Governance is at the heart of the great challenges we face – whether or not our democracies can protect that which we mutually depend on for our survival and wellbeing. We are at a crossroads. Will we live in a world of oligarchs, where a class of super-rich and powerful people and corporations dictate policy and law to the detriment of people and planet? Or will the aspirations for distributed, participatory and contributory decision-making create a world of deep democracy and transparency where citizens have real lateral power in deciding the nature of our world?

This one day short course is an introduction to thinking about the futures of governance and democracy. In it we will explore the outline of the shifts taking place from a global perspective, current challenges, and the many new innovations, experiments and pathways that are harbingers of change. From the community meeting to the office and work environment, to our local municipal, state and federal systems, and to the global system, the context has shifted and the stage has been set for dramatic changes. At what scale and where do you want to play? This course will provide an overview of the big trends in governance and provide ways in which participants can consider how they want to participate and shape the future. This course brings forth ideas for transforming governance in plain language, with strategies that anyone can use to empower themselves and their communities.

This workshop will present and explore:

• the idea of the “commons” as a framework for rethinking governance;
• how the commons framework provides answers to the critical challenges we face in areas such as: resource management, ecological protection / rights of nature, addressing oligarchy, protecting digital / knowledge commons, humanising and democratising our work and community life, etc;
• an overview of critical historical shifts that bring into relief the great transitions we are experiencing in the early 21st century;
• examples from around the world that demonstrate transformations in governance, and which point to new futures – the many new innovations, experiments and pathways that are emerging around the world in response to our challenges;
• a deep questioning of when our democracies protect and build the commons, and when they undermine them, and what strategies we might take as societies to ensure healthy democracy and the protect and build our commons.

Specific topics that will be covered include:

• bioregional governance
• commons governance
• workplace democracy and decentralised decision making
• liquid democracy (and other e-democracy systems)
• rights of nature / Earth jurisprudence
• urban collaborative governance
• peer to peer / digital commons governance
• participatory and contributory democracy
• overcoming the challenges of oligarchy / plutocracy
• global / planetary governance
• anticipatory governance

The workshop will be run as a mix of presentations, audio-visual content, interactive discussions, games and self-guided reflection.

By the end of the workshop, participants will understand the big shifts and issues in governance, and the ways in which they can participate in our great transitions and in shaping the future.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

• Dr. Jose Ramos, futurist and Director of Action Foresight, brings over 15 years’ experience writing about cultural, political and economic change and designing, teaching and facilitating courses on social change, strategic foresight, commons governance and socio-political transformation.
• Dr Michelle Maloney, lawyer and National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) has been working for 25 years at the intersection of ecological and social justice, and is passionate about building Earth centred law, governance and ethics.

Together, Jose and Michelle offer a fun, stimulating day that will help you think differently about your place in the governance of your communities and world.

COST

$120 standard

$90 concession

$80 early bird

* Several scholarships are available for students and others who wish to attend. Contact us for details.

For more information: Jose Ramos – jose@actionforesight.net