Putting transformation into practice was the theme of the second day of the Oslo Transformation conference. Centre researcher Per Olsson opened the day by stating that "Transformation is often a result of the right constellation of people coming together and doing something that ends up having a huge impact."

Download high-res pictures from the conference here

Related articles:
First day summary: Setting the scene
Extreme dialogue: "Hell doesn't sell"
An introduction to the conference "Transformation in a Changing Climate

Wait for the avalanche
Frances Westley from the University of Waterloo and board member of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, compared transformation with an avalanche, and transformational leadership with the ability to step into the avalanche and let it carry you.

"An important part of transformation is waiting for and finding the right moment, when the window opens and it becomes possible to move ideas quickly," she said. She also read David Wagoner's poem "Lost", reminding us to find our connection to nature, and to learn to wait for the avalanche.

The importance of innovation and different kinds of knowledge was brought up by Anil Gupta from the Indian Institute of Management.

"Never before has the knowledge of our elders been lost at such a fast pace. We need to de-professionalize the knowledge system and look for problem solvers and innovators who are not paid to do it. There is too much pressure on the academics and too little acknowledgement of other types of knowledge."

This was followed by one of the much appreciated art events during the conference, a movie called "Critical transitions" presented by the artist Tone Bjordam who made the movie after being inspired by discussions with Beijer Institute board member Marten Scheffer who also made the music for the movie.

"Science and art have many things in common, there can be many answers to the same question and they can all be right", Tone Bjordam explained.