Open source appropriate technology (OSAT) refers to technologies that are designed in the same fashion as free and open-source software. These technologies must be 'appropriate technology' (AT) - meaning technology that is designed with special consideration to the environmental, ethical, cultural, social, political, and economical aspects of the community it is intended for. The OSAT principles ensures that people can freely use and build upon one another's ideas without paying big royalties to … Read more
Solutions
- Lifelong Education
- Diversity & Cohesion
- Trust & Communication
- Health & Healing
- Leadership & Governance
- Conflict Resolution
- Wisdom & Innovation
- Art & Celebration
- Vision & Purpose
- Nature Connection
- Mindfulness & Self Reflection
- Defend & Protect
- Leading from the Future
- Contextualised Design
- Whole Systems Thinking
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Intervention & Transformation
- Alliance Building
- Prototyping & Feedback
- Rank & Privilege
From poacher to caretaker Namibia: how poachers became wildlife protectors
This is a story by John Kasoana who explains how poaching developed in Namibia and how poachers later became wildlife caretakers. Official recognition of this role created a sense of ownership, which resulted into flourishing wildlife after it had nearly come down to nil. Three methods were decisive: (1) Using traditional ways while being open to new knowledge, (2) Focus on holistic solutions - stopping poaching is not the same as catching poachers (3) Create strategic partnerships with … Read more
Dune wall architecture against desertification An original proposal to counter desertification in Africa
Architect Magnus Larsson proposes an innovative, natural way of creating a natural wall out of Sahel dunes to prevent further desertification as an alternative for the green wall - which is undermined by people's need for fuel. Larsson proposes to use a natural bacteria to solidify parts of sand dunes, turning them into structures. There structures can be both lived in, as well as function as a solid base for plant and tree-growth, greening the desert from within. … Read more
Harvesting the wind with scrap metal An amazingly inspiring piece of African ingenuity
William Kamkwamba was a son of poor farmers in Malawi. During the severe drought of 2001, the whole country was starving as soils lay bare. Kamkwamba refused to accept the horrible fate that was upon him and his family. By studying the images in a handful of English books on natural science, he learned to build a windmill from scrap metal and was thus able to pump up water for crowing crops. 'I tried and I made it. Never give up.' … Read more
Good education fosters ethical leaders Argument: Ethical leadership starts with good education
Patrick Awuah from Ghana pleads for an education system in African countries which stresses independent thinking rather than repetition, a sense of responsibility rather than entitlement, and ethics and engagement with their society. … Read more
Nature’s Solutions An online library with nature's solutions
This website has a vast library of how nature solves many 'problems'. The library has stored many of nature's solutions and inspires us how through using biomimicry we can learn from nature to overcome many issues concerning sustainability. Check it out, get lost, learn (and apply), get inspired! … Read more
Discrete Power Converter Alternative source of Mechanical Power (primary mover): almost as a water wheel, but different ...
The DPC is powered by gravity force of raised water (similar to a water wheel). The machine is capable to accumulate periodically the working mass into levering up capacities and to multiply (as mechanical advantage) the gravity force (as effort) during of each discrete stroke in accordance to law of the lever. The kinematic scheme of DPC (or Kornich machine) is represented on Fig.1 DPC is invented by the author of this solution, Alexander Kornich, and is designed as symmetrical … Read more
Group Decision Making Method Using all expertise in the group to make decisions
The link below directs to a short description of several decision-making methods, as well as a short video about one particular method. This latter method explains how groups can make decisions using one primary decision-maker, while also including the entire group's expertise in the process. Even if this method may not appeal to the reader due to its slight hierarchical tinge, it might hold some interesting ideas to experiment with in finding decision-making models that work. … Read more
Group Decision Making Guide Developing interpersonal skills for good decision making
Good and smooth group decision making requires a good understanding of the decision making process, as well as developed skills of all individuals involved in the process. The below link directs to a very exstensive, step-by-step guide for proper group decision making. It includes an overview of different necessary phases in decision-making processes, a list of core interpersonal skills, a test to estimate your level of interpersonal skills, and more tools. … Read more
Wise irrigation system (foungara) Wise irrigation system (foungara)
The Fougara is a system of water irrigation which was invented to quantify and measure the necessary water for each plant in the desert. It is a complexed system which goes back to long time and used by our ancestors to use the water wisely. This system is inspired from what we call Qanats in Iran. (FRANCAIS) La fougara est un système d'irrigation de l'eau inventé pour permettre de quantifier l'eau nécessaire pour les différentes plantations dans le désert. C'est un système complexe et très … Read more
