Open Space Meeting Report: Notes on Values

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  • Values precede changes in behaviour and vice versa in a self reflexive feedback cycle.
  • Ideas can change actions and actions ideas.
  • What are the key values? (Plurality of values possible and necessary)
  • Mindsets and the challenge of tackling negative attitudes.
    • ‘Working with and not against the earth’ (Alienation-awe-cooperation)
  • Defensiveness about change-Valuing small steps/individual contributions on an individual basis and offering reinforcement is crucial.
  • Excuses
    • other countries/continents rapid industrialisation (E.g. China, India)
    • overcome by emphasising the prestige of Cambridge-Nationally/Internationally and responsibility.
  • Idea for Child Research ‘Connectivity to Nature Scale’ to correlate child play and development
    • Change in adulthood also and importance of organisation and fun also discussed.
  • Need to redefine ideas about ‘The Environment’ and the scale/levels which affect us all.
    • We are the Environment’ (Through its very fabric and not external to it)
    • How to communicate and share values?
    • Social Events (Reclaim the streets, street parties etc)
    • Meetings
    • Community groups and resources
  • Do not chastise others for not doing something and Value any contribution (Big or small)
  • Importance of peers in opinion formation
  • Emphasise urgency and overcome despair
  • Adult-Adult engagement and Young People influencing adults
  • ‘Perceive the need in yourself for change’ and shift in values required
  • Job sharing, multifaceting etc to overcome immediate pressures and stresses and create space for improving the situation. Accentuate the gains-More time with family and friends etc
  • Example ‘Giving up Smoking’
    • Imagine what you would do if you didn’t (Smoke)
      • E.g. play football, have more money, feel better
  • Provide positive motivations/Incentives, promote the enjoyment of what you can perceive following the change (Outcomes)
    • E.g. Social Connections, Community support & more fun!
  • ‘Just Doing it’
    • Experience/examples/Role models/Inclusion
  • Avoiding ‘cliques’, ‘Exclusions’ and have everybody in mind.
  • Ideals, quality of life and values as luxury for everyday people
  • ‘Ready to change’ must ensure the security level and not impose extra burden on families.
  • Access to information-For all, emphasise personal benefits.
  • Access to skills- Basic cooking, ‘Community Kitchens’
  • Social centres and groups such as Mill Road ‘No to Mill Road Tesco’ social centre an example of reaching people through social events, opportunities etc
  • Appeal-Community Functions/Embodying values.
  • Community, what is it? Everybody!
  • Invite neighbours and build up mutual support step by step.
  • People naturally reciprocate gestures
  • Street Parties: Google how to organise a street party
  • Live the values, be the change and others will be inspired by the example.

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Transition Cambridge aims to help Cambridge make the transition to ways of life that are more resilient in the face of rising energy prices and a changing climate.

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