Student Reflections
Orion Swann
Final Reflection
When looking at the true potential for systemic change I end up at a cross roads in my thought process. I am torn between the drive to attempt to show people that the we need to change our systemic tendencies rather than continuing to both degrade the earth and human originality. I continue to get caught up on these two ideas because it is hard to get humans to react without an intense catalyst. For this reason letting the world get to a point where it is necessary to change might be the easiest way to get people to work together to change our current system. At the same time it is totally possible that once we get to a point where people realize that change is necessary it might be too late to fix the issues that we have created.
That being said I think that sustainable, regenerative, thriving systems are achievable.
The first step would be to create a catalyst that is short of environmental catastrophe but still creates the necessity for change. For example, adapting the prices of items to incorporate the environmental impact that specific item has. This would act as motivation for people to start shopping locally, responsibly, and more economically. Once this system is in place and providing a new structure implementing closed loop community living mentalities would be essential. To implement this I think that children learning about morality within the new structure would be very beneficial. From this point on education plays a huge roll in change. Systemic leadership is the process of looking at the entirety of a company, problem, or situation. Then using this systemic view to utilize all potential resources in an efficient way. Finally, creating group buy in, therefore motivation all parties involved to improve chance of success.
The next step would be using the systematic leadership view explain that the goals of sustainability, renewability, and thriving are very achievable. The systematic aspect would be specifically helpful because breaking down the goals into understandable, achievable process while expelling that there is no “perfect”, “better”, or “only” way to achieve the goals makes them seem more attainable.
The number one thing that I am taking away from this course is a new out look that is literally applicable to anything. I specifically like combining the classic idea of efficiency with morality. I think that people assume that they are often mutually excessive, but I find that finding a balance is not only beneficially but also gives you the opportunity to look at situation in a new unique way. My second biggest take away is looking at the goal of efficiency, least amount of effort for the biggest over all benefit. I have a friend that I worked with in high school who would always say “why move a rock away from where it is unless you truly know where you want it to go?”. This class has finally given me a full understanding of what that saying means.
I am also taking away a new understanding on solutions, backcasting. This new way of looking at goals and problems has given me hope for the future. In the past, I have had a hard time keeping a positive mentality when looking at environmental issues. When using the back casting method and breaking down an issue into several smaller more realistic problems it has been much easier to feel optimistic.
Final Reflection
When looking at the true potential for systemic change I end up at a cross roads in my thought process. I am torn between the drive to attempt to show people that the we need to change our systemic tendencies rather than continuing to both degrade the earth and human originality. I continue to get caught up on these two ideas because it is hard to get humans to react without an intense catalyst. For this reason letting the world get to a point where it is necessary to change might be the easiest way to get people to work together to change our current system. At the same time it is totally possible that once we get to a point where people realize that change is necessary it might be too late to fix the issues that we have created.
That being said I think that sustainable, regenerative, thriving systems are achievable.
The first step would be to create a catalyst that is short of environmental catastrophe but still creates the necessity for change. For example, adapting the prices of items to incorporate the environmental impact that specific item has. This would act as motivation for people to start shopping locally, responsibly, and more economically. Once this system is in place and providing a new structure implementing closed loop community living mentalities would be essential. To implement this I think that children learning about morality within the new structure would be very beneficial. From this point on education plays a huge roll in change. Systemic leadership is the process of looking at the entirety of a company, problem, or situation. Then using this systemic view to utilize all potential resources in an efficient way. Finally, creating group buy in, therefore motivation all parties involved to improve chance of success.
The next step would be using the systematic leadership view explain that the goals of sustainability, renewability, and thriving are very achievable. The systematic aspect would be specifically helpful because breaking down the goals into understandable, achievable process while expelling that there is no “perfect”, “better”, or “only” way to achieve the goals makes them seem more attainable.
The number one thing that I am taking away from this course is a new out look that is literally applicable to anything. I specifically like combining the classic idea of efficiency with morality. I think that people assume that they are often mutually excessive, but I find that finding a balance is not only beneficially but also gives you the opportunity to look at situation in a new unique way. My second biggest take away is looking at the goal of efficiency, least amount of effort for the biggest over all benefit. I have a friend that I worked with in high school who would always say “why move a rock away from where it is unless you truly know where you want it to go?”. This class has finally given me a full understanding of what that saying means.
I am also taking away a new understanding on solutions, backcasting. This new way of looking at goals and problems has given me hope for the future. In the past, I have had a hard time keeping a positive mentality when looking at environmental issues. When using the back casting method and breaking down an issue into several smaller more realistic problems it has been much easier to feel optimistic.
By: Kenny Johnson
Permaculture for Systemic Change
February 2, 2015
Personal Reflection #2, Week 4
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
My sustainable, regenerative, and thriving vision for the world is to have a flourishing ecosystem, a pure atmosphere, and a healthy planet that can continue to survive for the future generations of our society. I will try to enact this vision by providing easily accessible tools and project designs that decrease carbon footprints, and waste for the whole human population. I would like to use my studies and educational degrees in the future to develop, design, and create mechanisms for the world. With these mechanisms and potential ecologically revolutionary projects I could contribute my service of scientific understanding to become a steward for the Earth. The capitalistic scheme of our social complex has degraded our capability of understanding our potential as servants to the Earth. I would like to infiltrate corporate control by working with progressive laboratories that strictly work to care for the environment, rather than having financial incentive as anthropocentric destroyers of ecosystems and habitats.
The work I plan on learning and understanding comes with much discipline and knowledge. I am ready to take on the reigns of an extremely abundant issue, to apply myself and present my vision, a vision of many individuals alike.
2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Systemic leadership is a concept that creates a template for human interaction and focuses on creating a symbiotic relationship between individuals in a group setting. The concept can be incorporated in any social environment, the only requirement of the concept is understanding it and being able to practically enact it in any setting. Within all interactions are systems, areas of interpretation, these systems and areas occur through simple encounters. By using systemic leadership one can repair destructive conversations or actions that may create detrimental outcomes. A set of principles can generate positive outcomes in any engagement, a guide to mediate issues, systemic leadership is the toolbox, it’s tools implementer's of positive production.
Systemic leadership is one of many concepts that are like super hydrocarbon rocket-fuel’s in any situation to produce efficient, positive, productivity. Utilizing systemic leadership could fix many worldly issues and transform political, economical, and social schemes.
3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
The first meaningful takeaway that I have achieved from this Permaculture course is the idea of not having to understand individuals, to let go of certain scenarios that may make me question the validity or idea of. I have found that many conversations in my life have been counter productive and regressive. The second day into this course I had an extremely insightful realization, and it was that all perfections must have a contrast, an opposite. That in every situation a balance must occur. Without balance or a neutral aspect to a situation we humans disregard truths or realities that may exist within our discourse.
The second meaningful takeaway would be that Permaculture is not a solution to the problem of worldly change, but merely a tool to create many other tools. I see Permaculture as the initial stone used to create a hand fashioned hammer, before the handle is made for a hammer the head must be fashioned. Once that hammer is made, it can be used to create other tools. Permaculture is that initial tool, the base to many efforts of improvisation.
The last and third meaningful takeaway I have received from this course is that interpretation is the key. Like I mentioned as my first takeaway, different perspectives of any issue, project, or conversation are essential for productivity. Interpretation for the intent of collaboration blossoms creative fusion, it fuels our love to produce and create. This course has taught me to listen to the input of all humans, even interpreting the surroundings of a landscape and what it may be telling us through physical expression.
These three “takeaways” will forever be with me in life, lingering in my mind as a way to communicate. Permaculture is a world of it’s own, and I’m it’s oyster.
Katie Hoeper
What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
My ultimate goal for the future is to hopefully move away from monocrop systems to polycrop systems. Although our cities and various other aspects in our everyday life will need to be restructured, my only hope is that we get to this stage. While in the sustainable phase of the restructuring society, agriculture will need to be the first aspect to change. Once complete, other aspects can be rerouted to a desired outcome. After the checkpoint of sustainable is reached, I believe we have the power to move towards being regenerative. However, skipping the step of being sustainable could result in potentially destructive future. In order to make change it must be small. Pushing people past their limits might turn against you. Therefore, I believe small baby steps will help to make a regenerative and thriving world possible.
Restructuring society will need to first change from within. You cannot wish to change others by preaching things that you do not fully embody. After changing yourself, you move on to changing others. If not completely changing them, at least opening up their minds to alternative ways of life; helping them to see outside the box. Once you’ve changed yourself, obtained a clan that is also stoked about change, then the community you have formed can work together to tackle the problems of changing the world.
What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Through systemic leadership we can ultimately change the world; thus becoming a maverick artist change maker of the world. Systemic leadership is leading in a way that you are taking into consideration the values and goals of those around you. The definition of a good leader is not just focused around leading people. A good leader knows when to step back from their leadership duties and let others lead. Systemic leadership encompasses that. Systemic leaders can help facilitate change. Incorporating the ideas and designs for the future from all of those around.
What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
Three meaningful takeaways I will carry with me from this class are patience, community, and passion. Patience is a skill I have been attempting to work on for years. In the ever-fast moving society in which we live in, I find it hard to relax when the fixes are not always quick. However, demonstrated in the places we visited; change does not always have to be fast. These people were satisfied and happy with their visions stretched out over years and years. Some even expressed that after passing on, her vision will continue. Permaculture is not a quick fix but even through patience one can find happiness.
Being extremely introverted, I find that reaching out to others for help is hard. Moreover, relying on other people to help get tasks accomplished is something I truly struggle with. In order for a change towards permaculture, community is needed. Digging a hole for a vegetable bed can be done a lot quicker with more than one person at work.
Passion is something I have always had. I am an extremely driven and motivated person which in turn is driven by passion. However, my vision for the future is far and away different from the mainstreams vision of the future. Oftentimes, this wears thin on me and is ultimately a sad reality. Being with fourteen other individuals for the past four weeks that have similar vision for the future has increased my passion for change, for permaculture, for the world.
Permaculture for Systemic Change
February 2, 2015
Personal Reflection #2, Week 4
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
My sustainable, regenerative, and thriving vision for the world is to have a flourishing ecosystem, a pure atmosphere, and a healthy planet that can continue to survive for the future generations of our society. I will try to enact this vision by providing easily accessible tools and project designs that decrease carbon footprints, and waste for the whole human population. I would like to use my studies and educational degrees in the future to develop, design, and create mechanisms for the world. With these mechanisms and potential ecologically revolutionary projects I could contribute my service of scientific understanding to become a steward for the Earth. The capitalistic scheme of our social complex has degraded our capability of understanding our potential as servants to the Earth. I would like to infiltrate corporate control by working with progressive laboratories that strictly work to care for the environment, rather than having financial incentive as anthropocentric destroyers of ecosystems and habitats.
The work I plan on learning and understanding comes with much discipline and knowledge. I am ready to take on the reigns of an extremely abundant issue, to apply myself and present my vision, a vision of many individuals alike.
2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Systemic leadership is a concept that creates a template for human interaction and focuses on creating a symbiotic relationship between individuals in a group setting. The concept can be incorporated in any social environment, the only requirement of the concept is understanding it and being able to practically enact it in any setting. Within all interactions are systems, areas of interpretation, these systems and areas occur through simple encounters. By using systemic leadership one can repair destructive conversations or actions that may create detrimental outcomes. A set of principles can generate positive outcomes in any engagement, a guide to mediate issues, systemic leadership is the toolbox, it’s tools implementer's of positive production.
Systemic leadership is one of many concepts that are like super hydrocarbon rocket-fuel’s in any situation to produce efficient, positive, productivity. Utilizing systemic leadership could fix many worldly issues and transform political, economical, and social schemes.
3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
The first meaningful takeaway that I have achieved from this Permaculture course is the idea of not having to understand individuals, to let go of certain scenarios that may make me question the validity or idea of. I have found that many conversations in my life have been counter productive and regressive. The second day into this course I had an extremely insightful realization, and it was that all perfections must have a contrast, an opposite. That in every situation a balance must occur. Without balance or a neutral aspect to a situation we humans disregard truths or realities that may exist within our discourse.
The second meaningful takeaway would be that Permaculture is not a solution to the problem of worldly change, but merely a tool to create many other tools. I see Permaculture as the initial stone used to create a hand fashioned hammer, before the handle is made for a hammer the head must be fashioned. Once that hammer is made, it can be used to create other tools. Permaculture is that initial tool, the base to many efforts of improvisation.
The last and third meaningful takeaway I have received from this course is that interpretation is the key. Like I mentioned as my first takeaway, different perspectives of any issue, project, or conversation are essential for productivity. Interpretation for the intent of collaboration blossoms creative fusion, it fuels our love to produce and create. This course has taught me to listen to the input of all humans, even interpreting the surroundings of a landscape and what it may be telling us through physical expression.
These three “takeaways” will forever be with me in life, lingering in my mind as a way to communicate. Permaculture is a world of it’s own, and I’m it’s oyster.
Katie Hoeper
What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
My ultimate goal for the future is to hopefully move away from monocrop systems to polycrop systems. Although our cities and various other aspects in our everyday life will need to be restructured, my only hope is that we get to this stage. While in the sustainable phase of the restructuring society, agriculture will need to be the first aspect to change. Once complete, other aspects can be rerouted to a desired outcome. After the checkpoint of sustainable is reached, I believe we have the power to move towards being regenerative. However, skipping the step of being sustainable could result in potentially destructive future. In order to make change it must be small. Pushing people past their limits might turn against you. Therefore, I believe small baby steps will help to make a regenerative and thriving world possible.
Restructuring society will need to first change from within. You cannot wish to change others by preaching things that you do not fully embody. After changing yourself, you move on to changing others. If not completely changing them, at least opening up their minds to alternative ways of life; helping them to see outside the box. Once you’ve changed yourself, obtained a clan that is also stoked about change, then the community you have formed can work together to tackle the problems of changing the world.
What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Through systemic leadership we can ultimately change the world; thus becoming a maverick artist change maker of the world. Systemic leadership is leading in a way that you are taking into consideration the values and goals of those around you. The definition of a good leader is not just focused around leading people. A good leader knows when to step back from their leadership duties and let others lead. Systemic leadership encompasses that. Systemic leaders can help facilitate change. Incorporating the ideas and designs for the future from all of those around.
What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
Three meaningful takeaways I will carry with me from this class are patience, community, and passion. Patience is a skill I have been attempting to work on for years. In the ever-fast moving society in which we live in, I find it hard to relax when the fixes are not always quick. However, demonstrated in the places we visited; change does not always have to be fast. These people were satisfied and happy with their visions stretched out over years and years. Some even expressed that after passing on, her vision will continue. Permaculture is not a quick fix but even through patience one can find happiness.
Being extremely introverted, I find that reaching out to others for help is hard. Moreover, relying on other people to help get tasks accomplished is something I truly struggle with. In order for a change towards permaculture, community is needed. Digging a hole for a vegetable bed can be done a lot quicker with more than one person at work.
Passion is something I have always had. I am an extremely driven and motivated person which in turn is driven by passion. However, my vision for the future is far and away different from the mainstreams vision of the future. Oftentimes, this wears thin on me and is ultimately a sad reality. Being with fourteen other individuals for the past four weeks that have similar vision for the future has increased my passion for change, for permaculture, for the world.
Daniel Mobley
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
What if people went about their day thinking about what is best their great grandchildren as they made decisions throughout their daily routine? What if people asked themselves the question, “By buying/ doing this am I supporting the values that I would like future generations to value also?”
What would the news look like if more people decided to live like this? Would the segments about local shootings be replaced by stories of individuals performing selfless acts of kindness and charitable work? Would economic segments be replaced by stories of shifting national buying trends and how large corporations are changing their business structure to keep up with the changing consumer values? This is my vision of a thriving future.
My vision of a thriving future begins with each person taking responsibility for creating a future that they would like their children and grandchildren to grow up in. If each person began acting in this way then whole systems would begin changing to keep up with the changing values of society. Media, corporations and politicians would have less power to influence, oppress, and exploit and people would come together to accomplish a common goal. I believe this is the first step in creating a sustainable, regenerative and thriving world: people must ask ‘what if’ and believe that change is possible.
2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Systemic leadership recognizes that there is not just one way to lead while giving freedom for collaboration and creating an environment of open honest communication. This style of leadership is crucial for beginning the synergetic conversation of what is to be accomplished. By using this style of leadership people begin to feel more connection and responsibility in creating ideas and following through with action. I believe that this form of leadership is an important and useful tool in the tool belt to invoke systemic change.
3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
One thing that was very meaningful in this class was the opportunity to go to Patagonia, AZ, and see farmers put the ideas and theories of permaculture into action. For me, it was reassuring to see the concepts being applied in real life. It has given me hope that these ideas work just as well in practice as on paper.
Another thing I have found useful is the ability to question our current ways of doing things and thinking of ways to do them better. Take the way we design our house for example. Just by orienting houses in a certain direction and adding windows on certain sides of the house you could save money and resources on heating and cooling. It is almost common sense but yet we are stuck in our old way of thinking and doing things.
Lastly, this class has given me hope that systemic change is not only possible but also crucial if we are to ever become a thriving society. Each person we have come in contact with in this class and each person in this class is eager to make the world a better place. It has been rejuvenating to see such passionate people and to know that there are so many other people out there just as passionate and eager to make change.
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
What if people went about their day thinking about what is best their great grandchildren as they made decisions throughout their daily routine? What if people asked themselves the question, “By buying/ doing this am I supporting the values that I would like future generations to value also?”
What would the news look like if more people decided to live like this? Would the segments about local shootings be replaced by stories of individuals performing selfless acts of kindness and charitable work? Would economic segments be replaced by stories of shifting national buying trends and how large corporations are changing their business structure to keep up with the changing consumer values? This is my vision of a thriving future.
My vision of a thriving future begins with each person taking responsibility for creating a future that they would like their children and grandchildren to grow up in. If each person began acting in this way then whole systems would begin changing to keep up with the changing values of society. Media, corporations and politicians would have less power to influence, oppress, and exploit and people would come together to accomplish a common goal. I believe this is the first step in creating a sustainable, regenerative and thriving world: people must ask ‘what if’ and believe that change is possible.
2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Systemic leadership recognizes that there is not just one way to lead while giving freedom for collaboration and creating an environment of open honest communication. This style of leadership is crucial for beginning the synergetic conversation of what is to be accomplished. By using this style of leadership people begin to feel more connection and responsibility in creating ideas and following through with action. I believe that this form of leadership is an important and useful tool in the tool belt to invoke systemic change.
3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
One thing that was very meaningful in this class was the opportunity to go to Patagonia, AZ, and see farmers put the ideas and theories of permaculture into action. For me, it was reassuring to see the concepts being applied in real life. It has given me hope that these ideas work just as well in practice as on paper.
Another thing I have found useful is the ability to question our current ways of doing things and thinking of ways to do them better. Take the way we design our house for example. Just by orienting houses in a certain direction and adding windows on certain sides of the house you could save money and resources on heating and cooling. It is almost common sense but yet we are stuck in our old way of thinking and doing things.
Lastly, this class has given me hope that systemic change is not only possible but also crucial if we are to ever become a thriving society. Each person we have come in contact with in this class and each person in this class is eager to make the world a better place. It has been rejuvenating to see such passionate people and to know that there are so many other people out there just as passionate and eager to make change.
Natasha Riccio
1. When I picture the thriving future of our world, I envision all people living in harmony with each other and their natural surroundings. On a personal scale, I would like to live in a way in which I am giving more to the world than I am taking. I see myself living in a sustainable home, having as little impact on the natural world that I can, while still balancing my own comfort and happiness. I hope to grow my own food, which would promote self-sustainability as well as good physical health. Perhaps I will grow food for others in my community, or maybe offer my service in the form of building sustainable homes for others, or instructing yoga classes.
I picture the world being made up of smaller communities that are all able to sustain themselves, by providing all of their own needs and eventually giving to other communities. Each community will be made up of individuals with an array of skills, allowing them to keep their business and food production completely local. This will benefit the world as well, because it will abolish the need for large industries and corporations. Although each community will be able to thrive on their own, they will still be connected to other communities through gatherings and sharing of ideas and talents.
Due to the shift in government systems, power will be distributed equally, allowing all inhabitants of the world to live in peace with each other. Systemic leadership is put to practice; every person has a say in the rules of their community. All voices will be heard and no major issues will go unnoticed. Power and money is no longer what is valued in the world, so there is no longer a need to violently complete for it. The trading of skills and goods is equally valued as money, so capitalism and large corporations no longer have control over the people. This also reduces the factor of materialism, allowing people to live much simpler lifestyles, which are more in sync with nature.
2. Systemic leadership is a system of leadership which gets rid of the concept of having one set person in charge. It allows every person in the community to have a say in what’s going on. Because power is now distributed more equally, is abolishes the possibility of power imbalances and lack of representation. People of all backgrounds will have a voice in the government systems, which will leave no voices unheard. All issues will be brought to attention and evaluated equally, which will create an environment that will promote change when it needs to happen. When money and power loses importance, all of our human systems will begin to shift. Violent measures to achieve power will no longer be neccesary, and capitalism will become useless. When capitalism and consumerism finally die out, humans will begin to slow down their use of natural resources. Systemic leadership will be the catalyst to people living more peacefully with each other and with the natural world.
3. My first take away from this course is that I am beginning to apply to philosophies of permaculture to the mental and spiritual aspects of my life. Overall, permaculture is a way of thinking. Once a person can shift their mentality into the ways of permaculture, the physical representations of the practice will begin to manifest themselves in the individual’s life. I intend to further familiarize myself with the principles and philosophies of permaculture, until that way of thinking comes instinctively and I can apply it to all of my actions.
The next aspect that I have drawn from this course is being able to see the power of connections within communities. Through our visits on our trip to Patagonia, we were able to connect members of the community who would have otherwise not been brought together.
Perhaps the strongest aspect that I will take away from this course is the experience of seeing the people in Patagonia who are making changes in the world by implementing permaculture in their own lives. While facing such immense world problems, it can be somewhat disheartening when you ask yourself, how can I take action and make a difference? It was refreshing to visit those farms and meet those wonderful people who share the same values as myself, and are spending their time to make the world a better place. All of them were also working on a very small scale, so it helps to see something being done that is tangible. I found that trip very inspiring, and each of those individuals give me hope for my own future and the future of the world.
1. When I picture the thriving future of our world, I envision all people living in harmony with each other and their natural surroundings. On a personal scale, I would like to live in a way in which I am giving more to the world than I am taking. I see myself living in a sustainable home, having as little impact on the natural world that I can, while still balancing my own comfort and happiness. I hope to grow my own food, which would promote self-sustainability as well as good physical health. Perhaps I will grow food for others in my community, or maybe offer my service in the form of building sustainable homes for others, or instructing yoga classes.
I picture the world being made up of smaller communities that are all able to sustain themselves, by providing all of their own needs and eventually giving to other communities. Each community will be made up of individuals with an array of skills, allowing them to keep their business and food production completely local. This will benefit the world as well, because it will abolish the need for large industries and corporations. Although each community will be able to thrive on their own, they will still be connected to other communities through gatherings and sharing of ideas and talents.
Due to the shift in government systems, power will be distributed equally, allowing all inhabitants of the world to live in peace with each other. Systemic leadership is put to practice; every person has a say in the rules of their community. All voices will be heard and no major issues will go unnoticed. Power and money is no longer what is valued in the world, so there is no longer a need to violently complete for it. The trading of skills and goods is equally valued as money, so capitalism and large corporations no longer have control over the people. This also reduces the factor of materialism, allowing people to live much simpler lifestyles, which are more in sync with nature.
2. Systemic leadership is a system of leadership which gets rid of the concept of having one set person in charge. It allows every person in the community to have a say in what’s going on. Because power is now distributed more equally, is abolishes the possibility of power imbalances and lack of representation. People of all backgrounds will have a voice in the government systems, which will leave no voices unheard. All issues will be brought to attention and evaluated equally, which will create an environment that will promote change when it needs to happen. When money and power loses importance, all of our human systems will begin to shift. Violent measures to achieve power will no longer be neccesary, and capitalism will become useless. When capitalism and consumerism finally die out, humans will begin to slow down their use of natural resources. Systemic leadership will be the catalyst to people living more peacefully with each other and with the natural world.
3. My first take away from this course is that I am beginning to apply to philosophies of permaculture to the mental and spiritual aspects of my life. Overall, permaculture is a way of thinking. Once a person can shift their mentality into the ways of permaculture, the physical representations of the practice will begin to manifest themselves in the individual’s life. I intend to further familiarize myself with the principles and philosophies of permaculture, until that way of thinking comes instinctively and I can apply it to all of my actions.
The next aspect that I have drawn from this course is being able to see the power of connections within communities. Through our visits on our trip to Patagonia, we were able to connect members of the community who would have otherwise not been brought together.
Perhaps the strongest aspect that I will take away from this course is the experience of seeing the people in Patagonia who are making changes in the world by implementing permaculture in their own lives. While facing such immense world problems, it can be somewhat disheartening when you ask yourself, how can I take action and make a difference? It was refreshing to visit those farms and meet those wonderful people who share the same values as myself, and are spending their time to make the world a better place. All of them were also working on a very small scale, so it helps to see something being done that is tangible. I found that trip very inspiring, and each of those individuals give me hope for my own future and the future of the world.
Bridget Downey
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
Currently we seem be a part of a system where, when things are at their best- it’s considered sustainable, and at worst (which seems most common), it’s considered degenerative. I would like to see the systems of the world functioning for when things are working at their best they are thriving, at the worst, sustainable and both balanced on a fulcrum rooted in regeneration. This would look like the way a forest does. When there is ample rain and sunshine flowers and trees thrive, blossoming colorful buds and growing strong healthy stems and roots. In a time of a drought, the flowers may wither away along with other more fragile plants and animals; however, strong roots systems and trees survive, may not be producing abundance but at least breaking even- the idea of sustainability. We can create systems, design land and living spaces that work in conjunction with each other to create a symbiotic relationship where both human, animal, land, community and Earth can all benefit. This brings in the Me We World idea. When we look at how our actions not only affect us but also take in account for how our actions affect others and the world we are able to look at the bigger picture and think of innovative ways to not only benefit ourselves but also look at the Earth as one whole individual composed of billions of separate parts that all work together. One part affects the whole and comes back and affect the individual. This is a feedback loop that is inescapable living in this closed system of Earth, so to help the Earth we are in turn helping ourselves and the reverse is also true. The ideas of Permaculture allow for abundance and when we have a wealth of things, it becomes easy and enjoyable to share, this plays into the community or “we” aspect of things. When we went to Patagonia, AZ we saw how each of the different farms we visited in the community all knew each other and recently got together for a work project on Windsong Farm, a firsthand example how when people come together for a common cause, in this case the Earth, so much can be accomplished and a community is developed, again not only benefiting oneself, but also a larger network of people and land.
My sustainable vision for the world is one in which we can work like a forest, all symbiotically coexisting with each and every living being we come in contact with, whether it be another person, a baby bird or an old juniper tree. We can create an abundant healthy world when we look that every inch of the earth as a living, breathing organism that serves a purpose in its own way, a purpose that plays a key role in the functions of the earth as a whole and deserves the same respect we would like to see ourselves to be treated; instead of a land mine to get copper or rock in the way to get oil. Everything we need, all of the energy we need comes from the sun and is grown in the soil, all we need to do is shift our ways that have proven to be harmful and inefficient, and begin working with natural systems to feed our mind body spirit and home.
2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Systematic leadership is that connection of passionate individuals working together toward a combined goal. This includes individual management, managerial teams and the organization as a whole. When all parts of the team are responsible and directly linked to each other there is much more room for communication and direct action. Systematic leadership allows for everyone to be a leader which allows for each person to give their own creative input, resulting in more innovative ideas, more projects coming to fruition and all around more being done to better the system in which we live
3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
The first meaningful takeaway I have learned is that Permaculture is a strong and growing community, a community I would love to further be a part of. This idea has spread all across the world and is practiced on so many scales in all different places. It gives me much hope to see so many people basing their land and lives around the principles of Permaculture.
The second take away is how much we can get done working together. This goes for in a physical sense and in a more large scale, world connected sense. When we were on Kate’s farm and dug those huge trenches in just a few hours I was blown away by the teamwork of our group. If we use the same idea on a larger scale, working together as a global community spreading the word and educating people about permaculture, imagine how many people we could touch and how much change could be a result of collaboratively reaching out.
The third take away I learned from this class is about microorganisms. It started with the learning about EM but goes much further than that. Learning about effective microorganism made me realize there is more than just what can be seen to the naked eye that plays into the health of the Earth. I was reading an article in Biodynamics magazine that was talking about how if you put just a tiny bit of salt on a snail it would die, and the same goes for fertilizers and pesticides we put on the soil in conventional farming, something that may not seem harmful to us kills millions of living organisms in the soil, depleting nutrients, and ending a life cycle so vital to our Earth. This class not only taught me how to think on a large scale like I mentioned earlier but in the realm of microorganisms, taught me how to think on a much smaller scale, the scale of bacteria’s and insects and other unseen forces in the soil working their magic
Ben Dowson
In order for us to move in the direction of sustainability on a global level, everyone will have to step forward and assume a role of leadership in their own community. This doesn’t necessarily mean giving orders. What is needed is for each of us to take ownership of our responsibilities to ourselves, each other, and our planet. Systemic leadership means maintaining an awareness of how your actions affect the world around you, and working in a way as to minimize or reverse harmful actions. I have a vision of working towards an actually sustainable way of life. Not just buying “green products”, but working to maximize the potential of the resources at my disposal. This could take the form of growing my own food, recycling fabrics to make clothes, or any number of other outlets. The fact is that for years humans have irresponsibly used natural resources and built a system reliant on constant consumption and eventual disposal of all goods. This is not sustainable, and will never change if we don’t begin to take ownership of our lives.
Through my coursework in Permaculture for Systemic Change, I have learned some valuable lessons. We were presented with examples of human beings doing astounding work. Working with Kate at Deep Dirt farm gave me a profound appreciation for the intimate relationship one can develop with a place. She knew every contour, every rock, and every plant on her 40 acre plot. I have never met anyone with a more detailed understanding of how energy flows in a place. At the Tree of Life I was shown the power of working with a team of motivated humans. Many hands make light work as the saying goes. We were given the task of digging a circular trench in order to secure some loose shade cloth. It was finished within 10 minutes of beginning. We also visited Sleeping Frog farms, Southeast of Tucson, where we met CJ. He is the dedicated owner of the property with a vision and passion you would have a hard time topping. CJ was full of knowledge and smiles. He inspired me and filled me with hope for what is achievable through hard work and commitment. It is people and experiences like these that motivate me more than anything to shape my world into the most beautiful place I can dream of.
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
Currently we seem be a part of a system where, when things are at their best- it’s considered sustainable, and at worst (which seems most common), it’s considered degenerative. I would like to see the systems of the world functioning for when things are working at their best they are thriving, at the worst, sustainable and both balanced on a fulcrum rooted in regeneration. This would look like the way a forest does. When there is ample rain and sunshine flowers and trees thrive, blossoming colorful buds and growing strong healthy stems and roots. In a time of a drought, the flowers may wither away along with other more fragile plants and animals; however, strong roots systems and trees survive, may not be producing abundance but at least breaking even- the idea of sustainability. We can create systems, design land and living spaces that work in conjunction with each other to create a symbiotic relationship where both human, animal, land, community and Earth can all benefit. This brings in the Me We World idea. When we look at how our actions not only affect us but also take in account for how our actions affect others and the world we are able to look at the bigger picture and think of innovative ways to not only benefit ourselves but also look at the Earth as one whole individual composed of billions of separate parts that all work together. One part affects the whole and comes back and affect the individual. This is a feedback loop that is inescapable living in this closed system of Earth, so to help the Earth we are in turn helping ourselves and the reverse is also true. The ideas of Permaculture allow for abundance and when we have a wealth of things, it becomes easy and enjoyable to share, this plays into the community or “we” aspect of things. When we went to Patagonia, AZ we saw how each of the different farms we visited in the community all knew each other and recently got together for a work project on Windsong Farm, a firsthand example how when people come together for a common cause, in this case the Earth, so much can be accomplished and a community is developed, again not only benefiting oneself, but also a larger network of people and land.
My sustainable vision for the world is one in which we can work like a forest, all symbiotically coexisting with each and every living being we come in contact with, whether it be another person, a baby bird or an old juniper tree. We can create an abundant healthy world when we look that every inch of the earth as a living, breathing organism that serves a purpose in its own way, a purpose that plays a key role in the functions of the earth as a whole and deserves the same respect we would like to see ourselves to be treated; instead of a land mine to get copper or rock in the way to get oil. Everything we need, all of the energy we need comes from the sun and is grown in the soil, all we need to do is shift our ways that have proven to be harmful and inefficient, and begin working with natural systems to feed our mind body spirit and home.
2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Systematic leadership is that connection of passionate individuals working together toward a combined goal. This includes individual management, managerial teams and the organization as a whole. When all parts of the team are responsible and directly linked to each other there is much more room for communication and direct action. Systematic leadership allows for everyone to be a leader which allows for each person to give their own creative input, resulting in more innovative ideas, more projects coming to fruition and all around more being done to better the system in which we live
3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
The first meaningful takeaway I have learned is that Permaculture is a strong and growing community, a community I would love to further be a part of. This idea has spread all across the world and is practiced on so many scales in all different places. It gives me much hope to see so many people basing their land and lives around the principles of Permaculture.
The second take away is how much we can get done working together. This goes for in a physical sense and in a more large scale, world connected sense. When we were on Kate’s farm and dug those huge trenches in just a few hours I was blown away by the teamwork of our group. If we use the same idea on a larger scale, working together as a global community spreading the word and educating people about permaculture, imagine how many people we could touch and how much change could be a result of collaboratively reaching out.
The third take away I learned from this class is about microorganisms. It started with the learning about EM but goes much further than that. Learning about effective microorganism made me realize there is more than just what can be seen to the naked eye that plays into the health of the Earth. I was reading an article in Biodynamics magazine that was talking about how if you put just a tiny bit of salt on a snail it would die, and the same goes for fertilizers and pesticides we put on the soil in conventional farming, something that may not seem harmful to us kills millions of living organisms in the soil, depleting nutrients, and ending a life cycle so vital to our Earth. This class not only taught me how to think on a large scale like I mentioned earlier but in the realm of microorganisms, taught me how to think on a much smaller scale, the scale of bacteria’s and insects and other unseen forces in the soil working their magic
Ben Dowson
In order for us to move in the direction of sustainability on a global level, everyone will have to step forward and assume a role of leadership in their own community. This doesn’t necessarily mean giving orders. What is needed is for each of us to take ownership of our responsibilities to ourselves, each other, and our planet. Systemic leadership means maintaining an awareness of how your actions affect the world around you, and working in a way as to minimize or reverse harmful actions. I have a vision of working towards an actually sustainable way of life. Not just buying “green products”, but working to maximize the potential of the resources at my disposal. This could take the form of growing my own food, recycling fabrics to make clothes, or any number of other outlets. The fact is that for years humans have irresponsibly used natural resources and built a system reliant on constant consumption and eventual disposal of all goods. This is not sustainable, and will never change if we don’t begin to take ownership of our lives.
Through my coursework in Permaculture for Systemic Change, I have learned some valuable lessons. We were presented with examples of human beings doing astounding work. Working with Kate at Deep Dirt farm gave me a profound appreciation for the intimate relationship one can develop with a place. She knew every contour, every rock, and every plant on her 40 acre plot. I have never met anyone with a more detailed understanding of how energy flows in a place. At the Tree of Life I was shown the power of working with a team of motivated humans. Many hands make light work as the saying goes. We were given the task of digging a circular trench in order to secure some loose shade cloth. It was finished within 10 minutes of beginning. We also visited Sleeping Frog farms, Southeast of Tucson, where we met CJ. He is the dedicated owner of the property with a vision and passion you would have a hard time topping. CJ was full of knowledge and smiles. He inspired me and filled me with hope for what is achievable through hard work and commitment. It is people and experiences like these that motivate me more than anything to shape my world into the most beautiful place I can dream of.
Hannah Kechloian
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
The world is a regenerative place. It can heal itself, easily adapt, and is constantly changing. I believe that change starts on an individual level and expands outward, slowly at first but then rapidly. I’d like to believe we’re on the cusp of a deeper understanding as a nation but more importantly as a species. It is becoming common knowledge that the way we are functioning on an individual and group level is not working. It is time to except this and try a different route. We are hurting the earth, each other, and when it comes down to it ourselves. I think it’s time that collectively we start working on creating regenerative systems instead of destructive ones. On an individual scale I want to live in a way that I am proud of. I want to be aware of how my actions affect the things around me, grow my own food, buy locally, create positive relationships, and put my dollars towards the things I believe in. I envision societies creating smaller systems that are harmonious within the larger natural system. Societies that are built on compassion, where everyone’s voice is part of the decision making process and communities have the means to grow all their own food. Societies where nature is respected and honored, and connections between people and the natural world are important. I think if we can truly work hard on living in a regenerative way we will slowly be able to create thriving societies and hopefully, eventually, that will lead to the whole world working together towards a flourishing future for all living things.
2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Systemic leadership involves everyone within a system instead of just one main figure. The power is distributed between all members of a community, everyone’s voice is included in the discussion and all opinions and ideas are respected. Systemic leadership forces everyone to be accountable for their own actions. Blame is eliminated because there is no one person to accuse and solving problems becomes a lot simpler when there are so many people working together to brainstorm and solve an issue.
3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
One of the main things this class has helped me understand is what it looks like to truly live sustainably. It’s easy to talk about change but a lot of the time it’s hard to really believe that one person can make that much of a difference. Throughout this course we visited a couple different people who were actually living and breathing in a regenerative way. They were living in-tune with the permaculture principles and creating amazing places where the earth was slowly starting to be restored and the community excited about participating in the transformation. Witnessing this made change feel more attainable, made me feel like my actions can and do truly matter and destruction we’ve caused to the earth can be reversed.
This class has shown me how many resources and tools there are out there for creating change as well as how many different people are ready to work together to create a positive future.
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
The world is a regenerative place. It can heal itself, easily adapt, and is constantly changing. I believe that change starts on an individual level and expands outward, slowly at first but then rapidly. I’d like to believe we’re on the cusp of a deeper understanding as a nation but more importantly as a species. It is becoming common knowledge that the way we are functioning on an individual and group level is not working. It is time to except this and try a different route. We are hurting the earth, each other, and when it comes down to it ourselves. I think it’s time that collectively we start working on creating regenerative systems instead of destructive ones. On an individual scale I want to live in a way that I am proud of. I want to be aware of how my actions affect the things around me, grow my own food, buy locally, create positive relationships, and put my dollars towards the things I believe in. I envision societies creating smaller systems that are harmonious within the larger natural system. Societies that are built on compassion, where everyone’s voice is part of the decision making process and communities have the means to grow all their own food. Societies where nature is respected and honored, and connections between people and the natural world are important. I think if we can truly work hard on living in a regenerative way we will slowly be able to create thriving societies and hopefully, eventually, that will lead to the whole world working together towards a flourishing future for all living things.
2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world?
Systemic leadership involves everyone within a system instead of just one main figure. The power is distributed between all members of a community, everyone’s voice is included in the discussion and all opinions and ideas are respected. Systemic leadership forces everyone to be accountable for their own actions. Blame is eliminated because there is no one person to accuse and solving problems becomes a lot simpler when there are so many people working together to brainstorm and solve an issue.
3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work?
One of the main things this class has helped me understand is what it looks like to truly live sustainably. It’s easy to talk about change but a lot of the time it’s hard to really believe that one person can make that much of a difference. Throughout this course we visited a couple different people who were actually living and breathing in a regenerative way. They were living in-tune with the permaculture principles and creating amazing places where the earth was slowly starting to be restored and the community excited about participating in the transformation. Witnessing this made change feel more attainable, made me feel like my actions can and do truly matter and destruction we’ve caused to the earth can be reversed.
This class has shown me how many resources and tools there are out there for creating change as well as how many different people are ready to work together to create a positive future.
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Mikayla Sweeney
I see a world that has collectively moved past the “awareness” of our interdependence with the natural world and developed a reality with it. A world that has moved beyond our corrupt views of this earth; a set of random occurrences, a place for us to extract resources and give nothing back in return, and continue to cause harm. These perceptions have limited us from seeing the real around us. I see a world where we embody the idea that each thing we sense is a sentient being in its own right. To achieve this, we may have to rethink our everyday normals and start to groove in a new dance. I strongly believe that a collective, collaborative transformation needs to happen internally and externally, as to how communities and civilization works. Right now we work as separate parts and these parts are stuck in a constant corrupt cycle. We are just doing enough to get by, for ourselves, without an expansive thought or regard for beauty. This transformation needs to happen with our increase in population growth, the fuels we emit into the atmosphere which pollute and toxify, our consumption habits, economy, and the way we perceive wealth. We have it within ourselves to change our culture. Gary Snyder said, “If man is to remain on earth he must transform the five-millennia-long urbanizing civilization tradition into a new ecologically-sensitive harmony-oriented wild-minded scientific-spiritual culture.” Wildness is the state of complete awareness. That’s why we need it. We need to experience vulnerability and complete exposure and opened senses. This could also be done by re-thinking education and governmental systems where the social and natural environment walk hand-in-hand. Where we do not seek abstract dimensions such as heaven or hell, but instead recognize that expressing yourself in however way you chose should be celebrated but also recognizing that what we should be ‘worshiping’ is the very ground we walk on. However, I must say, that when it comes to religion it should not be triumphed but rather seeing the similar subtleties in most faiths -our breathing earth- this is where no one in a higher power can show us what is sacred, for we are all having a different and exciting experience. I see a sustainable, regenerative and thriving world where we stop the fighting and begin to exist as a whole once again.
In a ‘me’ sense, I would like to continue to live on this earth finding a balance between how much I take and how much I serve and give back, to essentially sustain my role within the greater whole. I would like to continue to fully understand and become grounded within my being so I am able to connect more deeply with what is around me. With having a strong center-of-self comes respect for the earth and all that it Homes; Earth care, People care, Fair share.
Systemic leadership is a system in which there in less of a ego-fueled power dynamic with one facilitator. Instead, it is a system where all parts are heard, celebrated, and taken into account. It is when an intentional space is created, where our innate ability to collaborate and work together rather than against exists naturally. It allows us to make choices and decisions for ourselves rather than relying on external sources while practicing compassion and ‘whole system awareness’. In systemic leadership, each participant in the system senses the system itself; moves with the system and knows it well.
Our cultural society has disconnected us from the natural world by the way we speak, act, think, and communicate with others. The importance of real, authentic, beneficial communications between life forms is so powerful and too often over looked! We have lost the ability to adapt and connect with the life around us. This idea of “consciously disciplined intelligence” being intentional, deliberate, and aware. THE TRUTH ABOUT PERCEPTION meaning the commingling of all of our senses towards the things we perceive... Can it then be assumed that those beings are perceiving us as well? Everything we perceive is animate? Whaaat? We are constantly being shaped and changed by the shaping and changing world around us so for that reason there is no right or wrong answer, no value judgments, just different ways of interacting with the world.
I see a world that has collectively moved past the “awareness” of our interdependence with the natural world and developed a reality with it. A world that has moved beyond our corrupt views of this earth; a set of random occurrences, a place for us to extract resources and give nothing back in return, and continue to cause harm. These perceptions have limited us from seeing the real around us. I see a world where we embody the idea that each thing we sense is a sentient being in its own right. To achieve this, we may have to rethink our everyday normals and start to groove in a new dance. I strongly believe that a collective, collaborative transformation needs to happen internally and externally, as to how communities and civilization works. Right now we work as separate parts and these parts are stuck in a constant corrupt cycle. We are just doing enough to get by, for ourselves, without an expansive thought or regard for beauty. This transformation needs to happen with our increase in population growth, the fuels we emit into the atmosphere which pollute and toxify, our consumption habits, economy, and the way we perceive wealth. We have it within ourselves to change our culture. Gary Snyder said, “If man is to remain on earth he must transform the five-millennia-long urbanizing civilization tradition into a new ecologically-sensitive harmony-oriented wild-minded scientific-spiritual culture.” Wildness is the state of complete awareness. That’s why we need it. We need to experience vulnerability and complete exposure and opened senses. This could also be done by re-thinking education and governmental systems where the social and natural environment walk hand-in-hand. Where we do not seek abstract dimensions such as heaven or hell, but instead recognize that expressing yourself in however way you chose should be celebrated but also recognizing that what we should be ‘worshiping’ is the very ground we walk on. However, I must say, that when it comes to religion it should not be triumphed but rather seeing the similar subtleties in most faiths -our breathing earth- this is where no one in a higher power can show us what is sacred, for we are all having a different and exciting experience. I see a sustainable, regenerative and thriving world where we stop the fighting and begin to exist as a whole once again.
In a ‘me’ sense, I would like to continue to live on this earth finding a balance between how much I take and how much I serve and give back, to essentially sustain my role within the greater whole. I would like to continue to fully understand and become grounded within my being so I am able to connect more deeply with what is around me. With having a strong center-of-self comes respect for the earth and all that it Homes; Earth care, People care, Fair share.
Systemic leadership is a system in which there in less of a ego-fueled power dynamic with one facilitator. Instead, it is a system where all parts are heard, celebrated, and taken into account. It is when an intentional space is created, where our innate ability to collaborate and work together rather than against exists naturally. It allows us to make choices and decisions for ourselves rather than relying on external sources while practicing compassion and ‘whole system awareness’. In systemic leadership, each participant in the system senses the system itself; moves with the system and knows it well.
Our cultural society has disconnected us from the natural world by the way we speak, act, think, and communicate with others. The importance of real, authentic, beneficial communications between life forms is so powerful and too often over looked! We have lost the ability to adapt and connect with the life around us. This idea of “consciously disciplined intelligence” being intentional, deliberate, and aware. THE TRUTH ABOUT PERCEPTION meaning the commingling of all of our senses towards the things we perceive... Can it then be assumed that those beings are perceiving us as well? Everything we perceive is animate? Whaaat? We are constantly being shaped and changed by the shaping and changing world around us so for that reason there is no right or wrong answer, no value judgments, just different ways of interacting with the world.
Colleen Boge:
"The habit of looking to the future and thinking that the whole meaning of the present lies in what it will bring forth is a pernicious one. There can be no value in the whole unless there is value in the parts."
BERTRAND RUSSELL, Conquest of Happiness
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision)
For me, the future is a bird flying across the sky, unreachable and beautiful. I don’t know what the future of our world will be, probably a similar model to now but hopefully a little bit more understanding, thoughtful and fair. My ideal world, my vision of a regenerative thriving world would be a place that would embody the core permaculture ethics of fair share, people care, and earth care. There would be time and space for all beings to explore their creativity and freedom. There would be awareness and gratefulness for nature’s bounty, limits, and beauty as well as for other humans and communities. I personally would be spending my being human and trying as hard as I can to help others. The “we” would be communities or families or organizations that use collaborative leadership and action to connect and explore. The world would continue thriving and growing towards an even better future, and so on. Even now our world is so complex and cruel and beautiful, it’s hard to wrap my mind around it and while I’m around I will simply do the best I can with the time I’m given. 2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world? I believe that systemic leadership eradicates the need for one main person or a handful of people be in charge of the rest of the world, replacing it with numerous systems (large and small) of interconnecting people and organizations that lead communities and countries. This way, leadership catalysts and activities are not saved for management or the elite class but for everyone involved and can potentially produce greater collaborative action. Systemic leadership also offers a symbiotic relationship between leadership movements or activities and the system itself. With each little system growing stronger and contributing to other systems, the larger whole system including the natural world benefits. Systemic leadership is difficult to implement, but not impossible. Re-training not only others but yourself to take self-direct and implement projects yet be collaborative and focused is key to developing a new kind of leadership. The concept of systemic leadership distributes power among different people in different communities around the world, allowing for more collaborative thinking and action to happen. 3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work? A: Do what you can with what you have and the time you are given. B: Ideas and visions can transcend and inspire but are worth nothing without passion, decisiveness, and most importantly, action. C: Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do is to simply try. Haley Ahmann
1. What is your sustainable, regenerative and thriving vision for the world? (Incorporate the relationship between the me, we, and world, or personal, social, and systemic within your vision) My vision for the world and for our potential future is that there will be a collective awakening to the current state of environmental issues. I would like to see a movement and see people gain their hope for the future from nature and restorative practices that is mutually beneficial for people and the Earth. I become apart my vision with step one: the collective awakening and reconnection to nature. I want to help the next generation of sustainable stewards fall in love with nature again. With more people moving to cities and open nature spaces getting smaller people don’t have a connection to nature. This is especially detrimental for the younger generation; who could potentially grow up without spending any time in wild places, or even knowing where their food comes from. With technology and our current school system we are creating an indoor generation. Schools today continue to cut back on recess and spend more time teaching to the state issued test that our country uses to distribute funding based on scores. When kids are indoors all day at school and then doing homework or on the computer, phone, or TV until bed there is no room for a relationship with nature. That’s why it’s so important to me to build that bond between kids and the Earth who otherwise wouldn’t experience the beautiful and fragile system that they are interconnected to. 2. What is systemic leadership and how can it be incorporated into designing and facilitating practices as a maverick artist change maker of the world? Systemic leadership is not being a leader of a system but a leader who is apart of the system. I think the art of hosting put it best when the aim of leader should be to host and be hosted by others. It’s collaborative. It is inclusive. By taking this approach to leadership other members of the system don’t feel less than the leader or the objective for change but an integral aspect that allows them to share their strengths with the collective unit. I felt as though I was apart of a systemic leadership system in this class, and also in my job in North Carolina at the summer camp. For this class I felt that the way this class was designed it was impossible not to feel apart of the community, the vision and the overall content of what I will take away from this class. Similar to this class, my job last summer embodied a lot of the hosting principles. From the moment I started working I felt that I was important and my opinions and personal growth was apart of my journey and the journey of the camp as a whole. I think a systemic leader has the potential to make people belong; there is something intrinsically powerful about making someone feel like they belong to something. 3. What are three meaningful takeaways you will carry with you from the permaculture for systemic change course in your life and work? I will take away many cool things from this class. I think for one I have a whole new lens for looking at situations, and creatively instating positive change. The big picture thinking and the reminder of interconnection of all things, and how the future may look dark but the kids of today carry the light and there is so much hope. I think the last big thing I will take away from this class is implementing small and slow solutions. I think the field aspect and seeing from others what doesn’t feel true to me. Witnessing individuals who were set on their way for the future and didn’t question or weren’t flexible to different ideas felt like a step back instead of step forward. I think that staying open and responsive to feedback is what makes a system regenerative and one aspect of how we can begin to restore and revitalize our home. |
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