Video library
Mumta Ito’s central theme is that by enshrining Rights of Nature in law, we protect the environment that we all need for our very existence. In her passionate talk she points out that although Humans have the Right to Life, Nature which provides all the materials for our lives has no such Rights. Mumta Ito is the founder of the International Centre for Wholistic Law and Rights of Nature Europe, which aim to realign the application and methodology of law with the universal laws that govern all life.
“Right from the very beginning I was lucky”, Lesley Quilty tells us. But after the sudden unexpected death of her father, her family and the happy life she had known, all fell apart.
In this compelling story of going “from victim, to survivor, to thriver” she tells us how she overcame the damage that she experienced from sexual abuse. Using one single, simple word she empowered herself to live life to the full. She decides who and what she is and does not let events, or other people, decide that for her.
Lesley suggests a powerful method which anyone can use to transform how they handle the challenges of life. This method is particularly relevant to the “one in five girls and one in twenty boys” who will likely experience sexual abuse. Lesley shows us all how to turn around even situations which fill us with “shame and icy numbness”, so that they bring us healing and enable us to thrive.
Lesley is creative consultant, facilitator, coach and theatre artist, she aims to develop authentic leaders. She has worked in professional theatre for over 20 years as a performer, director, teacher and producer, in North America and the UK, although her performing and teaching now take place almost exclusively in non-theatrical settings. She is the founder of Mythodrama Scotland.
Alex Walker is one of Scotland’s leading experts in the field of Community Development and in this light-hearted presentation, he talks about some of the “spells” he has used over the years as he weaves his “magic”.
Without use of a wand or dusty spell book, Alex describes how using Slocombe’s Clarity, Wood’s Marvellous Matrix and The Fuse helps deal with the ups and downs of day-to-day Community living.
Alex Walker is a community activist and sustainable development consultant. He is the chairman of Ekopia, which invests in various social enterprises in Moray, Scotland and is a director of Development Trusts Association Scotland.
Artist and Photographer Lisa Shaw talks about the blending of art, nature and technology and how it influences her work in ecological restoration of dangerous waterways around the world.
From her childhood as the daughter of a sewerage engineer to how she teaches her son that there is no rubbish in nature, Lisa’s stimulating talk and photographs have something for everybody.
Lisa Shaw is an artist working in the field of ecological design applied to restoration biology. She creates paintings and collaborative art projects as part of the team at Biomatrix Water combining art, nature, engineering & community involvement to transform polluted waterways.
Watch her engaging talk as she describes family conversations about wastewater treatment plants to the amazing restoration of canals in Manila.
“What is at the centre of your life?”, Robin Alfred a self-confessed activism addict, asks us. In this enthusiastic, entertaining and highly engaging, talk, he encourages us to pay attention to our deepest sense of wanting to make a contribution rather than being swept along with an impatient, “I just want to do something!” Unless we honor something bigger than ourselves, even our most well meaning acts can become colored by our personal agenda.
“Activism that is based on rejection and on just saying ‘no’ to what is now is not the kind of activism that will be really potent into the future.” Robin suggests 5 simple steps which allow us to reach a higher level of activism where we can give freely from the most fulfilling place within ourselves – and be able to do so without our actions being distorted by the need for praise or recognition.
Robin is an organisational consultant, executive coach, and international trainer and facilitator. Using his expertise in leadership, coaching and sustainability, Robin helps clients ranging from leading ecological organisations to well know companies reach their full potential. He writes for The Guardian Online sustainable development hub.
Nearly 30 years ago, Alan Watson-Featherstone stood in the Universal Hall and in front of 300 people made a life-long commitment to restore the ancient Caledonian Forest.
He started with no resources, no knowledge, no access to land, no funds, but his passion and inspiration have carried him forward and now his charity Trees for Life not only helps nature to restore the Scottish Highland – it also helps people reconnect with their spirit, with hope and with the land.
Alan’s talk also includes a wide range of his photography illustrating both the damage to the land and the difference his work makes.
Alan is the Founder and Visionary of Trees for Life since 1989, with overall responsibility for the charity and its strategic direction. His work includes a special focus on media and public relations, major donor fundraising and biodiversity research at Dundreggan Conservation Estate
“It’s a wonderful time to be active in the field of Higher Education”, Jonathan tells us, “you can actually smell the revolution that is brewing”. He shows us how the movement of student protest, sit-ins, and the like are an exciting call for positive change in not only what we teach, but also in how we teach it.
Rather than by teaching students to stand separate from their subject with their intellect in problem-solving mode; we can introduce them to a source of intelligence and power which naturally arises through empathic identification with their subject. This is achieved through a whole-person approach, direct experience of topics and how language can limit, and “helping students weave themselves into the weft of life”.
Head of Economics at Schumacher College in Devon, UK, Jonathan has around 20 years’ experience as a researcher, author, consultant and project manager in the field of small enterprise development in Africa and South Asia. Jonathan is the principal author of the Gaia Education sustainable economy curriculum, endorsed by UNITAR and adopted by UNESCO as a valuable contribution to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. He teaches this curriculum at universities internationally and online.
“Apartheid is not an old issue that died in the nineties”, Kosha tells us. “Apartheid means ‘to be in a state of separation’” and it is still with us as many live in a state of separation from nature.
When Nelson Mandela was released from prison and Apartheid was falling apart, Kosha started to transition from an activist against Apartheid to an Ecovillage activist and to a realization of the similarities between the two. This includes the need to be proactive, “If people do not design their own pathway to the future others will do it for them – and they may lose a lot of what is precious”.
Kosha sees Ecovillages as engaged in, “finding local solutions to global challenges, creating healthy, fulfilling and meaningful lifestyles yet be able to tread softly on the earth”. By being able to, “marry our love for the planet with our need to make a living”, Ecovillages are helping to abolish the Apartheid which exists between human beings and the rest of nature.
Kosha works as an organisational consultant, specialising in leadership development and gender issues, and has regularly organised and facilitated conferences, especially in multi-cultural settings in Europe and Africa. She is also a sustainability trainer and educator and leads courses in a wide range of skills. Kosha is president of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) which supports organisations and societies to transition into resilience. GEN has consultative status in the UN – ECOSOC.
Alexander Chapman Campbell, a young Scottish composer/pianist, performs 3 tracks from his album “Portraits of Earth” for solo piano. Hauntingly beautiful with rich, ethereal, emotive melodies, they touch the hearts of the audience.
Alexander draws his inspiration from long walks in the Scottish Highlands and along the river banks near his home. Five years in the making, his recent album was recorded in just one single take.
First piece: “Prelude To The Dawn”
Second Piece: “Song Of The Evening”
Third Piece: “The Winter Hills”
Alexander lives in the Scottish Highlands. Composing at home, which sits amongst forested hills and beside a rushing river, he gains inspiration from the natural world around him.
He has recently released his much awaited second collection for solo piano, ‘Portraits of Earth’, recorded at Crear house on the rugged West Coast of Scotland. The album, featuring new piano works that have been five years in the making, was recorded in a single take on the final morning of the sessions.
Andrew turns our normal understanding of leadership on its head. We are often told that to be successful we need to stand for qualities such as belief (so that we can convince others), growth and making things come to life. However, in order to be truly effective we also need to understand and express three very unexpected qualities. The qualities Andrew suggests, which enable us to see the big picture and be successful in today’s business climate, may greatly surprise you.
Andrew’s expertise is innovation and the management of disruptive technologies and particularly in how companies can successfully manage innovation. Associate Dean for Executive Education at Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, he is responsible for commissioning new research to support the work of leaders engaged in navigating their organisations through global challenges and opportunities.