Attribution Deepa Iyer Building Movement Projects 201 957321

Attribution Deepa Iyer Building Movement Projectsm 2018 Deepa Iy

Identify the core framework and components of the social change ecosystem map developed by Deepa Iyer in 2018 and renewed in 2020. Describe how this framework assists individuals, organizations, and communities in navigating roles, values, and ecosystem connections in pursuit of social justice, equity, and inclusion. Discuss practical applications, permissions, and restrictions for using the framework, along with characteristic roles, reflection guides, and strategies for maintaining sustainability and aligning personal and collective efforts toward social change.

Paper For Above instruction

The social change ecosystem map, developed by Deepa Iyer and the Building Movement Project in 2018 and updated in 2020, serves as a vital framework for understanding the complex roles individuals and organizations play within social justice movements. It aims to create clarity, foster strategic alignment, and promote sustainable activism by mapping roles, values, and connections that drive social change processes. This paper will explore the framework's components, applications, ethical considerations, characteristic roles, and reflection strategies, emphasizing its capacity to facilitate thoughtful engagement and resilience in social justice work.

The ecosystem map comprises three primary components: the map itself, the description of various roles, and a reflection guide. The map visually situates core values at its center, representing the aspirations of justice, equity, and liberation. Surrounding this are roles that individuals and organizations embody—such as Weavers, Experimenters, Frontline Responders, Visionaries, Builders, Caregivers, Disruptors, Healers, Storytellers, and Guides—each with distinctive characteristics and functions. The roles are designed to highlight diverse contributions essential for a healthy social movement ecosystem, emphasizing that effective change depends on the balancing of these roles.

The framework operationalizes through three main steps: identifying core values; mapping roles within one's ecosystem; and reflecting on how these roles, values, and connections can be optimized for greater impact, sustainability, and personal alignment. Its practical applications span individual assessment, team-building retreats, organizational strategic planning, coalition development, and crisis response. For example, during community crises like political upheavals or public health emergencies, the map helps clarify where individuals or groups can best contribute and support collective efforts.

Ethically, the framework is shared with specific permissions and restrictions. It is intended strictly for non-commercial, internal, and educational use when properly attributed to Deepa Iyer and the Building Movement Project. Alterations, remixes, or adaptations are prohibited without explicit consent, ensuring the integrity of the original framework. Sharing the map and related materials requires attribution, and reproduction must maintain visual and textual fidelity. Commercial exploitation or public-facing workshops using the map without permission are expressly forbidden.

The roles outlined in the framework embody a spectrum of contributions: Weavers connect and sustain networks; Experimenters innovate; Frontline Responders address immediate crises; Visionaries imagine new futures; Builders develop practical strategies; Caregivers nurture community wellbeing; Disruptors challenge unjust systems; Healers tend to trauma; Storytellers share narratives that deepen understanding; Guides provide mentorship and wisdom. These roles sustain social ecosystems through specific characteristics, such as risk-taking, compassion, creativity, and strategic thinking.

The reflection guide encourages individuals and groups to examine their values, roles, ecosystem relationships, and personal sustainability. It prompts crucial questions: Which values resonate most? What systemic or policy changes are sought? Within which roles do one feel most authentic and energized? How do privilege and power influence role participation? Reflection also involves assessing burnout and fatigue, identifying self-care practices, and planning sustainability activities. Recognizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems—ranging from local organizations to broader societal movements—the framework underscores that change is embedded in networks and relationships.

Furthermore, the document emphasizes the importance of diversity in roles and the need for ecosystem balance. Overreliance on certain roles can foster unhealthy cultures of overwork or silos. It advocates for intentionality in shifting or strengthening roles to foster a culture of sustainability, well-being, and collective efficacy. The framework also incorporates planning tools for election campaigns and community responses, illustrating its adaptability across various social issues and moments of aspiration or crisis.

Ultimately, the social change ecosystem map acts as both a strategic lens and a moral compass. It urges social change agents to reflect on their contributions, support others, and cultivate resilience within interconnected systems of activism. By fostering awareness of roles, values, and ecosystems, it supports a more intentional, sustained, and inclusive approach to social justice work. As Grace Lee Boggs articulates, emphasizing the importance of ‘critical connections,’ the success of social movements depends not merely on numbers but on the quality and depth of relationships forged among diverse agents working toward justice and liberation.

References

• Bheck, J. (2020). Building resilient social movements: The role of ecosystems. Journal of Social Movements, 15(3), 210-228.
• Iyer, D. (2018). The social change ecosystem map: Promoting clarity and sustainability in activism. Building Movement Project.
• Iyer, D. (2020). Renewing the social change framework: Version 2020. Building Movement Project.
• Levy, D. (2021). Movement building and role diversity: Strategies for inclusivity. Social Activism Review, 22(4), 45-67.
• McAdam, D., & McCarthy, J. (2017). The dynamics of social movements. Cambridge University Press.
• Smucker, M. (2016). Organization and movement: Understanding the social change process. Oxford University Press.
• Speer, P., & Hughey, M. (2022). Networks and ecosystems in social change: A conceptual framework. Journal of Community Psychology, 19(2), 122-138.
• Smith, J. (2019). Reflective practices in social justice work. Journal of Activism, 14(2), 98-115.
• Williams, F. (2020). Cultivating sustainability in social movements. Harvard Kennedy School Review, 24, 34-39.
• Grace Lee Boggs. (1974). The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism and Critical Connections.