SoL Finland

SoL was founded 1997, and now works in more than 40 countries in the world. The sort of "head quarter" of SoL is at Boston and you can keep updated with all international matters of SoL through www.solonline.org. All SoL organizations around the globe share same quiding principles and ideals

Guiding Principles of SoL

Drive to Learn - All human beings are born with an innate, lifelong desire and ability to learn, which should be enhanced by all organizations.

Learning is Social - People learn best from and with one another, and participation in learning communities is vital to their effectiveness, well-being and happiness in any work setting.

Learning Communities - The capacities and accomplishments of organizations are inseparable from, and dependent on, the capacities of the learning communities which they foster.

Aligning with Nature - It is essential that organizations evolve to be in greater harmony with human nature and with the natural world.

Core Learning Capabilities - Organizations must develop individual and collective capabilities to understand complex, interdependent issues; engage in reflective, generative conversation; and nurture personal and shared aspirations.

Cross-Organizational Collaboration - Learning communities that connect multiple organizations can significantly enhance their capacity for profound individual and organizational change.

Ideals of the SoL Community - Our Commitments to Each Other

Subsidiarity - Make no decision and perform no function at a higher or more central level than can be accomplished at a more local level.

Inclusiveness - Conduct all deliberations and make all decisions by bodies and methods which reasonably represent all relevant and affected parties.

Shared Responsibility - Advance the Purpose in accordance with these Principles in ways which enhance the capacity of the community as a whole, as well as that of each member.

Openness - Transcend institutional and intellectual boundaries and roles that limit or diminish learning.

Adaptive Governance - Continually conceive, implement, and practice governance concepts and processes which encourage adaptability, diversity, flexibility, and innovation.

Intellectual Output - Use research generated by the community in ways that most benefit society.

Acknowledgment - Openly and fairly acknowledge intellectual contributions to Concepts, Theories, and Practices, both from within and from outside the community.

Participation & Quality - Contribute to and/or participate in research, capacity building, and practice, striving for the highest standards of quality.

History of SoL in a nutshell

Founded in 1997

Independent successor of MIT's Center for Organizational Learning

Launched journal Reflections in 1999

Chartered the Sustainability Consortium in 2000

In 2001, the "Marblehead Group" offers a set of cross-organization and cross-sector issues where they feel SoL can offer a unique forum for dialogue and collaboration

First SoL Global Forum in June 2003 - hosted by SoL Finland in Espoo

Published Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future, by Peter Senge, C.Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworkshi and Betty Sue Flowers in a private edition, introducing "Theory U", selling over 15,000 copies

Business Innovation for Sustainability Forum: Leadership, Learning, and collaboration for People, Planet and Profit offered by the Sustainability Consortium in October 2004

Second SoL Global Forum in September 2005 - hosted by SoL Austria in Vienna