It will bring together visionaries, activists, and leaders as a gathering of equals to explore together visions for the future in areas of sustainability, peak oil, climate change, economics, politics, renewable energy, food security, transition towns, bioregionalism, permaculture, compassionate living and culture change.

Highlights for the Thursday, Nov. 10 - Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 conference include:

* Over arching Futurism Theme: By the end of the conference, each participant will: 1. Have a clear vision for a realistic, positive future for themselves and their community; 2. Understand the in depth facts and forecasts regarding the economy, the energy supply, and the environment; and 3. Determine what actions they will personally take to prepare for the future.

* Leadership Focus: The conference is designed specifically with the leader, activist and visionary in mind. People already in positions of leadership, especially in the areas of education and community service, are the typical participant.

* Three Cutting Edge Economists, Dr. Steve Keen of Australia, Nicole Foss of Canada and Tom Greco of Thailand. Dr. Keen recently was honored with the Real World Economics Review in 2010 for being the economist who most cogently warned of the economic crisis, and whose work is most likely to prevent future crises. In September, Dr. Keen was awarded $125,000 by the Institute for New Economic Thinking, a foundation established by George Soros to find more accurate ways of understanding economics. International speaker Nicole Foss is former editor of The Oil Drum Canada, senior editor of The Automatic Earth financial blog, and currently on tour in Europe. Tom Greco is author of Money: Understanding It and Creating Alternatives to Legal Tender and author of The End of Money and the Future of Civilization.

* Dephi Method Economic Forecasting: The economists provide detailed forecast for the global politics, economics, and impacts in various markets for 2012. The conference utilizes the Delphi Method to build the forecast, live and in person, at the conference, and address questions of the participants.

* TED Style Talks: Nationally and internationally known speakers populate the agenda, delivering powerful and short TED style talks. Most speakers participate in the full conference to engage in discussions and answer questions

* Two dozen Expert Speakers, including: Kurt Cobb (ASPO-USA), Albert Bates (The Biochar Solution), T.S. Bennett (Life at the End of Empire), Sally Erickson (Blue Heron Farm intentional community), Jan Lundberg (Culture Change.org), KMO (C-Realm Podcast), Dr. Guy McPherson (professor emeritus, University of Arizona, Nature Bats Last), Gloria Flora (fellow, Post Carbon Institute), Peter Sinclair (Climate Denial Crock of the Week), and more

* Full Five Day Program: Providing abundant time of networking, discussions, social time, and training sessions; also featuring three-day core program for those unable to attend the full conference.

* Open Space Technology: Each day features an open space period, where any participant may convene a seminar, workshop, discussion section, etc. Participants choose from these choices, or form their own session.

* Panel to Whole Discussions: Featured speakers are engaged by an expert interviewer, then questions from the participants, and finally structured discussion of the topic on hand by the entire assembly.

* General Assembly Deliberative Sessions: Utilizing consensus based discussion and decision making following the Occupy Wall Street model

* Retreat Style Format: Combining structured daily dialogue sessions, individual journaling opportunities, and scheduled silent reflection periods

* Vegan Friendly: Multiple vegan options are available for all meals, including optional evening banquets

* Resort Setting: East of lovely Traverse City, Shanty Creek Resort is set in a rural, wooded area, well away from the city, and above beautiful Lake Bellaire to the west, featuring stunning sunsets, generous outdoor walking areas, and free shuttle to the Village of Bellaire, only 5-minutes away. Free wi-fi is available throughout the resort. Guests of the resort also have free access to an indoor heated pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, weight room, and stationary walking, bike, stair room. Save on hotel cost by doubling or tripling up.

* Affordable Registration: Discount registration offering 50% of the normal rate is now available. Many volunteer opportunities exist for low-income, seniors, students, etc.

The VAL conference bringing together visionaries, activists, and leaders to explore together visions for the future, including the areas of sustainability, peak oil, climate change, economics, politics, renewable energy, food security, transition towns, bioregionalism, permaculture, compassionate living and culture change. The event is a wedding of the best features of conference, colloquium, and retreat.

For more information and to register, visit:

http://sustainabilityconference.org/

Aaron Wissner
Director
International Conference on Sustainability, Transition & Culture Change: Vision, Action Leadership

* * * * *

If you are interested in joining this gathering, you are invited to register.

To keep up to date on conference news, join the Local Future page on Facebook.

For questions, email: organizer [at] localfuture.org

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