In May 2008 a remarkable nationwide initiative took place in Estonia, bringing together more than 50 000 volunteers to clean-up illegal waste from all over the countryside. This extraordinary project helped to change the waste department system as well as the people’s perspectives on the environment and on civil activeness.
They are following up this notable collective achievement with a national brainstorming day on May 1st this year. Up to 100 000 people will come together in sites all over Estonia for a day of cooperative thinking and problem-solving. The discussion sessions will be based on the Open Space method, designed to create a space and time for people to gather around “issues” that matter to them – immediate concerns that may need a simple or creative solution. Open Space has been used in diverse cultures and circumstances around the world, to facilitate productive meetings for 5 to 2000+ people, and to encourage people to organise themselves and take responsiblity for solving problems.
For more details go to the website.
Estonia may succeed in mobilising a huge element of the population to create and implement innovative solutions to national problems. It is an exciting experiment that we should watch and copy.
Paul Sloane
Tags: brainstorm, country, day, estonia, Innovation, national