LC 00401

Social Theory (ST) presented so far, is implicitly positioned in a local, municipal context. The maxim is: think globally, act locally. This expresses the idea that global change starts with local initiatives to give good examples of improvements to be implemented on a larger scale. This bears the question: is it possible to embed the Social Innovation (SI) process in another SI process so that, in the end, we do act globally? The answer is given in the diagram shown below. The basic idea is that an SI process is seen as the implementation process in a higher-level SI process. This is how the SI process is extended from a local level to regional and national levels, and if we dream on, even up to a global level.

Although the nested SI processes form a hierarchy, it does not mean that SI processes taken together have a strictly top-down or a bottom-up orientation. Just like a single SI process, the combined SI processes have circular processes at work at the same time. This means that ideas and rules of engagement can flow freely upwards and downwards to set the right conditions for change at all levels. For instance, at the Mondial level, many nations have committed to the Paris-climate agreements. These agreements do set targets at the national level and below as part of assessment frameworks. However, these agreements mostly address what to do, not necessarily how to do it. It is up to national and local governments to approach it the right way to get the job done. By doing so, we learn from our experiences in terms of new ways of doing things, i.e., innovations, and cultural values. The lessons learned can then be taken as input to establish future Mondial agreements.

Nested SI processes.

• Lees hiervoor:
  Program Management
• Lees hierna:
  Reflecting on the Social Theory