Programs

The Ethos Foundation works in four key program areas that together create a synergy of sustainable practice.

Much of our work brings together diverse stakeholders to find common ground about the meaning and practices of sustainability enterprise, economies, landscapes, learning, storying and innovation. Our projects help to facilitate and educate communities towards implementing ecological, economic, social, and participatory sustainability in the immediate and longer terms.

Our four key areas are ….
Local Living Economy & Sustainable Small Business

Partnering with regions to return economic power to local communities by strengthening sustainable local business and enterprise, local investment, local procurement, local supply chains, local food production and local manufacturing.

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Art & Ecology Program

Since its establishment in 2005, the Ethos Foundation has integrated the creative arts within many of its sustainability activities, believing that the engagement between creativity and sustainability is fundamental to inclusive, intelligent and effective social transition.

This process began with our 5-day Courageous Conversations at Binna Burra where we engaged artists and photographers-in-residence to document our dialogue journeys about some of the big issues of our time. We also worked closely with outstanding community choir leader Rachel Hore who coordinated daily choir sessions at Courageous Conversations called “Singing from the Same Page”.

During 2007-08, Ethos consultant Kamya O’Keefe (founder of the Dartington Trust’s Art and Ecology Program), coordinated “Time of Transition” a collaborative art and science program involving nine leading regional artists and some of Australia’s foremost ecological and sustainability scientists in creative conversations. The program culminated in a group exhibition at the Gold Coast City Art Gallery in May 2008 with John Dahlsen, Lindy Davidson, Dave Groom, Lyndal Hargrave, Cal MacKinnon, Sharon Muir, Meredith Plant, Michael Pospischil and Robyn Stewart.

In 2008 the Ethos Foundation also organised and hosted “Earth Arts” a weekend workshop of community choir and traditional art and craft with community choir leader Rachel Hore and artist Robyn Stewart.

In 2011 the Ethos Foundation is co-ordinating  “The Rim” Community Art and Ecology Project through the support of the Regional Arts Development Fund which is a Queensland Government and Scenic Rim Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture; AND the Regional Arts Fund which is an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional, remote and very remote/isolated Australia.

The project partners include a wide diversity of regional organisations including the Yugambeh Cultural Museum, Drumley Walk, SEQ Catchments, BADCAP (Beaudesert and District Community Arts Program), BOSS (Boonah Organisation for a Sustainable Shire), Mt Barney Lodge, Goat Track Theatre and the Scenic Rim Science Expo.  For the latest information on this project visit the  "The Rim" Community Art and Ecology Project blog.

This community-based project will enable the world-renowned landscapes of the Scenic Rim region to speak and be celebrated through painting and poetry and will culminate in a community exhibition and publication in mid-2012. 
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The Ethos Foundation continues to evolve its understanding of the dynamic, sometimes surprising interface between the creative arts, sustainability and social change. Ethos consultant Sally MacKinnon now actively integrates creative writing, particularly poetry, into her work with the Foundation and in early 2010, Sally and Kamya began designing a learning program for community organisations, not for profit organisations, businesses and enterprises, and local government that is based on the power of stories and creative, strategic planning. Stay tuned for more on this program.

To discuss the Ethos Foundation’s Art and Ecology program please contact Sally MacKinnon at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 
 
Sustainable Community Development

Collaborating with community groups and community leaders, local government and local business and economic networks to develop participatory engagement and governance initiatives that strengthen local resilience and prosperity beyond material wealth.

The Ethos Foundation recognises that a sustainable community is one that has strong linkages and collaborative relationships across all aspects of the community to enable new ideas, initiatives, solutions and creative processes to evolve and strengthen.

Collaboration is at the heart of how the Ethos Foundation works, bringing diverse groups and interests together to the conversation and planning table.

Working closely with the Scenic Rim Regional Council, our recent community development initiatives include the design and maintenance of the Sustainable Scenic Rim website and enewsletters (www.sustainablescenicrim.com.au) (which evolved from the Building Sustainable Small Business program), Strategic Sustainability Forums (Scenic Rim Regional Council and Logan City Council), and participatory programs such as the “The Rim” Community Arts and Ecology program (http://therimartandecology.wordpress.com/).

 

For further information see our Current and Recent Programs and Current and Recent Consulting Projects pages.
 
Strategic Partnerships

Collaborating, partnering and networking with international, national and regional changemakers to share research, ideas, program outcomes, processes and challenges in order to improve the effectiveness of integrated sustainability practice.

The Ethos Foundation recognises that partnering with other organisations and individuals is essential to facilitating dynamic outcomes.

In 2010-11, the Ethos Foundation has partnered with Southern Cross University (Local Living Economy Research project); Scenic Rim Regional Council (sustainability forums and initiatives;"The Rim" art and ecology project); gr8 START (Lifeline Gold Coast and the Gold Coast General Practice Partnership Council) and numerous community groups including SEQ Catchments, BADCAP, BOSS, Goat Track Theatre, Mt Barney Lodge and the Yugambeh Museum for "The Rim" art and ecology project

International partnerships include working with Michael Shuman (BALLE, USA) and Logan City Council on the Local Living Economy Business Workskhop (2009); partnering with Thomas Homer Dixon (author of "The Upside of Down") for the Climate Change Leaders Roundtable at Queensland Parliament House (2008); partnering with Judy Wicks (BALLE, USA) to organise and co-ordinate her 2008 Australian tour hosted by the Ethos Foundation; designing and hosting the Climate Change Leaders Courageous Conversation and Think Tank (2007); and partnering with Satish Kumar (Resurgence Magazine) to host his 2007 Australian Tour.

See details of our Current and Recent Programs and Current and Recent Consulting Projects work for more information

 
 
Current and Recent Programs

Information on the Ethos Foundations' current and recent programs.
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