Hello, I first joined (and paid for certification) here because I was undertaking a "year of nomadic life" in order to make some needed changes in my life and to establish and fund a new business focused on making rapid change in both social and environmental policy. That is now underway and successful, and I have added a training arm, to allow others to learn skills in group facilitation and social change. (see more info below)

However, 2023 was a dark year for me as I experienced a severe personal tragedy with the sudden and incredibly painful loss of my wonderful 20 year old son. He was killed in a senseless incident when travelling alone for the first time in Peru, and I had to shut down my work and volunteering in Tunisia and Africa, go to Peru and bring him home to Canada, and deal with all the fallout, both short and long term, internal and external. A horrible outcome for a wonderful person, and it blew a major hole in my world.

Making some kind of sense out of this loss is now my challenge. I am doing okay now and learning how to carry it. Am also finding ways to keep his memory and spirit alive. It is my duty and privilege to do so.

For info on my work, see the website at engagefor2030.org

And here is the text from my LinkedIn profile:
Collaboration specialist helping "purpose-full" organizations in many sectors, local to global. Builds internal & external capacity. Strategist, engagement guru, facilitator, trainer, educator, speaker, activist, proud Dad.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Looking to connect with local people while living a simple and reflective life for the foreseeable future. Am committed to finding the space and time and courage to think about his and my life, and how to handle grief, and to write a book memorializing my lovely son. It is a painful but necessary journey for me, and travel and movement appear to be an important part of it. Thank you.

Interests

• public policy
• travel
• sustainability
• social justice
• earth

Music, Movies, and Books

David Mitchell, Rose Tremain, Margaret Atwood, and are among the best authors I can note here.

All kinds of music are great but Black Keys, White Stripes, Dua Lipa, Lucinda Williams, Michael Franti, Sinead O'Connor, the Smiths, Joy Division, the killers, etc. would stand out.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Organized and delivered a $10 million project on poverty reduction and sustainability in Vietnam. Started a non-profit that raised more than $12 million and built 45 schools in rural Ethiopia. Developed an adult certificate in "civic engagement and dialogue" and taught the core course for a decade. Started a sustainability-oriented city planning firm and built it up to 45 people at one time, working across Canada. Helped develop and deliver a global health inclusion program for people with ID. Helped develop a rural cohousing project in Roberts Creek, BC. But most importantly - raised two amazing kids and contributed to wide range of grassroots and local action projects helping community.

Teach, Learn, Share

Specialist in group facilitation and dialogue processes
Good cook and localvore
Amateur Comedian
Dumb labour (move dirt around, hammer up a fence, rake the yard)
Happy to clean homes I stay in
Very much a culture vulture and love sharing book and film and TV tips

What I Can Share with Hosts

See above

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Philippines, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Tunisia, Viet Nam