roots . ground our understanding
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Economics for Peace Institute
Guild for Social Fieldwork
4.15.20
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Community well-being and ecosystem stewardship are cross-cutting values, that bind people together beyond any polemic.
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Greetings of Spring, Subscriber
This is our organization's first newsletter in a decade. It was a long time coming and timing is what it is. Despite our overwhelming and indescribable tragedy, I hope this missive encourages hope in our better future. Earth Day - 50 years later - is upon us. May we recognize our better selves and not require another 50 before we make the shift.
~ Myriem, Founder |
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Democracy began as a 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 disappointment, 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. We must ground our 'understanding' - that upon which we stand. We must do the groundwork of democracy to ensure the sound management of planetary resources as we rebuild economy. Economy is the management of home and ecology all embodied in one word.
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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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As a public policy and research institute, we work towards a sound foundation of research to better inform democracy by bioregion. This is the groundwork of democracy for a sustainable future.
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 Institute's participatory research framework is designed to provide full support to each bioregional study team.
We partner with researchers and community groups to grow a community of social fieldwork researchers through The Guild for Social Fieldwork. Learn more.
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 newsletter to someone who may. Thank you.
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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 this test upfront, then we must redesign. We have everything 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, and as regions how we sustain our own production without giving future generations the short end of the stick. 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 the certification of sustainable business and tourism activity. These indicators are based on real input from local people in a position to know about, or be affected by the project or program. |
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Winesap blossom on the Gunnison River - April 2014
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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' when all are kindred. 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 is the time we get it right.
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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 in a sustainable way, if we 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 everyday life. Starts May 4.
In this way, we unite our understanding and ensure sound leadership held accountable by our ability to understand each other. |
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natural balance over the Salish Sea
creative commons © 2020
photopoet.earth
April 7, 2020
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.
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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
Good information thrives in natural markets where supply and demand is obvious and connects us in a meaningful day-to-day.
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Post the iconic global hands photo or your own hands with econ4peace
We are washing our hands of mismanagement! Let people know about the groundwork for democracy!
We are washing our hands of years and years of a poorly managed economy!
Join us in educating electeds about sourcing better information from the bottom up and by bioregion!
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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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Let's wash our hands of the 'not a true' economy. Economy is by definition sustainable and can only occur in markets in which there is the fair exchange of good information.
Starting soon, we plan to build a prototypical online marketplace to stimulate local production. Your contributions on a monthly basis will enable us to grow local economies from the grassroots.
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ECONOMICS FOR PEACE INSTITUTE | epi |
Where peace and sustainability meet the groundwork of democracy.
We provide workshops to "unite our understanding" and bridge the political divide with real local input about what matters most.
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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roots . a weekly about the groundwork of democracy
In
roots, a weekly online magazine, you'll find art, poetry and social fieldwork support and guidance by members for members, and local people. You'll find tools and resources to bolster local economies from the ground up.
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Social Follow
Clickety clickety click
feeds the data ocean
sending bits of plastic to the sea
and concentrates production
in one great walled city,
with dire consequences
for you and me.
The mediated internet is creating a lot of confusion. Let's set it all to rights by taking a few steps to stop feeding the data ocean. Book an appointment to thwart the drive for consumption and protect our democracy from hacking.
The Institute does not do "clickety clicks," and perhaps neither should you? Those are trackers to serve you ads and expand consumption of stuff. Let's free ourselves. And, let's localize our own stuff. Read the privacy policy; skim down to third party sharing and make sure you agree.
Clickety click tracker links and webicons are not activated. Instead, copy the following web address in your URL address window or click below. We do not use trackers.
www.facebook.com/economics-for-peace
Help us to do outreach by sharing with your real friends even if they are also on FB. But, mostly encourage your friends to sign up for email so the Institute may communicate directly without confusion. Thank you.
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