“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them” Albert Einstein

We are at a precarious crossroads in the world, with many personal, social and global challenges arriving at a time when people have never been so isolated, nor communities so fragmented and disconnected.

U-Lab offers an effective participative model for profound personal and social change, the change coming from within the individual first through self-awareness, and then an awareness of the change needed to meet our emerging future.

U.Lab is a free MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) run by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and made available globally. Anyone can take part free of charge.

The format blends e-learning (watching videos online and streamed live sessions) with face to face discussions in small groups.

28,000 people around the world have already participated, with more than 500 connected within Scotland. “So far, people are talking about using U.Lab to develop ideas such as health & social care, climate change, rural issues, food, tackling inequality, dementia, social justice, energy generation, children and young people, leading organisational change, and encouraging socially responsible economic and business models.” Keira Oliver, Scottish Govt.

A new U-Lab MOOC is beginning on September 14th, and before this programme begins U-Lab taster sessions are being offered throughout Scotland.

We are offering an open taster session in Elgin on Monday 11th September to discuss U-Lab, how we might use it to create participative social change in Morayshre, and what the programme would involves, if you were interested in joining in.

There is no commitment to sign up for the full course, so if you are interested why not come along!

The taster session will be led by June McGuire an experienced facilitator, living locally, who recently participated in a 2-day U-Lab hosting event funded and led by the Scottish Govt in Edinburgh.

Further info:

ULAB is an online course like no other. Each year it brings together tens of thousands of people from around the world to explore how we can tackle some of the world's complex issues. It works on many levels, with a focus on sensing into the future and would be of interest to anybody interested in systems approaches, leadership and management, creating change in themselves or society, consciousness, personal development and culture. If you've ever wondered how you can make a difference then this could well be for you. ULAB creates impact - on individual, organisational, community and societal levels.

ULAB was developed by Otto Scharmer, Senior Lecturer at MIT and a team from The Presencing Institute. In Scotland it is being supported by Scottish Government and there is a special arrangement with the Global U.Lab team with Scottish specific content being included in the teaching materials each week.

One participant said: "On a personal level, it was one of the best learning experiences of my life. The resources were excellent, the opportunity to meet other managers from across a range of sectors was invaluable, the ideas that were generated were fantastic. Tthe shift I have made in terms of how I see and manage myself and my work environment has been remarkable."

The next ULAB session begins in September and is free to access. This short taster event will give you the chance to

• find out more about the course and what you can hope to get out of it,
• experience aspects of Theory U (which underpins the course)
• ask questions about what's involved.

Further info text above reproduced from Ulab Scotland Festival of hubs events. Simmilar events to these are booking across Scotland.

Please contact Tim Flood (timflood@ymail.com) for Ulab tasters in Forres and Nairn (not run by the Moray Wellbeing Hub):

• Forres on 23rd August 7-9pm, Forres Community Centre
• Nairn 30th August 7-9pm, Nairn Community Centre

How are you planning to get to the event?

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