Transformative Action Learning Certificate (TALC)

New for 2012 the online TALC is designed to provide a broad outline of the core threads that are required to weave a flexible fabric of a purposeful, ecosocially oriented life-long learning pathways that are generally not available elsewhere. The material is drawn from the many members of the Gaia University community, has been thoroughly tested in live situations and now makes its debut online. The TALC is an access course, required for all other Diploma and Degree programs with Gaia U.

• Diplomas - (required elements 1,2 & 3 @ 2 weeks  = 6 weeks - elements 4,5 & 6 optional extras) 
• Degrees - (required elements 1 thru 6 @ 2 weeks each = 12 weeks)

The Learning Online with Gaia U course is a prerequisite to enrolling in the TALC.

The elements of the TALC are:

1. Design Thinking

Design Thinking has, in recent years, come into to increasing prominence thanks to early efforts by Buckminster Fuller, Christopher Alexander, Victor Papanek, Bill Mollison and, most recently, a leading design consultancy named IDEO. Each of these sources emphasises the potential for humans to become the architects of the future rather than it's victims. Learning how to apply Design Thinking to ecosocial systems (systems that lie on the fuzzy boundary between humans and all other life) is one of the most potent and empowering Tools for Transformation available today.

2. Learning and Unlearning - core Tools for Transformation of person and place

Here we take a look at some models and theories that attempt to describe how people learn by doing and, most importantly for Gaia University and the planet, how people unlearn and therefore become capable of stopping doing unconscious damage to self, others and planet. Most of us are fascinated by knowing more about our own psychological make-up and the insights arising through playing with this Element are likely to be deeply satisfying and, surprisingly, very practical - as Kurt Lewin, one of the fathers of action research and social psychology once quipped, "There is nothing quite so practical as a good theory!".

3. Managing time, managing promises

Many people who live a purposeful life say the same thing - 'not enough time, too much to do!'. We look at the 'Getting Things Done' system for better productivity, effectiveness and peace of mind. Then we zoom out and take a broad look at acting with integrity in multiple projects at the same time using an innovative process called Managing Action Promises (MAP).

Next comes Life Balance and Lightening the Load as methods for avoiding tunnel vision and over-commitment. The world needs us well-rested, well-nourished and well-exercised! Let's banish burn-out! 

4. Thinking about Worldviews

World views are at once both elusive (hard to spot) and critical. How we think about the world and our societies has a potent effect on what we think is possible and how empowered we feel to take initiatives to change things. We look at some existing schemes  and then challenge ourselves to name our own. This will allow us to reflect on whether or not our world view is holding us back from constructive action, is interfering with our ability to reconfigure society to work for planet and people and is (oh no!) directly contributing to the problems in the first place. From this fresh look at ourselves we can make decisions to change the way we think about the world.

5. Growing Leaderful Communities

Taking leadership and working effectively in inclusive groups are on the priority list of challenges for all world changers right now. In this Element we look at a leaderful culture model that includes giving practical support for people stepping-up to provide direction and meanwhile has an open, capacity building structure that encourages all participants to fill some part of the critical leadership gap.

We also use the Designing Productive Meetings and Events manual published by Gaia University, along with other materials, to rapidly improve the quality and joyfulness of our working meetings.

6. Appraising the Current Culture, Making Space for the Future

Holding dynamic tension between our realistic appraisal of the current culture and our vision for the future is a powerful way to have next steps for action emerge from the (often chaotic) field. And, consistent with the attention to unlearning as well as learning, we look at what ways of thinking about ourselves and other people we might eliminate so as to get out of the way of transformations of self and society. Joanna Macy spoke to this two-legged process when she encouraged us to "hospice the old and midwife the new".