Multi-scale collaborative and adaptive management
To develop a methodology, based on real experience with an actual project (=Action Research) to connect a local project to global institutions. For example, a climate change project in a coastal community concerned about sea level rise or other change in ecosystem service.
Many good ideas seem to loose momentum because they run into “scale issues”. Whether within large organizations or among various levels of scale among organizations, the vertical integration and shift in perspective associated with movement between scale is often causing good ideas to slow down. Not until there is a significant number of good projects pursued, there is a willingness to consider a second look at inter-scale decision-making hurdles.
Cheryl - We need many good ideas and motivated people to build momentum and change inter-scale hurdles.
Marjan - It may be helpful to deliberately think through inter-scale connections in decision-making, which often linked with the way data is managed and power structures arranged. The actual topic matter less when approached from a systems perspective. Examine the vertically integrated “vortex” of decision-making and data management.
After-conference thought: why not zoom in on a specific “hurdle” that good local projects run into and bring the stakeholders (those affecting and being affected by this topic) together and solve the problem from a systemic perspective. You'll be amazed at the resistance (and therefore the possibilities for change) you'll run into. If such “hurdle” is overcome from a systemic perspective, local projects can be more productive.
Send ideas to Susan Crow and Fred Presley.