Collaboration and Consulting

COLLABORATION AND CONSULTING
Working with others to facilitate cultural change

Ecovillages and Sustainable Communities
CONTEXT INSTITUTE co-organized this major conference in October 1995 with the Findhorn Ecovillage Project.

Dutch Ministry of Public Works
CONTEXT INSTITUTE was asked in late 1994 to create a background paper on trends related to sustainability and cultural change for Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch Ministry of Public Works.

AIA/UIA
CONTEXT INSTITUTE served as an advisor to The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the International Union of Architects (UIA), including helping them design the 1993 UIA/AIA World Congress of Architects around the theme of "Designing For A Sustainable Future," authoring the 1993 UIA/AIA international design competition: "A Call For Sustainable Community Solutions," and authoring the World Congress of Architects' "Declaration of Interdependence for a Sustainable Future."

Washington State
CONTEXT INSTITUTE was an advisor to Mike Fitzgerald, Director of Washington State's Department of Trade and Economic Development, and assisted him in his program to apply the principles of sustainable development to communities throughout the state.

Citizen Diplomacy with USSR
During the 2nd half of the 1980s, CONTEXT INSTITUTE was active in citizen exchanges with the (then) USSR. Institute founders Robert and Diane Gilman each made 8 trips during this time, leading 5 different groups, and providing travel coordination and consultation for 13 other groups. This work contributed to changes in the USSR and has resulted in many long-term relationships with Russian colleagues.

Rysovo Ecovillage
CONTEXT INSTITUTE coordinated, from 1992 to 1995, the western support for the Rysovo Ecovillage, a demonstration sustainable community outside of St. Petersburg, Russia. This project is continuing as a collaborative effort with help from many groups and individuals from around the world, including Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Australia, England, and many parts of the US.

Sustainable Seattle
In 1991, CONTEXT INSTITUTE co-founded and co-administered (with Seattle's Metrocenter YMCA) this civic forum for sustainability that includes representatives from the mayor's office, the Chamber of Commerce, Boeing Company, and various community groups. Sustainable Seattle is developing indicators for the sustainability of the Seattle region.

Convenings: Denmark, 9/91; Esalen, 12/91
CONTEXT INSTITUTE convened and facilitated two major meetings in 1991. The Denmark meeting, sponsored by Gaia Trust, brought together 24 specialists on communities and community development from 11 countries. The Esalen meeting involved 14 activists, and focused on citizen empowerment.

North Seattle Community College Study Circles
CONTEXT INSTITUTE worked with this local community college in a program of adult study circles (based on the Swedish model) that used the IN CONTEXT issue "What Is Enough?" (#26) as the basic text for examining the possibilities for more fulfilling and more sustainable lifestyles.