Questions as a Lighthouse

How This Journal Can Contribute to New Ways Forward in the Development Field

Authors

  • Vanesa Weyrauch Purpose&Ideas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47061/jabsc.v1i1.670

Keywords:

wicked problems, complex problems, integration of mind, heart and body, inner source

Abstract

This is a personal welcome to the potential contributions of this new journal  to the development field based on my professional experience and what we have learned at Purpose&Ideas, the organisation I belong to. I have worked for the past 20 years in the field that promotes a better interaction between evidence and policy, along with think tanks, national and international NGOs, universities and government agencies, mostly in developing countries. Throughout all this experience, I arrived at the conclusion that development initiatives that have prioritised rational approaches to change have failed to solve complex problems. 

It is time to further inquire on new approaches that increase the potential of mind by integrating the body and heart in the way we collectively frame our problems and co-create the solutions for a more sustainable wellbeing of communities. However, to tell others (donors, clients, strategic partners, etc.) why and how we could work differently and from our inner source is a highly challenging task. We believe the path would be smoother if we were able to count with more evidence that sustains awarenes-based systems change tools and approaches. This journal could become a lighthouse in the way forward.

References

Andrews, M., Pritchett, L. & Woolcock, M. (2017). Building state capability: Evidence, analysis, action. Oxford Scholarship Online.

Scharmer, C. O. (2016). Theory U: Learning from the future as it emerges. (2nd ed.) Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Watkins, A. & Wilber, K. (2015). Wicked & wise: How to solve the world's toughest problems. Urbane Publications.

Woolcock, M. & Bridges, K (2019). Implementing adaptive approaches in real world scenarios: A Nigeria case study, with lessons for theory and practice. World Bank Group.

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Published

2021-02-25

How to Cite

Weyrauch, V. (2021). Questions as a Lighthouse: How This Journal Can Contribute to New Ways Forward in the Development Field. Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 1(1), 9–13. https://doi.org/10.47061/jabsc.v1i1.670