The First Level 1 in Spanish Plants Seeds for the Growth of an Active TNS Community in Spain
Skrivet av Josefin Nyström, november 22, 2011 - 2:17am
“A brief, dynamic, well-facilitated, open course. Very 21st Century.”
Sandra Castañeda – Textile Exchange
On the 11th and 12th of November, 17 professionals from consumer products and service businesses, NGO’s, universities and sustainability consultancies from 3 different regions of Spain came together in Barcelona for the first Spanish language Level 1 training. This course represents a milestone for the Asociación The Natural Step, the local group working to establish an activity hub for TNS in Spain, and the realisation of a shared dream to create the conditions for the emergence of a dynamic community of practice in Spain.
Renaud Richard, Associate of TNS Stockholm, led content development for the course, which he also facilitated with the assistance of two members of the local team. Additionally, the local co-facilitators hosted a 75-minute webinar on November 7th as preparation for the course and in substitution of the e-learning 101 course, which is currently unavailable in Spanish.
For the Spanish team, the mere fact that the course could take place was a success in itself. It meant that efforts to communicate the value of the Framework had actually served to generate considerable interest, despite the current atmosphere of economic, social and political tension and dramatic budget cuts in most public and private institutions in Spain.
In order to build the support that would eventually translate into course registrations, ATNS partnered with three local sustainability NGO’s (Ecodigma, Ecoserveis and Inèdit) and the business innovation centre ESADECREAPOLIS early in 2011. This year also saw the unfolding of a simple communications platform for the local group (Spanish language blog), the edition of an introductory booklet on TNS and the Framework in Spanish, a series of meetings with representatives of key local institutions and the organisation of an informative event in September featuring TNS Ambassador David Cook as keynote speaker.
With this first Level 1 successfully completed, ATNS must now act decisively to nurture the emergence of a Spanish community of practice by supporting enthusiastic and highly-skilled group of professionals who have completed the course. With this goal in mind, the Level 1 course closed with a commitment on the part of all participants to begin applying the Framework in their own lives as soon as possible and to attend a check-in webmeeting that will be held in early 2012.
In the meantime, ATNS will work to identify viable and strategic steps towards the realisation of its vision to become a catalyst for the widespread use of the Framework in Spain. It is our hope that there will be much more to report on in coming months and throughout the coming year!
Some comments participants made about the course:
“An inspiration”
Emmanuel Pawuels – Green Living Systems
“[The most valuable lesson I learned was] that everything is possible.”
Anonymous participant
“[I learned] a common language and a very useful and interesting process to apply sustainability in any system.”
Cristina Ramos – Ecoserveis
“A unique experience, not only the Framework, but also the energy created through the experiences and analysis of each and every one of the participants.”
Elena Álvarez Diestro – Bosques Sostenible / Grupo la Encina
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