One Year in Transition (1YT)
By Isabel Carlisle 4th July 2012
One Year in Transition (1YT) was a programme is designed to equip young adults with the tools they really need to navigate a future through the challenges of the end of cheap fossil fuel energy, the unpredictable impacts of climate change and the inevitability of economic contraction as we reach the limits of growth. We are breaking new ground because young people are asking for it and our understanding of the world tells us the time is right for community supported learning.
The project has now ended, but an archive of the website can be found here: www.oneyearintransition.org
Some quotes from participants are below
“I came out of university not really knowing what I wanted to do in the world, and started a career which didn’t really align with my values at all. And I took quite a brave step to stop doing the thing I didn’t really care about and focus on what I did want to do with my life. 1YT has been a fantastic container for that. We have had so much inspirational teaching from so many different people who are themselves doing amazing things in their community or in the environmental movement and that has enabled me to develop my own project in my local community.”
Hannah in Oxford
Lisa in Bristol
“Throughout the year, with support and encouragement and deep personal interest in our concerns, we developed along the paths that we had created for ourselves. For me that is based in woodland craft, green woodwork and practical rural crafts and trades.1YT is also vastly about the networking and contacts and knowing people. A concern of Transition, in general, is the concept of Gift Culture in the sense of creating strong relationships with people. Those naturally fruit and provide the opportunities that we need.
“All the participants have just finished the last meet up and left in an extremely positive place, looking forward to an incredible set of circumstances as we’ve all got jobs and a lot to look forward to.”
Richard in South Brent
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If you are thinking of taking part, this is what you need to know:
1YT is a self-directed learning programme for young UK adults aged 20 years upwards who are strongly motivated to gain a wide range of skills that support them and their communities to flourish. Those who come on this journey will be shaping their own lives and the world around them through:
- A four-month placement in a Transition Initiative
- Placements with skills masters (anything from film making to cheese making) lasting six weeks or longer
- Personal and peer mentoring, plus inner development of leadership skills
- Group meet-ups and guidance in action-based experience and reflection
- Training in group-facilitation and conflict resolution skills
- Transition Training
- A dialogue-based curriculum with leading thinkers and do-ers of our choice
- A “masterpiece” community project of your own to conclude the year
1YT starts in October 2012, and will be formally launched on 14 September at the Transition Network annual conference in London, which we encourage you to attend and find your Transition Initiative placement at. The course finishes in July 2013 with a group celebration. You receive certificates along the way from your mentors and community leaders, plus a completion certificate from Transition Network.
The challenge throughout is to work as much as possible with non-monetary exchange as we explore an economics grounded in personal relationships rather than impersonal transactions. However, we do need to ask for a payment of £1000 to cover essential tuition costs when you sign up. There will be a further payment of £650 for the Catalyst course at Embercombe later on.
You will in addition use ingenuity to meet living costs, travel expenses and the costs of residential meet-ups. While living in a Transition Initiative and near your skills masters you are encouraged to find a way to stay at no or low cost with a householder by finding a transaction that is a win-win for both of you. You might offer shopping, gardening, child-care, dog walking or other help in return for food and a bed. You can also structure your learning journey so you work part time.
If help is needed with funding or bursaries, contact Isabel below to find out more.
For detailed information and to find out more, contact:
Isabel Carlisle, Education Co-Ordinator, Transition Network
Email: isabelcarlisle@transitionnetwork.org
Tel: 01803 847 976