Why we’re excited about global change
In May of 2016, with the help of many AMAZING speakers and volunteers, we hosted a conference titled “One Solution: the missing key to global change.” It was our first attempt to make a bold statement, and back it up with proof from incredible projects happening all over the world, that the most important, most leveraged, but also most overlooked factor in creating real, substantial, and sustainable change on any hard issue is our collective understanding of the human mind. For change to happen around any issue, from racism and inequality, to war and refugee crises, to corruption and politics, to the environmental crisis and the general health and well being of people and planet we have to have a shift of mind, or a shift of consciousness. As James Gustave Speth, renowned environmental lawyer who served the UNDP and Presidents Carter and Clinton said “I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address these problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation, and we scientists don’t know how to do that.” Spiritual and cultural transformations aren’t something we can force upon or sell to people. They emerge with deeper understanding. That is why we wanted to focus on bringing greater awareness and understanding about the mind, the human condition, how we create reality, culture and the systems therein, and how we can change it. To truly see and understand why the mind is the source of our problems, local and global, but also the source of their solutions.
I often refer to the period leading up to and during that first One Solution conference as a “magic carpet ride.” There were so many unknowns and challenges, but the reward was massive. People who were involved and attended were more inspired and activated than anything I’d ever been a part of before. It was truly exhilarating. People said things like, “I’ve never been more hopeful about the potential for large-scale change” or “As a long-time UN Policy Advisor and Capacity Development Advisor (with UNDP), I have worked with many of the most severe problems humanity faces today by providing support to leaders in governments and aid agencies. What has become evident is the main problem all these leaders face originates in the mind. Helping these leaders shift their mind-sets has proved to be the most effective way to bring about real and lasting change. That is exactly what One Solution’s mission and programming accomplishes. This is by far the most promising approach I have seen so far!”
Off the back of that 3-day event, we decided to host 2 more conferences (in Cape Town, SA and Jerusalem) and to formally create a non profit to expand our reach and develop more projects around the world. At the end of that event is also when we excitedly talked with colleagues about the need to create some sort of learning opportunity for current or aspiring change-makers to learn how to bring this understanding of the human mind and consciousness to their organizations, their activism and their missions in a way that would allow them to accelerate their impact, while also maintaining their own energy and enthusiasm. THAT is the idea that I’m excited to share is finally coming to life NOW!
Over the last 5 years we have had a wide range of experience working with different populations in different parts of the world trying to overcome different challenges (from the Middle East to Chicago to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and virtually with humans from every corner of the globe). We also learned a great deal about the value of collaboration to maximize impact, diversify learning, and frankly make it all more fun. We began partnering on projects in communities, schools, and the criminal justice system with two other groundbreaking non profits, the Spark Initiative and the Insight Alliance. Together we have formed the IOS Collective and it is with this collective that we are finally launching a learning experience for change-makers, called the Global Change Incubator. For me, this is hands down the most exciting experience I will be a part of this year, for several reasons.
It is the first time that I get to learn and collaborate with such a diverse and inspiring group of change-makers. Who is involved? 2 young men who were jut released from juvenile prison 2 months ago that want to collaborate with the Insight Alliance and the Rebels for Peace to create programs and support networks to keep young men out of the prison system. A German director of one of the oldest and largest environmental NGOs working to preserve biodiversity in Europe. 3 youth mentors and 1 adult community organizer from the South Side of Chicago. A formerly incarcerated man who now works for a Green Building company. A woman who works as an activist, trauma-worker, and doula in California. The CEO of a community-based non profit in Florida that serves at-risk youth. A Canadian who mentors social entrepreneurs at Queen’s University. A social worker at an alternative school for young people who have been unable to thrive in traditional schools. These are people of all different races, sexual orientations, nationalities and cultural backgrounds…and more are still joining. Together, over 9 months (from mid March thru December), we are going to explore how to shift minds, starting with our own, and expanding to our organizations and communities, to more rapidly achieve our goals and impact in the world. We will work together on projects, shadowing each others’ work, sharing case studies and curricula, learning from guest speakers and direct one-on-one mentoring. And because of COVID, we’ll be doing this all virtually. But that’s the great news!!! Because this is all happening virtually, if you feel inspired to get involved, you CAN!. There are still a few spaces for full-program participants (includes shadowing opportunities, one-on-one development, and curricula access) or unlimited spaces available for self-guided virtual participants (this basically means grab some popcorn and your beverage of choice as you get a front row seat to watch the Global Change Incubator from the comfort of your favorite chair.) It includes the option to attend all the learning modules LIVE, and be able to ask questions and interact with all participants, or watch the videos later at your own pace: 72 hours of learning, PLUS 7.5 hours of guest speaker webinars. And perhaps the best part, the $3000 cost of your virtual ticket goes directly to supporting such a diverse cohort of change-makers with a partial or full scholarship to the Global Change Incubator.
So yes, this is a very long-winded way of saying I’m SO charged up to finally be a part of a diverse group of inspiring human beings that are most definitely making the world a better place. I can feel the buzz of potential and the energy that’s catalyzing in my veins. I can’t think of anything I’d rather spend my time on this year. While last year certainly had more than a few silver linings, I’ll be honest, it was rough. On many levels. That’s why I feel this Global Change Incubator could not be coming at a better time. I’m ready to get on the magic carpet for another ride around the world and to see the beauty of the human spirit and innovation…albeit virtually. But hey, I fell in love with my husband long-distance (New York – Oslo) over Skype so don’t underestimate the power of virtual 
If you feel called to get involved, please comment below or send me a direct message. Learn more here: https://www.ioscollective.org/incubator
