Bridging Transitions: The Multifaceted Role of Systems Mediation - part 1 of 3

A round table of relevant frameworks for systems mediation

In our previous blog posts, we ventured into the realm of systems mediation, a topic that has garnered strong interest and thoughtful engagement. The enthusiastic response and the deep curiosity expressed have been both gratifying and enlightening, revealing a keen desire for further exploration into the field of systems mediation. Recognizing the need for a deeper dive, we're thrilled to embark on a more detailed journey.

In this first instalment of a three-part mini-series, we focus on the foundational aspects of systems mediation, uncovering its raison d'être and the diverse thought currents and models that have inspired and shaped this transformative approach.

While beginning our journey with the theoretical frameworks might appear daunting, we believe it is essential to acknowledge and draw inspiration from the work of the pioneering thinkers who have laid the groundwork for our work. Their insights form the bedrock of our understanding and approach to systems mediation. Additionally, the concepts and theories we discuss here will implicitly or explicitly underpin the practical elements explored in the following sections.

The subsequent parts of this series will cover the concept of "Areas of Work" (AOW), proposing specific fields of intervention where systems mediation can be particularly impactful.

Introduction to systems mediation: Understanding its Scope and Importance

In the ever-evolving tapestry of our world, change is not just inevitable; it is the driving force behind adaptation and regeneration. However, as we navigate through these changes, particularly in the context of the global polycrises, the path is often riddled with complexities and conflicts. This moment is where the art and practice of systems mediation comes into play amongst other system change practices, serving as a critical bridge between the old and the new, the established and the emerging, the individual and the collective. 

Systems mediation is the practice of acting as an intermediary between different actors, scales or systems to facilitate dialogue, to reach mutual understanding, to resolve conflicts, and trace pathways to change. It supports interventions carried out at various scales - individual, organizational, systemic and cultural/metaphysical - where mediators can help identify common interests, hold space for conflict to be expressed and addressed in a process or relationship, seek understanding and accountability, encourage collaboration, and foster interpersonal or collective resolution that can contribute to the development of resilient and regenerative communities. Systems mediators are not just individuals, but can show up in different patterns and configurations (individual, collective, mycelium, network, inter and intra-organizational, etc). They bring with them an adaptive posture, recognizing their positionality within the interacting forces. They play a crucial role in clarifying power dynamics, making harmful patterns visible, and promoting collaboration within complex socio-ecological systems. In its essence, systems mediation is about naming, understanding, managing, and harmonizing the myriad forces and interests at play during times of transition. It's a practice that acknowledges the multifaceted nature of change – focusing on driving forces and contradictions in social, technological, economic, ecological, and political dimensions, and seeks to create a pathway through it leading to relation building and resilience.

This paper explores the role of systems mediation in facilitating effective transitions within socio-ecological systems, proposing areas for potential engagement and impact. We will delve into aspects of mediating the relationships between actors of declining and emerging systems during transition processes. We will also discuss the importance of mediation when trying to link community innovations to established institutions and broader landscape shifts. Moreover, we will discuss the scaling of intentionality in system change and how mediation can facilitate this progression, from individual to joint, and ultimately, to shared intentionality in line with the collective intelligence of  complex adaptive systems. These areas are crucial for understanding how collective visions and actions are formed and guided in the process of system change.

In this paper, we have outlined some of the fundamental theoretical and methodological frameworks that have influenced our reflection to date. We view this as a starting point, and understand that these reflections will evolve and be added to as we share this work in our networks, continue to apply these principles in practice, learn and improve our practices. 

As we embark on this exploration along with a multitude of system change leaders to bridge our own reflection and to situate ourselves in an existing community, we considered it useful to outline seven areas of work in systems mediation, which can serve to ignite practice and experimentation. These are not exhaustive nor siloed; they often overlap, interact, and inform each other within a single initiative. The goal is to recognize and harness these intersections for effective and sustainable system change. 

When a complex system is far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos of the capacity to shift the entire system to a higher order.

Ilya Prigogine

Join us as we navigate the multifaceted role of systems mediation in "Bridging Transitions," and understand its pivotal position in stewarding the intangible in our societies as it impacts the tangible through the complexities of socio-ecological change.

Some Conceptual Frameworks Behind systems mediation

Systems mediation in socio-ecological transitions is a complex and dynamic endeavor, guided by a variety of conceptual frameworks. The following frameworks are by no means exhaustive, but can serve to enrich the theoretical understanding of systems mediation and offer practical approaches for navigating the intricacies of change. They help name actual dynamics that unfold in a context of crisis and urgency when people are compelled to collaborate more, and feel more proximity, but lack an approach that helps name how to align and integrate their actions for greater collective impact. Let's explore these frameworks, now including the critical perspective of decolonization, to understand their influence on the practice of systems mediation.

The Two Loops Model of the Berkana Institute

This model helps visualize the lifecycle of systems, emphasizing the decline of existing systems and the emergence of new ones. It's instrumental in systems mediation for managing the end-of-life phase of an old system (system hospicing) and nurturing the birth and growth of new systems (system composting), providing a roadmap through transitional dynamics.

The Moment’s interpretation of The Berkana Two-Loops Theory and Systems Change. Source

Geels’ Multilevel Perspective on Sociotechnical Transitions

Geels' Multi-level Perspective (MLP) framework interweaves technological and societal changes and categorizes transitions into three levels: niche, regime, and landscape. Mediators use this framework to bridge niche innovations to societal regimes and broader environmental contexts, promoting holistic transformation.  This model stands out in systems mediation for its holistic approach, integrating multiple levels of analysis – niche innovations, prevailing regimes, and overarching landscapes. Its emphasis on the dynamic interplay between these levels captures the complexity of systemic change, making it invaluable for understanding and navigating transitions. The model's focus on transition processes and its capacity to identify strategic leverage points allow mediators to plan effectively and intervene where the most significant impact can be achieved. It adeptly balances the socio-technical elements within a system, ensuring that solutions are both technologically viable and socially pertinent. Additionally, the MLP's long-term visioning transcends short-term fixes, fostering sustainable and future-proof strategies. Its compatibility with other models enhances its versatility, making it a comprehensive and integrative tool in the realm of systems mediation.

Geels’ MLP model. Source

The Adaptive Cycle in Resilience Theory

This model, central to resilience theory, outlines system dynamics across four phases: growth, conservation, release, and reorganization. In systems mediation, it guides the identification of the system's current phase and informs strategic interventions to bolster resilience and adaptability.

Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Theory

Focusing on the unpredictable and non-linear nature of systems, CAS theory highlights the importance of understanding patterns, relationships, and emergent properties. systems mediators applying this theory facilitate adaptive solutions in intricate socio-ecological systems.

Transition Management Framework

This framework emphasizes long-term sustainable change through participatory approaches. It encourages mediators to involve various stakeholders in vision co-creation, innovation experimentation, and adaptive learning strategies. 

Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Framework

Developed to understand the interplay between social and ecological systems, the SES framework aids mediators in analyzing system components and relationships, fostering more holistic and sustainable approaches to mediation.

Regenerative Development

Regenerative Development offers a transformative approach to systems mediation that goes beyond sustainability. It's not just about minimizing harm or maintaining the status quo, but about actively improving and revitalizing ecosystems, communities, and economies. It encourages a holistic view of systems, understanding that every component is part of a larger, interconnected whole. This approach seeks to understand and respect the unique qualities of each system, aiming to enhance its inherent potential. It also emphasizes interventions that are not merely less harmful but are positively beneficial. This perspective means designing initiatives that restore and rebalance the functions of ecological systems, build community resilience, and contribute to long-term well-being. It promotes engaging with Place and Community to unleash 'place-sourced' potential. It involves deeply engaging with local communities and environments to unlock unique, context-specific opportunities for transformation and regeneration.

Inner Development Goals (IDG)

The Inner Development Goals provide a framework for the personal and interpersonal aspects of systems mediation. Recognizing that systemic change is inextricably linked to individual transformation, the IDG framework focuses on developing the inner qualities necessary for effective change-making. IDG emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and personal resilience in mediators and change agents. By cultivating these inner qualities, individuals are better equipped to lead and participate in complex system transformations. The framework also focuses on developing skills such as empathy, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving. These skills are crucial for fostering constructive interactions and building strong, trust-based relationships in group settings.  IDG advocates for a congruence between one’s inner world (values, beliefs, emotional states) and outer actions. This alignment is seen as essential for authentic, sustainable, and impactful engagement in systems mediation.

Decolonization Perspectives

The perspective of decolonization is pivotal in systems mediation, particularly in socio-ecological contexts. It involves challenging and transforming colonial legacies and power structures embedded within systems. This perspective requires mediators to recognize and address historical and ongoing injustices and inequities, facilitating a more inclusive and equitable approach to transition. It emphasizes the need to incorporate Indigenous and marginalized voices and wisdom in shaping future systems. 

Emergent Strategy Framework

Adrienne maree brown's "Emergent Strategy" is a philosophy of social change inspired by natural patterns, emphasizing adaptability, interconnectedness, decentralization, resilience, systemic transformation, and alignment with natural rhythms. This approach advocates for flexible, community-centric strategies over rigid plans, promoting organic leadership and deep, systemic changes that mirror nature's resilience and complexity. It has been influential across social movements, community organizing, and in various organizational contexts, offering a holistic and adaptive method for addressing complex challenges.

These frameworks can serve as a backdrop, or reference points, to systems mediation, and by incorporating some version of them into their work, systems mediators are equipped to yield space for lived experiences and depth of context understanding to lead, guide and inform aspects of the work that help navigate the complexities of socio-ecological transitions more effectively. They offer diverse lenses through which to understand and approach change, enhancing the capacity for sustainable and equitable transformations.

In the following sections, we delve into how these frameworks are applied in various areas of systems mediation work, from guiding the decline of old systems to fostering new ones, bridging micro-innovations with macro-structures, and embracing inclusive and decolonized approaches to change.  

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As we reach the end of this first chapter in our exploration of systems mediation, we hope to have brought light to the foundational concepts and the diverse intellectual currents that shape this practice. Our journey together, however, is far from complete.

In our upcoming second instalment, we will delve into the concept of "Areas of Work" in systems mediation. Here, we will explore specific fields of intervention where systems mediation can play a transformative role, offering insights into practical applications and the potential impact of this approach in various contexts.

We invite you to join us as we continue this journey. To ensure you don't miss out on the insights of the next instalments, we encourage you to subscribe here!