TNS Training in Singapore

The Natural Step International and Australia members, Richard Blume and Tracy Lydiatt recently spent one week in Singapore delivering a Level 1 Foundations Training Workshop over three days.

The course was convened by Irene Millar and Abdul Rahim of EcoLeadership Training. In addition to Irene and Rahim, participants on the course represented a wide range of organisations and professions: The Dow Chemical Company, Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore Environment Council as well as several Ecopreneurs and the founder of Eco Walk the Talk - The Global Green Online Community From Asia.

The workshop was rich in material and as participants learned about the principles for a sustainable society and the ABCD tool, a vision for a "Sustainable Singapore" emerged over two days. Many concerns over food security, water issues, recycling and waste disposal, urban planning and tourism were addressed during this portion of the workshop. It was very inspiring to see so many passionate minds at work in one room! During the third day, participants spent more time evaluating a certain 

aspect in "Sustainable Singapore" of great cultural importance: food. Various aspects of the food system were analysed in small groups. Combined, their work has resulted in the beginning of an analysis for Singapore's food systems with short, medium and long term ideas such as free seed programs, balcony gardening, and investigations into how to best use the restricted space to plan for increased local food production in the future. During the end of the third day, participants were encouraged to share their experience and approach to sustainability aspects in their current role. Members from Dow Chemicals, Singapore Environment Council and Standard Chartered Bank each made a short presentation.

In addition to delivering training, Richard and Tracy, along with EcoLeadership Training, met with representatives at the Swedish Embassy and a key member of the Swedish Business Association in Singapore. Both parties expressed great interest in the ongoing work of The Natural Step in Singapore and will endeavor to promote future training opportunities. The week was rounded out by delivering two public lectures; one to a collection of 50 students at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and second to a group of faculty members Republic Polytechnic, invited guests and members of the Singapore High Technology Association. Lectures discussed the history of The Natural Step, an introduction to The Natural Step Framework, a related case study from Nike and how to build the business case for sustainability.

Thank you to everyone who organised these successful events and were gracious hosts! Afraid you have missed out? A second Level 1 - Foundations training course is scheduled for Nov 16th and 17th, 2009 in Singapore.

To register, please contact richard.blume(at)thenaturalstep.org, tracy.lydiatt(at)thenaturalstep.org or irene(at)ecoleadershiptraining.com