Integral Capital the Global Commons

In the following podcast host John D. Schmidt continues his wide-ranging exploration of the strengths and limitations of our current economic/financial system. His aim: a comprehensive understanding of current socioeconomic realities on the way to realizing desirable and sustainable futures.

His guest and co-explorer in this project is James Quilligan - an analyst and administra­tor in the field of international development since 1975. Quilligan has served as policy advisor to many international politicians and leaders, including Pierre Trudeau, François Mitterrand and Jimmy Carter. He has also served as an advisor for several United Nations programs and international development organizations.

Quilligan has recently been applying an integral approach as an economic consultant to government agencies in 26 countries, including the United States. In this podcast Quilligan introduces a view of the future built upon expanded perspectives of the global commons and what he calls "integral capital". Integral capital, Quilligan explains, includes explicit recognition of private capital, public capital, commons capital, and personal capital—and how they come together as a platform for future transformation.

The dialogue between these leaders intentionally showcases the intricate relationships between systems, structures, and behaviors (the exterior forms of life) and the many dimensions of culture and mindsets (the inner nature of life) that inform them.

Listen to the Podcast Here:
Transformation: The Commons and Integral Capital

JOHN D. SCHMIT is the founder and CEO of Avastone Consulting, an international consultancy committed to the vitality and sustainability of client organizations and the larger global community. He serves as advisor to global corporations and nongovernmental enterprises, and is a thinker, designer, and practitioner in integral approaches to complex challenges and human development.

Origins Symposium

We just became aware of an amazing symposium on the origins and evolution of the universe, life and consciousness at the Arizona State University. Beginning today, The Science Network and ASU are hosting the Origins Symposium – which brings top experts from around the world together to discuss some of the most intriguing questions of our time.

From The Science Network:

The ASU Origins Symposium - April 3-6, 2009

The Origins Symposium will inaugurate the new Origins Initiative at ASU. In partnership with The Science Network, this unprecedented event will bring together 70 of the world's leading scientists and scholars, including 8 Nobel Laureates, and the world's pre-eminent scientific public intellectuals, for three days of panels directed at exploring important outstanding research questions, and will be capped by several remarkable associate activities, including a full day of public lectures and panels at the 3000 seat Gammage Auditorium on ASU's Tempe campus.

Watch the Live Webcasts: : Here

The Financial Crisis, Climate Change and Energy

In January 2007, The London School of Economics launched its first public podcasting project: 'Public lectures and events: podcasts'. Those interested can browse the podcasts by year and month – or subscribe to the RSS feed.

Here is one of many interesting lectures offered by their website:

LSE Podcast: The Financial Crisis, Climate Change and Energy

Speaker: Prof. Anthony Giddens

Political action and intervention, on local, national and international levels, is going to have a decisive effect on whether or not we can limit global warming, as well as how we adapt to that already occurring. At the moment, however, Anthony Giddens argues controversially, we do not have a systematic politics of climate change.

This event was recorded on 28 February 2009 in Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building.

Available as: mp3 (approx 75 minutes)
Event Posting: The Financial Crisis, Climate Change and Energy