#020 COMMUNIQUE

TITLE : (Re)introducing THE ADV_™

In a candid conversation with Advisor : Philip Howe, Christopher Lutterodt-Quarcoo answers the most pertinent questions that surround THE ADV_™.

Following on from launching our about video, it’s only fair we go into a little more depth into what THE ADV_ stands for and showcase its reason for being.

Q. Who is CL-Q?

First and foremost i’m a creative entrepreneur, with a professional background in design, film and interest in socio-politics.

Q. WHAT IS THE ADV_?

THE ADV_™ is a space for (aspiring) change makers to experience world-building in each sector of society. This is a space to explore the complexity of human behaviour, motivations, goals, and moral guidelines, in order to develop methods of engagement in different sectors.

Q. WHAT DOES IT STAND FOR?

THE ADV_™ is an abbreviation for THE ADVERSARY or THE ADVOCATE. We developed both approaches for participants to align with in each scenario. For context, we used to operate under the name The Adversary, where we focused on helping participants understand how to think like their opposition, using the tagline, “Before you create it, you must learn to destroy it”. However, for those nations or communities where they are far too familiar with destructive methods of progress, we developed THE ADVOCATE.

Q. HOW DID IT COME INTO EXISTENCE?

THE ADV_ started from my personal frustration by the repetitive public shock and unpreparedness of the conduct of key leaders, governments or organisations that have been well documented — as a result we have been stuck in a cycle of responding predictably.

From what I was seeing and bring told through multiple organisations is that they are pursuing empowerment through developing develop defensive measures to protect of change their environment — personal, communal, corporate all the way up to national levels.

This is designed for people to have fun and understand what they are up against by becoming their opposition and allies to understand their desire, and the means they would go to achieve their goal. We are focussed on developing methods of engagement informed from empathetic perspectives.

Q. WHO IS IT FOR?

The underlying criteria is the pursuit of understanding and empowerment, but when we look back over all our participants, there are certain consistencies that we’ve found, they are either :

- Curious, looking for knowledge for the first time by experiencing a position of power.

- Enthusiastic, searching for where they can play a part, even if it's just to get more information to create impact.

- Experts, for those who are professionally invested in the topic, so they want to be on the cutting edge to define change.

Q. WHEN DID YOU DECIDE IT NEEDED TO BECOME MORE THAN JUST A WORKSHOP?

There are two instances that really standout, that made me think there may be some potential beyond a basic workshop.

The first, was our second workshop hosted at Changing Minds Festival at Southbank Centre. We were aiming for 16 people but ended up with 35+ who wanted to partake in proposing a new reparations and remedy policy for the United Nations — they actually produced viable options with some pretty reputable people in the room.

The confirmation came, when we were invited to develop a bespoke simulation for Chatham House (as they were known back then, now the Institute of International Affairs) for two international policies in development. At the end of the session they stated that because of this workshop they were going to start from scratch in light of the vulnerabilities that were exposed in this workshop.

Q. WHY NOW?

We are in a time where there is higher visibility and greater vocalisation of individual, communal and corporate conduct. This is the time to understand the rules of engagement and design your moves — don’t be disillusioned these activities are happening behind closed doors for many private institutions. THE ADV_™ is for public interest and service.

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For more enquiries about the experience
LINK : FAQ
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Visit CL-Q’s personal website
LINK : www.cl-q.com

For press, sponsorships or media enquiries email us at hello@the-adv.com