Objective 3: Transition Vision
Key Steps:
- Hold an Going Greener Open Forum meeting to collect ideas for projects
- Prioritise projects collaboratively involving everyone
- Form action groups to design projects & implement them
- Use the Transition Project Planner to plan your projects
With everyone clued up on the challenges and solutions to climate change, it’s time to start building your collective Transition Vision. What could your university be like by 2020?
Using Open Space
Transition Open Space at Summer Gathering 2010
Open Space enables small or large groups to address complex issues and achieve meaningful results quickly in situations which might involve conflict and diversity of thought or people. Participants suggest and manage their own agenda of parallel working sessions around a central theme of strategic importance. Check out our how to guide
Ask someone from P&P to help you plan this or provide skills workshops to help action groups plan effectively.
“The Open Space was my favourite part of the Summer Gathering - it was a helpful way of letting everyone discuss their own ideas and take responsibility for making things happen.”
1 . Organise a Going Greener Open Forum
Organise an open meeting with your Transition Steering Group and invite members of the wider community to come along to share their visions of a low-carbon, lower-energy and future-proof university. Try using an “Open Space” format which enables inspiring, interactive and community-led meetings between large groups of people.
During the Open Forum try to:
- Find out what’s already going on
- Brainstorm Transition project ideas
- Form working groups around key issues
- Create a Transition Vision document or visual timeline
- Gather useful contacts for future events.
2. Form Project Action Groups
Going Greener is about grassroots action so it’s important to encourage everyone with an idea to form into action groups and take ownership of their own project ideas.
Project action groups could be formed around the key behaviours you want to change e.g. saving energy, flying less, reducing meat consumption or waste. Alternatively they could be based on different functions, e.g. research , practical actions, outreach and campaigns.
Get the action groups to organise a regular meeting and a set up a mailing list so they can stay in contact. Each action group should send a representative to the Transition Steering group to feedback on their progress.
People & Planet has just launched 2 exciting new projects (developed entirely by students) you may wish to start on your campus:
- Big Green Makeover - a project that helps students save money, save energy and stay warm
- Scoop - a project helping you set up a Student Food Co-op on campus
