Reworking Tomorrow, whilst representing different things to different people, can basically be described as an informal, positive movement dedicated to reworking how we approach our planet. Do you approach a new day worrying about ironing your shirt for work? Get over it! There are much bigger things happening in the world out there. Reworking Tomorrow is about embracing the macrocosm that we live in and adapting our own lives to better support and nuture it ie. to create a more compassionate and caring culture.

Recently I spoke to Maree Merfett, who is enthusiastically involved with the movement. Maree, who sees herself as a 'people connector', loosely defines Reworking Tomorrow as a vehicle for linking those who feel that the structural dynamic of economic rationalism has failed and that new alternatives need to be explored.

Under the umbrella of Reworking Tomorrow are a number of groups. One of these are the Passion Cafes, which have been occuring around Australia for about the last 18 months. Passion Cafes give complete strangers a chance to connect with each other by exploring what they're passionate about in life. For example, someone may feel passionate about the fact that we treat old people like morons rather than valuing their experience. So time is devoted to talking about how we approach this in our own lives and how we can alter this 'youth-led culture' way of thinking. Another person may be passionate about teaching others about the plight of battery hens and how we should eat only free range eggs. Such is the non-dogmatic diversity of Reworking Tomorrow's scope.

Another Reworking Australia event the Great Aussie Chinwag, which was held in October last year. Held nationally, the convention attracted over 500 people in Brisbane and was a great talkfest for anyone interested in raving about the future. From this event, a number of informal groups were formed, including the Social Justice Group and the Local Environmental Sustainability Group. The Environmental Group, for example, are interested in dispersing information out to people as to how to better live a sustainable lifestyle. Recently the group submitted a paper to the Brisbane City Council with the aim of teaming up with them as a partner organisation to draw attention to sustainable practices and products in both the home and business.

Like any organisation, Reworking Tomorrow is still finding its feet. The death of nominal 'leader' Theobold hit the group hard. However, most of the people involved also recognise that this reliance on a leader is based on our current systematic belief that people should operate 'under a leader', rather than be exploring new ways themselves and as part as a group.

In the past, social movements usually began as a minority group which practised the 'alternative'. Then, as 'the alternative' began to gain popularity, the system began referencing it until it was embraced as something trendy and the 'alternative' became mainstream, albeit in a much watered down form. This time around, why wait for a socially sustainable culture to make its way to you when its trendy in fifty years. You can start creating it now!

What can you do?

Affect change. If you are interested in being involved with Reworking Tomorrow, click here to find to a Reworking Tomorrow group near you.

If nothing else, check out The Healing Century by Robert Theobold. It'll get you thinking. And spare a thought for those battery hens........

- Neriman Kemal