The vision is to create a society that is continually innovating and learning relative to the needs of that society and its place in the world. The realisation of this vision will entail:
We envision a society that is much more effective at recognising and utilising the "spirit" of individuals. The talent this will unleash will provide wide ranging benefits - see file "benefits"
The recognition that there is extensive waste within the present structures and methods of our society. (and organisations) see file "Waste"
There are many many examples of real innovate thinking happening all across Scotland - We will, in due course provide links to these ground breaking projects from the "Innovation" file
However most excellent projects do not feed through to general acceptance because of barriers that halt progress. - See file "Barriers"
Society we define as the individuals plus the connections between individuals - i.e. the education system, the political system, the media system, the systems used to manage organisations, etc. - in other words Society's systems.
We see "society" as having a learning capability that is separate from the learning of the individual. The file "Society" has several articles in context of the challenge of creating a learning society.
We all have underlying assumptions which guide our actions. Often these assumptions are subconscious.
Learning, we see, as the discipline of identify the basis of our thinking (mindset, paradigm, underpinning assumptions or theories) and being prepared to challenge them in light of modern research
The fundamental premise is that there is a relationship between how we think (theories), the methods we use and the results we secure.
Theories lead to Methods which provide Results
The Learning Society vision does not intend to specify which theories should be used in which situation - it simple asks that we are aware of the theories we are using and are prepared to challenge them in light of modern research. The vision specifically asks that we move upstream and appreciate the underlying thinking behind the methods that we use. We have expanded on the above in the file "Foundations."
In the file "Theories" we have several articles expanding this call to move upstream in our thinking and to consider our theories. The file also contains articles comparing theories, explaining new theories etc.
We apply "Learning" by addressing society's systems. (While this initiative focuses on society, the thinking is just as relevant to all organisations of any sizes.)
As all parts of society are interrelated our range of activities is geared to addressing the whole. - see "Range of Activities."
In particular we will be facilitating a series of Thought Leading Dinners with presentations from International renown thinkers. - see the file Thought Leading Dinners
While the Thought Leading Dinners are going to be high profile events of the initiative, a lot of other activity will be ongoing. The summary is in the above file "Range of Activities" and the details can be viewed from the following files. - Leadership from our MSPs, Education, The Scottish Universities, The Public Sector, The Private Sector.
Creating societal systems that are, innovative, self managing and self developing is at the cutting edge of 21st century thinking. It will have many many advantages, but it will be difficult, very difficult. It will require all of us working together. The difficulty is balanced by Scotland having many advantages. We are a small country with a relatively new parliament; and a society that has always had a strong commitment to learning. If any country can lead the world in this regard surely we can.
The file "pleased become involved" ask that you connect with this movement and contribute to driving Scotland into the 21st century.