WEAll Stories

WEAll works to shift the narrative beyond criticisms of the current system, towards one that establishes a Wellbeing Economy as a desirable and viable goal, thus inspiring action towards achieving this vision.

Over 100 of WEAll members are actively engaging in a Narratives working group. Our US Narratives group (15 people) meets monthly.

Why tell stories?

Humans make sense of the world through stories – and these stories shape how we behave in it.

At present, the current economy is seen as the only kind of economy that we can have – and changing it would bring society to its knees.

We urgently need new stories which describe the societal vision of a Wellbeing Economy, make the concept of a new economic system accessible to all, and help create widespread support of the policies required to make this new economic system a reality.

These new stories have the power to shift culture and drive tangible impact: behaviour change, activism, advocacy, and policy change.

The ultimate goal is to make a Wellbeing Economy common sense, the way the free-market economy is now.

How might our stories help design an Economy in Service to Life?
www.stories.life

New Stories about the Purpose of the Economy

New stories must establish three new core beliefs around the economy:

1.Humans are part of nature, and thus dependent on it

2.The economy’s purpose is to support life

3.The measure of an economy’s success is the creation of wellbeing for all

Give this thought a chance: “Economy is care!”
www.economy-is-care.com

Painting a Picture of a Wellbeing Economy

A Wellbeing Economy delivers social justice on a healthy planet, by satisfying five universal human needs for a good life. We call these the ‘5 WEAll Needs’:

1.Connection
Sense of belonging & institutions serving the common good

2.Dignity
Everyone has enough to live in comfort, safety and happiness

3.Fairness
Justice in all its dimensions at the heart of economic systems

4.Participation
Citizens are actively engaged in their communities

5.Nature
A restored and safe natural world for all life

These are the factors a Wellbeing Economy would grow, to be ‘successful’.

At the same time, a Wellbeing Economy approach would reduce activities that damage collective wellbeing (and often increase GDP).

What this might look like!

Sustainable Development Enablers >

Sustainable Development Enablers

Thrive Institute

“WEAll’s ability to undermine growth economics, whilst also motivating and inspiring, is a precious skill indeed”

– Caroline Thompson, Conference & Stakeholder Officer, Scottish Green Party

Imperative 21

www.imperative21.co

“Being part of this group is helping me beat my cynicism, it refreshes my enthusiasm.”

– Linda Gessner, Communications and Design, CUSP

Wellbeing Economy Stories are Diverse

There is not one blueprint for a Wellbeing Economy; the shape, institutions, and activities that get us there will look different, both across countries and between different communities within countries. However, the high-level goals for a Wellbeing Economy are the same everywhere: wellbeing for all, on a flourishing planet.

To tell new stories, we must use our collective imagination. What might a Wellbeing Economy look like in your community?

man riding bicycle on beach during daytime

Storytelling is an Art

Four hearts on a single, unbroken, intertwined line.

“All, not just human, hearts of the world united about climate change pollution and corruption”.

Source: Taras Mychalewych and Melsa Price

If our planet Earth could talk to us right now, what might she say?

Opt In / Out

opt out of scarcity
the basis of putting a price on things
it’s not “valued” until its impact can be measured
that’s why air is still free…
artificial scarcity is manipulation
dominance

I opt out

opt in to abundance
for a fun dance
of reciprocity
the basis of appreciating every-thing
value is embedded in the relationships
wealth stays at home, in this place
continually regenerating and diversifying
connecting for a stronger web of relationships
artificial abundance is a paradox
everything we need is provided
reciprocally
participate with love
in love

I am in love

I opt in

•

By Sam Greenwood

9ark
By Robert Wanalo

Still hours silhouetted
Multiple shades of black
What’s green is only so by memory
Days commotion now crickets symphony
In silent
I crick with them tonight

Agony now elusive
Tranquility attenuates the stress
Serene yet unsettled
Between thought and fought
I capriciously wander

Distracted by gentle winds
Augmenting the leaves gossip
Shimmery grapevines
Summoning the rain

Face stoic as a ski-mask
Internal schema unseen
Motionless contortions
Unsmiling joy

If quiet speaks proficient
It sounds like this evening

Visual Art Narration

“When I came across the work you were doing, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge ahead. I felt a bit lost about what more I could do and was starting to lose hope as inequality seemed to be rising and environmental issues becoming worse. Engaging with WEAll re-energised me, it reminded me exactly why this is the most important work I could be doing and how we must bring people together to solve these challenges, it showed me we do have a route out if we can help people to see it and to create it.

One of the things that excites me the most about this organisation is that I believe it appeals across the political spectrum and I could easily explain it to people I know who have very different values. I think it can bring people together in ways other movements have not managed to.”

– Jane Morrison, Executive Officer, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and WEAll Scotland Trustee