Doughnut Economics: A Framework for a Regenerative and Distributive Society

This interactive online Forum was hosted by the Pathways to Planetary Health initiative at the Garrison Institute.
On June 24, Garrison Institute Co-founder Jonathan F.P. Rose spoke with Kate Raworth, Leonora Grcheva, and Erinch Sahan of Doughnut Economics Action Lab. In this thought-provoking discussion, they explored Doughnut Economics, which asks the question, "What is the goal of economics?" and answered it with a purpose: "Social and ecological wellbeing rather than growth or many other economic indicators that we pay too much attention to." They began with Kate describing the basic idea of Doughnut Economics, and then heard how Leonora, who leads the work with city and municipal governments at Doughnut Economic Action Lab (DEAL), is working with many cities to implement these ideas, and some of the exciting examples. Erinch then described how Doughnut Economics is being applied to businesses. This fascinating discussion was rich with ideas about how to improve the quality of life for all of life, and their application-- a wonderful example of the "Timeless Wisdom, Timely Action" that underlies all of the Garrison Institute’s work.
About Kate Raworth: Kate Raworth (sounds like ‘Ray-worth’) is a renegade economist focused on making economics fit for 21st century realities. She is the creator of the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries, and co-founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab. Her internationally best-selling book Doughnut Economics: seven ways to think like a 21st century economist has been translated into over 20 languages and has been widely influential with diverse audiences, from the UN General Assembly to Pope Francis to Extinction Rebellion.
Kate is a Senior Associate at Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute, where she teaches on the Masters in Environmental Change and Management. She is also Professor of Practice at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
About Leonora Grcheva: Leonora Grcheva has joined Doughnut Economics Action Lab to lead their engagement with cities, municipalities and other place-based administrations that are interested in putting Doughnut Economics into practice in their own context. Leonora is an urban planner, researcher and participation practitioner. She has over a decade of experience facilitating engagement with communities, cities and regions globally through her work as an urban planning consultant for UN-Habitat, a city leadership associate for University College London, and a community engagement consultant for built environment projects in the UK. She studied architecture in her home-country Macedonia, holds a Masters in Human Settlement from KU Leuven (Belgium), and a PhD in Urbanism from the IUAV University of Venice (Italy).
About Erinch Sahan: Erinch Sahan is the business and enterprise lead at the Doughnut Economics Action Lab. Recently, he was the chief executive of the World Fair Trade Organization and previously spent 7 years at Oxfam leading campaign initiatives and founded Oxfam’s Future of Business Initiative. Erinch has also worked at Procter & Gamble as a market strategy manager, established a furniture business and worked for Australia's aid programme. Erinch is a board member of the Social Enterprise World Forum and teaches sustainable value chains at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. He holds degrees in finance and law, and an honorary doctorate from Oxford Brookes University.
About Jonathan F.P. Rose: Jonathan F.P. Rose is a noted global expert in sustainable development and regenerative communities. He is Co-Founder and Board Chair for The Garrison Institute, and Founder and President of Jonathan Rose Companies, a mission-driven company focused on enhancing the health and wellness of its residents with green, energy-efficient property improvements and through its Communities of Opportunities programming. In 2024, he was awarded Bhutan’s prestigious Druk Thuksey Medal (“Order of the Beloved of the Thunder Dragon”) for helping create and implement the Thimphu Structure Plan, a framework for sustainable development in Bhutan’s rapidly urbanizing capital city. Jonathan founded the Pathways to Planetary Health initiative at the Garrison Institute.
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