This year I had the opportunity to delve into some of the most inspiring conversations I have ever had with individuals from all over the world. As the lead storyteller of Regeneration Projects’ Voices of Regen blog, my job has been to listen to farmers, entrepreneurs, activists, conservationists, community leaders and visionaries. The one thing these people have in common is that they are pioneers of regenerative business and living, each in their own way. Upon reflecting on these conversations, I realised only a handful of these leaders knew one another. What would their conversations sound like if they were to collaborate? Imagine if they were to attend a forum where they could be unapologetically bold with their ideas, thoughts and feelings from the outset, with no boundaries – the only expectations being that they openly listen and share.
The Trans-Tasman Regen Roundtable was founded in Melbourne by Australian, Matt Sykes and New Zealander, Claire Wild after their paths crossed at a virtual B Corp event. Having still not met in person, these two pioneers of regenerative development decided to make it their mission to connect the brilliant business minds from Aotearoa and Australia. In October 2020, a small group of progressive business leaders were invited to the first roundtable in response to a perfect storm: COVID-19, climate change, systemic racism and economic collapse. The inadequate narrative of sustainability is not enough to address these.
Starting in January 2021, the roundtable will be a space for the business community to collaborate on a monthly basis – a hub driven by the change-makers themselves to spark innovative thoughts and inspire action with the purpose of regenerating the Earth through business. Respect for mātauranga Māori and First Nations Australian knowledge is central to what regeneration means for the roundtable. Although Matt and Claire describe these leaders as “super progressive,” not everyone is going to be instantly at the forefront of initiating change. I admire those change-makers who are, and I also admire those who are only beginning to dip their toes in the water on this journey to regeneration.
As a young female in the workforce, I often find myself like a deer in headlights at meetings or forums. Being able to leave such a gathering feeling empowered and inspired would be a game changer. I can’t begin to comprehend the amount of collaborative projects that will emerge in spaces like the Trans-Tasman Regen Roundtable when people feel no need to suppress their thoughts or instincts.
Matt used a metaphor a few days ago that I thought summed up the concept of the Regen Roundtable beautifully. It’s one that is inspired by Australian fire ecology, as well as wisdom from Yolngu Elder Djapirri Munuggirritj. “When a forest re-emerges after a fire, new shoots pop up, and they begin to ‘talk’ to one another. Nitrogen-fixing plants make nutrients in the soil available for other plants that reemerge afterwards. These nitrogen fixers are pioneers. As leaders, that is our role and we also have to look laterally after the pandemic.”
Spaces like this are the key to facilitating the much needed ‘transition’ conversations that the business world is craving. We’re stepping into a world where collaboration is more valued than competition – a world where non-judgemental roundtables could enable us to thrive as a whole ecosystem, not just as individual business leaders.
As we approach the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, networks like Regen Melbourne have also surfaced out of the pandemic. This network is a collective of organisations and leaders looking at how the circular economy can apply to Melbourne. Regen Melbourne is like the roundtable’s twin; it’s exciting to contemplate what Melbourne’s economy, businesses and leaders could look like in a few years.
Emerging from the roundtable, Matt and Claire designed an unconventional advent calendar – a 21 Days of Regen campaign. Twenty-ideas ideas were shared over 21 days through December, where members of the founding roundtable showcased what regeneration looks like for their organisations. The idea of the campaign was to recognise that 2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year, but to also acknowledge that 2021 will bring even more strength, creativity and innovation into the workplace.
Claire spoke to me about the campaign, and how it cast a spotlight on the intersectionality of Regeneration. She said that regeneration is “often looked at in terms of ecological restoration within a silo, and that we can’t clean up our rivers without addressing gender equality, social inequity and affordable housing.” I couldn’t agree more. It’s time we break out of those silo and embrace the pandemic recovery as our moment to regenerate ourselves and our planet.
Changemakers and curious minds, you can find the Trans-Tasman Regen Roundtable on LinkedIn.
