Neigborocracy - an Indian success story in grassroots governance

1000 Better Stories

In our last episode this year, we hear about the success story of Neighbourocracy movement in India, its promise for community driven action on climate and its current expansion into Europe.

Tim Daly recorded a conversation with Joseph Rathinam, Director of International Networking and Development for the Neighbourocracy Network, during his visit to Scotland at the end of September. They introduce history of the movement, its principles, examples of how it’s worked in India, and the ways it could help tackle climate issues. They also explain how everyone can get involved in spreading this way of working here in Scotland and the support available. We also hear brief reflections from three of the participants in Joseph’s workshop hosted by Galgael Trust at Govan in Glasgow: Laura, Gehan (one of GalGael directors), and Kim.

Tim’s work was funded by SCCAN’s Storytelling mini-grant. Applications are open until December 31 for anyone who would like to contribute a story to the 1000 Better Stories podcast or blog.

Tim Daly is a Community Worker in Cumbernauld. He’s been involved with Neighbourocracy since December 2019. He has helped to develop networks in Portugal and the UK, as well as contributing in a small way to the recently released Sociocratic Neighbourhood Circles (SONEC) booklet. All this has been done under the guidance of excellent teachers such as Father Edwin Maria John, Joseph Rathinam and Nathaniel Whitestone.

Credits

Tim Daly – interviewing and recording

Kaska Hempel – editing

Resources

Tim Daly contact: [e-mail]

Joseph Rathinam contact: [e-mail]

Neighbourocracy in India http://neighbourocracy.org/

Sociocratic Neighbourhood Circles (SONEC) Handbook https://sonec.org/sonec-handbook/

Neighborhood Community Networks https://ncnworld.org/

Sociocracy definition from Sociocracy for All website https://www.sociocracyforall.org/sociocracy/

GalGael Trust, Govan https://www.galgael.org/