Convergence 2012 will shine a spotlight on some of the best ideas out there and ignite a national conversation on how we can most effectively work together to create a brighter and more sustainable future for Ireland.
Using an interactive, positive and engaging format Convergence will bring people together from government, local authorities, business, civil society, NGOs and communities to advance the national agenda on sustainability and help chart a path to Ireland’s recovery.
President Michael D. Higgins, who attended the original Earth Summit in Rio, will open Convergence 2012 in Cloughjordan on June 6th.
Convergence 2012 will include:
Breakthrough Ideas for the Future We Want – a gallery collecting and showcasing exciting initiatives already in existence from different sectors across Ireland and Northern Ireland. An online form will be used to collect ideas and social media will be utilised to rate them.
Conversations for the Future We Want – a facilitated forum bringing a diverse group of stakeholders together to explore how we can work across specialised sectors to position Ireland on the international stage as a leader in the green economy, community resilience, wellbeing and sustainability.
The Green Business Incubator – an innovative process providing support for aspiring entrepreneurs and new businesses while generating rapid peer-to-peer input to help take breakthrough ideas to the next level.
Host Your Own – a facilitation guide allowing local groups to host their own ‘Convergence’ and feed into the national harvest and findings.
The ‘Ideas for the Future We Want’ Exhibit – The second phase of this project is to develop an exhibit that will showcase the best of the ideas collected through the road show and disseminate the findings of the forums. This will be launched in September at the Electric Picnic, Ireland’s leading cultural festival and then hosted along with an incubation event in venues around the country.
Cultivate Living and Learning has hosted Convergence sixteen times since the year 2000. Cultivate is one of the foremost civil society organisations in Ireland providing access to the knowledge and tools to cultivate sustainable lifestyles and resilient communities. Convergence, Ireland’s longest running sustainable living festival, has brought together a wide variety of stakeholders from across Ireland and from abroad. This annual event highlights community resilience and green jobs while championing the changes needed to create a sustainable economy, society and environment.
For further info see http://www.cultivate.ie/convergence-2012.