This is a simple visioning exercise you can do as a group, that has 3 stages and will help you to create a vision for your group:
Stage 1: What could change?
Split into groups of at least 3 people, each taking one or more of the following themes - and any others you want to add:
• Energy and resources used by the university (where energy comes from, renewables etc.)
• Community behaviour (recycling, energy use, food, travel etc.)
• The environment of the university (the grounds, buildings etc.)
• Equality, diversity and inclusion - particularly of more marginalised voices.
• Social and personal wellbeing of community
• Relationships with local residents
• Any other topic you can think of, that relates to your university
Have 10 minutes in your group to brainstorm things that you would like to see changed or developed in the university. Write down your answers on large paper if you have it. Don’t get into arguments - if you disagree just include all the points of view. Each group then takes 2 minutes to report back to the whole group.
Stage 2: Imagine what a Transition University would look like in reality
Take 5 minutes to imagine yourself taking a tour around your community in a future time where things have gone as well as, or better than you can imagine and the challenges you have identified have been addressed in a positive way (it doesn’t have to be “realistic” unless you want to be). Just imagine taking a walk and noticing what’s there.
In pairs or threes, share some of the things you imagine would be in your community.
Take 5 - 10 minutes for this.
Stage 3: Sharing the vision
Come back into the whole group and spend 5 - 10 minutes in silence writing and drawing on your shared piece of paper - words or images that show what you think the future might include. Make it fun and as detailed or visionary as you like! Take 10 minutes together to look at what you’ve created, going round and giving everyone a chance to say something about the following questions: what’s on the paper - what does your shared vision include? how was it to imagine this future - what surprised you, what did you like or not?
• Together reflect on what’s in your shared vision.
• Does it address the challenges you talked about at the start?
• How was it to do this process together?
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