We know that working with a knowledge of values is not simply a project of words or theory - values are found in nearly every experience we have as human beings; they are an inextricable part of our culture(s). Journalists and media professionals are cultural influencers who have significant impact on cultural values. In recognition of this, we have developed a new programme of work designed to support those working across the media to recognise their own agency in terms of shaping the cultural values waters we swim in, as well as identifying ways their work could help strengthen intrinsic values and might also help close what is known as the ‘values perception gap’. Working in partnership with allies across the media, we want to make working with intrinsic values the norm for progressive media, and increasingly the norm in mainstream media.

We are a small non-profit that works at the intersection of culture change and human values. We’re driven by the belief that it is possible to design societies that magnify and strengthen the cooperative and caring parts of human nature. And that together, we can build ways of living that are equitable and just, and lie within our planetary boundaries. We know that values play a pivotal role in shaping our cultures and systems. The dominant global culture is out of balance, prioritising extrinsic values such as wealth, power and social status, in a way that has led us to the brink of destruction; with crises of poverty, inequality and climate change. We also know that balance can be restored with the elevation of intrinsic values which have, for too long, been neglected – values like community, creativity and unity with nature. Informed by decades of social psychological research, as well as other ways of knowing that centre the interconnectedness of human beings and nature, we are helping to build the foundations for a culture that truly reflects the intrinsic values which the majority of people prioritise. To do this we work with a broad range of cultural influencers to rebalance the values that we find reinforced in our day-to-day lives, opening up greater possibilities for imagining and nurturing new alternatives to living together on our one shared planet.

You can see some of my poems here: https://www.elsiebryant.com/poems, on my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_YB4QRhG8061SaRZ3cW8w, or on Instagram @eachpeachpearrose.Highlights of my poetry career so far have been having the honour of warming up for Benjamin Zephaniah (2019) performing at Camp Bestival (2019), my poem "Welcome and Wanted" being used for an advert for a local charity MKCF (2019) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9GplAFIWds) and having my poem "Trigger warning" performed on stage for PEN in London (2017) (https://youtu.be/2MezoxKxEwc).

In October 2018 I embarked on a part-time masters in Art and Social Practice in order to explore how I might ground my knowledge of framing and narratives gained as part of The Rules in more real-life (offline), physical, artistic contexts. I wanted to be more responsible, responsive and creative with my narrative work, and understand the potential of narrative expertise combined with community-based and socially engaged art.Major projects include:- Careweaving Project (2020) - Before the pandemic, Isobel Reddington and Elsie Roderiques were running projects facilitating workshops with groups, which were put on hold at the start of lockdown in March 2020. Deciding to collaborate, they moved online to create a nourishing space driven by principles they believe to be integral to Social Practice art projects: social justice and care. Designed with aesthetics and accessibility in mind, the Care Weaving website aims to amplify the energy of grassroots organising during the pandemic, acknowledging the long history of community care facilitated in and by marginalised groups. Using the metaphor of weaving, the site joins the dots between projects and people, with the hopes of creating solidarity in dark times; facilitating access to care for those who need it, and supporting those who are able to contribute care within their communities. - http://www.careweaving.org/- Cherishing Public Space (2019) Isobel Reddington and I facilitated workshops at the former Hornsey Town Hall, about to be transformed into flats and a boutique hotel by developers, exploring the concept of public space. - Dear Capitalism (2016) at World Social Forum in Montreal whilst working with The Rules -https://dearcapitalism-blog1.tumblr.com/- Seeing Wetiko (2016) online curated exhibition whilst working with The Rules - https://therules.org/seeing-wetiko-creative-brief/

I support a number of organisations and individuals that recognise the importance of narrative and systemic change. My work contributes to facilitating the inevitable transition to a post-capitalist world and to dismantle systems of white supremacy, colonialism and patriarchy that contribute to the oppression of peoples and destruction of nature.I use social media and digital communication, build online communities, design and run events, make public and digital art and write and perform poetry. I recognise that the world is shaped by stories and that to facilitate change that will help us achieve global equality, navigate ecological devastation and centre interconnectedness, it is essential to rewrite the old stories that have been the root causes of crises and oppression such as poverty, inequality, climate change and systemic racism.I build (simple) and effective websites, create and manage strategic communications campaigns, engage the media, converse on social media, design and deliver powerful events and courses, write, research, create and campaign. I am developing my expertise in narrative and framing for systems change.

Isn't it curious that an institution that lasted half a millennium, involved millions upon millions of people, that was responsible for some of the biggest population shifts and technology transfers in history and influencing nearly every corner of the globe should be largely ignored by the British political and educational systems?Many of the world's current borders were drawn by imperialists and many of today's problems can be found to have roots in the imperial age in one form or another. Contrary to the story that Britain has been a 'civilising nation', the actions of the British Empire has led to the suffering of people the world over, the pilfering of resources and contributed to the destruction of our planet. The result is this: globally we are witnessing increasing political and economic inequality and borders that are closed to people but open to money, and at home in the UK there is a pervasive and growing fear of immigration and ever more explicit xenophobia and racism.Many argue that the British Empire ended in 1997 when the union flag came down in Hong Kong. However, the legacy of this empire lives on and with it a ‘British Empire State of Mind’. Today, Britain, a tiny island with a population of around 65 million, still holds a very privileged position of power and influence internationally. We benefit from global systems that were set up to serve the British Empire and continue to do so today, but it's not something that we often acknowledge, or even talk about.We believe that the history of modern day Britain should be taught, debated and discussed radically and honestly. If the increasingly multi-cultural population of Britain is to understand what it means to be British in the modern world then they need to understand what role the empire played in that story. http://www.britishempirestateofmind.co.uk/@GBstateofmind

I was a member of the European Guerilla Media Collective Cooperative/Commons Transition, working with a small team to design and deliver a social media, marketing and newsletter strategy to popularise the idea of the commons in the mainstream and to promote Silke Helfrich and David Bollier’s book on the commons; Free, Fair and Alive.

/The Rules is a global collective addressing the roots causes of inequality and poverty. We work on the grassroots level, helping to provide frame analysis, story, and connective tissue across local movements which share common adversaries and common goals. We are a worldwide network of activists, artists, writers, farmers, peasants, students, workers, designers, hackers, spiritualists and dreamers, linking up, pushing the global narrative in a new direction.

The Rules is a global collective addressing the roots causes of inequality and poverty. We work on the grassroots level, helping to provide frame analysis, story, and connective tissue across local movements which share common adversaries and common goals. We are a worldwide network of activists, artists, writers, farmers, peasants, students, workers, designers, hackers, spiritualists and dreamers, linking up, pushing the global narrative in a new direction.

I build (simple) and beautiful websites, create and manage strategic communications campaigns, engage the media, converse on social media, design and deliver powerful events and courses, write, research, create and campaign. I have written for, or been featured on: Ijinle Africa, ZOD Culture, Surveyor Magazine, UN Dispatch, Humanosphere, The Dawn and A Room of Our Own. See the section on 'Development Truths' for links.I am part of the Global Tolerance collective.Previous clients include:- Rising Women Rising World (2014-2016) - Website design and build, social media and online management, communications and event strategy design and management. Core team member - www.risingwomenrisingworld.org.- Dr Scilla Elworthy (2014/15) - Communications, media relations, website and social media management, event and publicity management - www.scillaelworthy.com.- The Flourish Initiative (2014/15) - Communications, website design and social media management, event management and business strategy and development - www.theflourishinitiative.com.- Bristol's Big Green Week (2014) - Social media strategy and management for the sustainability festival (Pro bono) - www.biggreenweek.com- Start (2013/14) - Digital communications consulting and website redevelopment for the sustainable lifestyle charity (founded in 2010 by HRH The Prince of Wales and part of Business in the Community) - www.startuk.org.- Oxfam (2013) - Marketing, media relations and communications for its 'Get Together' campaign across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall - www.oxfam.org.- Camargue PR (2012) - Corporate workshop event design and management for the Carbon Trust across the UK - www.camargue.uk.- Future Wolverton, Future Energy (2012) - Project management and media relations for a Victorian house retrofitting sustainability project.

A critical development blog focussing on global equality: levelling the international political, economic and societal playing field and reforming a patriarchal, neoliberal system that subjugates and disempowers so-called ‘developing’ countries and their citizens.www.developmenttruths.co.ukFeatured on: Ijinle Africa, UN Dispatch, The Dawn, Humanosphere and A Room of Our Own.Keynote speaker for POSSA Ghana at The University of Ghana, Accra in 2016 at their event; 'The Role of Students in Ensuring Peaceful Elections' on the subject of decolonising Ghanaian leadership and the 'Africa Rising' narrative.

Rising Women Rising World (www.risingwomenrisingworld.org) is a growing, vibrant community of women on all continents who take responsibility for building a world that works for all. I am a Core Team Member and until the end of 2015 oversaw our digital communications (including our website and social media) and events.