Universal Gaia (The Marian)
Purpose. Turn “better together” from a slogan into everyday practice. Universal Gaia sketches a civic ethic of interdependence—how we care for one another and our shared places—and turns it into small, doable moves in local life, services, and dialogue.
Who it’s for
People who want community to work: residents, carers, practitioners, faith and civic groups, local policymakers, and anyone trying to host kinder, more constructive conversations.
What you’ll find
- Short essays that unpack key ideas (dignity, mutuality, subsidiarity, stewardship) in plain language.
- Conversation guides for kitchens, committees, classes, and councils—timeboxed, inclusive formats with prompts and ground rules.
- Practice cards (5–10 minute actions): noticing, checking in, fair‑share routines, micro‑rituals of welcome and repair.
- Visuals & symbols (including Marian/Gaia motifs) to make the ethic legible in public spaces.
- Field notes from pilots—what worked, what stumbled, what to try next.
How it works
- Name the good: start from assets—people, places, stories already working.
- Agree small steps: pick one practice card per setting (home, school, service, street).
- Host the dialogue: use a conversation guide; capture one decision and one request.
- Make it visible: place a symbol or note where people will see the commitment.
- Close the loop: check back in 2–4 weeks; keep what helps, retire what doesn’t.
Ethic in brief
- Dignity first (no one is a problem to be fixed).
- Mutuality (give/receive; we’re each other’s conditions).
- Subsidiarity (do at the smallest capable level; escalate only what needs scale).
- Stewardship (leave places and systems more hospitable than we found them).
- Accountability (say what we’re doing; show our workings; invite critique).
Early outputs (rolling)
- Conversation Guide Set v1 (kitchen table, team huddle, public forum).
- Practice Card Pack v1 (welcome, fair share, check‑in, repair).
- Symbols & Posters (printable; high‑contrast, screen‑reader‑friendly).
- Pilot Field Notes (what we tried; measured changes; next steps).