Michael Edwards

Michael Edwards is a writer and activist based in upstate New York. He was the editor of openDemocracy’s Transformation project. His website is www.futurepositive.org and his twitter account is @edwarmi.

What can we learn from thirty articles on philanthropy and social change?

Reforming today’s institutions won’t be enough to support the transformations of the future.

By Michael Edwards

/ 27 Sep 2020

What can we learn from thirty articles on philanthropy and social change?

What does it mean to clean up politics?

If all we do is fight, we won’t be able to forge coalitions that are broad, deep and strong enough to confront our biggest problems.

By Michael Edwards

/ 2 Aug 2020

The road beyond McMindfulness

What can we learn from 22 articles on mindfulness and social change?

By Michael Edwards

/ 21 Jul 2020

Thirty articles on nonviolent protest

Even under aggressive provocation, nonviolence remains the key to success in the struggle against injustice.

By Michael Edwards

/ 2 Jun 2020

Is there a role for NGOs in the transformation of society?

In the last five years we’ve published 30 articles on NGOs and social change. What do they reveal?

By Michael Edwards

/ 21 May 2020

Is there a role for NGOs in the transformation of society?

Can mindfulness help us in the midst of COVID-19 - and beyond?

If we connect our contemplative practices with social realities we can fashion a healthier present and a better future.

By Beth Berila, David Forbes, Michael Edwards, Rachel Lilley and Mark Leonard

/ 3 May 2020

Can mindfulness help us in the midst of COVID-19 - and beyond?

Don’t shoot the messenger

We got aggressive legal threats from Save the Children. Today’s damning report vindicates the whistleblowers, but wider lessons must be learned

By Michael Edwards and Mary Fitzgerald

/ 5 Mar 2020

Where is civil society when you need it?

While cultures of protest are strong, other parts of civil society are getting weaker, with calamitous results.

By Michael Edwards

/ 3 Dec 2019

Where is civil society when you need it?

Is it time for Transformation to be transformed?

The editor of openDemocracy’s Transformation section will be leaving in 2020. Where should it go next?

By Michael Edwards

/ 17 Oct 2019

Is it time for Transformation to be transformed?

Who cares?

A bold new play peels back the layers on the hidden worlds of young carers in the UK.

By Michael Edwards

/ 4 Sep 2019

Forget billionaires: let’s build our own system to fund the transformation of society

How can money build community and connection instead of division?

By Michael Edwards

/ 23 Jun 2019

Forget billionaires: let’s build our own system to fund the transformation of society

Could NGOs flourish in a future without foreign aid?

Only when myths are revealed as myths can there be a clear-eyed conversation about the best ways forward.

By Michael Edwards

/ 24 Jun 2018