International Leadership Seminar
April 19 – 20, 2010
Venue: Goodenough College, Mecklenburgh Square, London (Non Residential)
Invited speakers include: Isobel Hilton, Ian Christie, Edward Mortimer, Simon Retallack, Marc Hudson, Tim German, Julie Richardson and Michelle Adams. Click here for speaker biographies.
This seminar is open for bookings see below for how to register.
Rapid, effective and fair action on climate change calls for radical innovation in democratic decision-making and in the mobilisation of citizens and organisations to act differently. Unsustainable models of economic growth and consumption dominate political discourse yet there are few examples of elections being won by parties advocating an alternative paradigm. Designed for leaders and change makers, this seminar will focus on the central question: what innovations are needed in democracy and participatory decision-making, if we want them to deliver the actions required to mitigate and adapt to climate change?
The seminar will include expert input from global, national and local leaders together with opportunities for facilitated learning and the exchange of experiences between participants. Our intention is to create a rich and dynamic learning programme.
The event is presented by Salzburg Global Seminar together with the Dartington Hall Trust, Schumacher College – the International Centre for Sustainable Living, and the Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development. It is delivered in collaboration with, and hosted by Goodenough College, London.
This seminar is intended for: leaders and change makers in central and local governments, businesses, non-governmental organisations and communities, and anyone concerned with mobilising democracy to tackle climate change.
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My experience at Schumacher College was really challenging and inspiring. It helped me become more deeply rooted in my commitment to developing sustainable cities. I recommend professionals spend time at Schumacher College. I know it is a place where future leaders are developed. Peter Head, Development Director of Arup, Schumacher College Alumni.
I gained valuable insight from my fellow participants, whose diverse and global views and experiences in various industries, academia, and government helped shape how we could encourage sustainable/green policies, products and services into the mainstream and how they could benefit the world. I think the opportunity to interact with people of such different backgrounds allowed us to open ourselves to discuss and tackle problems that we may not have thought about before. Salzburg Global Fellow from the USA.
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Radical innovation in democratic decision making
Rapid, effective and fair action on climate change calls for radical innovation in democratic decision-making and in the mobilisation of citizens and organisations (public, private and non-governmental) to act differently. The seminar will explore how, following the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December 09, this might be achieved and where tensions might lie.
Tackling climate change
The challenges are multiple. Despite overwhelming evidence, a high percentage of citizens and other interests in the world’s democracies do not accept that climate change is being dramatically and dangerously affected by human activities. The evidence to date indicates that it is the vulnerable and least politically powerful who are most negatively affected by climate change and yet affluent communities often campaign vociferously against much needed renewable energy initiatives. Unsustainable models of economic growth and consumption dominate political discourse and there are few examples of democratic elections being won by parties advocating an alternative paradigm. During the seminar we will explore the climate change issues and what needs to be done to tackle climate change.
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Mobilising citizens
The UK’s Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband has argued that the mobilisation of citizens is vital if we are to achieve meaningful change on climate issues. Governments and corporate interests cannot or will not do it alone. The seminar asks the question how can, and should, democracies mobilise citizen participation to support difficult decisions, and identify the rapid and radical actions necessary to mitigate and adapt to climate change?
Monday 19th April: Democracy and Climate Change – Framing the Issues
6.00pm Arrival and registration
6.30pm Open Circle Welcome to the Seminar by Chair, Edward Mortimer,
Senior Vice President, Salzburg Global Seminar
7.00pm Dinner
8.00pm Democracy and Climate Change – Framing the Issues
Ian Christie, Vice Chair, Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable
Development; Associate, Green Alliance; Visiting Professor, University
of Surrey
9.30pm Close
Tuesday 20th April: Copenhagen and beyond: mobilising democracy to tackle climate change
Chair Isobel Hilton, journalist and broadcaster
10.00am Reflections on Copenhagen: what happened; what next; what
implications for democracy and climate change?
Simon Retallack, Head of Climate Change Policy IPPR
Discussion
11.00am Mobilising for action – how can we convince and mobilise citizens,
communities and organisations to engage in the creation of more
resilient and sustainable societies and economies?
Julie Richardson (Transition Towns)
Marc Hudson (Climate activist, Manchester)
Michelle Adams (Director, Eco-Efficiency Centre, Dalhousie University,
Canada)
Discussion
Breakout groups
1.30pm Lunch
2.30pm What kind of leadership is needed to enable democracy effectively to
tackle climate change, what actions will I take?
Facilitated session led by Halina Ward, Director Foundation for
Democracy and Sustainable Development and Caroline Carpenter,
Salzburg Global Seminar
Breakout groups
Feedback
4.30pm Closing reflections: Tim German, Head of Low Carbon Cornwall, Cornwall Council, and Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow
5.15pm Closing Circle and next steps
7.30pm Party
(Please note that the timetable may be subject to change)
This section will be extended as further speakers are confirmed. For detailed biographies click here
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Speakers
Isobel Hilton, Journalist and Broadcaster
Ian Christie, Vice Chair, Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development
Edward Mortimer, Senior Vice President, Salzburg Global Seminars
Simon Retallack, Associate Director and Head of Climate Change, Institute for Public Policy Research
Marc Hudson, Climate Activist and Health Care Professional
Tim German, Head of Low Carbon Cornwall, Cornwall Council, and Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow
Julie Richardson, Transition Towns
Michelle Adams , Director, Eco-Efficiency Centre
Facilitators
Charlie McConnell, Director of Schumacher College
Halina Ward, Director Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development
Caroline Carpenter, Senior Programme Advisor, Salzburg Global Seminar
To whet your appetite for the seminar, you can now download the new paper Democracy and climate change: why and what matters by Halina Ward, Director, the Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development.
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The standard seminar fee includes teaching, refreshments, and lunch and the party on Tuesday evening: £75/85 Euro.
Please note that other meals may be purchased at Freddie’s Café Bar or the Great Hall in Goodenough College.
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To register your place please send the following information to Caroline Carpenter
Name, title, citizenship, business position and organisation, postal address, email address and phone number, where you heard about the event, and whether you are a Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar.
Payment can now be made through the Salzburg Global Seminar website.
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Travel and accommodation
For travel directions to our venue, the Goodenough College, London click here
To arrange accommodation through the Goodenough Club click here
Further information
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For further information about Schumacher College please see About the College
For further information about Salzburg Global Seminar click here
For further information about the Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development click here
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For further information about Dartington click here
For further information about Goodenough College click here
