The aim of this project is to develop a coherent, comprehensive and integrated theoretical framework based on the best emerging ideas and practices validating the desirability, urgent necessity and practical feasibility of transition to a new economy capable of promoting high levels of human welfare and well-being in a sustainable manner. Challenging and questioning existing orthodox perspectives in order to reduce their influence on thought and practice is one important objective. Another core objective of the project is to serve as an integrator for the wide range of excellent work that has already been done around the world on new and alternative theoretical perspectives in order to present many diverse, but internally consistent efforts within a comprehensive, coherent and cohesive framework. Integration will also involve efforts to document the combined and cumulative potential impact of new sectoral theory and practices on the overall promotion of sustainable human welfare and well-being. The fourth objective is to identify and encourage new thinking on critically important issues that have not been satisfactorily resolved, such as the value and belief systems underpinning social theory and the interdependencies between social, political and economic forms of power.
The strategy is to bring the debate back to where it belongs (the world we want to live in), to clarify the role and function of economy as a tool and mechanism for humanity to address its needs and aspirations; to project sound theoretical concepts backed by hard facts and present them in a form accessible to a great number of interested and concerned citizens. The theory and delivery mechanisms will provide the know-how and the educational mechanisms to place a new understanding of economics squarely into the public debate.
The project methodology includes formulation of a comprehensive course framework, validation of the framework by consultation with a wide range of international experts, convening of working group meetings of experts to examine and expand each major component of the framework into a core syllabus, preparation of course outlines and actual lectures by course developers supervised by expert committees, videotaping of live lectures combined with live interactions with audiences of experts; publication of a comprehensive book based on the lectures; preparation of an online course, including special lectures by renowned economists, TEDx type talks, and other communication tools for distribution to universities, businesses, NGOs and the media. The project will also draw on a wide range of existing research, books, articles, audio and video presentations wherever possible to complement and supplement new content generated by the project.
The output of the project will be generated in multiple forms suitable for addressing a wide range of different audiences:
- A full set of written lectures and teaching materials for classroom delivery of college level course
- A full set of recorded video lectures and teaching materials for delivery on-line for credit or as a MOOC
- Short video presentations in TED Talk style for addressing specific audiences on specific subjects
- Communication tools for addressing a wide range of social institutions