DUANE ELGIN is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and social visionary. He has an MBA from the Wharton Business School, an MA in economic history from the University of Pennsylvania, and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy for work in “ecological and spiritual transformation” from the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA. In 2005, Duane received the Japanese “Goi International Peace Award” in recognition of his contribution to a global “vision, consciousness, and lifestyle” that fosters a “more sustainable and spiritual culture.”

His books include: THE LIVING UNIVERSE: Where Are We? Who Are We? Where Are We Going? (2009); PROMISE AHEAD: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity’s Future (2000), VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY: Toward a Way of Life that is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich (1993 and 1981), and AWAKENING EARTH: Exploring the Evolution of Human Culture and Consciousness (1993). With Joseph Campbell and other scholars he co-authored the book CHANGING IMAGES OF MAN (1982). In addition, Duane has contributed chapters to sixteen books, and has published more than seventy articles.
In the early 1970s, worked as a senior staff member of a joint Presidential-Congressional Commission on the American Future. He then worked as a senior social scientist with the think-tank SRI International where he coauthored numerous long-range, futures studies, such as: Anticipating Future National and Global Problems (for the President’s Science Advisor), Alternative Futures for Environmental Policy (for the Environmental Protection Agency), The Future of the Automobile (for the Ford Motor Co.), and Limits to the Management of Large, Complex Systems (for the President’s Science Advisor).

Over the past twenty twenty-five years, Duane has co-founded three non-profit organizations concerned with media accountability and citizen empowerment.

As a speaker, Duane has given more than 300 keynotes and workshops with audiences ranging from business executives and civic groups to churches and college students.

Keynote Topics

Duane is available for talks and workshops, and for live video conversations broadcast to your classroom, boardroom, or living room. Below are the three most popular keynote and workshop themes on which Duane presents. Each can be adapted to meet the needs of specific audiences and situations.

OUR WORLD IN TRANSITION: What lies ahead—disaster or renewal?

We live in a time of fierce urgency. Climate change, energy shortages, financial breakdowns, and more fill the headlines. We know the world is changing profoundly—but in what direction, and what does it mean for me? How can we make sense out of these challenging times? What are the beacons of hope and opportunity? Is there a bigger story being played out? What skills and talents are important for me in these challenging times?


MOVING FROM THE RAT RACE TO THE HUMAN RACE: Cool lifestyles for a hot planet

Lily Tomlin said that, “the problem with the rat race is that, even if you win, you’re still a rat.” A growing number of people are saying they are not interested in winning the rat race but rather in joining the human race—with a higher quality of life. What does a more balanced and sustainable way of living look like? There is no “cookbook for sustainable lifestyles” with all of the answers, so how are people freshly inventing their lives? You don’t want a drab life, but style does not require lots of stuff; it requires your creativity and unique personality. This is the generation to invent cool lifestyles for living on our hot planet. What kinds of changes are underway, both in the larger world and inside ourselves? How is community vital to sustainability?

COLLECTIVE CRISIS MEETS COLLECTIVE WISDOM: Stunning insights from science and spirituality offer new insights about the universe and the human journey.

Humanity has reached an historic turning point. Decisions made today will be felt by people living far into the future. To make those decisions wisely, we can draw upon more than two thousand years of historical learning from both science and spiritual traditions to get a fresh view of the universe and of the human journey. We see we are part of something much larger, and the choices we make will reverberate into the deep future.

TESTIMONIALS 

"Duane Elgin totally engaged more than 2,000 green building professionals in a spirited dialog about the future, and in the process began conversations between individuals that spilled over into the conference halls. Duane's strength is 'speaking with,' instead of 'talking to.' Participants were empowered to be part of an ongoing dialog about our mutual future. As chair of the world's largest green building conference, I can say that Duane's impact was immediate, profound and likely to be lasting on our industry."
--Jerry Yudelson, MBA, Chair, 2005 US Greenbuild Conference

"Duane gave an absolutely captivating presentation to a very bright and savvy group of business leaders in our Executives Leading Sustainable Change program. He provoked our deepest thinking and inspired urgent action! Hiring Duane is one of the best investments we have ever made!"
-- Rayona Sharpnack, President of the Institute for Women Leadership, Redwood City, California

"Duane's presentation was enlivening and generative. He helped us to examine our work in light of the world that is becoming, engaged us in a dialogue that challenged the way we see higher education, and led us to find innovative and liberating possibilities. Duane also inspired us as a model of values-based, life-long learning."
-- Dean Elias, Dean of the School of Education, Saint Mary's College of California

"Among the nationally distinguished presenters in our Technology and Society Series at Santa Clara University, Duane Elgin was one of the finest. His talk and ensuing discussion on alternative futures and ecological lifestyles was rated by students and community participants as one of the most engaging and entertaining presentations of the series. I give Duane Elgin my highest recommendation."
-- Mitch Saunders, Director of Programs, California Leadership

"Your presentation [to our annual gathering of international executives] was coherent and provocative, in the best sense of the word. You were thoughtful, constructively challenging, and very human in your responses. You have a strong yet gentle style that I find very compelling."
-- Robert Johansen, President, Institute for the Future, Menlo Park, California

"I have heard Duane Elgin speak at a number of conferences over the past decade. He is an exceptionally thoughtful, well-informed speaker, on the cutting edge of social issues and ideas. He speaks with clarity, elegance and passion on the major issues of our time."
-- Roger Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., professor, and author of Staying Alive: The Psychology of Human Survival, and other books

"Duane Elgin does his homework and has a feeling for who he is speaking to. Response from listeners on Man to Man were immediate and extremely positive. Duane is welcome as a return guest anytime."
-- Jerry Johnson, host/creator, "Man to Man," KCBS radio, San Francisco

“We emerged from the workshop with better understandings of our individual and collective places in the world, clearer visions of purpose, renewed commitments, and restored hope…This powerful experience changed lives.”
--Carol Goland, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, Denison University, Ohio

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