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In the face of huge challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, financial melt-down, globalisation, falling living standards, rising inequality and mental health problems, it is becoming  increasingly clear that western societies will have to make huge  changes. In short, we cannot go on in the same vein: we need to envision  and enact a radically different future.

Scotland is well-placed in some respects to make a significant contribution to this new thinking: we played a major part in the 18th  century Enlightenment and many of the factors which facilitated  Scotland's leading role are still in place. Namely, we are a small, networked society with strong commitment to social  improvement where it is easy to have conversations across subject  disciplines.

This period in western culture and Scottish political culture requires outlets for new ideas across a whole range of topics – environmental, social, organisational, political, cultural, psychological, economic and spiritual – as well as new frameworks and  ways of conceptualising.  Postcards from Scotland aims to help develop this new thinking  in a readable and accessible format and publicise, to a much greater  audience, some of the projects in Scotland which are already aiming to  help bring about a new way of living. books non-fiction.

The Centre also runs some events and advertises them on this site. The blog also sometimes features topics not yet included in our book series.