Next weekend sees a big event in Devon:

TRANSITION CONFERENCE 2015

18TH -20TH, SEPTEMBER, SEALE HAYNE, NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON, UK

#TNCONF2015

TRANSITION NETWORK IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE TRANSITION MOVEMENT.

From it’s inception in 2007, the Transition movement has grown and spread to all corners of the globe and this gathering will showcase some of the best and most innovative ideas, organisations, and projects that have come out of the worldwide experiment in creating resilient communities.

As always this conference will be about you, we will all be contributing (as we all do in Transition) our experience, our hopes, and our dreams

Transition Conference - What to expect - YouTube
2015 Transition Conference

There will be lots going on, including a session with Peter McFadyen from Frome:

FLAT PACK DEMOCRACY – LESSONS FOR REINVENTING LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Seale-Hayne 19th September 2015 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

PETER MACFADYE

Peter founded Sustainable Frome and, more recently, Independents for Frome, the local political movement that took Frome Town Council in 2011 and followed it up this year by taking 17 seats out of 17. This experience led Peter to write Flatpack Democracy.

Peter started Sustainable Frome, an early Transition Town in many ways as this was before Transition Towns. His role as part of this group was liaising with the Council, which identified a complete lack of relevant ‘green’ thinking. So, with others, Peter founded non-political party ‘Independents for Frome’ which took power in 2011. From this strategic position they were able to reinvent local (Parish/Town) ambition ethos and structures.

Key to that has been massively ramped up work with community groups including some such as the Renewable Energy Coop which raised £300K in a week for PV now in place; and community share purchase of threatened fields (another £300K).

Peter and colleagues continue to be inspired by others working around the world on similar projects including through Podemos in Spain.

In this workshop you will explore:

The principles of Flatpack Democracy and what they mean in practice.

What it can mean to work for the community in politics and how to make the system work for us all.

Why confidence in breaking down barriers with people is key to local change.

What we can learn and influence through other systems like local Neighbourhood Plans in the UK.

This session will be useful to people new or more established Transition initiatives, and those working with REconomy ideas and projects. Whilst the examples that Peter will use are from the UK, many of the principles and lessons will have relevance and resonance with communities around the world. Where there is politics, there is potential for democratic change!

Flat Pack Democracy – Lessons for Reinventing Local Democracy « 2015 Transition Conference
Futures Forum: Flatpack Democracy: 'Vote for Chaos'

And here's an overview from Sophy Banks:
On why the 2015 Transition Network Conference is guaranteed to buzz | Transition Network
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Futures Forum

Friday, 4 September 2015