Post by Stefan Pasti on Mar 23, 2012 18:57:17 GMT -5
[Note: The webpage (at the IPCR website) for the "IPCR Critical Challenges Assessment 2011-2012" project is at www.ipcri.net/Critical-Challenges-Assessment.html The following text is offered at that webpage address to provide some specific details about the project, and to reference pdf files made accessible at that webpage.]
Some Introductory Comments
A critical challenges assessment of this nature may seem like an ambitious project (see below Table of Contents); however, the Internet makes it possible for people to become familiar with the work of many people who have already spent a lifetime working in fields of activity relating to these challenges. My goal in this project is to identify what I believe are relevant observations from credible sources, and illustrate that there is compelling evidence to support the ten point list I’ve made as real critical challenges ahead. I’m not trying to provide a comprehensive case on each challenges; just enough to bring the ten points more into public discussion—and enough to encourage local communities to consider many of these points in their own assessments. If there are many people in a local community who believe that many of these challenges are critical challenges which need to be mitigated soon—that community might be willing to consider the potential of the combination of preliminary surveys, Community Visioning Initiatives and “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” as a way to maximize citizen participation in identifying local specific challenges and local specific solutions. And I believe such a process could really energize solution-oriented activity—and create much solution-oriented employment.
As to whether the evidence provided in “Statistics and Observations” sections for each challenge provides a fair hearing to different points of view, I will say this. I believe that all of the challenges on the ten point list qualify as critical challenges which may have a negative impact on a significant number of people, in communities around the world. This means I believe that there are “many danger signs flashing now”, and that there is a need for problem solving on a scale most of us have never known before. Since this is what I believe, I feel it is my responsibility to bring forward the most credible evidence available to support that. If there are other people who believe that there is significant evidence which illustrates minimal risk and danger associated with these challenges, and much more risk and danger associated with other challenges, it is up to them to bring forward evidence which supports their views.
Most other information and commentary made accessible on this page will be in the form of links to pdf files associated with the Table of Contents provided below. This writer hopes that visitors to this IPCR website who glance at the current Table of Contents for this project will agree that some very critical decisions will be made on these issues (one way or another) in the months and years ahead—and also agree that if they assist this project (or ones similar to this) with comments, suggestions, and recommendations, such assistance can help much with “reframing public discourse”. People who would like to contribute comments, suggestions, recommendations, etc may do so in the new IPCR Discussion Forum (accessible by way of navigation at the top of this page), or by sending a email to me (Stefan Pasti) at stefanpasti@ipcri.net .
Here is the current Table of Contents for “IPCR Critical Challenges Assessment 2011-2012”. This section is organized so that drafts of different sections, and posts describing such drafts, can be easily located. As readers can see, at this point on September 11, 2011, there are only a few drafts and posts that have been made accessible. More will be coming soon, though.
Some Introductory Comments
A critical challenges assessment of this nature may seem like an ambitious project (see below Table of Contents); however, the Internet makes it possible for people to become familiar with the work of many people who have already spent a lifetime working in fields of activity relating to these challenges. My goal in this project is to identify what I believe are relevant observations from credible sources, and illustrate that there is compelling evidence to support the ten point list I’ve made as real critical challenges ahead. I’m not trying to provide a comprehensive case on each challenges; just enough to bring the ten points more into public discussion—and enough to encourage local communities to consider many of these points in their own assessments. If there are many people in a local community who believe that many of these challenges are critical challenges which need to be mitigated soon—that community might be willing to consider the potential of the combination of preliminary surveys, Community Visioning Initiatives and “Community Teaching and Learning Centers” as a way to maximize citizen participation in identifying local specific challenges and local specific solutions. And I believe such a process could really energize solution-oriented activity—and create much solution-oriented employment.
As to whether the evidence provided in “Statistics and Observations” sections for each challenge provides a fair hearing to different points of view, I will say this. I believe that all of the challenges on the ten point list qualify as critical challenges which may have a negative impact on a significant number of people, in communities around the world. This means I believe that there are “many danger signs flashing now”, and that there is a need for problem solving on a scale most of us have never known before. Since this is what I believe, I feel it is my responsibility to bring forward the most credible evidence available to support that. If there are other people who believe that there is significant evidence which illustrates minimal risk and danger associated with these challenges, and much more risk and danger associated with other challenges, it is up to them to bring forward evidence which supports their views.
Most other information and commentary made accessible on this page will be in the form of links to pdf files associated with the Table of Contents provided below. This writer hopes that visitors to this IPCR website who glance at the current Table of Contents for this project will agree that some very critical decisions will be made on these issues (one way or another) in the months and years ahead—and also agree that if they assist this project (or ones similar to this) with comments, suggestions, and recommendations, such assistance can help much with “reframing public discourse”. People who would like to contribute comments, suggestions, recommendations, etc may do so in the new IPCR Discussion Forum (accessible by way of navigation at the top of this page), or by sending a email to me (Stefan Pasti) at stefanpasti@ipcri.net .
Here is the current Table of Contents for “IPCR Critical Challenges Assessment 2011-2012”. This section is organized so that drafts of different sections, and posts describing such drafts, can be easily located. As readers can see, at this point on September 11, 2011, there are only a few drafts and posts that have been made accessible. More will be coming soon, though.