UNDERSTANDING

& LEADING
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT

Phil Lane, Jr.

Four Worlds International
www.fwii.net 1
Overview

2
The term “sustainable development”
is being used in many different
ways, for example:

In the context of
forestry, sustainable
development can mean the harvesting
of trees and other forest products at a
rate that does not exceed the capacity
of the forest to regenerate itself. 3
In the context of
urban planning,
sustainable
development can
mean managing
growth within
the capacity of
infrastructure to
service the
population.
4
In the context of
health promotion,
sustainable
development can
mean a pace and
type of economic
activity that does
not jeopardize the
wellbeing of
people.
5
In the context of international development
projects, sustainable development can
mean those activities designed not to
exceed the socio-ecological capacity of the
community to carry on from within. 6
Talking Circle Topic: What are
other contexts within which
you have heard the term
sustainable development being
used?

7
Understanding & Leading Sustainable
Development will focus on how human
thinking and activity influence both the
social and natural worlds

Human
Natural Thinking Social
World & Activity World

8
Module I:
Coming to Terms

9
What is development?

The root of the word

“development”
is the French word
développer -
to unroll or unwrap

10
Development:

A process by
which
potentialities
become apparent;
by which a fuller,
greater or better
state is realized

11
Development:
A process through which something
is made more available
or put into use QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

A process through which something

is exploited,
or converted into a new function,
or has its value increased
12
What is sustainability?

The capacity to
keep up or
keep going

13
Sustainability:
The capacity to
supply with
necessities or
nourishment;
to provide for

The capacity to support,

hold, or bear up from below;
bear the weight of
14
What is sustainable
development?

In 1980 the International Union for the

Conservation of Nature published the
World Conservation Strategy in which
the term “sustainable development”
was first used.

15
Development is sustainable
if it “meets the needs of the
present without comprom-
ising the ability of future
generations to meet their
own needs”.
(The 1987 Brundtland Commission,
set up by the United Nations
General Assembly)

16
Other Definitions:

“Sustainable development is a socio-

ecological process characterized by the
fulfillment of human needs while
maintaining the quality of the natural
environment indefinitely.”
(Wikipedia)

17
“…sustainable development is
interpreted as a common currency that
both unifies environmental, social and
economic values and links today’s
choices to tomorrow’s consequences.”
(A Guide to Sustainability, from
Canadian Choices for Transitions to
Sustainability, Ottawa: Projet de
societe, May 1995)

18
“Sustainable development involves the
simultaneous pursuit of economic
prosperity, environmental quality and
social equity.”
(World Business Council on Sustainable Development)

19
“Sustainability is meeting the needs of all
humans, being able to do so on a finite
planet for generations to come while
ensuring some degree of openness and
flexibility to adapt to changing
circumstances.”
(Jerry Sturmer, Santa Barbara South
Coast Community Indicators)

20
“Human beings are at
the center of concern
for sustainable
development. They are
entitled to a healthy and
productive life in
harmony with nature.”
(Rio Declaration, adopted by the
United Nations conference on
Environment and Development in
1992)
21
“In the final analysis sustainable
development is about long-term
conditions for humanity’s multi-
dimensional well-being.”
(Soubbotina, Beyond Economic Growth,
The World Bank, 2004)

22
Criticisms of
Current Definitions of
Sustainable Development

They do not provide clear guidance

1. about what to do differently.

23
Current uses of the term
“sustainable development”
in policy documents:

They tend to favour the continued growth

2. of industrialized nations at the expense of
development in poorer nations.

Economic policies based on concepts of

3. growth and the continued depletion of
resources cannot be sustainable.
24
An Indigenous view of
Sustainable Development
The closest equivalent that the
Cuna Tribe of Panama has for the
term “sustainable” is the
word harmonious
Harmony with all living things
In tune
Peaceful
Marked by agreement
25
Talking Circle Topic: What
other definitions of sustainable
development have you
heard/used? Which definition
do you prefer? Why?

26
Module II:
Models for
Exploring
Sustainable
Development
27
Interdependent and Mutually
Reinforcing Pillars of
Sustainable
Development Social
Development

Environ- Economic
mental Develop-
Protection ment

United Nations 2005 World Summit Outcome Document

28
A Fourth Pillar
“…cultural diversity is as necessary
for humankind as biodiversity is for
nature.” Sustainable development
cannot be understood “simply in terms
of economic growth, but also as a
means to achieve a more satisfactory
intellectual, emotional, moral and
spiritual existence”.
Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (UNESCO,
2001) 29
Culture: how human beings
make sense of the world
 how people think, learn and solve problems, what
they value and respect, what attracts and delights
them, what offends them and their sense of what is
appropriate
 the soil in which the tree of identity
has its roots
 manifests itself in human relations,
systems of organization, technology,
arts, politics, economics, community
life - all the things that humans do.
30
A Metaphor for Culture

Artifacts and Language Folklore

Laws Visible
Behaviour Music Customs Food
Culture
Beliefs and Primary
Values highly patterned Culture
implicit rules of behavior
hidden cultural grammar
Assumptions
Primary Level Culture
There is an underlying, hidden level of culture that
is highly patterned – a set of unspoken, implicit
rules of behavior and thought that controls
everything we do. This hidden cultural grammar
defines the way in which people view the world,
determines their values, and establishes the basic
tempo and rhythms of life. Most of us are either
totally unaware or else only peripherally aware of
this. I call these hidden paradigms primary level
culture. (E.T. Hall)

32
Other Metaphors for Culture

The collective programming of the mind

which distinguishes the members of one
group from another - the software of the
mind

The eyes through which

we see the world

33
 Adding One More Pillar
It can also be useful to
speak about political
sustainability, which refers
to the processes through
which decisions are made and
pp power is arranged
& Bopp, Recreating the World, 2006)
and distributed.”

34
Putting it All
Environmental
Together Protection

Political Economic
Partici- Develop-
pation ment

Cultural Social
Diversity Develop-
ment

35
What are the desired outcomes
of sustainable development?
• Clean water & air • Safety from poverty
& disease
• Fertile soil &
good food • Social contact & a
sense of community
• A livelihood & a • Work, rest &
healthy economy celebration
• An optimum • Opportunities to
population size learn
• Halting global warming
36
Characteristics of Sustainable
Development that Lead to these
Outcomes
Social
Economic
Development
development is
carried out in a
way that is Equitable
equitable for all
the world’s Economic
peoples. Development
37
Economic development is carried out in a
way that is viable in terms of environmental
protection.

Environ- Viable Economic

mental Develop-
Protection ment

38
Social develop-
ment that is Social
bearable by the Development
environment.

Bearable
Environ-
mental
Protection

39
 Social
Development

Bearable Equitable
Sustainable
Environ- Economic
mental Viable Develop-
Protection ment

40
CIDA’s Framework identifies
key features for the “pillars”
of sustainable development:
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic development
• Social development
• Cultural diversity
• Political participation
41
 Environmental
Protection
•Ecosystem integrity
•Biological diversity
•Managed population size

42
 Environmental
Protection

Political Participation
Human rights
Democratic development
Good governance

43
 Environmental
Protection
Political
Participation
Economic Development
Appropriate economic policies
Efficient resource allocation
More equitable access to
resources
Increasing the productive
capacity of the poor

44
 Environmental
Protection
Political Economic
Participation Development

Social Development
Improved income distribution
Gender equity
Investing in basic health &
education
Emphasizing participation of
the beneficiaries
45
 Environmental
Protection
Political Economic
Participation Development

Social
Cultural Diversity Development
Sensitivity to cultural
factors
Recognition of values
conducive to
development

46
The Medicine Wheel Model
A Powerful Mapping
Tool A Universal
Archetype

47
The Medicine Wheel Model
The
Individu Mental
al

Physical Spiritua
l

Emotiona
l 48
The Medicine Wheel Model
The Dominant
Family or Thinking
Clan Patterns
Physical Cultural &
Environment Spiritual
& Economy Patterns

Human
Relations 49
The Medicine Wheel Model
The
Community Political &
Administrative

Economic & Cultural

Environmenta &
l Spiritua
l

Social
50
The Medicine Wheel Model
The Political &
Wider Ideological
World Environment

Economic & Cultural

Ecological Environme
Environmen nt
t

Social
Environment 51
The Medicine Wheel Model:
An Integrated
Systems Approach Area or Country

Community
Family
or Clan

Individual

52
The Medicine Wheel Model: Vision
Vision ion
at
c ip
ti
r
Pa
o n
The Wider World t i
l i
Vo

Community The Person

Family,
Clan or Group 53
Talking Circle Topic:
Develop your own model
that shows which domains
of human activity need to
be harmonized to achieve
sustainable development.

54
Module III:
Strategies for
Implementing
Sustainable
Development
55
Three Key Strategies

1. Systems Thinking:
Using a determinants approach

Transdisciplinarity:
2. Working beyond the boundaries

3. Working from Principle

56
Systems Thinking:
Using a
determinants
approach

57
Brainstorming question:
What are the things that
people need to have a
sustainable life?

58
 Aboriginal Community-
identified Determinants
of Health
ic physical
ds
rituality &
ense of Kashechewan Water Samples
pose
e-sustaining values, morals & ethics
ety & security
59
 Adequate income and sustainable
economics

 Adequate power

 Social justice and equity

 Cultural
integrity and
identity

60
 Community
solidarity and
social support

 Strong families
and healthy
child
 development
Healthy eco-system and a
sustainable relationship
between human beings and the
natural world
61
 Critical learning
opportunities
 Adequate human services &
social safety net
 Meaningful work
& service to
others

62
Case Example:
The Pathways to
Prosperity Program

63
Pathways to Prosperit
Program

Presented by United Indians of

All Tribes Foundation

Initial funding provided

by the Northwest Area Foundation
64
Program Goal

To assist our
Native Community
in the journey
from
poverty to well-
being

65
Critical Challenges facing
the Seattle Native
American Community

 30% live below the poverty

line
 Highest level of
homelessness of any
group
 Real unemployment levels
are near 25%

66
 Critical
Challenges facing
the Seattle Native
American Community
Highest levels of:
 infant mortality rate
 diabetes, heart disease and cancer
 addictions and chronic mental
health issues
 disabilities

67
What is poverty?
Poverty is not simply “a lack
of jobs or income”, but rather
“a web of interwoven problems—
poor schooling, bad health,
family troubles, racism, crime
and unemployment—that can lock
families out of opportunity,
permanently”.

Joan Walsh “Stories of Community Building and the

Future of Urban America”
68
The Tree of Poverty has many roots

69
 What Determines
Poverty?
1. Poor health
2. Weak cultural and
spiritual identity
3. Unmet basic needs
4. Lack of basic safety
and security
5. Fractured social
networks
70
What Determines
Poverty?
6. Poor education
7. Unemployment/low
wages
8. Poor access to social
services
9. Racism and
discrimination in society
10. Ineffective public policy

71
 Our Primary
Strategy
Transform the
Determinants of Poverty
into the
Determinants of Well-being

72
Determinants of Well-being

Poor
health
Vibrant health
Weak cultural and
spiritual identity
Strong cultural and spiritual iden
Unmet basic needs
Basic needs
fulfilled
Lack of basic safety
and security
Personal safety and
security
Fractured social
networks
Strong social networks
73
Determinants of Well-bein
Poor
education education and training
Appropriate
Unemployment/low wages
Adequate income opportunities
Poor access to social
services
Appropriate and adequate
social services
Racism and discrimination
in society
A societal climate that
appreciates diversity and
fosters inclusion
Ineffective public
policy
Effective public policy 74
 Pathway to Prosperity
Four Strategic Elements
1. Address the Determinants of
Poverty

2. Use a holistic systems approach

3. Working from principle

4. Start small before scaling up

75
 Pathways to
Prosperity Program
 A comprehensive
web of opportunities
that form a pathway

76
 The
Journey
What do people need to make
the journey from chronic
poverty and dependency to
sustainable well-being and
Prosperity
prosperity?
help ?
connect
support

Pover
culture
ty
healing jobs
skills
77
Nine Lines of Action

for Promoting

Prosperity and

Wellbeing

78
 – 1 –
Education and Training

Early childhood development Cultural Job

Foundations Readiness
Employment Life
skills GED Strengthening
Skills
Community
Entrepreneurial Institutions
Development United Indians And Programs
Headstart and
Literacy
Early Headstart Leadership
Development
Wellness
Community
Development Parenting
Family
Education
Strengthening
79
 – 2 –
Health and
Wellness
 Healing and recovery from
the impacts of trauma
 Addiction recovery
 Personal growth
 Access to health services
 Community action for
health
 Influencing public policy

80
 – 3 –
Cultural and Spiritual
Revitalization
Cultural
Elders
based Council
enterprises

Drawing on
Cultural events and
Culture Cultural
gatherings
Leaders

Culturally based
education and training Applying Cultural
Knowledge to
Cultural Development Problems
Research
81
 – 4 –
Community Building

Community involvement in program governance

Community Community-based
Learning Research and
and Evaluation
Planning

Community Engagement in Strategic Action

82
 – 4 –
Community
Building
Specifically:
1. Bernie Whitebear
Center for Human and
Community Development
2. Quarterly gatherings
for evaluation,
learning and planning
3. Community core groups
4. Community learning
processes
5. Community based
enterprises
83
 –5–
Offering a “hand-up” and
“bridge-building”
 Targeted small scale help to
families already engaged in the
journey
• E.g.., a bus pass, help with
groceries until month end, child
care emergencies
 Access to micro-loans
 Access to affordable housing
 One stop shopping and
connection to support and
opportunities

84
 –6–
Goal: establish a
Native American Community Economic
Community Economic
Development Corporation
Development
 Building individual and community
capacity for economic success
 Job placement and support
 Small business incubation and
support
 Social enterprise initiative
• Teepee Camp
• Salmon Bake Center
• Northwest Canoe House
 Capitalization of Native community
business development

85
 –7–
Partnership Building

 Circle of partners to be
established to ensure all
needed services are
available
 Special focus on
partnerships with other
minorities, organizations
and groups working on
poverty issues

86
 –8–
Strategic Communication
1. Using media for education and
community development
2. Community participation to
ensure strong community voice
3. Strategic dialogue between
partners
4. Communicate lessons learned
to wider world, funders, and
other communities

87
 – 9 –
Public Policy
Engagement
 Policy research
relevant to poverty
alleviation
 Systematic outreach
to public policy
makers
 Focus on influence
through constructive
dialogue

88
Transdisciplinarity:
Working beyond boundaries

89
Efforts to promote sustainable
development
• environmental protection,
• political participation
• economic development,
• social development
• cultural diversity
cannot be achieved from the stand-
point of a single discipline or
programmatic stream.
90
Global consensus agrees
Sustainable development cannot be achieved
until three key issues are addresses

• extreme poverty,
• centuries-old
conflicts, and
• environmental
degradation

91
Resolving these key issues requires:

collaborative and
creative work
that steps outside
traditional boundaries

92
Transdisciplinarity is a process and way
of working that transcends the
boundaries of contributing disciplines
and generates new logical frameworks,
new methodologies and new knowledge
and insights from the synergy that is
created between them.
(Bopp 2001)

93
Case Example:
Sagamok Anishnawbek
First Nation

94
In 2001, with the support of the
Aboriginal Healing Foundation,
the Sagamok community committed
itself to an intense period of
reflection, learning & action
designed to rebuild the health
& prosperity
of the Nation.

95
The Community Story Process:
A systematic look in the mirror
• Children • Political
• Youth • Economic
• Men • Social
• Women • Cultural
• Elders • Lands &
• Families Resources
96
Sagamok Community Report Card

1.Basic physical needs 7/10

2.Cultural integrity & identity4/10
3.Unity & social support 5/10
4.Safety & security
3.5/10
5.Adequate infrastructure & social
safety net
3.5/10 97
 Integrated Community Planning:
Ten-Year Action Plan
trategic Lines of Action
ndividual, family & community healing
ommunity
development
Cross-Departmental
Initiatives to address
critical issues
98
Individual, Family &
Community Cultural
Research
Healing Community Healing
Movement
Professional
Healing Team
Crisis Inter-
vention Team

Elders

FamiliesChildren

Men Youth
Women

99
Community Development
•Strong engine for economic growth
(Saulteaux Enterprises)
•Comprehensive land & resource plan
•Sagamok Community College
•Social Welfare Reform Initiative
•Culturally based governance system
•Comprehensive housing strategy
•Traditional healing lodge
•Strong, culturally relevant education
system
•Strengthen voluntary sector
•Alignment of all Band programs with
10-Year Action Plan 100
Ongoing Cross-Departmental
Initiatives

1.Early Childhood Development

& Family Engagement Project
1.Social Welfare Reform
2.Comprehensive Youth Development
3.Community Wellness
4.Community Economic Development
101
Cross-Departmental
Initiatives Spiritual &
Safety &
Protection
Cultural Needs Needs

.. ...
Parents, Churches,
E.g. Comprehensive Cultural leaders Anishnawbek
Police,
Youth Development Parents,

. .... .
Healing &
Strategy Leadership Youth Council
Wellness
Youth Population

. .
Development Needs

.....
Needs Health &
Chief & Youth Social
Counci

..
Council,,
Economic & . Learning

.
Ed Dep’t, l Services,
Employm’t Needs
Youth
Youth

. ..
Needs Council
Council
Saulteaux, Parents,
Educat’n, Education
Health
Social Recreation
Needs
. Dep’t &
Social Support
Needs Partners
Services
Youth Council Health & Social
& Mentor TeamService, Parents,
Youth Council
102
Working from
Principle

103
What is a
principle?
A principle is a
statement of
truth. It
describes the
nature of things
as they are, what
is basic or
essential, what
works and what 104
doesn’t, what
16 Principles for Building a
Sustainable World

1. Human beings
can transform
their world -
The web of our
relationships
with others and
the natural,
which has given
rise to the
problems we face 105
2. Development comes from
within -
The process of
human and
community
development
unfolds from
within each
person,
relationship,
family,
106
organization,
3. Healing is a necessary
part of development -
Healing the past, closing up
old wounds
habits of and learning
healthy
thought and
action to
replace
dysfunctional
thinking and
disruptive
patterns of
human relations 107
is a necessary
4. Justice - Every person
(regardless of gender, race,
age, culture, religion) must
accorded equal
be opportunity to
participate in
the process of
healing and
development
and to receive
a fair share
of the
108
benefits.
5. No vision, no
development -
A vision of who
we can become,
and what a
sustainable
world would be
like, works as
a powerful
magnet, drawing
us to our
potential. 109
6. development
Authentic

is
culturally
based -
Healing and
Development
must be
rooted in the
wisdom,
knowledge and
living 110

process of
7.Interconnectedness -
Everything is connected to
everything else. Therefore,
any aspect of our healing
and development is related
economic,
to all the others (personal,
etc.).
social, When
cultural, political,
we work on QuickTime™ and a

any one part, TIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

the whole
circle is
affected. 111
8. No unity, no
development - Unity
means oneness. Without
unity, the common
oneness that makes
(seemly) separate human
beings into “community”
is impossible.
Disunity
is the primary disease
of community. 112
9. Noparticipation, no
development - Participation
is the active engagement of
the minds, hearts and energy
of the people in the process
of their own healing and
development.

113
10. The hurt of one is the
hurt of all; the honour
of one is the honour of
all - The basic fact of
our oneness as a for some at
human
family means thatthe expense
development of wellbeing
for others
is not
acceptable
or 114
sustainable.
11. Spirit - Human beings are
both material and
spiritual in nature. It
is therefore inconceivable
sustainable
that human community could
become whole without
and
bringing our
lives into
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

balance with
the
requirements
of our 115
12. Morals and Ethics -
Sustainable human and
community development
requires a moral foundation.
decline and basic
When morals
ethical principles
are violated,
development stops.

116
13. Learning - Human beings
are learning beings. We
begin learning
while we are still
in our mothers’
wombs, and unless
something happens
to close off our
minds and paralyze
our capacities, we
keep learning
throughout our
entire lives. 117
14. Sustainability - To
sustain something means
to enable it to continue
for a long time.
development
Authentic does not use
up or
undermine
what it needs
to keep on
going.

118
15. Move to the positive -
Solving the critical problems
in our lives and
communities is best
approached by visualizing
and moving into the
positive alternative that
we wish to create, and by
building on the strengths
we already have, rather
than on giving away our
energy fighting the negative.
119
16. Be the change you want
to see - The most powerful
always
strategies for change
involve
positive role
modeling and
the creation
of living
examples of
the solution
we are
proposing. 120
By walking
Case Example:
A Global Perspective -
Reunion of the Condor
and Eagle

121
Reunion of the
Condor & Eagle

This initiative
illustrates the
translation of
principles into
practical global
program action.

122
Background:
The Fourth Way
Indigenous peoples’
historical response to
oppression, colonization &
1. Assimilation
trauma:
2.Resignation
3.Confrontation and
Resistance
4.Collaboration and 123
Origins of the Fourth Way:
Guidance of spiritual elders
and cultural leaders

 Seek harmonious development

approaches
 Build collaborative
relationships between peoples
 Build on cultural resources and
strengths 124
The Condor and the Eagle
Initiative: A framework for
implementing the Fourth Way
• Developed collaboratively by
Indigenous leaders
• An invitation to governments
and development actors to
collaborate with Indigenous
Peoples
• The implementation of guiding125
Condor and Eagle Framework:
Four Key Lines of Action
1.Prosperity
development
2.Capacity building
3.Governance and
civil society
development
4.Building appropriate
partnerships and 126
networks
1. Prosperity Development
Microeconomic projects
• Access to credit, capacity
building and technical
support, all focused on
small business development
Medium to larger enterprise
development
• Access to capital, capacity
building of business
organizations, technical 127
 2. Capacity Building

• Human and community development

• Healing from trauma
• Business development
• Governance, leadership & management
• Cross-cultural collaboration

128
3. Governance and Civil Society
Development
• Building the capacity of
local community
organizations & institutions
• Strengthening participatory
mechanisms within culturally
appropriate frameworks
• Building regional
collaborative organizations
• Harmonizing public policy 129&
legal processes with
4. Building Appropriate
Partnerships & Networks:
Connecting Indigenous
organizations with viable
partners

• Across the Indigenous world

• With outside development
actors who can
add value
130
 4 Key Lines of Action
Governance &
Civil Society
Development

Capacity
Building
(Human & Sustainab Prosperit
Community le y
Developmen Vision, Developme
t, Values & nt
Education Principle (Micro &
& Training) s Macro)

Building Appropriate Partnerships & Networks

131
Condor and Eagle Framework:
Required Processes
1.Listening &
visioning
2.Participatory
planning
3. Capacity building
4.Building systems &
mechanisms for
people-centered
132
development
Listening & Visioning
• Building relation-
ships between
partners
• Recovering
cultural resources
• Understanding local
knowledge
• Establishing a values
foundation
133

• Documenting the peoples’

Participatory Planning
Engaging the hearts & minds of
Indigenous peoples in:
•Mapping their real situation
•Defining problems
•Discovering solutions
•Planning strategic action
134
Capacity Building
• Both formal and non-formal
training for
development leaders
• Coaching and mentoring of
leaders &
development institutions
• E.g. Daybreak Star College
135
Systems Building
The nitty-gritty work of
transforming the web of
relationships & collective
patterns of living so that the
• Families
outcome is sustainable wellbeing
&• prosperity.
Communities
• Organizations
• Governance mechanisms
• Livelihood practices
• Social, economic, political and
cultural relationships within &
between communities, the wider 136
Required Listening &
Visioning
Processes

Sustainable
Capacity Vision, Participatory
Building Values & Planning
Principles

System
Building
137
Talking Circle Topic: How do
the 3 key strategies for
implementing sustainable
development presented here (i.e.;
systems thinking, transdiscip-
linarity, working from principle)
apply to your work? What did
you learn from the case
examples?

138
Module IV:
Leading
Sustainable
Development
139
Characteristics of
Leadership for
Sustainable Development
 Values based
 Principle centered
 Collaborative
 Transdisciplinary
 Learning driven
140
Values Based

A value is a relatively enduring

pattern of thinking & action.

Not all values are equal. Some lead

to life. Others lead to death.

141
Leadership for sustainable development is
driven by values that are life-preserving
and life-enhancing.

“In every deliberation QuickTime™ and a

we must consider the

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

impact of our decisions

on the next seven
generations.”
(From the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy)
142
Principle Centered
A principle is a
statement of truth.
It describes the
nature of things as
they are, what is
basic or essential,
what works and what
doesn’t, what must
be included, and
143
what cannot be left
The essential merit of…principle
is that it not only presents a
perspective which harmonizes
with that which is immanent in
human nature, it also induces an
attitude, a dynamic, a will, an
aspiration, which facilitate the
discovery and implementation of
practical measures.
(“The Promise of World Peace”)
144
Principle-centered leadership organizes
thinking & action according to fundamental
principles.

E.g. The principle of equity reminds us

that development is not sustainable if the
political decisions & economic activities of
some groups of people continue to jeopardize
the wellbeing of people belonging to other
groups or living in other parts of the world.
145
Collaborative

Collaborate: to work
together, especially in
a joint intellectual or
artistic effort.
(The Tormont Webster’s Illustrated Dictionary)

146
The challenge of sustainable develop-
ment is like a puzzle.

Different stakeholders
hold different pieces
and no one has the
whole picture or even
knows what the whole
picture is.

147
Collaborative leadership for
sustainable development creates a
holding environment for joint work
across lines (disciplines, cultures,
power differentials, norms & values,
economic & social interests, roles)

148
Transdisciplinary
Both a process and a way of working
Transcends the boundaries of each
contributing discipline
Generates new logical frameworks,
methodologies, knowledge & insights
from the synergy that is created
between participants.
(Bopp 2001)
149
Transdisciplinary leadership
 Communicates a tangible passion for the
work of finding sustainable solutions
 Has the capacity to facilitate collaborative
consultative processes
 Has the will & capacity to help work
teams see problems with new eyes born
of a fusion of disciplinary perspectives
150
Transdisciplinary
Leadership, cont’d

 Makes time and space and allocates

resources for collaborative work
 Effectively manages human relations
challenges

151
Learning driven
Three kinds of problems:

1. Simple - following a recipe (e.g. baking

a cake)

Source: Westley, Zimmerman &

Paton,“Getting to Maybe” Random
House,2006

152
Three kinds of problems cont’d:

2. Complicated - e.g.
sending a rocket ship to
the moon

3. Complex - e.g. raising a

child, ending AIDS in
South Africa
153
Sustainable development has all
three kinds of problems contained
within it. Part of the work can be
achieved through the application of
simple and complex recipes. A
great deal of the work, however, is
complex. We will need to “make
the path by walking it”.

154
Learning-driven leadership
requires cultivating the
discipline of reflective practice:
• Learning to read complex patterns &
systems
• Learning to stand still long enough to see
what is around you (the context)
• Learning to adjust thinking & behaviour as
a result of reflection on experience
• Learning new knowledge & skills related to
emergent challenges
155
 Planning

Values &
Learning Principles
Action

Reflection
156
Q:Does Canada have the
Potential to Lead
Sustainable
Development Thinking &
Action in the world?

157
Talking Circle Topic: What will
you take away from this explor-
ation of the characteristics
required to lead sustainable
development work? What are
the opportunities & constraints
you face in responding to this
challenge?

158