Life Beyond Growth is a new project aiming to “track the evolution of the revolution in economic thought.” This ‘revolution’ is marked by the growing wave of criticism towards GDP-measured progress of societies and the rapid rise of new frameworks and alternatives that fall under the overall heading of “New Economics. “
The project has come to life with the release of the Life Beyond Growth 2012 report in March 2012. It is the product of a year of research and reflection on the declining status of “Growth as Usual”, and it documents the rise to prominence of alternative ideas like “Green Economy,” “Genuine Progress,” and “Gross National Happiness.” These New Economic alternatives are changing the way people think about national economic success, including national governments and international organizations.
Written for the general reader, Life Beyond Growth 2012 report is also meant to serve as a briefing paper for decision-makers. It aims to help with grappling with the sudden emergence of new economic ideas and indicators, and to try to make sense of these rapid developments, which have the potential to redefine national economic policy in the 21st century.
Life Beyond Growth is a joint production of three organizations. The primary sponsor and issuing organization is the Institute for Studies in Happiness, Economy, and Society, based in Tokyo, Japan (www.ishes.org/en). The report was produced by the AtKisson Group, an international sustainability consulting network founded 1992 by lead author Alan AtKisson (www.AtKisson.com). The report was published by the ISIS Academy, an international training and professional development organization focused on change and sustainability, and based in Hofheim, Germany (www.isisacademy.com).
For more information and background on the sponsors and producers of this report, visit our Press Center, which includes links to the bios of the principals involved in this project (Junko Edahiro, President of ISHES, and Alan AtKisson, President of AtKisson Group).
