The Open Co-op Team
Dr. Gary Alexander - ICT Department, Technology Faculty, Open University
Pioneer of on-line collaborative learning, author of
eGaia, Growing a peaceful, sustainable Earth through communications .
Tom co-founded Uniteddiversity LLP with Josef. He has also worked at the
Institiute of Social and Ethical Accountability, the
New Economics Foundation and was Web Development Manager for
Via3.net, a leading organization offering collaborative software and systems for social enterprises and the charity sector.
Josef is a former trustee of the
Chaordic Commons and founded
uniteddiversity whilst in his final year at
LSE (where he met Tom). He worked on numerous local economy projects during his time at the
New Economics Foundation, including
BizFizz,
Plugging the Leaks and
Time Banks UK. For more info about Josef
click here
Defacto Design is a design and communications consultancy promoting the true definition of Sustainable Development, specialising in the promotion of environmentally responsible design which encourages the development of positive alternatives to exploitative activities. Defacto aims to accelerate the instigation of sustainable ideas and solutions, social and cultural change which lead to a more ethical World.
Oli has written an important paper outlining an ICT based method for the implementation of ‘Gaian Democracies’.
Dr. Stephen Peake - Design Department, Technology Faculty, Open University
Expert on climate change and energy. Will manage the project jointly with Gary Alexander.
Expert on co-operative development. Former colleague of Stafford Beer, and consultant on the application of his
Viable Systems Model to organisational development. Currently developing a related project creating an infrastructure to link organic food producers and consumers.
Jon Walker - Out of this World (organics supermarket and distributor)
Author of
The Viable Systems Model, a guide for co-operatives and federations (see
background docs. Expert on co-operative development and working on Dr. Espinosa's food project.
Francesca R. Giordano' – Director of International Relations, World Future Council
Expert on environmental and social networking and initiator of the
Sustainable Society Directory and
Earth Emergency
Mikael Nordfors is the main innovator of the open coop democracy system, which has been developed and marketed by the Open Coop member,
the Vivarto Collaborative. He is also the main founder of the
virtual country of Nornia. Besides these interests, he is also a medical doctor, composer/mucician, lecturer and author of several books about democracy and alternative health.
