| A key aspect of
our approach is on integrating problems or challenges as we
call them into the solution sets that we offer. We feel it
is important to when looking at world urgent issues to integrate
them with the solution sets we are formulating. To do this
we have developed a phased program for implementing necessary
reforms for ensure effective development strategies for underserved
communities in non-affluent parts of the world. This includes
the development of a mindmapping tool called
the Integrated Knowledge Wheel.
The Pillars
The OVF Initiative (OVI) is a comprehensive platform for sustainable
economic development, that is designed to have many areas
of application in addition to underserved communities. The
pillars are the foundation for the OVI and the oneVillage.biz
social enterprise Network. The Knowledge Wheel consists of
six pillars Economy, ecology, education, health care, governance
and culture and tradition. This is one tool we use to identify
areas of challenge that prevent synergistic interactions in
the community that maximize existing infrastructure and capacity,
ss part of our initial community inventory analysis. The pillars,
and the concentric rings around them, describe the ecology
of community revitalization.
The Knowledge Wheel is designed to evolve from
the core Pillar concepts to The white labels in the lower
left areas of the integrated knowledge wheel diagram reflect
the succession of developments in each 'pie slice'. The pillars
are actually basic areas of knowledge.
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Pillars (concept/thinktank) |
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Initiatives (concept being incubated as a part
of self-sustainble local economic ecosystem) |
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Businesses (fully developed social enterprises
that generate value added ROI and can be used to replicate
best practices to other regions) |
When the village decides to make a difference
in one of the pillars, it starts an initiative,
for example, organic farming, usually on a shoestring basis.
As initiatives become successful, they may become businesses
– the outer ring – such as efficient farms and cooperatives.
As these busineses develop they are incubated
by the oneVillage.biz Network and they evolve
towards the outer ring of the mandala developing a business
oriented knowledge base that can replicated to other regions
that have similar conditions and challenges locally as well
as globally. This encourages synergies between
each part of the community so that potential of each is maximized
towards increasing the overall quality of life in the community.
Unity Centers
A central component to the implementation of this locally
based community oriented strategy involves the development
of Unity Centers, which are training and
development hubs for the OVI programs. These hubs will be
designed to expedite the process of replicating the ecovillage
or sustainable village concept by offering programs that cover
all the aspects of the Integrated knowledge wheel.
The oneVillage Community includes
Field Agents and others who support the oneVillage mission
at the local level and also the extended OVF EcoPartner network
of affiliated organizations. In Social Edge Bottom Up Economy
Jargon this is referred to as Cross-Sectional Partnerships.
In oneVillage terminology these are referred to as EcoPartnerships.
Their role is to provide connectivity for end-to-end-human
services.
Holistic ICT for Development
The holistic ICT for development component of our program
is focused on developing and deploying ICT applications that
help to integrate the pillars of the Knowledge Wheel. Holistic
ICT revolves around the design of computer and
internet technologies to better connect people with the projects
they participate in around relevant knowledge, resources and
networks, increasing productivity and the integration of the
various parts of the community development program (as outlined
in the mandala). The Connection Portal is the
connection point between the physical community
and virtual ICT augmented global network.
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Track real market prices for their
products |
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Educate their children to use the Internet |
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Ask family members abroad for marketing support |
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Gather necessary data to certify crops as organic |
The development of productive and economically viable
ventures sprouting out from Unity
Centers is the necessary beginning point
of grassroots sustainable development.
The Unity Center is the core of the Ecosystem –
the beginning point in community revitalization and
social transformation at the local level.
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