Jukes N. Alive and Growing: Creating Sustainable Social Change. Paper presented at: Alternatives in the Mainstream: Innovations in Life Science Education and Training. 2nd InterNICHE Conference; 2005 May 12-15; Oslo, Norway


Abstract

Creating social change that is effective and sustainable requires will and an awareness of the links and commonalities between different forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism and speciesism. Much of what typically passes as change or progress is at best a re-arrangement of power, and at worst a deepening of injustice. A holistic, sustainable approach can bring about change that at least does not shift a problem elsewhere and ideally has multiple positive impacts in different spheres. This commitment to radical change requires that energy is channelled into design – of campaigns, for example – to maximise positive impact and to minimise or avoid negative impact. A spirit or life orientation that is optimistic, creative and deeply rooted in a life-affirming ethic is likely to be helpful, and ideas from permaculture, psychosynthesis and anarchism can also support effective and ethical change, whether in life science education or any other field. Humane education itself can provide important lessons for other areas of change – for example, by supporting and encouraging critical thinking, ethical decision-making and other forms of empowerment.