At Forward we enjoy "extracurricular" activities. We're deep in exploring sustainability issues and always engaged with our colleagues. It's about taking action and finding new and exciting paths. Here are just a handful of the ways we're involved.

What other people think:

"On behalf of Nexus I would just like to thank you for all your help this year and we look forward to another year of new challenges and progress together."

- Yuyi Shi, Nexus Organising Committee

"I just wanted to thank you for putting together the presentation on how permaculture principles can be applied to business. In addition the reference to ROWE is perfect as well. I have been preaching both of these concepts for years and never had any ideas that others were not only thinking about it, but actually articulating it... Thanks again for your dedication to this subect."

- Wes Chyrchel, 3GC Interactive

Involvement: Collaboration with Our Community

Networking is good, but standing up in a room full of 100+ people for several hours can be a bit daunting. Never fear, we have a good alternative. Join us on the last Thursday of each month for Forward Thinking Thursdays. Held in Central Auckland City, it's a chance to connect with a group of switched on people over a glass of wine and talk about the issues that really matter. Its about your business, your community, your environment, your world. Find new resources and perspectives among some like-minded professionals. Keen to join us? Keep an eye on the Forward Thinking Blog for monthly event announcements and information. Catch you at the next event!

The youth of today are instrumental to our future. It's vital they understand issues like climate change, and what it means to our society, environment, and economy. Since November 2008, we've been proud to help mentor Nexus, the student sustainability group based at Auckland University. Check out some of their great speakers and events on throughout the year! Also: calling all professionals! Nexus could use your help too. If you'd like to help mentor students, contact us to get started.

Can Permaculture principles be applied to a business model? We like to think so, and have been exploring the possibilities of this design methodology since 2005. Together with Gary Marshall, Finn Mackesy, and a local group interested in David Holmgren's work, we've explored how the concepts can be used to further the aims of business and better our environment at the same time. If you're keen to learn more, check out our presentation on the subject that was given at a talk in March 2009, and again in November at Singapore Green Drinks. If you would like to get the schedule for the Auckland modular PDC programme, send Gary an email.

What most to New Zealanders? In late 2007, we took part in a workshop hosted by Anew NZ and Statistics NZ to try and answer this question. The workshop was aimed at developing sustainability indicators that would give an accurate view of wellbeing and prosperity-- something which simply looking at GDP does not accomplish. The project continues and the results on the day were quite intriguing.