Holding steady in turbulent times

My soul has been a little unsteady as I enter my 60th year (I turned 59yo in April 2026). The world feels unsteady as Trump and other big White Men run riot in their adolescent tantrums. Work feels unsteady, wondering what's possible and how to be of service in the world. Unsteady. It calls for holding my balance. Soul and eros. Structure and flexibility. Intention and responsivity.

Yet, in all this, plenty is going on.

Since January this year, friends within Community Praxis Co-op and Nundah Community Enterprise Co-op have been launching and celebrating our new The Community Builders Journal. This is a beautifully curated resource for citizens and professionals wanting to weave, nurture, build just and sustainable community in their streets, neighbourhoods, workplaces or schools (or anywhere). A 51 week guide (yes, a week is put aside to read the introduction), where individuals or groups can explore each idea, story, reflection questions and an invitation to experiment in action. Plus 12 recipies for celebration. Check it out here.

The work Rachael and I are doing in Nepal in partnership with the NGO Sahakarmi Samaj continues to flourish. We took 11 Australian's on a learning exchange last year and conducted 20 weeks of research with Nepali partners and practitioners. That book on Transformative Community Development is being launched in Kathmandu this November, when we also return for another learning exchange with 11 Australians. Reach out if you want information about our 2027 trip. And check out the book cover:

Some Australia CD practitioners on our 2025 learning exchange meeting a Community Group in Nepal

I continue to enjoy work in co-operative development and community development, both with BCCM and am also with Nundah Coop. Some recent research on their approach is being shared in the 1,5 hour online offering - come along to: Fostering a Developmental Practice

Meanwhile, as long as Trump/Israel/Iran can find some peace, we will be off to the UK from 9 June - 5 July, mostly to attend the Glasgow based International Association of CD conference. We are very excited to be seeing old friends and hopefully making new ones - as well as pausing and learning some new stuff.

We're leaning into 2027. Reach out if you'd like to discuss offerings or invitations around learning, supervision, conference keynotes or research.