Roisin Markham

Today is a significant one for me, it marks four years of action holding space for conversations and actions on doughnut economics in Ireland.

Kate Raworth told the story at the recent IDEN & Allies event, have a listen (00:02:46 – 00:04:16)

Who knew that starting a conversation could lead to inspiring others globally to get into action, an Irish network of doughnutters – curious learners, activators and practitioners?

In Ireland, we do know the power of starting conversations, it’s been harnessed for social change and successful legal constitutional referendums, Repel the 8th and Marriage Equality. This is recognised globally as activation for change, storytelling. We are also recognised for our contribution to Citizens Assemblies and the development of emergent active democracy.

To me organising a chat is second nature. I never paid it much heed. I just got into action.

I’ve realised in the last few years that I get into action easily. More easily than others, I’ve been told I have a lot of agency. I use it regeneratively and openly. I’ve written about this before and where it stems from in my living with questions.

I make space for others. Professionally I design and hold spaces for co-design, research, exploring knowledge & ideas, vision and strategy, planning and delivery, managing change and risk. So for me a virtual cuppa was something that stemmed from building relationships from early days of blogging and twitter. You took those digital connections into real world conversations and went from there.

IDEN, the Irish Doughnut Economics Network is a larger version of that created in the commons. It is only as strong as the energy we add to it.

Today at 11am four years after the very first virtual cuppa, I will be hosting and celebrating.