Eileen Conn

Community Engagement in the Social Eco-Systems Dance

This page shows some links to writings and videos on how Eileen Conn's social eco-systems dance model illuminates some aspects of the relationships between citizens and authorities and other institutions. This is a temporary collection to make them more easily accessible.

About Eileen Conn – a biog is on page one of this discussion paper: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/documents/tsrc/discussion-papers/discussion-paper-b-community-engagement.pdf

The paper sets out the social eco-system dance model. It is published on the TSRC (Third Sector Research Centre) website: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/research/below-the-radar/community-engagement-and-the-social-ecosystem-dance.aspx The paper outlines the idea that the human world of authority and organisations is in perpetual interaction with the world of human life in community. The two are distinct and different relational systems within a shared social eco-system. Their organisational dynamics are dissimilar; they dance to very different tunes. This is largely unrecognised and invisible. The theory and model of 'the Social Eco-System Dance' offers a new lens to understand this, and some of the solutions to the negative effects it has. For further explanations of the model and how the dynamics it encapsulates, play out in practise, visit:

• Short Youtube interview - http://www.socialreporters.net/?p=455

• Short blog comment on the model - http://goo.gl/sVUWIw OR <https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/vertical-and-horizontal-community-engagement>

• Summary explanation of the model produced for a Quilligan seminar in 2012. https://bit.ly/2QZSsMk

• The published paper - http://goo.gl/kpbBro OR http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/research/below-the-radar/community-engagement-and-the-social-ecosystem-dance.aspx

Other relevant references

A new conception of life essential to understanding sustainability has emerged in the last 30 years since the 1980s. Here are some introductory explanations.

• introduction to the theory of Living Systems by Fritjof Capra - 10 mins youtube
• The Systems View of Life by Fritjof Capra - 40 mins youtube

EC submissions

• 2011 Submission pp 270 to 273 written evidence to the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee inquiry into the Big Society policy.
• 2012 Submission to the London Assembly Inquiry into neighbourhood planning - report: 'Beyond consultation The role of neighbourhood plans in supporting local involvement in planning'
• 2017 Submission to the Commission on the future of the 2011 Localism Act - report.

EC videos

• 2011 EC explanation of why communities are like energy waves. 4 mins.
• 2012 EC explanation of applying the model to community organising & digital social media. 4 mins.
• 2015 EC at Just Space Conference on The London Plan and Building other ways of thinking about London's economy. 13 mins.

Peckham topics

Nutbrook Street, Peckham, SE15

Museum of Walking- “Amazing walk in spite of the weather” - So wrote Rachel Gomme, live art performer, ecological walking artist and Peckham resident to boot, but her comments were echoed by the 25 diehards who joined Museum Co-creator Paul Wood for an Exploration of the Urban Forest in Peckham last Sunday. Oh did it rain and never stopped. This didn’t deter the group, and although I was a tad confused as Paul deviated off our carefully planned route, we managed a circular walk full of intriguing trees, local myths, and a lovely meeting with a local hero. Eileen Conn has been a community activist for more than 40 years. Indeed it is the 40th anniversary since she won over Southwark council to plant an avenue of birch trees in Nutbrook Road – selected by Paul as one London’s best street tree avenues. It was terrific to meet her and hear her talk with such enthusiasm about Peckham and how she has galvanised the community and the authorities to invest in civic buildings and public space.

Time Out - 9 best London street trees Peckham birches: Peckham is home to some fine birch tree avenues, which can look at their glistening best in winter when they show off their white bark. The birch species with the whitest bark of all is the Himalayan birch – now the most frequently planted in London too, even more so than the familiar silver birch. Where to find them: Nutbrook Street, SE15