Public Speaking

Public Speaking, Online Talks and Workshops

CCN is often invited to contribute to public speaking events, conferences and workshops ranging from the European Rural Parliament, Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission, the Committee for Climate Change, the Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament, academic institutions such as the Centre for Human Ecology the American University of Central Asia, and St Andrews University, and for Development Trusts, Community Councils, Third Sector organisations and Community Groups.

Our presentations and workshops have covered topics such as the ‘just transition’, approaches to resident/citizen participation, place-based consensus-building, community-led planning and co-design/co-production processes. We have also presented on specific case studies, and the theoretical underpinnings of our approach and work. We’d be happy to hear from you if you’d like us to speak at your event or run a workshop.

American University of Central Asia (AUCA)

CCN has been a contributor to the Masters in International Development programme at AUCA, involving a cohort of international students.

The session included content such as the broader context of challenges and opportunities related to community self-sufficiency at a time of growing economic inequality, political instability, the erosion of democracy and the need to adapt to Climate Change. The story of CCN and its emergence as an organisation stemming from this broader context and pragmatic responses to ‘fracking’ in Scotland’s Central Belt (its most heavily populated area) and the threat of environmental pollution were also presented.

Practical examples of the principles-led approach to development were discussed along with the dynamics underlying the ‘System A / System B Problem (see section under Why is this important?). The session also involved an experiential exercise in collaborative place-based participatory planning, and concluded with reflections and discussion on key learning.