What We Do: Projects & Activities

Program Areas | Projects & Activities

Projects and Activities

Current projects and activities

Syntony Quest carries out its mission through specific projects and activities that fit in one or more of its program areas. The following is a description of recent projects and activities in the US and Mexico.

Evolving with Heart, Dancing the Path of Syntony
A forthcoming book introducing the ideas on which Syntony Quest is based, comprised of three sections: defining syntony; introducing conceptual tools for sustainable and evolutionary change; and examples of practical applications.
Education and Beyond:
An introduction to the design of Evolutionary Learning Community
A forthcoming book based on the action-research project that involved defining ELC in practical terms so that groups interested in exploring the potential of this educational image can have the guidance to design one on their own.
The Path e-mission
"The Path: Action-sparking ideas of today for tomorrow" is the quarterly e-mission of Syntony Quest. The purpose of our electronic publication is to communicate and educate key ideas and practical suggestions related to the work of Syntony Quest as well as to translate the mission of Syntony Quest into simple and everyday ways of making a difference.
Evolutionary Learning Community (ELC) – Special Integration Group of the ISSS
Coordination and facilitation of a Special Integration Group (SIG) on ELC within the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS). The SIG attracts scholars and practitioners from around the world interested in exploring and developing the scientific foundations of ELC for the purposeful creation of evolutionary futures. The SIG meets annually during the International Conferences sponsored by ISSS, and Syntony Quest is the official organizational sponsor of this ELC SIG. For more information, visit: ELC.
ConSiDER
Consumers for Sustainable Development and Ethical Responsibility is a program we have developed to empower participation of the general public in the creation of a sustainable future through informed consumer power. It is conceived as a combination communication campaign, educational program, and research initiative.
Art with Conscience
We are creating a community of artists that share a concern for humanity and the planet. We believe that art is a powerful means for touching our hearts in ways that facts cannot. As a result, we are exploring together how different forms of artistic expression can embody a socio-ecological ethic. The project began with three visual Mexican artists and now we are expanding it to include artists from other parts of the world who use different media to communicate critical reflections of our present and inspirational visions of our future.
Future-Makers
Future-Makers is a "Process Toolkit" for people interested in creating their future – a physical product that will enable design processes for transgenerational learning and action and that can be sold to schools, youth groups, families, etc. The toolkit and supporting facilitation provided by Syntony Quest seeks to engage people across geographical, cultural, and ethnic boundaries in a creative exploration of the power of community to help shape a better future. We are in the design phase. This is a collaboration with the Aurora Now Foundation.
A Better World (Part II): Co-creating Evolutionary Learning Communities in Mexico
Second phase of the learning and design process in urban neighborhoods in Monterrey, Mexico. Participants will have the opportunity to develop competencies as Evolutionary Systems Designers. This second phase of the project will involve the production of materials that will facilitate the dissemination and design of ELCs in other cities and eventually in other countries.

Past projects and activities

A Better World: Co-creating Learning Communities in Mexico
Design and facilitation of two learning communities with people of middle-class socio-economic status in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. The twenty people involved collaborated on the self-creation of ways to enhance their quality of life and better prepare for participation in the improvement of their communities. January to August 1998.
Systems Thinking and Transpersonal Transformation
A public workshop offered through the California Institute of Integral Studies. The topics covered included: systems thinking, syntony, evolutionary learning, sustainable development and social responsibility. November 1998.
Panel on Evolutionary Learning Community
Presentation given at the Summer Institute Conference of Sonoma State University, sponsored by the California Learning Community Consortium. November 1998.
Systems Thinking, Learning Communities, and Educational Change
A keynote address presented at Learning Millennium ’99, an on-line virtual conference sponsored by The Institute of Educational Studies (TIES). January 1999.
San Francisco as a Model City for the 21st Century
Facilitation of an on-going community forum on the generation of positive change initiatives in San Francisco. This project was undertaken in collaboration with the Action Coalition for Global Change and the Unity Foundation. January to March 1999.
Partners in Learning with Youth (PLY)
Consultation on the design of a mentoring program for the United Nations Association of San Francisco. January to May 1999.
Real Alternatives Program (RAP)
Facilitation of a course for high school students (at-risk youth) in the Mission District of San Francisco on conflict resolution and community building. March to July 1999.
Creating a Culture of Peace Festival
Co-sponsorship and provision of organizational support for the planning and production of the Peace Festival that took place on 18 September 1999, at SGI-USA Center, San Francisco. May to October 1999.

In addition, Syntony Quest has offered collaborative consulting services to the Kaos Pilots University, Stentor Resource Center Inc., Presidio World College, Foundation for Conscious Evolution, the Center for Knowledge Systems. Other organizations such as the Club of Budapest, the Coalition for Self-Learning, the Action Coalition for Global Change, the Council for Global Education, among others, have also benefited from the ideas of Syntony Quest.