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The SOLAR Centre
Centre for Social & Organisational Learning and Re-animation
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A New Action Research & Development Centre
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Early warning of initiatives for people with senior responsibility for
stimulating and supporting cultural change in public and voluntary
service/not-for-profit organisations.  SOLAR associates, post-graduate
students and programme participants work within organisations across the
not-for-profit public service sector.  They share a commitment to evolving
alternative understandings of learning and change processes, based on new
forms of action research and collaborative inquiry.

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Initiatives planned for the new year include:-
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~*~ Dilemmas & Choices for 'Change Agents' in an Instrumental World

~*~ International Open Forum Series.

~*~ Development Programmes

~*~ Post-graduate Action Research


Brief details of each follow . . .


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Dilemmas & Choices for 'Change Agents' in an Instrumental World
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You are invited to participate in two development days linked to a major
action research initiative "Moving from Rhetoric to Reality: Organisational
Learning and Reflective Practice".  This collaborative inquiry is supported
by Prof. Donald Schön, MIT, Prof. Susan Weil, Head of SOLAR, and 25
managers, development specialists and internal and external change
consultants from housing, health, police, HE, local government, voluntary
sector, government agencies, etc.  This group is testing assumptions about
roles, intervention and inquiry within their organisations.  Participants in
the open days will be drawn actively into this collaborative inquiry,
exploring dilemmas and alternatives for generating capacity for significant
(inter)organisational and professional learning in the context of increased
pressures for short term gain.
28 Feb & 28 May 97 (£410)
28 Feb only (£245)
Details currently available: [log in to unmask]; Tel:01604-735500x2626

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The SOLAR International Open Forum Series
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This series offers a unique opportunity to engage critically and creatively
with internationally respected thinkers and writers who have insights and
experience to offer to thinking and practice around organisational learning
and change.  SOLAR's Open Forums provide a refreshing contrast to
conferences which offer limited opportunity for personal engagement with key
figures.  All forums are designed to encourage open dialogue between guests
and participants, prior to and during the programme.  In groups of no larger
than 40, during a '24 hour plus' period, our guests will work out of the
actual challenges and dilemmas faced by participants, stimulating discussion
about alternative ways of thinking and acting in those situations.

Professor Gareth Morgan,
author of *Images of Organization*, *Imaginization*, and the new edition of
*Images* (out in UK, 3/96) is Distinguished Professor at York University,
Toronto, will be the guest at SOLAR's first Open Forum.
21-22 March 1997 (£385)
To hold a place, or to find out about other Open Forums, prior to details
being released, please contact [log in to unmask];
Tel: 01604-735500 x2626


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SOLAR's Development Programme Portfolio
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The Development Programme Portfolio will be available in January 97 and will
contain details of SOLARs International Open Forum Series as well as a broad
spectrum of Development Programmes.  These workshops, run by SOLAR's
international network of associates, will offer new insights on
organisational learning and cultural change processes in organisations
concerned with generating social value.  The Portfolio will include
subscription options for discounted block bookings for all programmes from
2-day events to programmes that will meet one day per month over a six month
period.

If you would like to reserve a copy of the SOLAR Portfolio email your postal
address to [log in to unmask]


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Post-graduate Action Research
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SOLAR is also planning to launch its first post-graduate cohort in 1997 and
an exciting group of senior managers, development specialists and
professionals is already emerging. They share an interest in SOLAR's
genuinely interdisciplinary stance, the continuity of support and
stimulation offered by the cohort sessions and the links the SOLAR Centre is
establishing nationally and internationally.  They intend, together, to
break new ground in collaborative inquiry and action research as key modes
of learning and change within the public sector.  Post-graduate students
fees will include access to selected Development Programmes and Open Forums.

If you would like to talk to Professor Susan Weil about post-graduate action
research opportunities at diploma, Mphil or PhD level, please email your
contact number to [log in to unmask], in the first instance.

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