July 2014 – Transition Network Newsletter
By Mike Grenville 3rd July 2014
This month we can read about our new three year strategy and the possibility of creating a UK hub; the website theme on the relationship between politics and Transition is explored; REconomy has some inspiring reports and our Social Reporters explore the stories we tell ourselves. Plus the monthly world roundup, a new book a video and more to designed to inspire.
NEWS OF THE NETWORK
Transition Network Strategy
We’re delighted to be able to publish the final version of Transition Network’s new three year strategy. It’s been a fascinating process working together as a team, TN staff and trustees, to develop this document in consultation with people in the wider Transition movement. We are now making it publicly available so everyone can see what we plan to focus on over the next three years and why. We’ll be reviewing how we’ve done and whether everything is still relevant each year and, as always, your feedback and ideas will be very welcome.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/news/2014-07-02/transition-networks-new-strategy
TN’s role as UK National Hub
What we heard: A number of people questioned whether the Transition Network (TN) is playing this role effectively and, indeed, whether it is an appropriate role for TN to undertake. Some people expressed a desire for a stand-alone UK Hub, designed by and accountable to UK Transition Initiatives. A couple of people also talked about the more direct, practical support that a UK National Hub might be able to offer to UK Transition initiatives.
What we will do: We would very much like to explore this idea further with UK Transitioners. We certainly want to share and seek feedback on TN’s plans for UK-focused work and we are keen to support UK Transition Initiatives (TI) to develop stronger connections between each other and with TN. We’re also making an effort to be more explicit about which aspects of TN’s work and resources are internationally-focused and which are UK-specific. We’re not sure at this stage whether there’s a need for the UK National Hub to be a completely separate organisation from TN – there would be advantages and disadvantages to this – but we would love to see much clearer representation from the UK within the National Hubs Group network. We’re also very conscious that Transition Scotland and Transition Ireland already exist and there are strong networks developing in Wales. So we’re not assuming that a UK-wide structure is the right one to go for.
The UK roadshow events that we are planning for the autumn of 2014 and the spring of 2015 will give us an opportunity to take this conversation forward with Transitioners generally, but it would be great to hear before then from any individuals in the UK who are willing and able to put time into discussing the issue (we’ve already had a couple of volunteers). If a small group of people come forward, TN would be delighted to support them to meet and start to develop their own vision of what a National Hub might look like and what it might do. If you’re interested or would like to hear more about this proposal, please contact sarahmcadam@transitionnetwork.org
Announcing the 4 Transition Roadshow hosts!
We are delighted to announce the four initiatives selected to host our four 2014-15 Transition Roadshows. We had 9 applications from Transition initiatives across the UK, and after much deliberation can reveal that the hosts chosen are Transition University St. Andrews, in Fife, Scotland, Transition Penwith in Cornwall, Transition Bristol in Somerset and Transition Town Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire. The exact dates and details have yet to be arranged but will be announced shortly. They offer a great opportunity to try a different approach to our usual annual conference (which looks set to be back for 2015).
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/news/2014-07-02/announcing-4-transition-roadshow-hosts
Last chance to book for the Transition Northwest Conference!
12-13 July Lancaster
Our first Roadshow is booking up fast- there are no lunches, or b&b’s places left, but entry is still available at time of writing.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/events/2014-07-12/north-west-transition-conference
Powys Networking Day
Powys in Transition has gained funding to setup a regional network of local organisations involved in Transition or Low Carbon Communities. Mike Thomas went along to the launch event.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/news/2014-06-26/mike-thomas-visits-powys-networking-day
NETWORK NEWS
The Transitioners’ Digest (June): “Is Transition political?”
This month our theme has been Transition and Politics. Our editorial concluded that the answer is yes. Deeply. But it isn’t explicitly so. It comes in under the radar, and that really matters.
We have interviews from the Mayor of Frome, former MP Alan Simpson, Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party, Greg Barker MP, Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and Caroline Flint MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy Minister. Plus Sophy Banks thoughts on what politics might look like were it “to orient to what truly makes us happy as humans”.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/blogs/rob-hopkins/2014-06/transitioners-digest-june
The June 2014 Round-up of What’s Happening out in the World of Transition
Another bumper edition, busting at the seams with news of how Transition is manifesting itself around the world in a dazzling diversity of ways. Stories around the UK from Belper, Cambridge, Chepstow, Chesterfield, Crystal Palace, Reading, St Albans, and Totnes. News from other countries Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, and USA.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/news/2014-06-09/june-2014-round-what-s-happening-out-world-transition
REconomy
REconomy goes global!
Five national hubs have been exploring how they might support REconomy-type activity in each country – let’s begin with hearing about Croatia’s groundbreaking event in Zagreb:
http://www.reconomy.org/reconomy-the-good-economy-in-croatia/
Economic enablers, REconomy style
Transition groups are doing a range of projects that support new and existing local businesses, including creation of infrastructure – here’s some inpsiring examples:
http://www.reconomy.org/economic-enablers/
SOCIAL REPORTERS
Our Mainstream Stories
Jay Tompt calls on us to re-appropriate the word ‘mainstream’.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/stories/jay-tompt/2014-06/our-mainstream-stories
The Ukraine, Sharks and Compost Loos
Chris Bird asks about the dominant stories we come up against when we try to bring about change, in particular what we should do with our shit!
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/stories/chris-bird/2014-06/ukraine-sharks-and-compost-loos
Everything We Dream of Makes the Impossible Possible
Steph Bradley travels across Wales hearing and sharing tales of community and healing.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/stories/steph-bradley/2014-06/everything-we-dream-makes-impossible-possible
BOOKS
Educating for Hope in Troubled Times
A new book has just been published which is a great handbook for school teachers and educators in Transition. Called “Educating for Hope in Troubled Times: Climate change and the transition to a post-carbon future”, it explores the three issues of climate change, peak oil and the limits to growth that teachers and learners need to know about and be more prepared for. There is a tendency in schools to avoid ‘big’ issues and this book helps teachers to identify positive ways of engaging with them, sharing success stories (including a number from Transition groups) and sources of inspiration and hope. There are many suggestions for classrooms activities plus up to date information and case studies. The author Dave Hicks (formerly Professor in the School of Education, Bath Spa University) says “In fast changing times yesterday is no longer an accurate guide to tomorrow, so how we help young people think about their future is of major importance.This book is about developing new ways of being and seeing and the exploration of new horizons.”
£26.99 ~ Available from Institute of Education Press at:
http://ioepress.co.uk/books/social-justice-equality-and-human-rights/education-for-hope/
TRAINING
The next Launch onLine begins October 8th. Transition Launch trainings in London UK, Poppau Germany, and Charlottestown, Canada. Thrive- Hallaberg Sweden, and Train the Trainers Alingsas Sweden. Details: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/events/network-training
COMING UP
One Day in Transition
Young Transitioners creating their own jobs.
12 July Bristol
An event for young adults looking for ways to create Transition livelihoods. It is a workshop in its own right that also introduces One Year in Transition. Past and present students from One Year in Transition are the hosts. They will also be talking about their own community-based projects, the experience of doing the One Year in Transition course, and offering mini brainstorms on the project ideas that participants would like to discuss with them.
http://www.oneyearintransition.org
Real World Economics
19-20 July Dartington
Kick starting the new economy on your doorstep.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/events/2014-07-19/real-world-economics
Wellbeing and the New Economy
9 August Rotterdam
Create a vision for a New Economy centred on shared values and ecological renewal.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/events/2014-08-09/wellbeing-and-new-economy
VIDEO: What is Transition?
We asked members of Transition Town Lewes how they would describe what Transition is. The event going on in the background is their ‘Seven Year Itch’ event, celebrating all the great things they have achieved during that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aDmbJFq4OI
NEXT MONTH
July’s theme on the website is ‘Transition and Celebration’
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“We cannot paper over the cracks anymore; we must delve deeply into the very fabric of all it means to be human and begin decision making from the heart.”
Steph Bradley
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Film Reviews
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Resources — Editor’s Picks
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/resources
Find previous editions of the newsletter here
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/tags/transition-network-newsletter
Read this newsletter online
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/news/2014-07-03/july-2014-transition-network-newsletter
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This newsletter is published on the first Friday of each month.
Next newsletter 8 August 2014
Newsletter Editor: Mike Grenville,
from Transition Forest Row for the Transition Network
Contact: mgrenville@gmail.com