Happy New Year guys!
For those of you who don’t know me, (which probably amounts to everyone) my name is Thor Steinhovden and I will be interning with Nick and Suzanne here at SSE during January. Originally from Norway (where I lived until age 18) I now study Political Science and History at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Thanks to the work of Nick and the Center of Experiential Learning at St. Olaf, I’ve been given the opportunity to come and learn about what goes on here at SSE. Since I just flew in yesterday and I’m still reading up on what’s going on at SSE, I figured I’d write a bit about my first impressions of England.
I must admit that for the past two days I have on occasion nodded and smiled, pretending to understand all the slang and quick British chatter everywhere I go. In Minnesota we like to drag out our accent and after two and a half years of "Offfda" (you say it with a sigh) and "Lutefisk" (Norwegian fish dish, I wouldn’t recommend it) it could prove to be a bit of a challenge to get used to London. That being said, I am thrilled to be here and delighted to finally have met everyone at the office. I’ve learned the importance of making tea to my fellow colleagues, but I don’t think I’ll dare to attempt it today – according to Nick, a lot of the first impression is riding on this ritual….
"It’s so cold outside, I’m freezing to death," were the first words uttered to me by my new flatmate when she opened the door. Apparently, she has never been to Minnesota, where –10’c and snow was the daily routine all through December. It’s supposed to snow in London today, and I’m not certain but I think it’s the first snow this winter. A bit late isn’t it? Not exactly the way it used to be, but then again, things change. As I was reading through Nick’s latest blog, I came across the article about Alastair Wilson, the current head of the SSE. Alastair commented that "I think there is a change in the wind," talking primarily about the Rudd government in Australia. Although meant very specifically in this context, I noticed this line at once – it seems to resurface in a lot of the literature related to social entrepreneurship.
I bring this sentence up because that is one feature that’s not different whether one is in London or Minneapolis. I’ve heard a lot of talk about change, but this is my real-life encounter with it. I’ve seen it in my fellow students back at school, and it is surely present here at SSE. I remember reading that social entrepreneurship is the way of the future. I am sure some would disagree with the extent of its impact, but I think we’re already seeing that change today, which makes the future of SSE as bright as the first light the day after New Years. After sitting in with a class of future fellows, I am really looking forward to the next month when I will be able to see these "changemakers" first hand and learn from the very talented people here at SSE. It’s almost like putting a face to a well-known name, and I know now that the change so often mentioned in relation to social entrepreneurship is real. I know that the work these people strive to do here today will without a doubt make an impact on tomorrow.
Locally in the Exmoor and West Somerset area, I have been pressing the need to improve communications between people for many years.
The criticism I get most often is that ‘talking about change or regeneration’ is not ‘doing change or regeneration’.
It is my belief that the more we get local people talking together locally about regeneration and social improvement, the more likely we are to identify projects that will enhance our rurally deprived area.
In the real world, we bring farmers together to create a farmers market. Estate agents gather together in the same part of town to create a market for properties. The City of London is made up of people having financial services in common.
Why should the concept of an ‘ideas market’ be so criticised?
Frequently, businesses locate themselves close to motorways because they can achieve more efficient distribution for their products.
Is it too far fetched to imagine that a rural area could create a cyberspace highway to it’s door that would be at least as efficient in creating local jobs and regeneration?
The cyberspace highway may be composed of links to like minded people or other thinkers, or it may be a series of related discussion boards concerning local issues, but the beneficial effect in improving average local wages may be the same.
I would love to know what you guys think on this issue.