Leading international mediator Ken Cloke was welcomed to the Scottish Parliament in September for an evening about conflict, dialogue and communication in politics. The event, which was hosted by Margaret Mitchell MSP, discussed the current situation in political life in Scotland and further afield. John Sturrock, founder and chief executive of Core Solutions, introduced Collaborative… Continue reading Collaborative Scotland at the Scottish Parliament: “Everybody is talking, but no-one is listening”
Category: Blog Posts
“Nobody gets angry about things they don’t care about”
International mediator Ken Cloke, one of the leading writers and thinkers in the field of conflict, joined John Sturrock and over fifty mediators and professionals at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Friday 29th September 2017 for a day of learning and reflection about solving conflict in society. Participants were treated to a masterclass of discussion… Continue reading “Nobody gets angry about things they don’t care about”
Bolt and Brexit teach us that the world is imperfect, by John Sturrock
Along with millions of others I hoped that Usain Bolt would be victorious in his final 100 metres race. It was not to be. Bolt was not invincible after all. Isn’t that a relief? Even the superheroes among us are not perfect. There is beauty in that imperfection, recognition that life cannot be shaped according… Continue reading Bolt and Brexit teach us that the world is imperfect, by John Sturrock
This time round we can all behave with more dignity, by John Sturrock
Things are not as they should be. We know that. There is a deep sense that the politics of polarisation are seeping in to the very fabric of who we are and what we think. In a remarkably short time, there has been a change in mood and behaviour. Attitudes seem more brutal, less compassionate,… Continue reading This time round we can all behave with more dignity, by John Sturrock
Reframe on climate change, by Charlie Woods
Over the past 300 years or so humankind has developed a system for producing, distributing and exchanging goods and services, which has been based on human ingenuity in the design and development of tools and systems, alongside the extraction and exploitation of natural resources built up over millions of years, in particular sources of energy.… Continue reading Reframe on climate change, by Charlie Woods
On this referendum day in Scotland, by John Sturrock
On this referendum day in Scotland, I am writing this piece without knowing the outcome. By the time most of you read this, our future will be clearer. And by then, whatever the outcome, the work of restoration, healing and moving forward together will have commenced. Some years ago I worked as a mediator in… Continue reading On this referendum day in Scotland, by John Sturrock
What Works Scotland, by Charlie Woods
Collaboration was probably the word most used by those that spoke at the launch of What Works Scotland (WWS) http://whatworksscotland.ac.uk/. WWS is an initiative led by the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and funded by the Scottish Government and ESRC aimed at improving what has become known as the Scottish model of public service delivery.… Continue reading What Works Scotland, by Charlie Woods
Something in the air? by Charlie Woods
The recent EDAS (Economic Development Association Scotland) Conference took as it’s theme ‘Our economy - beyond the referendum: developing a route map for common ambition.” Amongst the speakers and the floor discussion there appeared to be a growing consensus that a fairer, more equal society (in terms of opportunity, ownership and outcome) is not only… Continue reading Something in the air? by Charlie Woods
The Outcomes of Respectful Dialogue, by Linda Jane McLean
I reluctantly attended the meeting on 21st May of Collaborative Scotland. Why was I reluctant? I didn’t know if it was “worth it”. I was unsure if what I was going to achieve or learn would be worthwhile. I was uncertain whether it was worth the journey from Motherwell to Edinburgh. I was irresolute about… Continue reading The Outcomes of Respectful Dialogue, by Linda Jane McLean
Talks about Talks, by Charlie Woods
On 21st May, Collaborative Scotland held a “Dialogue on the Future of Scotland” at the excellent Edinburgh Training Centre. The event combined an exploration of the processes that can help facilitate a more productive exchange with the opportunity to touch on some of the issues of substance concerning the forthcoming referendum. It also provided participants… Continue reading Talks about Talks, by Charlie Woods