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Collective Visioning
Principles and Methodologies
Facilitated Discussions and Brainstorming Guidelines
Introduction
Collective visioning is a participatory approach that encourages active involvement and ownership from all careholders. It goes beyond individual perspectives and aims to capture the collective wisdom, values, and aspirations of the denizens of a bioregion. By engaging in a shared visioning process, participants can align their efforts, generate a sense of unity and purpose, and work towards a common goal.
The process of collective visioning typically involves facilitated discussions, brainstorming sessions, workshops, and other interactive methods that encourage open dialogue and collaboration. It encourages participants to imagine and articulate their desired future, identify key priorities, and explore potential pathways to achieve that vision. Through this process, collective visioning helps foster a sense of shared responsibility, motivation, and empowerment within the bioregion working towards sovereignty.
Collective visioning enables diverse careholders to come together, build consensus, and mobilize resources towards a shared vision, ultimately fostering a sense of unity and driving positive change.
A Note About Conflict Resolution
Collective visioning is distinctly different from conflict resolution, but both approaches can complement and support each other in the pursuit of bioregional sovereignty. While conflict resolution focuses on addressing and resolving conflicts that arise among careholders, collective visioning is centered around transcending past conflicts by creating a shared vision and fostering collaboration.
Purpose: Conflict resolution aims to address existing conflicts and find mutually acceptable solutions, often arising from disagreements, competing interests, or power imbalances. It seeks to reconcile differences and restore harmony among careholders. On the other hand, collective visioning focuses on creating a shared future vision that aligns with the aspirations and values of all careholders. It aims to inspire and mobilize collective action towards a common goal.
Process: Conflict resolution typically involves identifying the underlying causes of conflict, facilitating dialogue, and employing various techniques such as negotiation, mediation, or arbitration to reach a resolution. It focuses on addressing specific issues or disagreements and finding compromises or win-win solutions. Collective visioning, on the other hand, involves a broader and more inclusive process of engaging stakeholders in shaping a desired future for the bioregion. It emphasizes collaboration, creative thinking, and the development of a shared vision that guides actions and decision-making.
Outcome: The outcome of conflict resolution is the resolution of specific conflicts, with a focus on finding common ground, addressing grievances, and restoring relationships. It aims to manage and minimize the negative impacts of conflicts. In contrast, the outcome of collective visioning is the creation of a guiding framework that inspires collective action, encourages collaboration, and aligns careholders' efforts towards a brighter future that transcends historical conflict.
Relationship: Collective visioning and conflict resolution are not mutually exclusive processes. In fact, collective visioning can help prevent or minimize conflicts by providing a shared direction and fostering a sense of unity and purpose among stakeholders. When conflicts do arise, the shared vision can serve as a reference point for resolving differences and finding solutions that are consistent with the overall goals and values of the bioregion.
Tools, Processes & Methodology
There are several proven tools, processes, and methodologies that can be used to accomplish collective visioning. Here are our favorites:
Blueprint of We
The Blueprint of We is a framework for collaboratively creating agreements and shared understandings among careholders. Through guided conversations, careholders can explore their values, desires, and vision for the bioregion.
Future Search
Future Search is a facilitated conference-style process that brings together a diverse group of careholders to collectively explore their shared future. Participants engage in open dialogue, self-reflection, and action planning to develop a common vision and identify strategic actions to move forward.
Philosopher Democracies
Philosopher Democracies (PhD) Direct Self Governance is a system of tools and processes that will guide bioregions to make decisions and manage themselves. Such processes diminish/eliminate ‘rule by opinion’ by elevating community wisdom, thereby enabling creative & superior decision making.
Prosocial.World
Prosocial.World is a set of frameworks for multiple stakeholder collaboration. It is based on Elinor Ostrom's 8 Core Design Principles. The ProSocial.World Core Processes combine a perspective on and critical and dialogical understanding of both the structures of our world (political, economic, environmental, cultural, spiritual, etc.) and the fluid movement of forces that act to sustain those structures in hegemonic equilibrium.
World Café
The World Café method creates a dynamic and interactive space for conversations that matter. Participants engage in small group discussions, rotating between tables, to explore key questions related to the bioregion's future. Insights and ideas are collectively harvested and shared to identify emerging themes and possibilities.
Comparisons
These methodologies offer various approaches to facilitate collective visioning, collaboration, and decision-making in the context of Bioregional Sovereignty. Each method has its unique features and strengths, but they all aim to foster inclusive participation, dialogue, and co-creation of shared visions and strategies. The choice of methodology depends on the specific needs, goals, and preferences of the bioregional initiative and its stakeholders.
Table of Collective Visioning Tools
Methodology
Purpose and Focus
Key Features
Applicability
Blueprint of We
Foster collaborative relationships and agreements within groups
Facilitates clear communication, shared purpose, and co-creation of agreements
Useful for building collaborative frameworks and collective decision-making processes in bioregional initiatives
Future Search
Engage careholders in creating a shared vision and action plan
Encourages broad participation, dialogue, and exploration of diverse perspectives
Effective for generating collective visions and mobilizing careholders towards bioregional goals
Philosopher Democracies
Enhance democracy and decision-making processes through denizen deliberation
Emphasizes open, inclusive dialogue and philosophical exploration
Provides a framework for engaging denizens in deliberative processes related to bioregional governance and decision-making
Prosocial. World
Apply principles of cooperation and collaboration to solve complex problems
Incorporates social norms, behavioral insights, and collective action
Applicable for fostering collaboration, trust, and cooperation among diverse careholders in bioregional contexts
World Café
Facilitate meaningful conversations and collective intelligence
Creates a welcoming space for dialogue and cross-pollination of ideas
Useful for fostering dialogue, sense-making, and generating collective wisdom for bioregional visioning and problem-solving
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