Talks and Workshops

The problems that we face as a world society are enmeshed within political, technological, psychological, ecological, and economic systems which are highly dysfunctional. Globally addressing the multi-faceted issues of poverty requires a new evolution of systemic thinking to address the development of local/ global sustainability.


Design is a thinking through by plan. By assessing a biospheric portrait of poverty we can begin to consciously conceptualize and design landscapes, structures, programs, and organizations which address sustainability from all angles. Whole systems design is a rarity and often leaves human psychological needs out of the picture. Integral refers to a theoretical and functional attempt to integrate nature, culture, and self into a complete map of the terrain. Piecemeal solutions like starting schools, generating economy, reinforcing culture, or lobbying government can work, but do not systemically address the conditions which constitute poverty. Design looks at the whole picture, interweaves these projects into natural flows which empower people and ecosystems within their own developmental processes.


Infrastructural systems of support alone are inadequate. Behind the label of poverty are real people, real culture, fundamental values and belief structures, which give people direction, meaning, purpose, and hope. “Integral” expresses a clear directive to understand the person, the culture, the political-economy, the ecosystem, and the global climate in a fashion which unfolds the potential of all who are participating. “Design” is the actual process through which a solution can begin to be visualized and crafted. “Integral Design” actualizes the sustainability of people and planet.
“Humans as tools of Nature.” - William McDonough