Beyond Consultation

Ep 29: Human Learning Systems for Aotearoa New Zealand, with Dr. Toby Lowe

Beyond Consultation

Show Notes

Introducing Dr. Toby Lowe

BONUS SUMMARY VERSION AVAILABLE HERE

Today's guest is Dr. Toby Lowe, who is going to give you a choice about what kind of public service world you want to believe in? He is the lead voice behind what is fast becoming a global movement called The Human Learning Systems Movement.

And it's all about making a different choice when working in public service. It’s about recognising the full person in front of you. It is based on learning, rather than control. Looking at the underlying causes behind the symptoms that you might be seeing, and really trying to get an understanding of the messiness of what's going on, rather than trying to make things linear.

What I wanted to do with Toby was explore what it might mean to embrace human learning systems here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In today’s episode you’ll learn:

How do we translate Human Learning Systems into language that makes sense in New Zealand - or do we build our own?

Why it’s important to be ‘human to each other’ in a public service setting.

The importance of experimenting to create effective local solutions.

Thoughts on how we can invest our time and energy centrally vs. locally.

Resources mentioned in this episode

Dr. Toby Lowes’ LinkedIn profile

https://realworld.report/ - the latest book on Human Learning Systems - free to access, with 400+ pages of stories and insights

https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/assets/documents/hls-real-world-summary.pdf - a summary version of the latest book, at only 60 pages.

https://www.humanlearning.systems/ - the central place for learning more about Human Learning Systems and joining the movement

https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/ - The think-tank Toby works for which is reimagining government.

https://www.psa.org.nz/assets/Uploads/ProgressiveThinking-Toby-Brown-Adrian-Lowe-Thea-Snow.pdf- article on how to embrace HLS in a post-COVID world

https://inspiringcommunities.org.nz/shaping-the-future/ - a collection of resources related to various integrated systems shifts

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