Application deadline 25 April 2013 | download flyer
Background
The International Network of Resource Information Centers, more commonly known as "The Balaton Group," is an international network of researchers and practitioners in fields related to systems and sustainability. Founded in 1982 by Dennis Meadows and Donella Meadows—co-authors of the ground-breaking book "The Limits to Growth"—the Balaton Group is a cross-disciplinary, multi-cultural, and inter-generational meeting point for leaders and thinkers in sustainable development. Information about the Group, its members, and its history can be found at this website: www.balatongroup.org
After the untimely death of Donella Meadows in 2001, the Steering Committee of the Balaton Group established a program in her memory whose purpose was to empower young and emerging leaders in sustainability research and practice. Fellows are principally, though not exclusively, women from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe; but application is open to men and topeople from other regions of the world. This program finances the participation of approximately four promising new Balaton Group Members every year, as Donella Meadows Fellows.
Formally, the Balaton Group holds an annual meeting once every year. The annual "Balaton Group Meeting" brings together 50 leading scientists, teachers, consultants, writers, and managers in a multi-disciplinary,collaborative environment that encourages debate and learning founded on the highest scientific standards, free of political and economic pressures.
Since its founding in 1982, Balaton Group members have consistently advanced the boundaries of research and strategy for sustainable development. Over 30 books, more than a hundred conferences, and uncounted computer models, training programs, research projects, planningmethods, and educational games have emerged from collaboration among its members.
2013 Donella Meadows Fellowship
Program Description
The Donella Meadows Fellowship provides (1) full financial support for attendance at the annual Balaton Group Meeting, this year scheduled for 19- 24 September 2013; (2) a small stipend of $1,000 to cover additional expenses associated with a Fellowship Project developed as a result of their participation in the Balaton Group; and (3) access to a group of potential partners and mentors who can provide either formal or informal support to the Fellow, depending on what emerges during the course of the annual meeting.
While our aim is to advance sustainability in general, meeting topics are chosen to create a context for our discussions. This year's meeting will aim to understand the dynamics of technological development, embedded in socio-ecological systems or regimes – in diverse domains of human needs. The current unsustainable systems seem to have strong resilience. Deeply engrained value sets and beliefs, layers of legislation and institutional frameworks co-evolve with incumbent technologies. What are the options of unsettling the current regimes? How can new technologies – for sustainable agriculture, transportation, energy, and so on - be developed along with new, sustainable and resilient socio-ecological systems?
The fellows are required to attend the orientation on 19th, starting in the morning in Budapest, Hungary. The 32nd Annual Meeting of the Balaton Group will formally open with dinner on Thursday, 19 September, on the shore of Lake Balaton, in the town of Balatonszemes.
Morning sessions will consist of presentations by speakers on sub-themes chosen for each day during the four principal meeting days. Afternoons at the Balaton Group Meeting are devoted to "open space", self-organized discussions and workshops. These afternoon sessions often result in new projects and initiatives that are spun out of the Group and into various institutions. Our meeting will formally close on 24 September at 11:00 am, after a short wrap-up discussion and business meeting.
If you wish to apply for support through this Fellowship to attend the forthcoming meeting of the Balaton Group, please fill in and submit the attached application by 25 April 2013. We will review all the applications we receive. Selected Fellows will be notified by 20 May 2013. The Fellowship award is contingent upon the Fellow being able to participate fully in the annual Balaton Group Meeting, 19-24 September 2013, in Balatonszemes, Hungary (there will be orientation for the Fellows the morning of 19 September, the meeting begins formally with dinner that evening).
Applications should be submitted to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Applicants for the Fellowship should be finished with their formal education, be less than 40 years old, and be engaged professionally in an organizationor in projects that solve problems related to environment and sustainable development in their own country. They also must have a command of English that is good enough to permit full participation in our meetings.
2013 Donella Meadows Fellowship Application
If you wish to be considered for this Fellowship, use three pages or less to provide the information requested below. Send those pages along with two letters of recommendation and your resume to the email address listed at the end of this page. We must receive your materials by 25 April 2013the latest in order for you to be considered as a participant in the September 2013 meeting.
- Name and Contact information – Organisation, postal address, telephone and e-mail.
- Describe your educational background.
- What is your current work?
- Why are you interested in sustainable development?
- What role does systems thinking or formal methods of modeling and systems analysis play in your work, if any? Please describe that role briefly.
- What do you hope to be doing professionally over the next 5 years?
- Mention one or two professional networks in which you are currently active. Describe one in some detail and explain how it is important to you.
- What would be one important result you might hope to gain from participating in the Balaton Group?
- Describe something you have accomplished that made you very proud.
- Would your schedule permit you to participate in the Balaton Group meeting on 19-24 September 2013 in Hungary?
- How would you describe your competence in English?
Please sign and date your statement.
Please attach two letters of recommendation.
Each should include a telephone number and email that would permit us to contact the referee.
Please attach a current copy of your curriculum vitae or resume.
Please send your application by email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
... to arrive by25 April 2013.If your application is accepted following short-listing and review, you will be contacted on or shortly after 20 May 2013. For more information on the Balaton Group: www.balatongroup.org The 2013 Donella Meadows Fellowship is sponsored by the Dutch Postcode Lottery