Our Mission

The multi-faceted problem of overconsumption lies at the heart of many of the social, economic, and ecological crises which are currently afflicting advanced capitalist societies and beyond.  At the same time, great multitudes around the globe live lives oppressed by material deprivation (i.e. under-consumption).

The Simplicity Institute seeks to address these issues, by showing that a sufficiency-based economy is a viable and desirable alternative to consumer capitalist society.  This is achieved through four main activities:

Education

In order for a transition to a just, sustainable and flourishing society, the idea of a sufficiency economy or ecological civilisation needs to be brought into the public consciousness as a viable alternative to consumer society.  The Simplicity Institute aims to foster and resource this process through education.

Collaboration

Many people from diverse backgrounds have made significant contributions to the spheres of voluntary simplicity, degrowth, permaculture, and related matters.  The Simplicity Institute aims to bring these people together to facilitate collaboration and cooperation in advancing the great transition to an ecological civilisation.

Organisation

The Simplicity Institute aims to facilitate and promote sufficiency-based economies, cultures, and systems, by encouraging collaboration and developing community initiatives wherever possible.

Research

We conduct research into voluntary simplicity, degrowth, permaculture and associated issues to build the theoretical and empirical basis for an ecological civilisation.  This also serves to advance sufficiency-based ways of life into circles of academic, cultural, and policy debate.