Historical Background

The overall conception of the late Sir Charles Goodeve, FRS, when he launched OPUS in 1975, remains unchanged. He believed that if we were better able to understand processes operating in society and particularly issues of conflict, in industry and outside, then we would be able to take more rational decisions; in the long run we would become more effective as citizens in managing ourselves and society. Essentially, therefore, OPUS is concerned with increasing the understanding of such processes and with fostering maturity in the individual in his various roles: as producer and consumer; as employer, employee or self-employed; as a member of a family and community; and as a citizen. Its mission is therefore educational in the broadest sense.

In establishing OPUS as a non-political organisation with charitable status, Sir Charles was supported and encouraged by The Tavistock Institute and the Industrial Society. It was recognised that the study and promotion of a better understanding of society - how it works, how the individual relates to it - with a particular emphasis on conflict, formed a distinctive field of endeavour, which could most effectively be tackled from an autonomous basis. In its overall aim, therefore, and in particular in its focus on helping the individual to act with authority and responsibility in his role as a citizen, OPUS is not seen as duplicating the work of other bodies.

OPUS is also distinctive in the mix of interlocking activities through which it tries to perform its task. The operational programmes that have been and are being developed can be grouped under the headings of

(i ) Consultancy and Training
(ii) Education and Research

Through working in these ways OPUS reaches specific sets of people, such as client organisations and community groups; and the experiences so gained lead to the third and crucial task.

(iii) Dissemination. To the public at large and to selected audiences.