Networking Our Future:
The London 21 Annual General Meeting
Tuesday April 8th: 5pm -9pm
University College, Gower
Street -
London - WC1E 6BT
STREETMAP
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Dear colleague
All great organisations evolve - is it time for us to do so?
We're writing to invite you to our Annual General Meeting (details
and timetable are below). A key theme for this year will be
the future of local action on sustainability in London and the
implications for London 21.
London 21 was set up eight years ago as a network to enable
and support local action on sustainability. Have we helped you
do what you do? Do you use our services? What would make us
more useful to you?
Much of what London 21 wanted when it was set up is now starting
to happen. The level of community action in London has increased
as has environmental awareness and action from the Mayor and
the GLA. Recycling rates are moving upwards, energy issues are
in the mainstream and local food is flourishing. Over 2000 groups
and people get the London 21 newsletter.
The structure of the 'local sustainability' sector in London
has transformed itself. What was seen as a 'grassroots' movement
is now a rich and varied ecosystem. Growing out of those grass
roots are some increasingly large and flourishing organisations,
many of which are seeding new projects, networks and organisations,
bringing new perspectives and making new linkages. An increasing
amount of what was voluntary activity is being done by successful
enterprises and other types of organisation.
Local council activity has similarly changed: Local Performance
Frameworks, LAAs and LSPs have given sustainable development
new challenges and opportunities. The new focus on Climate Change
has meant that local government is doing far more than we might
have expected 20 years ago (often due to pressure and encouragement
from local voluntary organisations). The leading edge (the 'Merton
Rule', Richmond's action on parking fees etc.) certainly emphasises
how important local action still is.
So what's the role of local organisations and networks when
sustainability is a mainstream issue? And what's the role for
London 21? We would very much value your input on how the following
can support your work.
* Is there a need for a London-wide multi-issue network like
London 21?
* Climate Change has become a critical issue for the whole of
human society. How can the wider sustainability approach best
link to the immediate focus of action on climate and what should
London 21's role be?
* London 21 was set up as a network rather than to work and
lobby on policy issues. Yet our recent work setting out key
policies for boroughs on climate change has been very well received.
Should we therefore become more of a policy-focused forum? If
so, who should be involved?
* London 21's projects on Environmental Justice and the engagement
of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are coming to
the end of their funding this year. How should we take this
work forward?
* How can we encourage and enable more use of the network and
how can this network support your work ?
* London Sustainability Weeks (Love London. Love your Planet)
is a key activity for both networking and showcasing the work
being done by large and small groups across London. Should this
event carry on in its present format ? Are there changes which
you think would enhance its profile ?
We hope that you will come to the AGM and help us plan our next
steps. We would also welcome people interested to be new Board
members - if you'd be interested, get in touch to find out what
is involved. The event will start with a short presentation
of our new on-line community mapping system - an important new
development of the London Green Map. If you are going to come
please reserve a place by sending your name and contact details
to office@London21.org.
We will send you the exact details of the venue at UCL (nearest
tube Euston Square).
Even if you can't come we would welcome your comments in writing.
Please contact Chris Church, Chair of London21 at chrischurch@phonecoop.coop.
Materials relating to this discussion will be circulated in
advance on the London 21 email discussion list. If you'd like
to be kept briefed and to have your say in advance, then subscribe
(if you're not on the list already) by sending a blank email
headed 'subscribe' to London21sustainabilitynetwork-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
With best wishes from the London 21 Trustees and Director,
Michael Calderbank, Hackney Environment Forum, Trustee Vicki
Carroll, Wandsworth Environment Forum, Trustee Chris Church,
Community Environment Associates, Trustee Dan Holmes, SD3, Trustee
Robert Newton, Barnet A21, Trustee Kenyasue Smart, Caribbean
peoples Network, Trustee Roy Tindle, Faith Sustains, Trustee
Christopher Harris, Director
Networking Our Future: The London 21 Annual General Meeting
Tuesday April 8th 5pm - 9pm
University College, Gower Street - London - WC1E 6BT
- streetmap
Timetable
5.00 Introduction 5.10 Community Mapping On-line - an introduction
to the new community maps that London 21 has been working on
in Archway, Hackney Wick and Royal Docks, a unique approach
to mapping local issues. 5.50 Break 6.00 The London 21 Annual
General Meeting (including Annual Report and election of Trustees)
6.50 Break 7.00 Networking Our Future: a facilitated discussion
on how action across London and on how London 21 should develop
now and in the future 9.00 End |
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