Events

 

Interdependence Games

One-Day Workshop in conjunction with Transition Leicester

10am-4pm on Saturday 20th April 2013

at Friends Meeting House, Queens Rd, Leicester

    May 2013

    April 2013

        Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th May 2013

Interconnectedness of Life

Weekend residential at Bamford Quaker Community

Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th May 2013


How do we move from Control to Participation? Explore what we can learn from the incredible way life works, using experiential group activities.

A weekend in the stunning Hope Valley, Peak District at a community based in Quaker principles and living more sustainably. Situated in 11 acres of wild forest wetland and organic gardens Systems Games sessions will be interspersed with time to cook, eat, and spend time outdoors.


See the more details and the course programme here.

To book see www.quakercommunity.org.uk/retreats.html

Exploring an interconnected worldview through experiential activities, and inspiring images and film clips from the natural world.

Group discussions around what this means in participants life and practice.

Developing our relationship with nature. Outside nature connection and awareness activities. Becoming aware of the patterns and relationships in nature – how does this inform how we act in the world?

What would our lives, communities, economy and society look like if we moved from a paradigm of control to participation? Presentation, experiential activities and discussion on how we can act with responsiveness, joy, flexibility and collaboration.

    May 2013

        6pm Wednesday 22nd May 2013

Systems Games

Evening workshop at Cambridge Architectural Research

6pm Wednesday 22nd May 2013

Drinks from 5.30pm

25 Gwydir Street #6,
Cambridge, CB1 2LG


Free!


See www.carltd.com/showrooms for more info and to book a place.


        10am - 4pm on Saturday 20th April 2013

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    April 2013

        Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April 2013

Systems Games and Singing Workshops

I am running two Singing Workshop with rounds and song’s on the Fair’s theme of circles and cycles. 

Saturday 1pm-1.45pm
Sunday 11am-11.45am

And two Systems Games sessions, again, on the theme of circles and cycles

Saturday 3pm-3.45pm
Sunday 1pm-1.45pm

Its free to come along!

Derbyshire Eco Centre, Porter Lane, Middleton-by-Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4LS

For more info see www.ecocentreexchange.org.uk



    May 2013

        Tues 7th - Fri 10th May 2013

Starhawk Course at Schumacher College

Crossing Stony Ground: Renewing & Sustaining
the Journey

Tues 7th - Fri 10th May 2013

I am facilitating this course with Starhawk.

The work of personal, communal, and global transformation has been likened to a journey that we embark on with joy and enthusiasm. But after the first rush of energy wears off, how do we continue as the way begins to seem long and hard? In this four-day workshop, Starhawk will guide you across the stony ground to sustain, renew and clarify your individual journey.

More info on the course

Book online


    July 2013

        Mon 22nd - Fri 26th July 2013

Helena Norberg-Hodge course
at Schumacher College

The Economics of Happiness - Localisation

Mon 22nd - Fri 26th July 2013

I am facilitating this course with Helena.

Join one of the true pioneers of the ‘new economy’ to examine the personal, social, ecological, and economic benefits of shifting direction – away from the globalising economic path toward localisation.

    July 2013

Major, Minor and Elective at The Oxford Summer Academy

Sun June 30th - Sat July 13th 2013

I am running the following 3 courses:

Complex Systems Science - Ecology, Philosophy and Complexity Theory
Reductionist science has provided us with incredible powers of prediction and control, but doesn’t give us the full picture. Complex systems that naturally occur in our world, such as organisms, ecosystems and social structures are not fully understood by this form of scientific enquiry. This course introduces complexity theory and investigates how this informs our understanding of ecology, the way we practice science, and the way we organize our society.

Global Crises, Local Solutions
In the coming years we face a triple crunch of resource depletion, financial crisis and reaching our planet’s ecological limits. Within this generation it is likely that we will need to restructure our society to one that can maintain wellbeing and quality of life, while reducing energy and resource use. This course looks at the possible future scenarios we can expect, and investigates the inspiring work that cities, towns and villages across the world are already doing to create thriving, resilient communities.

Improvisational Comedy
Not only is this elective guaranteed to make you laugh, it also gives you invaluable skills for creative leadership and collaboration in a complex and unpredictable world. Through a series of improvisation theatre games you will develop skills in spontaneity, instant responsiveness, building on ideas, and leading without control. You will learn how to create entertaining stories and scenes out of nowhere by taking inspiration from your co-performers. There will be a chance to perform your own Impro Show at the end of the course.

More info on the course

Book online

This course will examine the personal, social, ecological, and economic benefits of shifting direction – away from the globalising economic path pushed by big business and government, towards more diverse, localised, and ecological economies rooted to place. We will be looking at the need for both policy level changes, as well community-based, grassroots initiatives.

Our approach will be very broad and holistic, and will consider a range of issues from the perspective of both the global North and South. Making use of lectures, interactive dialogue, documentary films, and participatory experiential exercises (including song and dance), we will explore such themes as:

  1. Localisation, climate change and peak oil

  2. The roots of racial, ethnic, and religious conflict

  3. Celebrity culture, personal identity and self-esteem

  4. Economic revitalisation, both urban and rural

  5. The spiritual and psychological importance of connecting to nature and community

  6. Why local food means global prosperity

  7. Voluntary simplicity and other alternatives to consumerism

  8. The ‘slow food’ and ‘slow money’ movements

  9. Healthcare in a life-based economy

  10. Business alliances for local economies

  11. Getting the real measure of prosperity and progress


More info on the course

Book online

Most of the work I do is through bespoke workshops for existing organisations, university courses, schools and events.

    March 2013

Enterprising Futures at Schumacher College

Enterprising Futures: Exploring Enterprise Models for the 21st Century

11th - 28th March 2013

I am facilitating this course with Tim Crabtree.

Teachers include Giles Hutchins, Alan Moore, Ed Mayo, Pat Conaty, Tim Crabtree, Jonathan Dawson and Dirk Rohwedder

This course explores the rapidly changing world of enterprise forms and models, helping to make sense of the revolution currently sweeping through the ways in which we do business.

Information technologies are permitting the emergence of more dispersed, distributed and localized forms of enterprise and facilitating a resurgence in cooperative models.

In parallel, many large-scale businesses are explicitly looking to nature as their model and mentor for the development of new technologies and forms of organization.

New, dynamic and innovative partnerships are emerging involving multiple stakeholders – large-scale business, social enterprise, charities and the state – in the delivery of goods and services of true social and environmental, as well as economic benefit.

This course explores all these trends and provides the tools to would-be social entrepreneurs seeking to create their own initiatives.

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        11th - 28th March 2013

        30th June - 13th July 2013

    August 2013

        24th - 31st August 2013

Othona - Bradwel On Sea Music Week

Harmony Singing, Junk Funk, Improvisation & Games

24th - 31st August 2013

I am leading this week

Expect an unique mix of activities, including:  Beautiful four part harmony singing;  Junk Funk – make drums and instruments out of recycled materials, and then play them!  Vegetable Orchestra – experiment with getting sounds out of veges!  Improvisation - learn to make up songs on the spot;  Play some group games that create music, including an emergent beatbox ensemble.  Opportunities for people of all ages and musical abilities to get involved.  For those who want to, there’ll be a chance to perform in the Friday night cabaret. Bring along your instruments for informal jam sessions.

More info on the course

Book online


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    September 2013

        17th September 2013

CleanMed's fourth European conference

A Living Systems Approach to Sustainable Healthcare

9am-10.30am on 17th Sept


An interactive workshop exploring ideas from complexity theory and systemic thinking to give new perspectives of systems at all levels - the way human bodies work, how we organise in teams and organisations, social and economic dynamics, and our impacts and dependence on ecological systems.

More...


More info on the conference

Register online

More info on my Workshop

    June 2014

        11–15 June 2014

David Whyte course
at Schumacher College

The Pilgrim Way: Setting the Direction for a Future Life

11 – 15 June 2014

I am facilitating this course for the College.

A three-day intensive with poet David Whyte, with contributions from pilgrim and activist Satish Kumar.

During this course David will be exploring the pilgrim identity, how to set the direction for a future life, and the theme of solace, the art of asking the beautiful question.

There will time in teaching sessions with David, a public reading and an intimate group discussion with David and Satish. There will also be a field trip to a magical area of Dartmoor, and plenty of space for writing and sharing.

    Ongoing

      

Harmony Singing

A Cappella singing: 4 part harmonies and rounds from the Natural Voice Network tradition - so no auditions - and singing for the pure enjoyment rather than preparing for performance. Easy to learn songs, beautiful to hear.

Contact me here if you’re interested 

    November 2013

        16 November 2013

Harmony Singing in the Peak District

2pm-5pm Saturday 16 November 2013

Shared lunch starts at 1pm

Come and learn and sing some beautiful songs from around the world, in the Hope Valley.

A Cappella singing: 4 part harmonies and rounds from the Natural Voice Network tradition - so no auditions - and singing for the pure enjoyment rather than preparing for performance. Easy to learn songs, beautiful to hear. With a shared lunch beforehand in a stunning location in the Peaks. Near Sheffield. Quite a few members have children who come and they can join in singing if they want to, or play outside nearby.


The group will be ongoing so if you can’t make this one then still send me a message...

Contact me here if you’re interested 

    Winter 2013/14

      

Harmony Singing at Torriano Meeting House

99 Torriano Ave, Kentish Town, NW5 2RX

7.30pm-9.45pm on some Wednesdays

Come and learn and sing some beautiful songs from around the world

A Cappella singing: 4 part harmonies and rounds from the Natural Voice Network tradition - so no auditions - and singing for the pure enjoyment rather than preparing for performance. Easy to learn songs, beautiful to hear and be part of.

Please let me know you are coming for the first time...

Contact me here if you’re interested 

    March 2014

        26 March 2014

Re-thinking Progress,

Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s first education open-house event

25th - 27th March 2014

I am running a Systems Games session on the middle day of the event.

Re-thinking Progress is the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s first ever education open-house event. Hosted at University of Bradford’s re:centre for the circular economy, the event offers new ideas for all those interested in circular economy thinking.

With over 25 different themes to explore and all sessions free to attend, this will be a great opportunity to develop and share ideas with colleagues from business, education and design.

Re-thinking Progress offers the chance to access circular economy expertise and support, learn how to apply it to your area of interest, and signpost you to resources and further support.

More info on the event and to book

    May 2014

        5-9 May 2014

Fritjof Capra course
at Schumacher College

The Systems View of Life – A Unifying Vision

5-9 May 2014

I am facilitating this course with Fritjof and will run experiential systems games during the course to embody and explore the principles Fritjof presents.

As the twenty-first century unfolds, a new systemic conception of life is emerging at the forefront of science. It is a unified view that integrates, for the first time, life’s biological, cognitive, social and ecological dimensions. Such an integrated view is urgently needed today to deal with our global ecological crisis and protect the continuation and flourishing of life on Earth.

In this course, based on his new textbook, The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision, coauthored with Pier Luigi Luisi and published by Cambridge University Press, Fritjof will present a conceptual framework that integrates the ideas, models, and theories, which together represent the new scientific understanding of life, into a single coherent framework.

He will also discuss the philosophical, spiritual, social, and political implications of the emerging systems view of life.

  1. The main characteristics of systems thinking

  2. The systemic definition of biological life as self-generating networks

  3. The similarities and differences between biological and social networks

  4. A radically new conception of mind and consciousness

  5. The relationship between deep ecology and spirituality

  6. The importance of systemic thinking for dealing with our global crisis

  7. The true meaning of ecological sustainability


More info on the course

Book online

    June 2014

        1 June 2014

Economics, Energy & Environment Conference

Experiencing Living Systems

9.45am - 5pm  on 1 June 2014

I am running a 1hr40 workshop as part of this conference.

Mechanistic, linear thinking has helped create the wonders of the modern world. But is this worldview appropriate in a world of increasing complexity and uncertainty? Could it be an underlying cause of the ecological, social and financial crises we currently face? And is there an alternative?


In this workshop, Robin de Carteret explores a living systems worldview and will lead us through some simple games that model the complex dynamics in organisms, eco-systems, economy & society. We'll look at concepts such as feedback, emergence, tipping points, edge of chaos and self-regulation. The games will be interspersed with inspiring images and film clips of natural systems exhibiting similar complex emergent behaviour. Robin will explore the shift from a 'mechanistic', to a 'living systems' view of the world - one where we move from a paradigm of control, to one of participation.

General Conference Information:

On June 1st we bring together some pioneering speakers from around the globe to open up these questions. John Michael Greer shares his views on the future of industrial society and the elements of a personal response.  Robin de Carteret takes us into the world of living systems to help break us out of the western pattern of machine-like thinking. 

We understand the environmental challenges we face, but why does western society seem to be sitting on it's hands and continue to increase pollution and resource exploitation?  What can we really do to make a difference? How can we really understand nature better?

More info on the conference

Book online

    July 2014

Major, Minor and Elective at The Oxford Summer Academy

June 30th – July 25th 2014

I am running the following 3 courses:

Global Crises, Local Solutions
In the coming years we face a triple crunch of resource depletion, financial crisis and reaching our planet’s ecological limits. Within this generation it is likely that we will need to restructure our society to one that can maintain wellbeing and quality of life, while reducing energy and resource use. This course looks at the possible future scenarios we can expect, and investigates the inspiring work that cities, towns and villages across the world are already doing to create thriving, resilient communities.

New Economics for a Low Carbon Future
Crowdsourcing, peer to peer lending, Freecycle, and micro credit schemes, are all examples of social innovations that are disrupting the global economy. We have an economic system that relies on growth in a world of finite resources – which is likely to mean endless cycles of financial bubbles and crashes. This course looks at new ideas, technologies, and initiatives that are transforming our economic system into one fit for our networked society; one that can provide prosperity and financial stability without exponential increases in the use of resources and energy.

Improvisational Comedy
Not only is this elective guaranteed to make you laugh, it also gives you invaluable skills for creative leadership and collaboration in a complex and unpredictable world. Through a series of improvisation theatre games you will develop skills in spontaneity, instant responsiveness, building on ideas, and leading without control. You will learn how to create entertaining stories and scenes out of nowhere by taking inspiration from your co-performers. There will be a chance to perform your own Impro Show at the end of the course.

More info on the course

Book online

        June 30th – July 25th 2014

        POSTPONED 10am-4pm on Saturday 29th June 2014

    June 2014

Interdependence Games

A One-Day Workshop facilitated by Robin de Carteret

POSTPONED 10am-4pm on Sunday 29th June 2014

at St Leonard’s Primary School, St Leonard’s Ave, Stafford, ST17 4LT

Please contact Guy: guy@corani.org if you are interested we will arrange a new date for the summer/autumn

    July 2014

        30 June - 4 July 2014

Eve Mitleton-Kelly course
at Schumacher College

Complexity and Collaboration: Applying Complexity Theory to Organisational Transformation

30 June - 4 July 2014

I am facilitating this course for the College.

Successful organisations no longer operate in a “top-down” fashion, and benefit from empowering their employees to work collaboratively. This course will introduce you to some key principles of complexity theory and learn how they can be applied collaboratively with the aim of transforming an organisation by co-creating a new culture, structure and way of working.

    October 2014

Vandana Shiva at Schumacher College

Earth Democracy:
Creating Living Economies and Living Cultures


6th-10th October 2014

I am facilitating this course for the College.

In this course, Vandana Shiva will join us for a rare teaching week in the UK, to investigate Earth Democracy and how it can be brought to life through the concrete experience of her food movement Navdanya – a network founded to help farmers achieve seed and food sovereignty, now the largest direct marketing, fairtrade organic network in India.



        6th - 10th October 2014

Vandana will be focussing on the core concepts of her latest book Earth Democracy and Making Peace with the Earth, in which she argues that consumerism lubricates the war against the earth and that corporate control violates all ethical and ecological limits. She will be looking to involve participants in how we might reframe the dominant narrative of our times from Corporate Globalisation to Earth Democracy.

    November 2014

Interview with Fritjof Capra

as part of the...

Disruptive Innovation Festival

Curated by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation


3rd November 2014

I will be interviewing Fritjof Capra in an online webinar.

Fritjof Capra is a physicist, systems theorist and science writer, as well as an environmental educator and activist. Working originally on research in theoretical high energy physics he became fascinated in the profound change in our worldview that was brought about by the conceptual revolution in physics — a change from the mechanistic worldview of Descartes and Newton to a holistic and ecological view.

In the interview we will be discussing how this ‘Living Systems’ view can help us transform our economy and society to one fit for the 21st century. 



        3rd November 2014

    November 2014

Living at the Edge of Chaos Workshop

in London

as part of the...

Disruptive Innovation Festival

Curated by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation


8th November 2014   2:00pm- 5:30pm

I will be running a free public Systems Games Workshop - at a venue TBC in London

Journey through the inner-workings of some of the most complex systems in the universe! Through a series of interactive games we'll unwrap the interdependent dynamics behind organisms, eco-systems, economy & society. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of emergence, feedback, chaos and self-organisation and how we can live smarter in an increasingly unpredictable world.

        8 November 2014

    March 2015

Dunbar SciFest Weekend

Science Festival

7th - 8th March 2015

Click here for more info

I am running two different workshops a number of times during the weekend:

Edge of Chaos Games

Suitable for 8 years+

Journey through some of the most complex systems in the universe in this inspiring and fun workshop. Play with a vortex in a bottle, see footage of intelligent slime mould and take part in live systems games where you become part of an interdependent system at the edge of chaos!

You will need to book a place to attend this event

Workshop Date & Time

07-MAR-2015, 12:30 (60 minutes)

07-MAR-2015, 15:30 (60 minutes)

08-MAR-2015, 12:30 (60 minutes)

08-MAR-2015, 15:30 (60 minutes)


Nature Games

Suitable for all ages (3+)

Get outside and use your senses in this fun exploration of nature. Learn how a tree works by building one out of people. Hone your sensing skills with blindfold games. And get your hands muddy as we search for mini beasts and then mimic the creatures’ behaviours.

You will need to book a place to attend this event

Workshop Date & Time

07-MAR-2015, 10:30 (60 minutes)

08-MAR-2015, 10:30 (60 minutes)



        7th - 8th March 2015

    March 2015

Living at the Edge of Chaos – using Systems Games

‘Planning with Hope – Transformational change from the bottom up’

Scottish Communities Climate Action Network Conference

Tuesday 10th March, 9am-5pm

Albert Halls Stirling FK8 2QL

I am running two sessions at this conference.

More info click here

Book your place here

We are living in interesting times. Our current fossil fuel driven ways of life and economic system are increasingly unfit for purpose. The world seems increasingly complex, uncertain and unpredictable. The threat of climate chaos looms.

How can an understanding of nature’s systems help us to work creatively amidst this uncertainty to shape the future we want for our communities?

We will be exploring this question during the morning session of our Spring Gathering in Stirling on 10th March with the help of Robin de Carteret. Robin is an educator, facilitator and consultant in participative education, complexity science and sustainability. He specialises in using experiential activities for learning and communication; acting to bring about change through a living systems view of the world.

For those wanting to explore this approach in more depth, a two-hour workshop during the afternoon will delve deeper into how we can create resilience by bringing out the informal intelligence that already exists in our organisations and communities.

Interactive activities will provide the opportunity to explore: feedback loops, improvisation and emergent collaborative creativity

        10th March 2015

    April 2015

Margaret Wheatley at Schumacher College

Leaders as Warriors for the Human Spirit

13-17 April 2015

I am facilitating this Margaret Wheatley

Join Margaret Wheatley, one of the USA’s most eminent speakers on the subject of leadership, on a 5 day course which will challenge leaders to develop the will, discipline and skills to lead and support people, acting as warriors for the human spirit.


More info on the course

        13-17 April 2015

    May 2015

Polly Higgins and Sister Jewel
at Schumacher College

Daring to be Great – Aligning Our Sense of Purpose

11 - 15 May 2015

I am facilitating this course with Polly Higgins and Sister Jewel.

Join Polly Higgins and Sister Jewel and explore of how we all allow ‘greatness’ into our lives, how our state of being informs our state of doing, how we unlock the ‘innate’ and free ourselves to dare to be great in our lives. This course is for all who feel they would like to be in service to the Earth


More info on the course

        11 - 15 May 2015

    September 2015

Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center Summer School

Tackling Wicked Problems

21-25 September 2015, in Einsiedeln (Canton Schwyz):

Many of the global grand challenges that our societies are increasingly facing are complex interconnected social and environmental problems, such as adaptation and mitigation to climate change or sustainable growth and future food security for a growing population. Some of these issues are so complex they have been called ‘wicked’ problems. The traditional reductionist approach no longer seems to work for solving them. They can only be dealt with when emphasizing contextual understanding, collaborative frameworks that include concerted perspectives of many societal actors and aim at system transformation. Using real-world case studies, you will learn to identify inherent properties of wicked problems and experience the learning cycle of open inquiry for dealing with wicked problems. You will apply commonly defined transdisciplinary and systems thinking approaches, and will be introduced to exploring stakeholders worldviews, dealing with conflicts, reframing complex interconnected situations, visualize options, apply decision frameworks for comparing and defining resulting actions for society and policy.

Programme includes:

The Grand Challenges (Gerd Folkers, Collegium Helveticum)

Wicked Problem Framework (Melanie Paschke, Plant Science Center)

Complexity Games (Robin de Carteret, Systems Games)

Problem-Framing: Feedback, Perspectives, and Boundaries (Christian Pohl, TdLab ETHZ)

Applied systems thinking for inquiry into complexity (Martin Reynolds, Open University)

Applied ethics for decision making (Ivo Wallimann-Helmer, UZH)

Approaches for system transformation (Julia Backhaus, ICIS)

Tentative governances: managing scenario approaches in policy (Peter Stegmaier, University Twente)


I am running 2 workshops in the programme:

Complexity Games - a Living Systems Perspective

Improvisation and Collaborative Creativity - from Control to Participation


Apply here: SPSW Event and Course Administration Tool

Or Contact me here if you’re interested

        21-25 September 2015

    September 2015

        19 September 2015

TRANSITION CONFERENCE 2015 18-20 Sept

Systems Games - From Control to Participation

19 Sept 2015 14.30-16.00

I am running this workshop at the conference.

We live in a highly connected, complex and unpredictable world. Linear thinking and command and control are increasingly unfit for purpose. So what’s an alternative? Using interactive games we’ll explore a Living Systems perspective - the way nature operates in an interconnected, dynamic and emergent way. We’ll shed light on innovative ways of working for communities and organisations. You’ll become part of a slime mould with emergent properties and a living feedback loop! We’ll reveal a new way of seeing the world that will help us make intelligent and creative decisions in an uncertain future.

    April 2016

Enlivenment and Liberation: Bringing ‘Aliveness’ Back To Our World and Lives

at Schumacher College

Monday, 18 April, 2016 to Friday, 22 April, 2016

I am facilitating this course with Andreas Weber.

With Andreas Weber and guests David Abram, Stephan Harding, Satish Kumar, Sarah Corbett and David Bollier (by videolink). Join us for this week-long exploration of 'Enlivenment' in which we put a new understanding of the world as alive, interconnected, expressive and meaningful, central to our understanding of reality. How can we practice aliveness in all that we do? This is a course for all who want to make 'deep sustainability' possible and find personal and collective liberation through a 'new policy of life'. This week includes a workshop called 'Craftivism' that uses craft as a meditative tool in a transformative and gentle way of 'doing' activism.


More info on the conference


        Monday, 18 April, 2016 to Friday, 22 April, 2016

    November 2015

Edge of Chaos Games

DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION FESTIVAL

2-20 NOVEMBER 2015

I am leading this online session at 9.30am on 20th November

Our world is getting faster, more connected, and increasingly complex. Linear thinking and centralised control are becoming unfit for purpose. So what’s an alternative? Using interactive games you can do at your desk, we’ll explore a Living Systems perspective - the way nature operates in an interconnected, dynamic and emergent way. We’ll shed light on innovative ways of working for organisations and communities. You’ll see feedback loops create emergent patterns on your screen, experience order emerging out of chaos and we’ll reveal a new way of seeing the world that will help us make intelligent, creative decisions in an uncertain future.

        9.30am 20th November 2015

        18:50 14th November 2015

Butterfly Effect Game run by Robin Carteret

Transition Town Totnes Film Festival

14th - 15th November 2015

I am running this 30 minute session at 18:50 on 14th following ‘Two Raging Grannies’

Can two people change the world? Systems Thinking says yes! Experience how this can be true with a game led by Robin de Carteret of SystemsGames.org.uk - Delve into the interdependent dynamics found in our climate system but also in the social and economic changes needed to create a hopeful future with a stable climate. 

    November 2015

    April 2017

How to change the world: By changing the way we think

at Anglia Ruskin University

11.45 - 1.15pm Wednesday 5th April 2017

I am teaching this workshop, which is only open to Anglia Ruskin University students and staff.

We are facing multiple ecological, economic and social crises. But as Albert Einstein said “we can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Our world is now highly connected, more complex and unpredictable. Our mainstream use of linear thinking and ‘predict and control’ is increasingly unfit for purpose. So what’s an alternative?… A systems thinking view of the world, which suggests responding skilfully in the moment and creating a space for emergent creative collaboration. Through a series of simulations and improvisation games you will develop skills in complexity thinking, spontaneity, failing with enthusiasm, instant responsiveness, building on ideas, and letting go of control.

This workshop is the third in a series of events aimed at supporting students and staff to develop the skills to ‘Change the world’.

The interactive session will develop your ability to work effectively as part of a team, show true leadership, and collaborate in new and creative ways with people outside of your usual academic and social circles.

        Wednesday 5th April 2017

    March 2016

Living Systems Games

National Sustainable Schools Conference - Leicester City Hall

Wed 2 March 1.30pm-2.45pm

I am running this 1hr15 session.

Our world is getting faster, more connected, and increasingly complex. Linear thinking and centralised control are becoming unfit for purpose. So what’s an alternative? Using interactive games, participants will explore a Living Systems View - the way nature operates in an interconnected, dynamic and emergent way. 


More info on the conference


        1.30-2.45pm Wed 2 March 2016

    April 2016

Learning from Nature

Transition Hope Valley Speaker Programme

Loxley Hall, Hope, S33 6RH.  Free entry with collection for expenses.

19.45-21.30 Monday 4th April 2016

I am running this 1hr 45m session

'What can natural systems teach us about the way we organise our society, economy and organisations?' Using interactive activities and inspiring film clips Robin de Carteret will take us through 3 levels of Biomimicry, Circular Economy and Systems Thinking to explore the implications of a shift from a linear to an interdependent systems view of the world.


See the Transition Hope Valley site


        19.45-21.30 Monday 4th April 2016

    March 2017

Decolonizing Teacher Education - Re-thinking the Educational Relationship

March 10th - 11th 2017

A Seminar hosted by the Centre for Creativity, Sustainability and Educational Futures Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter and Regina

I’m facilitating an Open Space workshop.

We believe that ‘conventional’ understandings of education are, for the most part, colonizing. It is based on a model that wishes to replace perceived ‘incorrect’ or ‘lesser’ knowledge with ‘correct’ or ‘better’ knowledge, and correct knowledge is determined by the mainstream and people with power. As such, difference is seen as something to be removed, the subaltern (perceived incorrect/lesser) position is replaced by the dominant (perceived correct/better) position. It is this colonizing educational relationship we want to challenge.

        March 10th - 11th 2017

    February/March 2017

Beyond Development 2017 - Creating A ‘World In Which Many Worlds Can Fit’

at Schumacher College

Monday, 13 February to Friday, 3 March 2017

I am facilitating and teaching on this course with Dr. Maria Luisa Eschenhagen Duran, Dr. Karambu Ringera, David Bollier (videolink), Helena Norberg-Hodge (videolink), Paula Andreevitch, Stephan Harding, and Jonathan Dawson

In this three-week intensive, we will be seeking solutions and pathways towards creating 'a global heterodoxy of beautiful solutions to living well on a diverse and finite planet'. We will explore what lies beyond the one-size-fits-all development paradigm of the last half century as we step together into the profoundly creative period of innovation, transition and co-operation that marks our time.

        Monday, 13 February to Friday, 3 March 2017

    October 2016

Working With Complexity – The EMK Method

at Schumacher College

Monday, 10 October, 2016 to Friday, 21 October, 2016

I am facilitating this course with Eve Mitleton-Kelly. And running a Systems Games session during the course.

Join Professor Eve Mitleton-Kelly from the London School of Economics (LSE) for this two week training in addressing complex organisational, societal and global issues. Eve has worked for over 20 years in both the public and private sectors, advised the United Nations, European Commission, five government administrations and many organisations in the EMK Complexity Methodology for working with complex problems. This is a rare residential opportunity to train with her.

        Monday, 10 October to Friday, 21 October, 2016


 

I am only involved in a small number of public events in the next year while I take some time to be a dad and build a Passivhaus zero-carbon home!... here are some recent past events...

Below is an archive of previous open sessions I’ve run. Please contact me if you are interested in future workshops or would like to organise a bespoke session.

James Lovelock Centenary

The Future of Global Systems Thinking

I am running a workshop as part of this conference.

In this session we will bring to life concepts from complexity theory and Earth systems science using interactive simulations and inspiring film clips. You’ll get to experience the dynamics of self-organisation, emergence, feedback loops and tipping points through tangible modelling activities. In a complex and unpredictable world where linear thinking and ‘predict and control’ are increasingly unfit for purpose, we’ll explore a shift in mindset towards understanding and participating in the living systems we are part of. If we can’t always plan and control, how can we act effectively? We’ll finish the session with activities that develop skills in spontaneity, responding skilfully in the moment, and creating a space for emergent, collaborative creativity.

29–31 July 2019 at the University of Exeter

For more info, and to book, see:

www.lovelockcentenary.info

AWAKEN - Kuwait

I am running a workshop as part of this conference.

AWAKEN is a three-day festival that will bring together individuals  from diverse backgrounds and communities to develop creative solutions to pressing social issues in Kuwait. With interactive sessions led by international speakers, aiming to push people out of their comfort zones and spark critical thinking through pioneering methods.

November 15 – 17, 2018, at Cultural Center in Yarmouk, Kuwait

For more info, and to book, see:

www.a-w-a-k-e-n.com/schedule

    November 2018

        November 15 – 17, 2018

    July 2019

        29–31 July 2019

    September 2019

        20 September 2019

For the Global Climate Strike

Deep Time Walk

I am leading a Deep Time Walk (developed by Stephan Harding) - a walk through geological time where each step represents half a million years. As the walk progresses I present the evolution of life, planetary self-regulation and how our planet seems to act like a single super organism. We end with a striking finale where participants experience what a minuscule amount of time it has taken for us to radically alter the whole planet.

2pm-5pm 20 September, River Thames, London
Starting at Festival Pier, South bank

To book click here

For more info, see:  www.deeptimewalk.org

Panel Discussion

Wisdom in Sustainability

13:00-14:30 BST

In this discussion, we sit down with four experts to look at how wisdom and sustainability interact and how do we make that wisdom practical in our everyday lives. Keen to make wisdom liveable, we sit down with Stefanie Behrendt, a zero waste entrepreneur, Robin de Carteret, a sustainability educator, Dave Erasmus, a social entrepreneur, and Preeti Gopinath, a sustainable textile designer, to look at where they look for wisdom in the face of a global crisis. This promises to be a fascinating session that will leave you feeling hopeful for the future and a maybe even a little wiser in the world quickly realising the importance of sustainability. 

For more info, and to book, see:

www.wisethingsfestival.com

    Aug 2021

        1 Aug 2021