1. The impossible takes a little time
Convention of Environmental Laureates
convened by the European Environmental Fund
Freiburg, Germany, April 2014
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
Sustainable lifestyle change in focus at the

2. The impossible takes a little time
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
What we set out to do in 1990 was
impossible. But, like the bumblebee in
flight, we didn’t know that. So far, we’ve
tackled three impossible things and are
looking at number four.

3. The impossible takes a little time
A 25-year journey learning about behaviour change
Keys: networking and partnership
Our work and results would be impossible
without cooperation. We are happy to find
new partners, new cooperative projects.
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4. A 25-year journey
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5. First challenge
To bring about long-lasting, sustainable behaviour change
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
Lifestyle of the affluent:
key to both global problems and solutions.
1. Modify our own lifestyles
2. Help others do the same
3. Research. It works!

6. First challenge: timeline
To bring about long-lasting, sustainable behaviour change
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
1989: Lifestyle experiments
1990: Launch of the EcoTeam program
1992: First results reported in Rio
1996: Basic program development complete
2013: Most recent new-country EcoTeam development: Ukraine

7. Second challenge
To transfer methods, tools and materials to new cultures
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
More countries want to join.
In some cases the materials were translated, the methods
copied, yet the program failed to deliver. Need for cultural
adaptation:
1. Analyze, experiment
2. Synthesize underlying pedagogy
3. Evaluate. It works!

8. Second challenge: timeline
To transfer methods, tools and materials to new cultures
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
1993-6: Three countries fail to get hoped-for results
with EcoTeams
The member organizations are disbanded
Those new members who succeed take 3-4 years
1995-7: Development of a methodology for cultural adaptation
1998: Adaptation time reduced to 10-12 months
2011: Most recent new-country adaptation: Hungary

9. Third challenge
More effective learning from experience
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A host of programs with common pedagogy.
Why is it so difficult to learn from project experience?
The planet is not waiting: we need to learn faster and
more effectively.
1. Action research
2. Trial
3. Dissemination and on-going learning
4. Evaluation: it works!

10. Third challenge: timeline
More effective learning from experience
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
1998- Multiplication of applications
Action research into underlying pedagogy
2005: Formulation of research question: how to learn
more effectively
2006: R&D team begins work
2009: First ‘Learning for Change’ workshop;
60 participants, all continents, 49 case studies
2009-14: Workshops & facilitator training in Europe, Africa, Asia

11. Fourth challenge
Scaling up
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
It still takes time. Too much time.
Can we harness new methods, technology
to effectively reach many, many more people?
1. Experimentation: web campus, social media…
2. Ideas about associative databases
3. Looking at marketing, mass media
4. … More research?

12. Fourth challenge: now what?
Scaling up
Global Action Plan International 2014 | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com
2013 Member organizations in 25 countries
Several million program participants to date,
including some through on-line programs
Web campus set up
Other experiments with modern technology
2014: Action research proposals being drafted
together with several universities

13. Yes, the impossible takes a little time
But we keep flying.

14. Yes, the impossible takes a little time
And we keep flying
in partnership
marilyn@globalactionplan.com

15. An international association of NGOs
Marilyn Mehlmann,
General Secretary
Global Action Plan International | globalactionplan.com | secretariat@globalactionplan.com