For as long as I can remember I have been interested in what brings out the best – and the worst – in us and how we can create a world in which humans can thrive in harmony with each other and the living Earth. Thirteen years ago that interest led me to the work of Chilean economist Manfred Max-Neef and for the last decade I have been sharing his Human Scale Development (HSD) approach with people of all ages and walks of life – from students to community groups to business leaders. It is becoming clear to most of us that all our systems need rethinking. The financial crises, Corona virus and the climate emergency are demanding that we do things differently from now on. My experience as an artist, storyteller and improvisation teacher tells me that we need to address not only the physical practicalities of changing our systems, but actively cultivate our ‘radical collective imagination’. This vital capacity will allow us to vision a socially, ecologically and economically just future together. Educating ourselves about the myriad regenerative social and economic alternatives, existing and emerging, will give us the tools to make it happen. Growing Good Lives is my contribution to this radical collective re-imagining.
Musings on a soufflé dish or why capitalism has no space for love
By Inez Aponte, Growing Good Lives
That is why there is no room for love in capitalism. You cannot love a thing and at the same time be indifferent to its demise.
No More Business as Usual – Rethinking Economic Value for a Post-Covid World
By Inez Aponte, P2P Foundation Blog
This crisis must be an opportunity to challenge what we have allowed corporations around the world to do with the natural environment (conveniently referred to as resources) and people (labour) in the name of economic growth. Thatcher was wrong: there are alternatives.
From Dismal Science to Language of Beauty – Towards a new story of economics
By Inez Aponte, Degrowth.de
Humans are storytelling beings. In fact one could argue that it is impossible to make sense of the world without story.
Transition and Solidarity
By Jay Tompt, Inez Aponte, Transition Network
Our intention would...be to lay the foundation for long-term relationships between our different communities, hoping this would lead to more collaborations, and strengthen each of our communities...