Or contact KaosPilot Inside, Niels Jensen by email: niels dot jensen at kaospilots dot nl

Mentorship Invitation from the Associates
The Pioneers Associate Network/MC see webpage http://pioneersofchange.net/services/associates - is now experimenting with starting mentoring relationships with younger Pioneers from around the world.
The format of the relationships will vary, but can include a combination of
* a fixed number of Skype calls
* joining associates on assignment
* and/or.... ?
If interested send an email to either Alok Singh, alok at pioneersofchange dot net or Carsten Ohm, carsten at pioneersofchange dot net.

The Dialogue Map
The "Mapping Dialogue" report put together in 2006 by Pioneers of Change associates for GTZ is being turned into a book in collaboration with the Taos Institute (www.taosinstitute.net). This book will map out over 20 different dialogue approaches as well as foundations for a healthy dialogue process and ways of assessment which methods to use in different situations. Please take a look at http://pioneersofchange.net/library/dialogue/ (available in both large and small file formats) and send us your feedback on the document, so we can incorporate your ideas.

In search of inspiration: An invitation from La Ruche
In Paris, a new collective workspace dedicated to social innovation and entrepreneurship is coming to life. Called La Ruche French for 'beehive' its core vision is to conciliate economy and human development, and it is open to anybody offering an innovative solution to a social or ecological challenge. We are planning to open by summer’s end. The visceral need for such a place in the French capital means that the project has gathered momentum and support very quickly from many quarters; Ashoka France is now co-founding it. La Ruche will also host TeamFactory, the school based on Finland's Team Academy which is being set up in Paris.
The La Ruche founder and coordinator, invites you to participate: “I am keen to build tangible links with other inspiring workspaces, learning spaces or communities sharing the values of social innovation, social entrepreneurship, creativity, professionalism, cross-culturalism… Do you run, work in or know of inspiring collaborative spaces around the world? I'd love to hear from them and explore concrete collaboration. All proposals considered! And of course, if you want to join the team in any way, jump into the mix!”
Charlotte Hochman can be contacted at bienvenue at la-ruche dot net

The Business in development competition
The Business in Development (BiD) Challenge is an international business plan competition for entrepreneurship and development. The BiD Challenge offers entrepreneurs worldwide the opportunity to develop and execute business plans that profitably improve living standards in countries on the "Official Development Assistance" list. Plans should focus on creating a new business or on expanding or diversifying an established company. For more information about the competition see http://www.bidnetwork.org/set-44898-en.html . The proposal must be in English, but Spanish instructions are available at http://www.bidnetwork.org/set-44898-es.html?lang=es

2007 world challenge
Deadline 6 May 2007
US $20,000 prize for profit-turning social ventures. http://theworldchallenge.co.uk/competition.php

Mama Cash
Rolling deadline.
Mama Cash finances women's self-initiated projects in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, the Netherlands and the former Soviet Union. Mama Cash supports the efforts of women empowering themselves and gaining influence over their own lives. http://www.mamacash.nl/site/en/funds/index.php


other announcements
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6th Global Conference: Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship
2-5 July 2007, Oxford, United Kingdom
This conference aims to explore the role of ecology and environmental ideas in the context of contemporary society and international politics. It will be an interdisciplinary look at the relationships between environments, sustainability and technology. www.inter-disciplinary.net/ptb/ejgc/ejgc6/cfp.htm

The Fourth World Environmental Education Congress
2-6 July 2007, Durban, South Africa
This congress will bring together researchers, practitioners and policy makers to discuss the congress theme, "Learning in a Changing World." Sub-themes include environmental education, ethics and action, and sustainable schools.
http://www.comminit.com/africa/events_calendar/2007-events/events-4611.html

Awakening Global Action- Leadership, Indigenous Wisdom and Dialogue for a Transforming World
31 July 7 August 2007, Bali, Indonesia
The "Awakening Global Action" 7-day program aims to bridge the gap between personal desires for change and an actual implementation plan for committed action. Through flexible program design, you will receive individualized leadership and facilitation training, practicum experiences in remote areas of Bali, specialized small group pods focused on particular social issues and much more. Participants leave with the confidence to use a toolbox of dialogic methods and growth and clarity in moving ahead with relevant personal initiatives. An ongoing support infrastructure is also planned.
Check out www.baliinstitute.org/aga.html for more information on how to register.

Religious Studies and Theology Exploring Sustainable Development: Challenges for Higher Education
27-28 September 2007, Berg en dal, Netherlands
Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture. Call for papers open til 31 May 2007. See http://www.religionandnature.com/resources/Nijmegen.pdf


pioneers web: networks updates
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What's happening in the Local Networks and Communities of Practice

Many people are asking themselves what activities are happening at a local level and in communities within the Pioneers. The life of these networks and communities seems to vary immensely across geographies and in time. Some of them start being very active, hibernate for a few months and become active again. Others show life as their members please. In some communities, the life-giving spirit of curiosity and search shifts to another area of practice and the network goes quiet. You are invited to engage with your networks. If your questions have changed, consider inviting others to collaborate by starting a new community.

Here’s an overview of the Local Networks -http://pioneersofchange.net/localnetworks

3 Emerging Local Networks

Denver (USA)
To join or for more information contact Gustavo, kaigue at gmail dot com

Stockholm (Sweden)
To join or for more information contact Harry and Jakob, jakob at howdareyou dot se

Cologne (Germany)
Micha and Philipp -philipp at meyerbroeker dot de have sent along a real invitation:
Einladung zum Mit-Aufbau der Pioneers of Change in Köln und Umgebung
Aus unseren gemeinsamen Engagement bei der Studierendenorganisation AIESEC haben wir das Erlebnis mitgenommen, wie sehr es für das eigene Leben inspirierend sein kann, regelmäßig mit inhaltlich interessierten, sozial engagierten und ambitionierten Menschen in Kontakt und Austausch zu kommen und mit diesen aktuelle Themen zu diskutieren und Projekte gemeinsam zu gestalten.
Nach Abschluss unserer Studienzeit und dem Start in das Berufsleben mussten wir nun feststellen, dass es nicht einfach ist, diese bereichernden Gelegenheiten auch in die neue Lebenssituation zu transportieren. Deshalb haben wir Möglichkeiten diskutiert, uns aktiv dafür einzusetzen, einen neuen Rahmen für diesen Austausch und das Engagement zu finden und dabei mitzuhelfen, diesen Rahmen mit aufzubauen.
Da sich die Werte, Ziele und Ideen, die uns im Engagement bei AIESEC geleitet haben, auch in großem Maße in den Vorstellungen der Pioneers of Change wiederfinden, haben wir uns entschlossen, eine regionale Gruppe der Pioneers im Großraum Köln aufzubauen.

Wir möchten Dich dazu einladen, diesen Weg mit uns gemeinsam zu gehen und ein Forum für den aktives Austausch von Ideen und Gedanken, fruchtbare Diskussion, gemeinsames Lernen und soziales Engagement gemäß unserer Ideale und Werte zu schaffen!
- Dein Micha & Philipp

22 Existing Local Networks
The Local Networks currently in existence can all can be contacted through their mailing lists. Find the contact information for their Stewards on the website: http://pioneersofchange.net/communities
Barcelona - Roger Granada
Brazil - Luciana Lanzoni, Henrique Bussacos, Pablo Handl
Cape Town - Nikki Jackman
Denmark - Carsten Ohm
Egypt - Uli von Ruecker
Germany - Felix Döppner
Halifax - Tracy Boyer, Joanne Mcrae, Sera Thompson
Johannesburg - Nicole Antonie
London - Maria Glauser, Hendrik Tiesinga, Alex Bustamante
New Delhi - Pawan Singh
Oslo - Bjørn Brunstadt
Paris - Emmanuel Sciara
San Francisco - Katie Tomola
Singapore - Brenda Schroeder
The Netherlands - Frauke Godat
Toronto - Greg Judelman
Washington DC - Margie Brand

For an overview of the Communities of Practice see the website: http://pioneersofchange.net/communities

Social Entrepreneurship is hot and the community is recently re-energized. Join the discussion emailing socent-join at lists dot pioneersofchange dot net or contacting the hosts, Charlotte charlotte.hochman at gmail dot com and Neema nmgana at yahoo dot com .

Other communities include Arts for Social Change, Democracy and Politics, Facilitators and Free Agents, Foresight and Social Change, Integration, Network Dialogue, Peacebuilders, Summerschool, Sustainability, Story Telling Journey, PoC Stewards Space.
We invite everyone connected to the Pioneers community to participate through their Local Networks and Communities of Practice. Simply subscribe to the email lists on the website and drop an email telling about yourself and your interest.
If your community doesn’t exist yet, this could be the right moment to start stewarding your own Local Network or Community! Stewards help to provide the magnetic centres of many networks. For more information look at the Stewards Space online (http://pioneersofchange.net/communities/stewards) or contact maria at pioneersofchange dot net

newsletter submissions
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Would you like to help by translating the newsletter into your native language?
"Policing the world goes hand in hand with policing [English as the commercial] language of the world...as a deferential, neocolonial discourse." -Richard Alexander
As a community we thrive on our hopes and our concerns. In the newsletter you can share yours. To comments, inquire, or contribute, write Rabea Chaudhary at rabea at pioneersofchange dot net

financial matters
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Pioneers of Change is an independent network that believes it is critical to retain a free and unbiased position. We also believe that financial barriers should not be a constraint to learning and engaging. As such we work hard at ensuring that our learning is available to as wide and diverse an audience as possible.

We invite you to make a donation to support us in our work. We encourage you to think of this donation as an investment into learning that has the potential of enriching all of our lives. If you have any ideas of individuals or organizations that might like to support us, let us know, mark at pioneersofchange dot net

small print
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What is Pioneers of Change?

Pioneers of Change is a global learning network supporting practitioners in their mid-20s to mid-30s. Founded in 1999, by a group of people from 16 countries and now includes participants from around the world.

Pioneers are people who questions underlying assumptions and move into new territory in order to create the change we want to see in the world. We include social entrepreneurs, member of the business, government and non-profit communities, as well as artists, teachers, and free agents from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds.

When you join Pioneers of Change you explicitly commit to the following principles:

Be yourself
Do what Matters
Start now
Engage with others
Never stop asking questions
For more information on Pioneers of Change, see http://www.pioneersofchange.net

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