What are we waiting for? – Gathering in the context of Global Donut Days
In week 45, from 6 to 9 November, are the Global Donut Days. Worldwide, the communities that have doughnut economics as their starting point celebrate progress, positive developments, successes, connectedness and learning moments.
In the Achterhoek, Stichting De Goede Donut (Donut Festival Achterhoek) is organising a gathering on 9 November in Doetinchem with a focus on democracy and self-management: “What are we waiting for?”.
Stichting De Goede Donut, working with the theory of the English economist Kate Raworth, author of the book “Donut Economy: In Seven Steps to an Economy for the 21st Century” connects conversations with action. In the Achterhoek, De Goede Donut is a movement with people who imagine a definitively different future. People who dare to take steps towards a new society. In the context of the Global Donut Days, initiated by DEAL (Donut Economics Action Lab, Oxford), we are organizing this meeting.
In What are we waiting for? we bring together several focus points: the limits of current democratic working methods, lessons from history, the pursuit of inclusivity and actively building a responsible future for the coming (seven) generations. That is quite a mouthful, and certainly a considerable ambition! One of the frameworks of doughnut economics is a holistic approach: compartmentation misses too many opportunities that are necessary for developments.
In more and more places and regions, citizens' assemblies or similar constructs are emerging: citizens selected by lot, who – well informed – support the government (and therefore also politics) in the execution of their assignment, namely finding and introducing solutions for a hopeful future for our children and grandchildren; a future of a liveable planet. In the Achterhoek, too, this way of working is being followed with interest.
On 9th November, Peter Bootsma will share his insights from a historical context: Pentahelix – Task democracy. In an earlier publication it was stated “Task democracy ensures decisiveness in transitions”. Let’s dive into history and see what we can learn from it! We dare to promise that it will be a inspirational journey of discovery.
We combine his lecture with an assignment that Pieter Hessel will give us based on his experience and expertise: Life is not about the destination, it's about the journey. “In my twenties I took that last one quite literally. I discovered that working abroad is different from going on holiday. I learned that as a guest worker you are at the mercy of the good will of your employer.” You also learn to look at a situation or story through other people’s eyes. How often do you actively do that yourself? What does it do to your thinking when you do?
When you take some time and think deeper and broader, slow down, step out of the moment, things and solutions often become much clearer. You know what you need to do. What you need to do NOW. So, what are we waiting for? Take responsibility, for our children and grandchildren, take charge, take on a task. Let's take action together!
Date: November 9, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Doetinchem
Free entrance, registration required (with/without lunch)
Website: https://donut-festival.nl
Anke Sitter
Achterhoek, Oost Gelre, Gelderland, The Netherlands
Follow the developments for a while, provide workshops in our region in The Netherlands to spread the ideas, make it practical..