Welcome
ARSECC.network is a not for profit organization dedicated to escalating local sustainability efforts. We therefore support a collaborative action learning approach that results in better design, development and results for sustainability-oriented ("green") projects. In serving individual projects we keep an eye on linking projects into a learning network for sustainable communities of all types.
ARSECC.network provides the tools of action research to support people in producing exemplary project results that advance sustainability of local communities. We do this so that they and others can learn to escalate exemplary projects. We bring a sustainable knowledge creating process to support sustainable outcomes.
In bringing the tools and methods of popular education, participatory research, and cultural work, we aim to open up spaces -- where concerned citizens gain knowledge, hope and courage, while expanding their ideas of what is both needed and what is possible. We therefore develop leadership-in-learning that can join with others at a time of broad movements for social, economic and restorative environmental change.
Our projects range from efforts that develop ecological literacy among the young -- through involving schools, parents and community sponsors-- to developing green business collaborations that foster innovation among business leaders and their supply networks. Transforming the generation and application of knowledge, too often overlooked by quick fix approaches, is in fact a key component in strengthening communities so that we may create increased health, innovation and sustainable prosperity.
Understanding that a collaborative stance is crucial, ARSECC helps community leaders to seek out and systematically involve the obvious and not-so-obvious stakeholders from design/planning through implementation and continuous improvement phases. Additionally, we help document projects so that stakeholders may reflect in a timely fashion on what works and doesn't.
We start by recommending the use of the flexible action research practice called “learning history,”
(Learning History and Organizational Praxis)
The learning history is aimed at 1) systematically documenting notable results and 2) engaging new stakeholders in escalating the benefits of the project. We are linked to kindred “learning historians” everywhere, e.g., to English and Dutch “Carbon Reduction” efforts.
The founding principle and guiding philosophy of ARSECC.network is that the answers to the challenge of sustainability lie in the experiences of ordinary citizens. Those experiences, too often belittled and denigrated in our political process, but also hobbled by lack of attention to systematic learning approaches, are key to sustainable change. Through the "collaborative ecological inquiry" that results from combining the crafts of ACTION RESEARCH (learning history) with the principles of SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE - we help develop quick wins with longer term, sustainable implications for communities.
Hold your mouse over the buttons below to see how the letters translate into a community's name and click on the buttons to learn more. Don't forget to browse the download section and link up your own site with ours also! The network organizer is Hilary Bradbury Huang who may be emailed directly at Hilary@bradbury-huang.net.
