About the Post Growth InstituteAt the Post Growth Institute, our goal is to help guide the way to that more beautiful world your heart knows is possible. To help shift the worldview, so that more people understand what's on offer when we look at our challenges through an empowered, post-growth lens. That's where you come in. By reading our research, attending our trainings, hiring us as consultants and sharing post-growth content, you help us shift the worldview... What we offer spans three, interconnected areas [documented as goals in this StratML rendition]Imagine your great grandchildren thriving, here on planet Earth. For this to happen, we need an economy that naturally circulates money rather than concentrating it, an economy that values people's needs ahead of corporate greed, and an economy that gives more than it takes from our life-supporting environment. Such an economy is possible. While our extractive, growth-dependent economy is driving us to collapse, a full circle, post-growth economy is emerging, offering a pathway to our shared thriving within ecological limits. Post Growth InstitutePGI_47f3dcc0-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea00The Post Growth Institute is an international, not for profit organization working to enable collective wellbeing within ecological limits.Incorporated in Oregon, we are a registered, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.Post Growth Institute TeamOur team is based across 9 countries from around the world.Ashima BhardwajDirector of Finance | USA ~ Ashima has worked with several non-profits and social impact businesses over the last decade, managing operations and financials, as well as public outreach and public speaking. She has an MBA and an MA in English from Garhwal University, India, and is passionate about learning and unlearning new things, as well as using her skills to impact change. She assists social justice organizations with operational strategy, financial management and project management, including WhoseKnowledge?, Beloved Economies, and Culture Hack Labs. Born in Dehradun, India, she resides in San Diego, California with her family, and enjoys cooking traditional dishes and going for long walks.Crystal ArnoldDirector of Education | USA ~ Crystal is the founder of Money-Morphosis and two online webinar courses. Since graduating from Southern Oregon University in 2007 with a degree in international economics, she has designed and facilitated workshops, community events, and discussion panels about money. In 2016 Crystal began the “Money-Wise Women” podcast, and has interviewed nearly 100 women on the show. She has inspired thousands of people to have a healthier relationship with money. Her courses serve to illuminate the individual’s relationship with money and value. As a financial coach, she encourages people to live their potential. Her written work has appeared in journals, magazines, and in the book called Reinhabiting the Village. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two children.Tyler HarrisDirector of Operations | USA ~ Tyler is a Non-Profit Director and aspiring Organizational Development Manager based in Portland, Oregon. Graduating from Oregon Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Population Health Management, Tyler applies a systems-thinking mindset to implement sustainable programming within his organization and community. His education, coupled with considerable experience leading diverse teams and coordinating projects, has provided the foundation to support his drive to make a positive impact with his neighbors. Tyler enjoys hiking in the sunshine, spending time with positive people, and learning how to better himself and his environment.Natalie HolmesDirector of Communications | Germany ~ Natalie is British a writer and editor based in Berlin, Germany. She holds a BA in Social Anthropology and a Master's in Environment & Development, and has been a professional wordsmith for over six years. Passionate about the environment, social justice and actively challenging the cult of (over)work, Natalie is cofounder of Mind the Gap, a nonprofit working to close the gender wealth gap by hosting inspiring educational events across Germany; and DangerousTech, an events and content platform focused on digital rights and the intersection of technology and society. Natalie is convinced that post-growth offers a way of thinking about the world - and each other - that is more sustainable, mindful and just than our current system, and that the PGI provides a practical set of steps to get us there. A hatha yoga teacher and avid traveler, she enjoys long train journeys with her ever-adventurous dog, Squirrel.Robert Wanalo OnonoDirector of Movement Building | Kenya ~ Robert is a curious individual, whose knowledge-seeking spirit has led him down through the various rabbit-holes and looking glasses of new economic thinking. Curious to find out how to make use of this information, he has participated in numerous social innovation programs, most notable being the Ubuntu.Lab, where he currently serves as a local hub facilitator. He is really proud of his membership at WEAll, a network through which he got connected with the PGI. His is a Tale of Two Villages; Kisumu city, Kenya, he is currently establishing a community innovators lab, and his ancestral village in Gem, where, if not enjoying the peace and tranquility of country living, he can be found tending to his small kitchen garden.Dien VoBoard Chair | USA ~ Dien is an independent filmmaker and Assistant Professor at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. He has interests in community media, sustainability, and experimental art movements. Dien previously taught at the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and Virginia Tech, where he co-developed the filmmaking program. Dien became interested in post-growth economics through his interests in sociology, philosophy, and ecological wisdom. He lives in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and New York City, where he is most happy experiencing the colorful diversity of Jackson Heights. http://www.dienvo.infoDonnie MaclurcanExecutive Director | USA ~ Donnie is a facilitator, author and social entrepreneur, passionate about all things not-for-profit. Originally from Australia, he moved to the U.S. in 2013, from where he coordinates the Post Growth Institute. He has worked in Egypt, Kenya, Fiji, Thailand and South Korea, helping over 500 not-for-profit projects start, scale and sustain their work, while his own initiatives include developing: the Offers and Needs Market, Free Money Day, the Post Growth Alliance, the (En)Rich List, The Not for Profit Way training, Silent Skype team meetings, Project Australia, and the globally-used #postgrowth hashtag. An Affiliate Professor of Economics at Southern Oregon University and Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Donnie holds a Ph.D. in social science. He is working on his fourth book: How on Earth: Our future is not for profit.Simon SpireBoard Deputy Chair | USA ~ Simon is a developmental and contemplative guide, writer, and researcher in cultural evolution and systems change. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in psychology, has worked in social entrepreneurship and mental health, and was led from his native New Zealand to New York by his career as a recording artist and songwriter. Simon's life has been driven by two interrelated core questions: what is the nature of full human development and human flourishing, and how can we create more life-supporting economic dynamics in our world? The founder of Emergent Inquiry, he currently resides in Chapel Hill, NC, where he works in transformative settings with groups and individuals and misses the ocean.Adam SzymanskiGeneral Volunteer | USA ~ Adam is a recent graduate of Southern Oregon University. His studies included philosophy, history, politics, and economics. Adam is a Colombia native who moved to the United States at age two with his parents who are avid travelers. Since then he has traveled around the world and explored foreign languages. During the time he worked at Habitat for Humanity, he felt inspired by spaces for community members to recycle and reuse goods and has raised funds for local home building projects. Adam has worked in Ethiopia and Colombia alongside his mom for Hope Ranch, an organization that supports micro-loan enterprises and orphanages. Adam is interested in international politics and economics and is eager to start his career working with nonprofits, political movements, and organizations that contribute to human development and social reform efforts.Angus Finn MacLeodGeneral Volunteer | USA ~ Angus is an independent filmmaker and multimedia artist, currently studying for a BA in Electronic Media and the Arts at Bard College at Simon's Rock. Alongside helping produce various independent films, Angus also works as a Media Intern with the National Park Service in collaboration with Housatonic Heritage, creating AR displays and short documentaries to preserve and digitize notable cultural heritage sites. His desire to work with the Post Growth Institute comes from a desire to help people and the world, to move past an increasingly toxic world to one where a meaningful, free life can truly be lived. In his spare time, Angus is an avid drummer, artist, and writer, in the form of both creative fiction and journalism, and takes part in political and ecological activism. Angus splits his time between western Massachusetts and southern New York.Johanna ValdesonGeneral Volunteer | Sweden ~ Johanna will soon graduate from her LLM focused on environmental law and policy at UCL. Although she has always lived in the spirit of post-growth, it was while writing her master's thesis that she got into the theoretical ideas of post-growth. She identified a dissonance between the current economic system and the ecological limits whereby capitalism is treated as the inevitable frame within which environmental laws are created which renders them largely ineffective. Her interests in labour law and environmental law found a common denominator when she connected the dots in a post-growth thinking. She was born in Uppsala, Sweden and is temporarily back in the city, but she has lived in different countries for the past 10 years. She seeks a life filled with values beyond possessions.Vanessa MichaelDirector of Wellbeing | UK ~ Vanessa is passionate about systemic sustainable living and business, and believes that a prosperous future within planetary boundaries lies beyond overconsumption and the growth dogma. Originally an experienced packaging engineer, she discovered her purpose for helping people to help the planet and became a Global Learning professional. Vanessa is also a director of NOW (No Other Way). As ‘The Vintage Environmentalist’ she publishes articles, delivers talks, and provides coaching to help people live a conscious and ecological life. Originally from Germany and based in the UK, Vanessa loves to leave-no-trace wild camp and wild swim with her husband and daughter.Jessica LavellePost Growth Fellowship Manager | South Africa ~ Jessica, born and raised in South Africa, is passionate about our (one) Earth and all things nature. With a background in conservation, she has a PhD in environmental governance and is currently based at the University of Cape Town. Observing the devastating effects of industrial agriculture, resource extraction and fossil fuels on nature and the gross inequity hegemonic, neo-colonial capitalism has wrought on the Global South, has led her to seek a radical revolution in economics to a post-growth world. Jessica loves being in nature away from the city where the wild things are.Naryan WongGeneral Volunteer | Canada ~ Naryan, based out of Toronto, is on a mission to maximize the long-term flourishing of humanity. Looking for leverage points in areas of vertical growth and transformational learning, collective sensemaking, and economic game change. He's currently practicing my systems change skills in a corporate sandbox - creating a decentralized network that embodies the kinds of behaviours that will lead to the transformation of a 50k-person organization. How can we create a deliberately developmental workplace that actually transforms its employees into their best selves? And once we figure that out - how do we scale this to the world?Lina LefstadIntern | Germany ~ Lina is just about to graduate from an MSc in Ecological Economics at the University of Leeds, having obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a major in Circular Economies. She is passionate about the evolution of climate justice and strongly believes that a thriving and healthy society that fits within ecological limits is possible. She was born in Norway but has lived all over Europe since the age of 12, currently residing in Berlin. When not reading and engaging with post-growth ideas, she can be found at the stables or out in nature with her horse, Atlas.Bruno SantiagoGeneral Volunteer | Germany ~ Bruno is currently studying for a Master’s in Global Change Management, and has a specialization degree in International Law. He is passionate about social and environmental justice, diversity and international politics. His first contact with post growth happened in 2016, while reading about solutions for the problems the world is facing. Since then, he hasn’t stopped learning and researching about the topic, with a major focus on international and regional organizations, such as the European Union. Bruno was born in São Paulo, Brazil and currently lives in Berlin, where you’ll find him taking photos or searching for records at street markets.Nadine MingersDesign Coordinator | Germany ~ Nadine, holding an MSc in Environmental Science, is passionate about living in a respectful and healthy relationship with – and as part of – nature. Her interest in post-growth and degrowth emerged from her involvement as a volunteer in the climate movement, and she is still finding her path in many ways. Born and raised in Germany and based in the Netherlands, Nadine practices parkour to "be strong to be useful", to develop her worldview as part of a community rather than a competitor, and to see any place as a playground and an opportunity to get creative and overcome fears.Henry HoffstotFree Money Day Coordinator | Argentina ~ Henry, after four years of working in finance, developed a passion for exploring ways to improve our current financial system defined by its inherent obsession for infinite growth and ever-expanding global indebtedness. Along with professional degrees in finance and economics, Henry has a Bachelor's degree in Government from Georgetown University and a MA in Human Geography from the University of Cambridge. Born on a farm in Pennsylvania, Henry Henry lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he enjoys time outdoors, sports, chess, and a good cup of ethically sourced coffee.Arushi Lakhan-PalIntern | USA ~ Arushi is an undergraduate student at the University of California Santa Barbara, studying to get a double bachelors degree in Environmental Studies and Communication. She is passionate about environmental justice, and believes in the possibility of a flourishing, sustainable economy. She found out about Post Growth Institute through an email list from her professor, where she read a PGI newsletter and developed an interest in the organization. She grew up in the bay area, California, and currently resides in Santa Barbara, California as she attends university. Arushi enjoys yoga, reading, traveling, and going to the beach.Lorenzo LonardiGeneral Volunteer | Spain ~ Lorenzo is a Master’s student of Political Ecology and Degrowth, and is passionate about the struggles of the Global South. He became interested in post growth while working as a Junior Project Officer for the NGO Avsi in Nairobi, Kenya, and this experience turned his attention to the dangers that capitalism poses to the environment and global justice. Lorenzo devotes himself to the creation of a society that works for the Global South and Global North in an equal and environmentally sustainable way. Born in Milan, Italy, he now lives in Barcelona, where enjoys hiking and singing.Kristel BodensiekGraphic Designer | ScotlandArnaud DiemerGeneral Volunteer | FrancePost Growth FellowsThe Post Growth Fellowship is a 12-month content collaboration with selected post-growth activists, researchers and entrepreneurs. The overarching aim of the program is to decolonize post-growth ideas, information and inspiration by engaging Fellows from a range of backgrounds, fields, cultures, histories and geographies.Over the next year, we'll be publishing articles, videos and podcasts created by the first cohort of Post Growth Fellows...Society thrives within ecological limits_47f3dde2-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea00To inspire, mobilize, and support individuals, businesses, and communities in the transition to a society that thrives within ecological limits_47f3dfc2-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea00Post-GrowthWhat is post-growth?‘Post-growth’ is a worldview that sees society operating better without the demand of constant economic growth. It proposes that widespread economic justice, social well-being and ecological regeneration are only possible when money inherently circulates through our economy. | We commit to the emergence of ‘post-growth’ world futures, guided by the following principles:ProsperityProsperity without Growth:* Recognition that there are natural limits to economic, population and consumption growth and points at which further growth produces, overall, negative outcomes.* Acceptance that, globally, we have long surpassed the natural limits of the planet to allow us to sustain further increases to material consumption.* Commitment to restoring, protecting, and prioritizing a healthy ecosystem in order to sustain wellbeing for humans and other species, without requiring further economic growth to do so.JusticeSocial and Global Justice:* Acknowledgement that current models of economic growth have systemically benefited certain populations and species over others and that greater social and environmental justice is required for sustainable futures.* Awareness that, because of current inequitable conditions, extra efforts may be required to ensure equal access to participation by all, particularly in relation to the most politically charged global issues in which power dynamics have routinely excluded consideration of certain perspectives.* Advocacy for non-hierarchical organizational systems that invite everyone to contribute in whatever ways they can, valuing the potential of such contributions.* Support for equitable social and economic systems by which people do not feel forced to leave their homes for the sake of safety, health or opportunity.ReorganizationPolitical and Structural Reorganization:* Acknowledgement that the planet comprises our collective heritage (commons) and that all notions of private possession are human constructions, not laws of nature.* Belief that post-growth thinking must go beyond polarized debates about existing systems and allow for entirely new ideas and frameworks to form, often drawing inspiration from models other than those that have led to our current challenges while also recognizing that there are many things currently do work for both people and the planet.* Support for positive forms of growth, such as the (re)generation of local economies, the natural environment, spirituality, well-being, community and respect.* Acknowledgement that positive outcomes are not always measurable through currently established means.DiversityDiversity, Multiplicity, and Cooperation:* Respect for diversity in all its forms.* Recognition that for post-growth outcomes to be most effective, they will most often need to be grounded in relevant contexts and driven by local communities, and that communities do not exist in isolation of larger contexts, meaning there is value in global dynamics informing local action.* Appreciation that creating positive futures requires embracing multiple approaches, rather than seeking ‘one right answer’.* Recognition that these issues can have deep emotional impacts in people, and that moralising, blaming, or engendering guilt is counter-productive.MultiplicityCooperationCreativityCreativity in Action:* Commitment to placing intentional emphasis on creativity and collaboration as opposed to constant critique, while still valuing the important role of critical engagement – promoting an attitude of ‘critical hope’.* Valuing multiple voices means we seek consent rather than consensus in our collective work; finding ways of working together amidst differences is important.* Recognition of the need to be transparent about assumptions, values, perspectives, and goals in order to continuously revisit them based on new learning.* Recognition of the creative potential of fun and humor!ActionEconomicsReimagine economics_47f3e0da-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea001Drawing from what's already working, we offer viable ideas for a fair and regenerative, full-circle economy beyond capitalism. | Why do we need a post-growth economy?In all its forms, the dominant economic system – capitalism - is committed to economic growth. And this seems to be the only way, given the benefits we see and what we’ve been taught. After all, growth means more goods and services sold. Growth means more jobs. Growth drives progress. The absence of growth leads to recessions, even depressions. Why would we ever want anything other than growth?The short answer is that ongoing economic growth threatens our survival as a species.This claim is based on two provable realities:a) Total debt always expands in a modern capitalist system, setting us up for economic collapse.b) Total ecological footprint always expands in a modern capitalist system, setting us up for environmental collapse.Transitioning to a post-growth economy represents our best option in response to the threat of social and ecological collapse.We will soon share more on our claims above, as well as what a post-growth economy might look like and how we're already making the shift. In the interim, many of our thoughts can be found at http://howonearth.us.Sustainability & ResiliencyAccelerate our global transition towards sustainable and resilient prosperity_47f3e1e8-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea001.1All people can live one-planet lifestyles in ways that bring increased peace and prosperity from the personal to the global scaleThere are a myriad of inspiring and empowering initiatives occurring worldwide that serve as examples of what our world can look like if we move beyond current trends that focus on personal gain, private profit, materialism and economic growth. By highlighting, connecting and supporting these initiatives we can help accelerate our global transition towards sustainable and resilient prosperity.Physical LimitationsMould our economies to fit within the limits imposed by our physical environment_47f3e2ec-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea001.2One-planet lifestyles acknowledge physical limits to economic growth on a planet with finite resourcesEconomies exist within the physical environment. Their existence relies upon the continued use of natural resources like water, forests and agricultural land. These natural resources are either non-renewable (limited in total amount) or are produced at a rate that is limited by the environment’s ability to regenerate them. The other side of this is nature’s ability to absorb the wastes that we produce. If economies produce waste faster than nature can absorb that waste, we undermine the planet’s ability to sustain human existence.We are already using natural resources at a rate higher than that at which they are naturally renewed and creating wastes faster than nature can absorb them (known as ecological overshoot). Continued economic growth will only worsen this predicament. One-planet living acknowledges that we can, and must, mould our economies to fit within the limits imposed by our physical environment.Inequalities & BalanceAddress inequalities and find ways to maintain a better balance_47f3e404-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea001.3One-planet lifestyles acknowledge the pressures a growing human population, with highly inequitable patterns of production and consumption, place on a planet with finite physical resources.Every human on Earth must consume natural resources to live. If we are to survive and thrive into the future, we must together consume within natural boundaries and produce less waste than nature can absorb. Some of us are consuming far more than our fair share of resources and producing excessive waste, while the total population is growing. We need to address inequalities and find ways to maintain a better balance.GrowthChallenge the obsession with infinite growth_47f3e512-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea001.4One-planet lifestyles also acknowledge that advances in technology do not mean we can keep growing indefinitelyTechnology cannot create something from nothing. For example, technology can’t change the fact that there is a limited amount of oil; it can only squeeze a little more use from existing reserves. In a world with more people and higher rates of consumption, increases in technological efficiency can, at best, buy us more time before such gains are cancelled out by further growth.Globally, improvements in the efficiency of technologies, or even leaps to other substitutes, have not been able to offset overall increases in resource consumption and waste. In fact, these improvements in efficiency have, in many cases, driven more wasteful attitudes and increased overall consumption (see “Jevons Paradox”). Rather than relying on technology alone, we must challenge the obsession with infinite growth on a finite planet.OrganizationsAdvance purpose-driven initiatives_47f3e620-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea002Social EntrepreneursLocal LeadersReorient organizations ~ We provide social entrepreneurs and local leaders with the skills, advice, and support to advance purpose-driven initiatives.SkillsProvide skills_47f3e74c-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea002.1AdviceProvide advice_ad7d213e-050a-11ec-b0b7-802dfe82ea002.2SupportProvide support_ad7d23d2-050a-11ec-b0b7-802dfe82ea002.3CommunitiesRevitalize communities_47f3e864-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea003We facilitate processes that reveal the truth wealth in communities.WealthReveal the truth wealth in communities_47f3e97c-048f-11ec-a8b2-c41a2e83ea003.1Communities2021-08-24https://www.postgrowth.org/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net