Thank you for visiting my website.
I am a writer and songwriter — books, articles, poetry, lyrics, music.
To read my blog, click on Words & Music by Alan AtKisson
With nearly 40 years of experience working on global sustainability issues, development, and systems change, I also lecture and advise on those topics. I work with universities, organisations, institutions, governments, or individual leaders, when asked.
I am also a Senior Fellow at Uppsala University, Sweden, supporting the Center for Environment and Development Studies.
These days, I work only as a volunteer, on issues that I care about, and I do not request or accept payment for my contribution.
As a hobby, I am an amateur artist, working in multi-media, painting and sculpture.
If you want to know a little about my professional background, see the profile below. If you want the whole story, see the detailed professional biography (link below the profile).
Or just feel free to explore my site. You can write to me directly by using the Contact tab, or look me up on social media: LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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Alan AtKisson – A Professional Profile
Alan has been working in leadership and advisory positions since 1988 on topics related to sustainability, sustainable development, economic and social policy, innovation, and leading systems change.
He is a former CEO of several global organisations, including the intergovernmental Global Water Partnership, the non-governmental Earth Charter Initiative, and the sustainability consultancy he led for 26 years, AtKisson Group. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Sweden.
Alan served a six-year term at Sida (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), from 2018-2024. He was Director for the global department responsible for implementing Swedish funding programs that (1) mobilized large-scale investments backed by Swedish financial guarantees, (2) cultivated private sector cooperation in development, (3) strengthened global civil society through cooperation Swedish NGOs, (4) supported cutting edge development research at major institutions, and (5) developed institutional capacity and training initiatives. He was also responsible for leading innovation throughout the agency.
As a deputy to the Director-General, Alan participated in the overall leadership of Sida and often represented the Government of Sweden in a diplomatic capacity at international fora, such as those convened by the World Bank and the United Nations.
Alan is also a former adviser to the United Nations (supporting UNDESA and other UN agencies); to the President of the European Commission (on science and technology issues); and to a wide variety of governments at the national, regional, and local level. During his years as a strategic consultant, his clients included many global corporations and international NGOs.
Alan is the author of eight books, and he has also released six albums of original music as a singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Alan has worked in over 50 countries and has trained hundreds of officials in the principles and practice of sustainability and sustainable development. He has been recognised as a pioneer ifor the work he did in applying a systems-based approach to sustainability in city planning, education and training, economic policy development, and business management. Tools that he invented — and which he later donated to the non-profit organisation Compass Education — are still in active use around the world.
In 2013, Alan was inducted into the International Sustainability Hall of Fame.
Alan is currently working on “Gaia’s Dreams: An Optimist’s Guide to Creating Positive Futures,” the third and final book in his “Optimist Trilogy”. The series began with his environmental bestseller Believing Cassandra (1999, revised 2012) and continued with The Sustainability Transformation (2012). The final book is scheduled for publication in 2027.
Alan is available on a limited, strictly voluntary basis to speak or to advise on strategic and leadership-related matters. Please use the Contact tab to send him an inquiry via email.
You can also follow or contact him via LinkedIn. You can follow his other writing, music, and art on Facebook or Instagram.
For more information about Alan’s work and many contributions to the field of sustainability between 1988 and 2024, please see his detailed professional biography.
For information about Alan’s books and writing, click here >>
For information about Alan’s music, albums and songs, click here >>
Alan AtKisson 