Economics for Peace Institute
Guild for Social Fieldwork
4.10.20
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Greetings of Spring, Jackie
We hope our missive brings you good cheer and a postive sense of the future. This is our first newsletter in over a decade. I'd appreciate your sound review and any feedback. Thank you, Myriem - Founder |
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Democracy began as vision. To trust leadership is a leap of faith. Over centuries and landscapes, we have learned a few things.
If leaders scope the horizon and hold the courage of their convictions, they may lead well. Still, how can one person represent hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands – whether locally or nationally. Democracy is more than elections. Decision-makers need good information to make good decisions.
Candidates are often funded not because they represent "the people," but because they appear that they will. In every disappontment, we learn something. We discover that leaders listen from the top down. Why do they do this? There is one certainty. There are few, if any, information channels from the bottom up. Therein lies the work to be done.
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As a participatory research institute, our working definition of scientific research is "making sense of systematic observation." Ideally, as part of making sense of what is observed, the researcher benefits from conversation with peers. If people are part of the study, they are also part of the conversation. In social research, people – not only the "scientists" or experts – contribute to making sense of the "data." In this way, the research remains unbiased and participatory.
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Research
by Bioregion
Baseline Indicators of Community Well-Being and Ecosystem Stewardship
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We are partnering with a local Grange in the Salish Sea bioregion to teach social fieldwork to locals in a three county area. This is a one year study which we plan to replicate across the country. The study
We encourage individuals to self-identify as possible coordinators for their bioregion. We will support team-building for this purpose. Contact us if you are interested in exploring the role of research coordinator, or forward our newsetter to someone who may.
We intend to provide full support to each bioregional study team. We will work with emerging research partners to grow a community of social fieldwork researchers, through The Guild for Social Fieldwork. Learn more. |
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Caring for the web of life is the measure of sustainable. Each action, project and claim must be assessed against that measure of goodness. If it fails the test upfront, then we redesign. We have every thing we need to make that work.
Why economics for peace? Peace is a necessary condition in the sustainability equation. Our environmental problems are human-made and relate directly to the ill-advised and inequitable appropriation of resources. To restore the web of life, we need to be aware as individuals, as tribes, as communities, as regions how it is that we sustain our own production without giving the short end of the stick to future generations or other bioregions. In any case, stealing is not people-friendly, earth-friendly, or sustainable.
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Bioregional baseline indicators permit the evaluation of project and program plans. This is particularly important in Environmental Impact Statements as required by the National Environmental Protection Act and for Social Impact Assessments following a natural disaster or other emergency. This information is critical to maintaining quality of life and protecting the environment. Other purposes include the evaluation of nonprofit programs, corporate branding claims, regional comprehensive plans and to certify sustainable business and tourism activity based on real input from local people in a position to know – or be affected. |
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Community well-being and ecosystem stewardship are cross-cutting values that bind 'the people' together beyond any polemic.
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Unexpected Spring
Nature reigns as inessentials falter. The birds sing so sweetly in this not so silent spring. We are in the time of great
rapprochement. The shimmering web of life, palpable now, unifies compassion and good sense. Our collective imagination quickens. We could look back on this time as the 'great pause' when we get back to our future – and maybe, this time we get it right. |
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winesaps on the Gunnison River - April 2014
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We offer training and workshops.
We are all of the same cloth; each person and people has the wisdom to act each day in a sustainable way. We can remember to listen to ourselves and each other.
Real local input bridges green, brown, red and blue. We need a little practice is all.
With practice, we may even enjoy participatory conversations that matter – at every level of society and in every day life.
In this way, we unite our understanding and ensure sound leadership held accountable by our ability to understand each other. |
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In order to change an existing paradigm you do not struggle to try and change the problematic model. You create a new model and make the old one obsolete. That, in essence, is the higher service to which we are all being called.
~ Buckminster Fuller
natural balance
Moon rise on the Salish Sea
photopoet.earth
creative commons © 2020
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Mission
Economics for Peace Institute, a nonprofit, works globally through education, research and economic development to build peace, foster sustainability, and restore the Earth’s natural systems. The Institute’s work is measured by local people for its social benefits, its economic fairness and its ability to preserve ecosystems for future generations.
Vision
The Institute promotes participatory research and participatory economic development. The Institute advances locally-derived, place-based indicators of community well-being and ecosystem stewardship.
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The Institute teaches participatory action research (PAR), social fieldwork and other forms of qualitative research for planners, agency staff, academics, conservation specialists, community organizers, and others. The Institute develops local and regional practitioner networks in participatory research.
The Institute strengthens local economic viability through practical demonstration of cooperative business practices. Examples include locally-sourced online markets, participatory ecotourism initiatives, cooperative small business acquisition and cooperative homestead development. Each demonstration project is evaluated and/or certified in a participatory way, by local people through place-based indicators of community well-being and ecosystem stewardship.
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Earth Day is Every Day
We are washing our hands for a new economy!
Let's unite our understanding and bridge the divide with real local input about what matters most!
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Join us
Help us with our outreach! Share a pic of your hands building our better futures! Celebrate Earth Day 2020 and encourage hope in our collective future! We have a vision! We are thinking outside the box on sustainability! And, we are washing our hands of a broken way of thinking!
Encourage friends and colleagues to sign up for our newsletters.
Arrange for a watch party introduction to econ4peace with friends and colleagues. Contact Us.
Gain practical experience. Register for workshops online calendar
– participatory conversations matter
– organizing for social fieldwork in your bioregion.
Join in our efforts as a volunteer. We are ready to onboard volunteers with secure remote collaboration technology. We will fill positions in order of greatest need first. We are focussed on outreach and communications in this early stage. Ideally, be prepared to commit a minimum of two hours per week. We will arrange a phone conversation. In this way, we can explore what synergies and what may be the best match for your life goals and work skills. There is a place (or three) for everyone.
If all goes well, we plan to start hiring staff by Fall 2020, if not sooner.
~ call for artists ~
blockprint and letterpress artisans
food artisans
builders and designers of utilitarian homewares and natural homes
filmmakers, info-graphic makers and more.
~ & ~
Editor(s)
Grant Writer(s)
Volunteer Coordinator(s)
Youth Education Coordinator(s)
Qualitative Research Specialist(s)
Spreadsheets and Contact Database Manager(s)
No Trackers Wordpress Developer(s)
Events Coordinator(s)
CMS manager(s)
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roots . a weekly newsletter of hope – and roots economics
We present econ4peace concepts towards a new way of seeing economics from the ground up. We provide social fieldwork support and guidance by members for members, and local people.
Thank you for reading ~
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ECONOMICS FOR PEACE INSTITUTE | epi |
Where peace and sustainability meet the groundwork of democracy.
The Institute is a 501c3 charitable organization founded in 2008 & resuming operations in 2020. We are based near Sequim, Washington and Boulder, Colorado.
| mail | Economics for Peace Institute • PO Box 1837 • Port Townsend, WA • 98368
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