What would become possible if we were to use the Art of Hosting as an operating system, to move beyond conflict, and united our efforts – to create meaningful, innovative and sustainable initiatives for a better Egypt?

This is the second Art of Hosting training after the successful first training in [...]]]>

12-14 January 2012, Egypt

What would become possible if we were to use the Art of Hosting as an operating system, to move beyond conflict, and united our efforts – to create meaningful, innovative and sustainable initiatives for a better Egypt?

If you won’t be able to join this time you can still participate by financially supporting young leaders from Egypt and elsewhere to participate in this training http://bit.ly/indiegogoaoh

In January 2012 (11th-15th) we are co-hosting the second edition of the Art of Hosting Social Transformation in Egypt. Stay tuned, the invitation will be out soon.

Over the weekend of June 9-12, 2011 a group of twenty-six social innovators and change agents from the UK, Europe, Middle East, Canada – and from the Finance Innovation Lab itself – came together to explore the Art of Collaborative Leadership. [...]]]> originally posted by Vanessa Reid on the Finance Lab website

Over the weekend of June 9-12, 2011 a group of twenty-six social innovators and change agents from the UK, Europe, Middle East, Canada – and from the Finance Innovation Lab itself – came together to explore the Art of Collaborative Leadership. We stayed at West Lexham, itself an ambitious, innovative model for rural social enterprise, a hub for community renewal and the homeplace of the founder and his family. And together we asked, What is the leadership needed to envision and host the fundamental systemic changes we seek for a sustainable future?

Initiated by the Hara Practice Collaborative, in partnership with the Finance Lab and Tasting the Future, this was an incredible opportunity to take a deep dive into what we have been learning together in this work – and to invite others to learn with us.

Using a wide range of methodologies, we explored the forms of relationship, organizing patterns, conceptual models, hands-on practices and processes that catalyse and support systemic shifts that will sustain people and planet. We shared real-time projects, including the learning from our work together these past 2 years in the Lab and Tasting the Future, but also from nascent seedling projects to the real-time organizing in the revolution in Greece. More than a training or a workshop, it was a participatory enquiry into the diversity of all of the participants’ experiences, projects and movements.

What did we see together?

We need to be prepared to transform ourselves. Hosting this work changes us from the inside out – and the deeper we go with our own transformation – the deeper and wider we can hold systemic transformation,

Systemic transformation is about relationship. The level of relationship we have with ourselves and with one another in our core teams will determine the depth of, and level of complexity, we can work with “out there.” Cultivating core teams that operate from a deep level of commitment and intimacy can hold the depth and breadth needed for wider transformation.

Structures and processes create pathways for change. Transforming human systems needs process architecture and design that focuses on convening people and creating a minimal/optimal structure that cannot ensure specific outcomes but invokes the highest impact possible.

The capacity to learn together is essential. Learning is a core capacity for any kind of sustained systemic change – if we are not learning, we are not changing so cultivating learning and practice grounds for successes and failures.

We look forward to our next “deep dive” – stay tuned for more learning programmes with Hara, the Finance Lab and Tasting the Future this fall, 2011.

Click here to read our initial Art of Collaborative Leadership invitation.

When? June 23, 2011 to June 26, 2011 Where? Anafora village- Egypt

Since the beginning of this year we have witnessed the powerful impact of people standing up for a new way of living. With uprisings come the breaking open of old structures, but how do we actually transition to the new? How do we access our [...]]]>

When? June 23, 2011 to June 26, 2011
Where? Anafora village- Egypt

Since the beginning of this year we have witnessed the powerful impact of people standing up for a new way of living. With uprisings come the breaking open of old structures, but how do we actually transition to the new? How do we access our collective intelligence to help us live and work in ways that sustain both people and planet? The edge here is that learning itself is an essential individual and collective practice for our times.

As young Egyptians and as Art of Hosting practitioners, we have been inspired by Egypt’s non-violent revolution to help build a new Egypt. Through civil disobedience, the authoritarian rule of the former regime has been dismantled. We believe that in order to build in its place a new society that is just, thriving and diverse, we must nurture creative, agile and authentic forms of civic engagement.

With the Art of Hosting Social Transformation workshop we wish to create a safe space for collective learning for those, who have been similarly inspired and who are keen on shaping civic engagement in Egypt.

This workshop is mainly for egyptian young leaders and there a few places for people who want to come as fellow learners and be in inquiry together. You can download the invitation here.

Another way to participate is to offer sponsorship by making a donation – please read our Sponsorship Invitation and participate with your generosity.

This is not intended to be a stand-alone event, but the start of continuous learning and sharing between people and initiatives that are contributing to creating the fertile soil for democracy in Egypt, other Arab and African countries and around the world. Your contribution can play an important part in making this happen.

If you wish to participate and/or make a financial contribution please feel free to get in touch with us by email – simone (at) natural-innovation.net.

Brussels, 13-16 June

-UPDATE: TRAINING IS NOW FULLY BOOKED-

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is an amazing and very powerful way for co-creation, proto-typing and unlocking the full potential of any organisation. It helps diverse groups of people engage in creative way with and develop innovative solutions to complex issues.

In collaboration with Per Kristiansen, one of the original [...]]]>

Brussels, 13-16 June

-UPDATE: TRAINING IS NOW FULLY BOOKED-

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is an amazing and very powerful way for co-creation, proto-typing and unlocking the full potential of any organisation. It helps diverse groups of people engage in creative way with and develop innovative solutions to complex issues.

In collaboration with Per Kristiansen, one of the original developers of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY, we are offering a facilitator training in Brussels in two open programs, both lasting two days: Stage 1 and Stage 2.

What is the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method?

In short, it is a method is based in robust set of theories, predominantly from these domains: Strategy, organisational behaviour, systems thinking and importantly learning and development. It is deeply anchored in the beliefs that:

• The solution is in the system

• Everyone goes to work to do well and CAN do well

• We live in a dynamic and unpredictable world

Finally, it is a facilitated process which is truly participant-centred, experiential, embodied, and in our experience works across all cultures.

Who is this for?

The facilitator training is aimed at people with experience in design, creativity, facilitation and/or coaching. It could be, in-house learning and development specialists, HR staff, team leaders, innovation experts as well as for professional facilitators and consultants who want to use it in their own practice.

What do the two programs cover?

Stage 1: introduces the core process of the method, the theoretical underpinnings, and how to apply the method for team, people and relationship development. Stage 1 qualifies the participant for stage 2. For more information on stage1 click here (pdf)

Stage 2: Builds on the learning from stage 1, it focuses on how to apply the method for business and organisational development, and on how to design unique customised workshops. For more information on stage 2 click here (pdf)

When signing up for both programs the combined price is €2500,-. (ex VAT)€250 will be paid when signing up, the remaining €2250 before the Stage 1 certificationprogram starts. The fee includes lunch and refreshments during the day and a dinner on the third day, however it excludes accommodation in Brussels.

For more information or to register email Per on per.kristiansen@trivium.dk or by phone +45 27 11 18 12

What does the facilitator (participant) get?

The program is designed to provide the participant, with sufficient insights, information and experiences to develop and successfully deliver interventions and workshops using the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology. The training provides the facilitator with hands-on experiences, theory, facilitation guidelines and application ideas.

In concrete terms, the facilitator will receive a full facilitator manual and a document of qualification issued by the Association of Master Trainers in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method.

For more information see also these websites:

http://www.seriousplay.com/

http://trivium.dk/facilitator_training.html

Sustainable Innovation in Complex Systems.

As a follow-up to our highly successful training last year, Natural Innovation will offer a second U-process training together with Create2Connect in The Netherlands.  The course will be offered in Dutch.

For more information please see the full invitation (pdf).

If you are interested in [...]]]> The Netherlands, 31 March – 1 April 2011.

Sustainable Innovation in Complex Systems.

As a follow-up to our highly successful training last year, Natural Innovation will offer a second U-process training together with Create2Connect in The Netherlands.  The course will be offered in Dutch.

For more information please see the full invitation (pdf).

If you are interested in joining an English language U-process training  let us know and drop us an email (hendrik@naturalinno.net).

Saturday & Sunday 22nd – 23rd January 2011 | 09.30 – 17.00 | €175 / Early Bird €150 ends 14th Jan | Book Online Here | The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew St, Dublin 2 | Map | PDF Invite

In these challenging times how can we use collaborative forms of leadership, innovation, fundraising and community [...]]]> A Weekend Workshop for Change Makers

Saturday & Sunday 22nd – 23rd January 2011 | 09.30 – 17.00 | €175 / Early Bird €150 ends 14th Jan | Book Online Here | The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew St, Dublin 2 | Map | PDF Invite

In these challenging times how can we use collaborative forms of leadership, innovation, fundraising and community building to strengthen our entrepreneurial and change projects?

This workshop introduces:

• The U-process, offering a set of principles and practices for collectively creating the future that wants to emerge; a breakthrough methodology for collaborative innovation and accessing deeper wisdom
• How to best use social networking to create business possibilities and to stimulate inspired actions
• Crowd Funding: Rethinking the way we finance our projects and initiatives, beyond bank loans, through collaborative efforts that make full use of the internet and new social media tools
• Community Enterprise models that are more than just individuals pursuing their own interests
• Green Entrepreneurship with a focus on upskilling the workforce for the growing opportunities within Ireland’s Green Economy

This workshop is highly interactive and features short presentations from leading practitioners. Our learning will grow out of everyone’s contributions and presence. We will
support each other as co-learners. We will learn by observation, through stories from experienced practitioners, through reflecting on our own experience and practice, using interactive processes to build a safe and inspiring learning environment. We invite you to a collective inquiry.

Many of us are leading transformative initiatives in civil society, business, government, culture and the arts. Across sectors and organisations to improve the well-being and sustainability of our communities, and places of work. Bringing movements for the common good together in new and collaborative ways.

As our initiatives grow and meet new challenges, [...]]]> Belgium, September 2010

Many of us are leading transformative initiatives in civil society, business, government, culture and the arts. Across sectors and organisations to improve the well-being and sustainability of our communities, and places of work. Bringing movements for the common good together in new and collaborative ways.

As our initiatives grow and meet new challenges, of complexity, diversity and rapid change, we are challenged to work on many levels simultaneously. We need to cultivate perseverance and resilience – practices for strengthening and deepening, ourselves, our communities, and our movement.

We sense the need to bring together our initiatives, and to share our learnings and questions in the context of a highly engaging training, with diverse participants. We invite you to the Art of Collaborative Leadership, part of the family of Art of Hosting trainings, we create a transformative space for collective learning and practice.

Click here to download the full invitation (pdf)
Click here to register

Sustainable Innovation in Complex Systems

Together with Create2Connect, Natural Innovation offered a 3 day course in on the practical application of the U-process for sustainable innovation. The course was offered in Dutch. For more information please see the full invite:

U-process training Netherlands [...]]]>