Will Ruddick
on Grassroots Economics
In the diverse Dholuo language of the Luo tribe in Kenya, the word “Wagur” carries many deep significances, one of its oldest usage meaning “to strengthen.”
To solidify: a relation, a group of people, or, the magic of sharing. Humans “freely giving to others in their community in the form of a gift economy.” Neighbours who would voluntarily come together and work on someone’s farm or home: “Reciprocity, in this case, is purely social and follows the Golden Rule; if you receive wagur, you are expected to also give back wagur, but there is no strong rule in place for when or how.”
Wagur is Will Ruddick’s mission, centred around learning from and connecting communities with their innate abundance and potential. He is a grassroots economist who artfully combines ancestral practices with innovative economic solutions. His academic journey took him through the realms of high-energy physics at the University of Cape Town, where he discovered his calling: prioritizing community over currency.
In order to reshape our understanding of economics, Will has been actively engaged in East Africa, where he has implemented a diverse number of programs focused on environmental sustainability, food security, and economic development. Informal debts, lack of credit, and lack of currency are a rampant, visceral issue in Kenya. After travelling there with Peace Corps, Will decided to learn Swahili and started co-designing variations of community currency: “Community energy needs to be knitted together in a strong network, and community-owned currencies are a way to do that!”
The world is craving for more pioneers in the field of non-monetary and alternative economics, so Will became the founding force behind the Grassroots Economics Foundation and Sarafu Network, as a testament to his commitment to economic empowerment at the grassroots level: “In a world where the 'free' market overshadows the value of community and collective well-being, it's high time we rethink our approach to economic systems!” These innovative approaches led to global collaborations with organizations like the World Food Programme or the Red Cross, and to Will becoming an associate scholar at the University of Cumbria's Initiative for Leadership and Sustainability. By blending elements like research, blockchain technology, data analysis, and the creation of economic commons and complementary currencies, his work is rooted in a dedication to social well-being, unity, and compassion.
Read Will Ruddick’s answers for Inspirators, reach out to your community and create “commons”, in one way or another! There’s a strong need for a multifaceted approach to economics, one that reflects the power of community and mutual aid!
Thank you, Will, for being a Grassroots Economist!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Will Ruddick
Company / Institution: Grassroots Economics Foundation
Title: Founder
Website: https://www.grassrootseconomics.org/
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willruddick/
Country of origin: United States
Country you currently live in: Kenya
Your personal definition of Regeneration: Regeneration is remembering that we can care about each other and our environment!
Main business challenge you face: People have forgotten mutual aid!
Main driver that keeps you going: The profound belief in the power of community-driven grassroots solutions to create sustainable economic and environmental change.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: Stubbornness and my ability to innovate and adapt, merging traditional practices with modern technology to create impactful economic systems.
The trait you most value in others: Commitment to the common good and the ability to think beyond individual interests for win-win scenarios and the betterment of the community.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Engaging with local communities, exploring new cultures, and witnessing the positive impact of our work on people's lives.
The #inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
Indigenous leaders, grassroots activists, and pioneering thinkers like Ursula Le Guin.
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the regeneration journey: Express your offering clearly, ensure that it can be duplicated and prioritize long-term community well-being over short-term gains.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: The notion that sustainability is only about the environment, ignoring the crucial social and economic dimensions.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: Spreading depression is a tool to stifle revolution. Change is a collective journey; your actions, no matter how small, contribute to a larger movement towards a better world.
Books that had a great impact on you:
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
The Wind's Twelve Quarters by Ursula Le Guin
Must-reads for any regenerative professional:
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
The Wind's Twelve Quarters by Ursula Le Guin
Promise Theory by Mark Burgess
Movies or documentaries you would watch all over again: “Parasite 2019”; “Triangle of Sadness 2022”
Blogs / Websites / Podcasts you visit frequently: 10% Happier, https://medium.com/@williamruddick
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Solitude by Lila Iké.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: The slums of Nairobi.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow:
Mark Burgess of Promise Theory
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: The rise of decentralized financial systems and the integration of digital technologies in sustainable development.
Best places for business networking (online or offline): Your friends and family and clan, community-based economic forums.
Events we should attend: An indigenous mutual aid event, a potluck, a barn raising.
Associations, business clubs, tribes you belong to – and why: The Chonyi and Giriama people because they have taken me and taught me their languages.
Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses, trainings, or certifications that really teach us how to have an impact: Learn to become a grassroots economist by learning from communities still in touch with their soul.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: We can build networks for mutual service and regeneration!
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: Weaponized harm prevention and depression!
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Joy, visionary thinking, empathy, and a strong commitment to mutual aid.
The ways in which you are an Inspirator to yourself: I keep trying!
The Inspirator you are endorsing for a future edition of the newsletter is:
Aude Péronne
The quote that inspires you:
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught." (Baba Dioum)
Your own quote that will inspire us:
