What is the initiative?

See the Systems is a new education initiative aimed at bringing the value of systems action to strengthen communities around the world.

Teams will compete from schools and other associations to map systemic issues within their local communities, design / prototype proposed solutions, and validate / implement their ideas while measuring the resulting qualitative and quantitative impacts.

Participants will partner with experienced mentors, systems practitioners, and subject matter experts from organisations such as the ISSS (International Society for Systems Science), the ORS (Operational Research Society) and INCOSE (International Council for Systems Engineering) while actively sharing their learnings via social media and other platforms.

The prize structure will reward activities sustaining long term positive benefits. Entries will be judged on ingenuity, leverage, people engaged, and quality of evaluation.

See the Systems aims to empower young people with the tools and agency to make a real difference to their world.

How is it different / complementary to other initiatives?

• See the Systems was inspired by Oxford University's "[[Map the System]]" competition and Kerry's involvement with systems since 1987.
• See the Systems extends Map the System to a bigger community of young people and the general public.
• It extends the scope from systems mapping and analysis to systems intervention and evaluation.
• The System Dynamics Society has recently run a competition for children in Covid modelling. Again, like Map the System, it is a competition based on analysis: In this case computer modelling analysis.
• There was a competition based on a cybernetic simulation game called Ecopolicy which engaged teams of high school students in Australia and Vietnam ([https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/5/2/239/htm Access paper published 2014 here]). There is little convincing evidence that such simulations generate benefits in the real world.
• See the Systems synthesises and integrates the learning from these initiatives and synergises the collaborators.

What is the benefit?

• Fosters individual agency / empowerment, inclusive creativity, cross collaboration and social citizenship among marginalized youth
• Incubates the next generation of systems thinkers/engineers, building relationships for future internships and employment opportunities
• Democratizes systems thinking for young people beginning their academic careers / engages young people in systems thinking.

How is it to be structured, organised and funded?

• I envisage See the Systems will be energised by a small team of people passionate about systems.
• It will be a not for profit, virtual and virtuous organisation.
• The team will manage a network of engaged organisations providing support and advocacy.
• As the initiative grows over time we envisage employing some of the bright young people who have won awards in the scheme.
• It will be funded by a combination of Corporate CSR programs, bequests and participation fees.

Who are the stakeholders / participants?

• Stakeholders cover a number of categories from corporations (via their CSR programs), Systems Societies, Schools and communities.
• Mentors will be from systems organisations and corporations.
• Participants will come from all walks of life. I envisage 3 categories: University students, Children (under 18) and an Open category.

What are the timescales?

• I am currently socialising the idea and receiving much positive feedback.
• I am aiming to formally launch the initiative at the ISSS conference in July 2021.
• There will be a scaled trial in the UK in concert with the Operational Research Society's OR in Education program.
• I anticipate being ready to roll out the initiative in 2022.

How and why might this interest you and what are we hoping for from our partners?

What is in it for Airbus?

• A way for Airbus staff to benefit their local communities with their skills and perspective thus enhancing the image of Airbus.
• Appreciation of the value of systems in a broad young community.
• It will inspire and grow future generations of systems practitioners, thinkers and engineers - The empowered, creative, collaborative workforce of the future Airbus.
• It will help expand the membership of professional systems organisations and ensure their future prosperity thus enabling them to support Airbus.

How can Airbus help See the Systems?

• Sponsorship (Funding prizes)
• Engaging your staff as mentors
• Propagation of the concept
• Advocacy of See the Systems

Who do I contact about this?

Kerry Turner is the instigator and protagonist of this initiative. You can read about Kerry's journey to bring systems to children here (See [[Life after Lancaster]].) And here is [[Kerry's Curriculum Vitae]].

Email: kerry.l.turner@googlemail.com Mobile: +44 7853896127