SSW Quick Links:

• Projects
  • Project Database
    • Art & Design
    • Business, Marketing & Finance
    • Education & Communication
    • Environment & Geography
    • History & Culture
    • IT & Multimedia
    • Planning & Policy Issues
    • Science, Engineering & Technology
    • Social Sciences
    • Project Guidance:Community Groups
    • Project Guidance: Students
    • Project Guidance: Volunteers
  • Project Reports
    • Science, Engineering & Technology
    • Communication & Education
    • Business, Marketing & Finance
    • Social Sciences
    • Environment & Geography
    • Art & Design
    • IT & Multimedia
    • History & Culture
    • Planning & Policy Issues
    • Health & Wellbeing
• Publications
  • Public Information Leaflets
  • Butterflies Book
  • Community Biodiversity Audit Handbook
• Training

Forum on Whole-Systems Sustainable Development, 19-20 July 2007

On Thursday 19th and Friday 20th July 2007 Science Shops Wales and South Wales Sustainable Futures co-sponsored a forum on
Whole Systems Sustainable Development in South Wales: Setting the Stage for Action
at Coed Hills Rural Art Space near Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan. Over 80 people attended the Forum over the two days and participated in a packed programme of presentations, discussion and cultural events.

This two-day meeting explored the concepts, principles and practices of whole-systems sustainable development, and the opportunities and challenges for whole-systems approaches in post-industrial south Wales. There were presentations from leading practitioners and a series of practitioner-led workshops focusing on practical steps toward whole-systems sustainable development, using completed, current and planned projects as examples.

The topics discussed included: renewable technologies; education and curriculum development; skills, training and local economic potentials; community participation; environmental issues; policies and regulatory frameworks; sustainable food production; and much more. As well as providing an excellent opportunity to improve understandings and initiate and further develop networks and partnerships, the forum produced many specific action steps and commitments from those attending.

Forum Programme
The full programme can be downloaded here. Notes on the speakers can be found here.

Presentations
There were presentations from Glenn Davidson of Artstsion; Steve Harris of Science Shops Wales; Nigel Topping of Schumaker College and Transition Town Totnes; Paul Wimbush and Simon Dale of the Lammas Project; Eco-artist David Haley; and futures expert Barbara Adam of Cardiff University.
Presentation slides from the forum can be downloaded here.

Notes and Mappings
Activity at the forum was captured in a number of ways which included voice recording main speakers, note takers at all group activities and use of flip charts by facilitators. The assembly were also invited to make their own notes on large posters
Some more information on the notes and mappings from the forum can be viewed here.
A poem by Barbara Adam reflecting on the Forum and summarising her contribution can be found here.
A gallery of excellent photographs of the Forum taken by Diego Vidart and Helen Reardon can be found here.

The forum took place at Coed Hills Rural Art Space, amidst 180 acres of beautiful woodland and farmland overlooking the Severn estuary. The centre has working demonstrations of Biomass heating, wind and solar power; low-impact buildings; permaculture gardens; and a gallery and sculpture trail featuring work by local and international artists.

Top