3.3 So how do you ‘dance with the system’?

Now is a chance to take time to reflect on the system that surrounds the issue you are working on.

It is important to recognise that you will likely only see a partial picture of the different parts of the system that are connecting to your issue. Planning from the outset how you will stay alert to changes, gather feedback, learn and adapt as you go is essential.

Activity 3.1: Dancing with the system

Timing: Allow 10 minutes

Building on the analysis of the change you would like to see that you did in Unit 2, here are some additional questions to stimulate your thinking about the different actors and factors, the opportunities and the blockages, and the various interconnections that compose the system.

  • Which individuals, groups and institutions are most likely to influence the change you seek (whether as allies or opponents)?
  • Which individuals and groups will not be heard, and why not?
  • What examples of positive responses to the problem you’re wishing to address already exist within your community or further afield? What lessons can you learn or responses can you adapt?
  • How will you stay alert to changes in the system?

Add your reflections to the free text box, in the Make Change Happen Plan or in your own notebook.

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3.2 What is a system?

3.4 How do you understand power when making change happen?