Delta Americas

Through the recent tumultuous times, there has been an awakening to the need for systems change. The challenges are vast, inflation, climate change impacts, Roe v. Wade overturn, contests to democracy, war and the need for a new economy that provides equity and reparations are some of them. A holistic perspective allows us to understand the root causes and therefore embrace different dimensions of our current, complex challenges. Many more people are starting to get interested in what the field of systems change practice can offer.

Responding to this, we piloted a new course in collaboration with MitOst and Bosch Alumni Network, and are now ready to offer it more widely.

Delta is an initial exploration of this broad field, with an introduction to several frameworks that can support working with complexity. This course is unique in that the content will be co-designed in the first session, allowing you to bring forward what makes sense for you right now! With interactive online sessions, experiencing a social learning approach and creative content, you will learn and reflect on critical actions that might shape change for the better.

Delta is an introduction to systems change over five weeks. The course starts by introducing key concepts and approaches behind systemic practices, before giving the cohort the opportunity to decide to focus on several of these practices during the remaining sessions. This leads to a set of three tools or frameworks from across the field, introduced and applied over three weeks. The final session is focused on pattern spotting, and personal reflection on how to integrate learning into everyday work.

The three frameworks will be proposed by the facilitation team from a large selection from across the field which includes futures, regenerative development, systems dynamics, transitions management, and more. Our multi-method approach brings this course to life.

A core component of the programme is the opportunity to join a peer learning group to apply learning to a live challenge during the sessions. Challenges are sourced among the cohort, with previous groups being formed around topics as diverse as supporting refugee children learn in new ways post-pandemic to countering the rise in motorised transport in Egyptian cities.

Learning Outcomes

Through this course, you will:

• Acquire introductory knowledge and application of tools and frameworks from across the systems change field;
• Gain guidance from experienced systems coaches on using tools and frameworks on your complex challenge;
• Start to orientate yourself to what it means to integrate systemic ways of working and collaborating; and
• Engage in a virtual learning environment of passionate, systems-minded changemakers.

How we host

Our sessions emphasize interactive facilitated learning. Each session includes:

• Exploration and discussion of systems change concepts including reflection and discussion in pairs, small groups, and with the full cohort;
• Framework learning and application time (i.e. dedicated time to try out the framework around a group challenge, ask questions to the facilitator and cohort, get into the nitty-gritty of how to apply in practice);
• Case studies where the framework or tool was applied to help steer or progress the work; and
• Cohort building time (e.g. small group discussion and reflection).

Producer

Sarena Chan

Partnership and Programs Lead at the School of System Change

Sarena leads on partnership and program development at the School of the System Change ...

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Is Delta for me?

Delta will work well for you if:

• You have little to some exposure to systems change;
• You are keen to start exploring what systems change looks like in your field through a blend of theory, hands-on application and discussion;
• You are seeking an entry point to learn more about systems change over five weeks and possibly exploring longer learning engagements in the future.

Who else will be on the course?

Mirroring system change principles in our cohort, we aim for a group of around twenty people, representing:

• A wide diversity of worldviews, lived experience, and perspectives
• A range of professional contexts - including business, non-profit, government, philanthropy, and other enablers of change
• A variety of complex challenges in sustainability and social change

We seek to create safe and brave spaces for participants from different backgrounds and lived experience to engage in learning together. We acknowledge the power and responsibility we hold in our role as a convenor and learning provider, placing multiple ways of knowing and awareness of difference as fundamental design principles in our programmes.

Read more about our commitment and journey around equity and difference here.

Accessibility needs

If you will need additional support for your wellbeing or access needs, then please let the team know as soon as possible, so we can factor this into our session design. You can let us know in the application form or email us at hello@schoolofsystemchange.org - we are happy to arrange a call to discuss how we can support your learning. Our producer, Sarena, will also be on hand throughout the course if you have any questions or concerns to raise. 

Delta includes 12 hours of instruction over 5 weeks, varying between 2-3 hours a session. In addition to five sessions, changemakers can access 1-to-1 coaching with an experienced systems facilitator to deepen their practice. Please note the different timezones.

Course dates

• Thurs Mar 2nd 12:00 - 15:00 PT / 15:00 - 18:00 ET (Fri Mar 3rd 09:00 - 12:00 NZ)
• Thurs Mar 9th 12:00 - 14:00 PT / 15:00 - 17:00 ET (Fri Mar 10th 09:00 - 11:00 NZ)
• Thurs Mar 16th 12:00 - 14:00 PT / 15:00 - 17:00 ET (Fri Mar 17th 08:00 - 10:00 NZ)
• Thurs Mar 23rd 12:00 - 14:00 PT / 15:00 - 17:00 ET (Fri Mar 24th 08:00 - 10:00 NZ)
• Thurs Mar 30th 12:00 - 15:00 PT / 15:00 - 18:00 ET (Fri Mar 31st 08:00 - 11:00 NZ)
• Optional 1-to-1 coaching period scheduled according to your availability during and after the course ends

Timing

Each online session starts at 12:00 PT / 15:00 ET (09:00 / 08:00 NZ) for a 2 or 3 hour session. The first and last sessions are 3 hours long while the three sessions in between are 2 hours long.

Time committment between sessions

Delta is designed for all learning to happen in the sessions themselves, with no homework! We will provide further readings for those interested, but there is no expectation other than being fully present at the scheduled session times.

A note about online sessions

To get the most out of this experience, we ask you to do everything you can to arrange your schedule so you can be fully present for all sessions. Please note that this is to support the learning experience of your fellow participants as well as your own. If it is impossible for you to join us for a part of or an entire session for any reason, please let the team know as soon as possible so that we can take this into account with our session design.

The School of System Change is continually working to improve the financial accessibility of our courses. It is our intention that those able to finance the higher tier fees contribute at the full rate, in order to support others to access the discounted rates. 

Please join the Delta Americas team for a 45-minute information session on Thu January 26, 2023, 3:00 PM EST / 9:00 AM NZT.

Register here

Complete our application form by Wednesday 8th February 2023, 5pm EDT. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes. You can save your progress as you go and have the option to keep a copy of your answers at the end.

Apply now

Are you interested in speaking with one of our team to answer any specific questions you may have? Please use the buttons below or just shoot us an email at hello@schoolofsystemchange.org. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

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