What do we mean when we talk about systems change? And what systems do we seek to change? Systems change seeks to identify the underlying cause of social, economic, environmental, political, and cultural problems by uncovering the root factors — beliefs, structures, policies, and perspectives — that keep them in place. And in power. Much like integrated medicine, it’s a holistic approach that addresses the disease, rather than the symptoms. Once dysfunctional systems are identified and dismantled, activists and community collaborators build diverse, resilient social, political, and environmental systems to take their place. In this episode, Tate Chamberlin hosts John Kania, executive director of Collective Change Lab; David Purkey, Latin American regional director at the Stockholm Environmental Institute; and San Rahi, executive vice president for Global Brand Innovation/Sid Lee as they discuss the complexity of transformative systems change, an urgent global agenda, and how love may, in fact, be all we need.

Photo by Jacobo Lopez
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Systems Change

I Am Interchange is fostering curiosity, education, and empathy by exploring the controversial and the provocative.

THIS SEASON:  It seems, now more than ever, that we have found ourselves on the cusp of monumental worldwide change. Whether we consider the environment, politics, infrastructure, health, economics, or equities across a broad swath of social constructs, the consensus is clear and urgent: all is not as it should be. The United Nations (UN), a consortium of 193 Member States from around the globe, agrees. In 2015, the UN unanimously adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calling for urgent action in global partnership to secure “peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” In alignment with the goals, HATCH — a curated network of innovators, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs working together to accelerate positive global change — focused its fall summit impact labs on topics related to their four impact pillars: EQUITY, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, and EMPOWERMENT This series will explore those on the frontlines of transformational systems change, accelerating solutions for these human challenges.

New tracks tagged #DavidPurkey