Readings

The approach to social and ecological complexity that is pursued by The Proteus Initiative demands a thorough re-appraisal and re-alignment of our ways of understanding and responding to social and ecological situations as living phenomena. In this section we present a number of different readings to enable practitioners to experience some aspects of our approach and methodology with respect to social practice. We intend to update and add to this section of the website regularly and frequently so as to keep it alive.

Some of these writings have originally been published elsewhere, or have been written as reports for specific work assignments, or for our Board as reflections on our work. Others may be reflections on our work, on the methodologies we embrace, and on the world of social development. Most have been written during the last few years, though some are very recent. We will continue to add to this collection as we have the time and inspiration. The art of (creative) writing itself constitutes one of the most important aids to seeing and thinking in new ways. We would appreciate to hear from you if any of these readings touch you in any way whatsoever. We also invite contributions from social practitioners who would like to join this conversation.

The final entry (below) is a brief referral to writing by Goethean practitioners and researchers from outside of the world of social development. We include this as a guide for those who want to pursue the subject both in more depth as well as breadth.

1. Towards a Larger Integrity

A (rather elaborate) Invitation to Intrepid Development Practitioners (and their Organisations) to Engage in a Capacity Development Adventure

download/print PDF

2. Boundaries, Possibilities and Constraints amongst NGOs in South Africa: an In-depth Conversation

In June 2008 The Proteus Initiative hosted and facilitated a conversation: Boundaries, Possibilities and Constraints amongst NGOs in South Africa: an In-depth Conversation. The conversation explored the current situation in South Africa, focusing particularly on the NGO sector and how and where it has shifted since 1994. This conversation took place at a specific moment in South Africa’s history when a great deal of questioning, doubt and uncertainty was feeling its way to the surface. Three pieces, written by the facilitators, capture different angles of the conversation.

download/print PDF

3. Emerging out of Goethe - Conversation as a Form of Social Inquiry

For many, this has proved to be a particularly challenging piece; for others, especially inspiring. Originally published in a special edition of Janus Head entitled ‘Goethe’s Delicate Empiricism’ (Janus Head, Volume 8.1 Goethe’s Delicate Empiricism, Trivium Publications, USA, 2005) it is an attempt to describe a facilitated group process as a conversation based on a Goethean methodology. At the same time, it attempts to get underneath the formative forces which are compelling the global development sector to emerge as it is doing, with its particular challenges and distortions perpetrated in the name of assistance to marginalised people.

download/print PDF

4. Proteus and Towerland - A Story of our Time

This is a short piece concerning the genesis of, and relationship between, The Proteus Initiative and the Towerland Wilderness. It is a brief exploration of some of the major sources of inspiration which drive both impulses.

download/print PDF

5. A Sabbatical Journey

Originally published in a Community Development Resource Association annual report, this piece is a reflection on a journey through the United States at the time of the 9/11 destruction of the World Trade Centre. It combines a personal experience with reflections on the soul of America as well as Goethean methodology. An attempt to use a Goethean way of seeing to get to the meaning of a particular social situation.

download/print PDF

6. The Practice of Struggle is the Struggle to Practise.

Expanded from a report written originally for an anonymous client, this paper – written in the form of a story - is a reflection on the practice of a social practitioner as organisational consultant. At the same time it demonstrates a reading of a particularly intransigent social situation, and provides reflections on broader observations around questions of social struggle and the underlying dynamics of human endeavour.

download/print PDF

7. Development Interventions as the Crossroads of Consciousness

Adapted from an evaluation report for a client, this paper details aspects of a development intervention amongst the first people of southern Africa, the San. It is a reflection on the nature of development interventions, as well as being a meditation on the confluence between different, evolving forms of consciousness and our relationship with the world we inhabit.

download/print PDF

8. Engaging with Civil Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina

A report written for the international aid agency, CARE, this paper takes a ubiquitous request for the development sector - a conventional assignment for a consultant to make recommendations as to future CARE strategy - and turns it into an in-depth narrative addressed to the underlying character of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a meditation on aspects of civil society, and a commentary on the aid sector itself. It utilises a Goethean approach to a very complicated social situation, couched within the format required by the client.

download/print PDF

9. Facilitation and Meaning

Originally published in Sue Soal’s book ‘Holding Infinity’, (Holding Infinity, Sue Soal, Community Development Resource Association, 2004), this paper discusses the art of facilitation by looking at different levels of intervention which the facilitator can engage in. It opens up new ways of looking at an art which is too often practised in instrumental and technical fashion.

download/print PDF

10. The Development of Capacity

Originally published by the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (The Development of Capacity, NGLS Development Dossier, 1999), this piece was written on the cusp between critiquing old approaches to social change and development, and finding a viable new way forward. It has been very well received all over the world, touching many people’s concerns with outmoded ways of dealing with social development practice, and indicating the beginning of a way forward.

download/print PDF

11. Seeking the Eye of the Needle.

Originally published in a Community Development Resource Association annual report, this piece in a sense summarises some perspectives gleaned from fifteen years of working inside the global development, or aid, sector. Of course it can provide glimpses of aspects only, but it does, hopefully, help to challenge common lethargy and bureaucratic indolence with the provocation of insight.

download/print PDF

12. The Wupperthal Stories

Many years ago a book called The Development Practitioner’s Handbook was published (The Development Practitioner’s Handbook, Allan Kaplan, Pluto Press, 1996). This book took the novel approach of interspersing chapters of text and theory with very short stories about a rural community worker and the community in which he was working. Despite the appreciation with which the book as a whole was met, many readers maintained that they were most touched and educated by the stories themselves. Such stories are a different way of appreciating a social situation. We have therefore decided to include these stories here, one following the other, without the book’s accompanying text. Perhaps they still appeal.

download/print PDF

13. Goethean Resources – Some References

This brief entry contains references to writing by other Goethean scholars, researchers and practitioners – outside of the field of social intervention - which we have found inspirational, and which form the foundation for our understanding of a living methodology and approach.

download/print PDF