What's The Alternative?

What’s The Alternative? is about meeting to create educational events and a network to promote personal and social change. It is about discovering how we can make a difference to the world. Modern life gives us a great number of choices, which impact us, and the world around us on many different levels. What’s The Alternative? will meet to discuss and provide the knowledge needed to make the most informed decisions on every aspect of life. The network will provide information and links so we can all follow up on these important issues. We would like all points of view to be considered to and fed into the debate. We aim to organise debates based around four themes:

Personal – You

We are the building block on which community is built and in turn the global community is built. We need to make sure that we are healthy and happy in order to make a positive change beyond ourselves. What’s The Alternative? will discuss the latest information so we can chose the best options for ourselves, since different people require different solutions.

Community - Local Action

The benefits of a healthy community have been proved to positively affect the health and well-being of individuals within them. If united, the people of any community have the power to shape their neighborhood to how they want it to be. Acting globally starts with acting locally. What’s The Alternative? is uncovering what local community groups are doing to improve their collective lives and address global issues. The aim is to link the ideas together to enrich people’s public life and provide a platform for activities where people can foster a sense of community and provide a focal point for cultural exchange and transformation.

Global – How we can make a difference?

Humanity is facing some challenging times with the economy, global warming and on-going violence. Is easy to feel disconnected and ineffective in making any positive contribution to global solutions. What’s The Alternative? provides the information and contacts to help us understand what the best approaches are and through what channels we can affect change.

Integration – where it all links together

A holistic worldview looks at the whole picture. These events investigate issues which in which you, your community and your planet are inextricably linked. The goal is to start a way of thinking that links ourselves to the bigger picture though any action we take. Integration is about expanding our consciousness from looking after ourselves and our nation, to looking after the whole planet

HOT TOPICS - To be debated shortly:

Personal

Optimum Nutrition – a comparison of studies.
Yoga – a comparison of different types.
Law of attraction – a scientific investigation.
Meditation – a comparison of techniques and theory.
Medicine – how alternative meets traditional.

Community

Intentional Communities – what lesson they can offer.
Sustainable Communities Act – a look at devolution of power.
Transition Towns – an investigation into their effectiveness.
Energy Saving – how it can be achieved in the home and office.
Homelessness – an investigation into different long-term solutions.
Local currencies – what these and LET systems have to offer.

Global

The Global Economic System – an investigation and possible developments for the future.
Consumer Power – how individuals can make a difference.
Peak Oil – when we might hit this and what can we do.
Fair Trade – lessons that can be learned in order to create better global equality.
Contraction and Convergence – whether this would be an effective and fair way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Peace Making –the best ways to end global conflicts and how you can help.
International Disaster Relief – how we can minimise the impacts of disasters and best help when the strike.

Integration

Gender – a look at the different ways that men and women operate and the widespread implications.
Organic/In-organic food debate - health, environmental and global hunger perspectives.
Toxicity – a look at the widespread use of chemicals and their effect on individuals, and the environment.
Ethical finance – an investigation into the personal and global benefits.
Restorative Justice – an investigation into potential benefits.
Education – a comparison of different theories and long-term benefits.