WiserEarth Area of Focus Suggestions
Improving WiserEarth Areas of Focus
List suggestions for new areas of focus or for changes to the current areas of focus
GROUP DETAILS
Created: Apr 21, 2008
Updated: Nov 20, 2009
Membership: Open
Semi-Private
Mission, Vision, and Intent
Page currently being facilitated by Jay Bender
Our Mission:
We seek to assist in the creation of an integral model of co-governance that can be applied both within existing and emergent commons in various developmental stages and contexts.
The Commons Defined:
We understand the commons to be a sphere of life that is distinct, both from the public sphere of government provision and distribution, and from the private sphere of property and trade.
The commons are expressed in many contexts of life, spanning a continuum from observable exterior realms such as physical and biological resources and social institutions, to abstract interior realms such as learning processes and cultural histories.
The commons are also expressed at many levels of human activity, ranging from local initiatives, to cross-border collaboration, to global cooperation on behalf of present and future generations.
The commons denote fundamental shared legacies, as well as shared sovereignty amongst diverse peoples.
Commons ...
- support the growth and evolution of life, whether human or non-human;
- evolve as complex systems over time -- they cannot be manufactured, but must be preserved;
- are vulnerable to enclosure, neglect, and misuse, but are likewise responsive to protection, restoration, and sustenance.
A commons legacy depends on the cooperative sovereignty of those who use them to preserve their vitality for the benefit of all.
Integral Model Defined:
Integral Model is based upon Integral Theory, as developed in the writings of Ken Wilber and others. Our primary use of this model is to organize human governance according to the four quadrants representing subjective (inner) and objective (outer) aspects of reality, for both individual and human groups.
The four quadrants represent (1) inner values and motivations held by the individual; (2) cultural values held by groups (also an inner process); (3) behavioral actions taken by the individual (outer, observable process); and (4) social actions and powers represented by institutions and other outer influences.
We believe the four quadrants provide a natural foundation of theory for our project in that – compared to other forms of analysis – they more completely cover all the phenomenon that have an impact on the ways humans govern themselves.
Our Vision:
As a commons group, we strive to manifest a working model of commons governance that renews human sovereignty over the commons, enables just governance and democratic oversight, supports sustainability of the commons and promotes sharing and right livelihood for those who use the commons.
Our Statement of Intent:
We are part of a growing movement that recognizes the global commons as a third sector of human endeavor and world resources, one that is distinctly different from existing public and private sectors. The global commons belongs to all of humanity. It calls for an increasing awareness of global sovereignty on the part of all world citizens who, as groups and as individuals, need new structures of governance through which to cooperate.
Our intention therefore, is to assist in the creation of an integral, decentralized, grassroots system of governance that works to protect and sustain the global commons. The nature of the "commons" varies broadly, from local fisheries to the world of knowledge, calling for different kinds of institutions. We are concerned here with governance that originates at the local community level, empowering people in their home places, as well as with governance structures at larger geopolitical levels, including the global level. Further, we are concerned that this local governance be supported at all levels, through all regions, by the United Nations and other international groups. We believe that the full emergence of the commons will provide a balance for existing public and private sectors, resulting in greater justice and more sustainable markets.
We therefore seek...
1. to join civil society organizations, businesses, governments, community groups, and individuals throughout the earth to heighten collective awareness, advancing a new dialogue among all peoples regarding our relationships with each other and with the global commons;
2. to facilitate cooperative action, direct participation, and global representation of world citizens with regard to the recognition, protection, use and preservation of their commons;
3. to promote the creation of commons trusts which are founded on the principles of equitable decision-making, sustainability, and accountability to all present and future generations of life.
Comments (1 - 20 of 35)
|
|
|
Anthony and Pat's revision: What is an Integral Model?**
Integral Model is based upon Integral Theory, as developed in the writings of Ken Wilber and others. Our primary use of this model is to organize human governance according to the four quadrants representing subjective (inner) and objective (outer) aspects of reality, for both individual and human groups. Where possible, we seek to identify any stages of evolutionary progression within a quadrant. We believe the four quadrants provide a natural foundation of theory for our project in that – compared to other forms of analysis – they more completely cover all the phenomenon that have an impact on the ways humans govern themselves. The four quadrants represent (1) inner values and motivations held by the individual; (2) cultural values held by groups (also an inner process); (3) behavioral actions taken by the individual (outer, observable process); and (4) social actions and powers represented by institutions and other outer influences. |
|
|
PAT'S SUGGESTION ON GOVERNANCE STATEMENT: A week ago, Pat McBroom presented this suggested wording for James'
paragraph on commons governance:
"Governance of the commons describes the process whereby a resource may be protected from overuse, while being used equitably by all people who have a stake in that particular resource. New rules and institutions will be needed to insure that benefits and decision-making are distributed throughout a community of users and to guarantee that responsibility for protecting and replenishing the commons is shared equally." |
|
|
PAT'S STATEMENT: What is an Integral Model?
Integral Model refers to and is based upon Integral Theory, as developed in the writings of philosopher Ken Wilber. In its most basic form, our integral model will organize human governance into four quadrants representing subjective (inner) and objective (outer) aspects of reality, for the individual on one hand and human groups on the other. We believe these four quadrants provide a natural foundation of theory for our project in that –compared to other forms of analysis– they more completely cover all the phenomenon that have an impact on the ways humans govern themselves. The four quadrants represent (1) inner values and motivations held by the individual; (2) cultural values held by groups (also an inner process); (3) behavioral actions taken by the individual (outer, observable process); and (4) social actions and powers represented by institutions and other outer influences. These quadrants and other elements of Wilber's analysis seek to identify all sources of knowledge that build a comprehensive theory for understanding any process, human or otherwise. |
|
|
Here is James' proposed statement of "Why Commons Governance": Why Commons Governance? |
|
Thank you Anthony. Now I see why integral model was chosen for the theoretical framework. Perhaps there should be a link to an external website explaining integral theory in a bit more length (but not in too technical/detailed terms)? I'm aware that anyone can probably google this out, but if you happen to know an article (or two) that explains the model in a way that connects with the work you do here, that would be helpful I guess. |
|
|
I suggest we put something like this under the "Commons defined" section. What is an Integral Model? |
|
Can we please put accountability to present and future generations back into 3.? I feel this point is equally as important as all the others mentioned... |
|
3. to promote the creation of commons trusts which are founded on the principles of equitable decision-making, sustainability, and accountability to all human and non-human species.
(My rewriting of #3) |
|
|
I like the proposed vision statement for both including and separating
(1) A statement of what we are trying to manifest in the world. This is well-expressed in broad, inclusive terms (2) A statement of broader aims, values, and the intended processes stemming from them I also like that it refers to "working model" rather than integral model. Integral model seems like a promising means, rather than an aim in itself. I would suggest adding <just sharing of the commons and > immediately before <right livelihood> It seems that this vision statement replaces the existing mission statement. |
|
|
I just wanted to put Pat's proposed Vision Statement (put into present tense by Mary Beth on 5/8/09) in view here.
Our Vision:
As a commons group, we strive to manifest a working model of commons
governance that renews human sovereignty over the commons, enables just
governance and democratic oversight, supports sustainability of the commons and
promotes right livelihood for those who use the commons.
We empower
ourselves and others to engage in a new global culture that is characterized by
deep listening, caring speech, conscious reflection, and cooperative action,
toward a more stable, and regenerative life on earth.
|
|
From Heifer International, tips for strategic planning
Mission: make sure this is in-line with the values that guide your work, and each of the following must reflect these values (in Heifer, this is their cornerstones... we have to look at our definition in our mission to be sure we have listed our most important values or add them as necessary) ex. of some key values: aiding human sovereignty of the commons, enabling just governance and democratic oversight of the commons, supporting sustainability of the commons and right livelihood for those who use the commons
Statement of Intent/ Purpose: why the team exists (see draft a few comments below)
Vision of the future: where we are going, what we will achieve Vision, according to Heifer International, should include values, means and an image of the desired future * Identify and agree on core values * Identify the means to move us towards our vision, ie "what will we do?" * Describe the desired future, write a description or draw a picture of what the place, organization or outcome will be, make it present tense
Priorities/ Goals on which to focus: how we get there
Objectives to address Priorities/Goals: we should each have these clearly in mind to aid us in our work, this is a rolling evolving list Objectives are SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, they describe... results, and are... time related
Strategies to achieve these Objectives: actions plans for each objective
Resources: Human, financial, informational, etc.
Evaluation/ reflection/ tuning direction: helps us to go back and refine all of the above, ex. SWOT analysis, strengths. weaknesses, opportunities and threats
|
|
|
Marybeth,
This is how I would define the vision for our group:
Working as an open, sustainable, decentralized commons group, we are generating a deeper awareness and understanding of the commons through an evolving model of co-governance.
Jay |
|
Marybeth, I would change our vision statement to the following:
Working as an open, democratic, decentralized commons group, we are developing an integral commons governance model to serve the emerging global culture of sovereign citizens collectively manage, protect and restore their commons through deeper listening, caring communication, conscious reflection and cooperative action. |
|
|
Vision should be in the present tense, so you are behaving as if you have achieved the future
Vision: Working as an open, democratic, decentralized commons group, we develop commons governance models that serve the new global culture of sovereign citizens collectively managing, protecting and restoring their commons through deeper listening, caring communication, conscious reflection and cooperative action.
|
|
|
Vision, according to Heifer International, should include values, means and an image of the desired future * Identify and agree on core values * Identify the means to move us towards our vision, ie "what will we do?" * Describe the desired future, write a description or draw a picture of what the place, organization or outcome will be.
Vision: Values... Working as an open, democratic, decentralized commons group, Doing... we will develop commons governance models Outcome... serve a new global culture of sovereign citizens who collectively manage, protect and restore their commons through deeper listening, caring communication, conscious reflection and cooperative action.
Vision: Working as an open, democratic, decentralized commons group, we will develop commons governance models that serve a new global culture of sovereign citizens who collectively manage, protect and restore their commons through deeper listening, caring communication, conscious reflection and cooperative action.
|
|
|
Vision: Working as an open, democratic, decentralized commons group, we will develop commons governance models that serve a new global culture of sovereign citizens who collectively manage, protect and restore their commons through deeper listening, caring communication, conscious reflection and cooperative action.
I copied the S of I here so that I could easily compare this to our Mission and Vision above
STATEMENT OF INTENT
We are part of a growing movement that recognizes the global commons as a third sector of human endeavor and world resources, one that is distinctly different from existing public and private sectors. The global commons belongs to all of humanity. It calls for an increasing awareness of global sovereignty on the part of all world citizens who, as groups and as individuals, need new structures of governance through which to cooperate.
Our intention therefore, is to assist in the creation of an integral, decentralized, grassroots system of governance that works to protect and sustain the global commons. The nature of the "commons" varies broadly, from local fisheries to the world of knowledge, calling for different kinds of institutions. We are concerned here with governance that originates at the local community level, empowering people in their home places, as well as with governance structures at larger geopolitical levels, including the global level. Further, we are concerned that this local governance be supported at all levels, through all regions, by the United Nations and other international groups. We believe that the full emergence of the commons will provide a balance for existing public and private sectors, resulting in greater justice and more sustainable markets.
We therefore seek...
1. to join civil society organizations, businesses, governments, community groups, and individuals throughout the earth to heighten collective awareness, advancing a new dialogue among all peoples regarding our relationships with each other and with the global commons;
2. to facilitate cooperative action, direct participation, and global representation of world citizens with regard to the recognition, protection, use and preservation of their commons; 3. to promote the creation of commons trusts, which are founded on the principles of transparency; equitable decision-making processes; accountability to all human and non-human species, as well as, present and future genrations; and responsible for protecting, maintaining, and |
|
|
The context here seems to refer to the larger context in which the commons are situated and not a particular commons. |
|
|
i can edit
|
|
|
Some ideas for the first sentence:
"We seek ... within existing and emergent commons in various developmental stages and life contexts."
or
"We seek ... within existing and emergent commons through various developmental stages and in different social, political and economic contexts." |
Mary Beth's further revision: What is an Integral Model?
I like the def, but I would show it this way... perhaps leaving out the sentence in red because it won't mean anything to people w/o further defining and then it gets a bit long