Conference of Beings
Basic information
Project Title
Conference of Beings
Full project title
Conference of Beings
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
Let's embody the wisdom of nature and build eco-centered democracies together!
Geographical Scope
Cross-border/international
Project Region
CROSS-BORDER/INTERNATIONAL: Italy, Spain
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
The Conference of Beings (COB) cultivates reconnective leadership and embodied wisdom to promote eco-centered democracies. The project invites people of all ages to connect their embodied knowledge and the earth's wisdom in education and learning initiatives that give voice to other than human points of view. This is achieved through workshops, group activities, and storytelling to foster empathy and encourage participants to take a new perspective on nature and themselves. The project aims to create an interconnected community that values the contributions of all and supports the regeneration of our shared ecosystem. The project evolves and includes several projects and initiatives, namely: Communitas (2014), In the Name of the Mother (2015), Project Puzzle (2017), We Are Earth (2019), Voicing Gaia (2020), Project Life (2020) MindGen (2021), and Back to Earth (2022).
Key objectives for sustainability
COB events aim to promote reconnection with nature and promote eco-centered democracies. This is achieved through embodied leadership workshops, which invite participants of all ages to embody and give voice to beings other than humans. The workshops provide opportunities for learning and growth, fostering a sense of belonging to nature and inspiring a change of perspective that cultivates an eco-awareness of self and others. By connecting, transforming, and regenerating the relationship between humans and the natural world, our initiative demonstrates the power of art to create meaningful change. The project exemplifies bringing people together and facilitating profound and transformative learning experiences that promote sustainability, regeneration, and reconnection through art-making processes.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The COB provides a transformative, immersive, and positive experience that enhances their connection to nature and encourages people to adopt an eco-centric perspective. Through artistic performance, embodied practices, and a multisensory environment, we aim to convey a sense of belonging to nature and inspire people to feel a sense of reverence for all living beings. This initiative is exemplary in its focus on the aesthetics and quality of experience for people, as well as its holistic approach to sustainability by connecting people to nature and encouraging eco-centric thinking, an essential condition for a sustainable future.
Key objectives for inclusion
We promote inclusiveness and accessibility for all through embodied wisdom and reconnective leadership. This is achieved by inviting people of all ages and backgrounds to embody and give voice to beings other than humans, inspired by the work of Joana Macy. Our design principles and facilitation methods aim to create a safe and supportive space for all participants to express themselves, fostering a sense of community and belonging. The initiative is exemplary in this context as it actively works towards creating an inclusive and equitable society by promoting empathy and interconnectivity through hands-on, experiential learning. The affordability of our events is also ensured by keeping participation fees low and offering scholarships to those in need. Additionally, our governing systems prioritize collaboration and collective decision-making, further demonstrating our commitment to inclusiveness and social justice.
Results in relation to category
The scope of progress in implementing the initiative has been substantial thus far. We have already demonstrated the positive impact of our work through a series of videos, workshops, and performances that have been presented at conferences and events across Europe, and other parts of the world. Our approach, which integrates the principles of reconnective leadership and embodied wisdom, has been well-received by audiences and has sparked meaningful conversations about the role of nature in creating eco-centered democracies. As we move forward, our development plan for the initiative includes expanding our reach and deepening our impact through new collaborations and partnerships. The steps we envisage taking in the year following our application include hosting additional events, developing new resources and tools, and building our network of supporters and allies. Ultimately, our goal is to drive meaningful change by bringing the voices of non-human beings and future generations into the conversation on climate.
How Citizens benefit
OUr goal has always been to create an inclusive and participatory process where individuals can actively contribute to the design and implementation of our activities. We believe that this approach will not only ensure the relevance and impact of our initiatives but also foster a sense of ownership and responsibility toward the outcome.
The key aspect of involving citizens and civil society is through workshops and learning initiatives that aim to connect people with nature and help them embody the voices and perspectives of other beings. These workshops are open to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and we encourage participants to bring their own experiences and views to the table. Through this embodied learning process, individuals can gain a new perspective and develop a deeper connection with nature.
The key aspect of involving citizens and civil society is through workshops and learning initiatives that aim to connect people with nature and help them embody the voices and perspectives of other beings. These workshops are open to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and we encourage participants to bring their own experiences and views to the table. Through this embodied learning process, individuals can gain a new perspective and develop a deeper connection with nature.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
Our initiative is innovative in several ways compared to mainstream actions in the field of eco-centered education and leadership. First, it incorporates a unique approach of embodied wisdom, where participants are invited to embody and give voice to non-human beings and future generations. This approach challenges the dominant human-centric perspective and encourages a more holistic and interconnected understanding of our place in the world. Secondly, the initiative is designed to facilitate a multi-disciplinary and inclusive collaboration, where representatives from various fields such as art, ecology, education, and governance interact and share their perspectives. This collaborative approach fosters the creation of new, integrated solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future. Finally, the initiative highlights the importance of not just addressing the symptoms of ecological and social challenges, but also transforming the systems and structures that create them, promoting systemic change and regeneration.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The design and implementation of the initiative was informed by a multidisciplinary approach that brought together a diverse range of knowledge fields and disciplines. The initiative draws from fields such as social art, theatre education, philosophy, deep ecology, auto anthropology, and permaculture design, among others. The interaction between representatives from these fields resulted in the creation of a holistic program that integrates the various perspectives and approaches to address the challenges faced by society today. The added value of this multidisciplinary approach lies in the rich and diverse knowledge that was brought to the table, leading to innovative solutions and a more inclusive approach to the design and implementation of the initiative. This approach also encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, fostering new and creative ways of thinking and problem-solving, ultimately leading to a more impactful and sustainable outcome.
in particular we bring voices of other than humans and future generations into the conversation on climate. This adds a unique perspective to the discussion, allowing us to understand the impact of our actions on the entire ecosystem, not just humans. By embodying and giving voice to beings other than humans, we are able to broaden the scope of our thinking and create more inclusive and regenerative solutions. Through this process, we aim to inspire a change of perspective towards nature and to foster a deeper sense of belonging to the natural world.
in particular we bring voices of other than humans and future generations into the conversation on climate. This adds a unique perspective to the discussion, allowing us to understand the impact of our actions on the entire ecosystem, not just humans. By embodying and giving voice to beings other than humans, we are able to broaden the scope of our thinking and create more inclusive and regenerative solutions. Through this process, we aim to inspire a change of perspective towards nature and to foster a deeper sense of belonging to the natural world.
Methodology used
The methodology used in the initiative involves a participatory and embodied approach to environmental education and leadership. This approach is centered on the idea of "reconnecting" with nature and fostering a sense of interdependence between humans and other beings. It is inspired by the work of Joanna Macy and her "Work That Reconnects" philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of emotional and spiritual connection to the natural world as a means of inspiring action for environmental protection.
The initiative consists of a series of workshops and events that invite people of all ages to embody and give voice to beings other than humans. Through this process, participants are able to gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all life and the impact of their actions on the natural world. They are also encouraged to develop their own leadership skills and engage in creative expression, such as storytelling, poetry, and performance.
This approach blends elements of environmental education, creative expression, and participatory leadership development to create a unique and impactful experience for participants. The approach is highly adaptable and could be replicated in a variety of contexts and with different groups of beneficiaries.
The initiative consists of a series of workshops and events that invite people of all ages to embody and give voice to beings other than humans. Through this process, participants are able to gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all life and the impact of their actions on the natural world. They are also encouraged to develop their own leadership skills and engage in creative expression, such as storytelling, poetry, and performance.
This approach blends elements of environmental education, creative expression, and participatory leadership development to create a unique and impactful experience for participants. The approach is highly adaptable and could be replicated in a variety of contexts and with different groups of beneficiaries.
How stakeholders are engaged
We engage various stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels to co-create and implement eco-centered solutions. Through collaborative workshops and dialogues, we bring together communities, government agencies, cultural institutions, and educational organizations to co-design programs that promote reconnection with nature and embodied wisdom for ecological democracies. Our approach emphasizes inclusiveness, equitable decision-making, and intergenerational collaboration to ensure long-term impact and sustainability with an awareness-based and nature-led system change approach.
Global challenges
The initiative addresses the global challenge of disconnection from nature and the need for a shift towards eco-centric democracies. Through a process of embodied wisdom and reconnective leadership, it provides a local solution by inviting people of all ages to give voice to beings other than humans and to embody their perspectives. This process aims to inspire a change of perspective and to foster a sense of belonging to nature, thereby contributing to the creation of more inclusive, regenerative, and sustainable communities. The initiative’s approach, which blends art, education, and activism, offers an innovative and replicable model for addressing global environmental and social challenges through local actions.
Learning transferred to other parties
The initiative can be replicated in other places and contexts as it is a flexible and adaptable program that can be tailored to fit the specific needs of different communities. The methodology of embodied wisdom and reconnective leadership, which involves giving voice to non-human beings and future generations, can be applied in other environmental education and awareness initiatives. The focus on inclusive design, accessibility, and affordability can also be adopted by other programs to ensure that all members of the community can participate and benefit. Additionally, the interdisciplinary approach, which brings together representatives from various knowledge fields, can be replicated in other initiatives to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration and bring a diversity of perspectives to the conversation.
Keywords
Reconnecting
Embodied
Leadership
Transforming
Ecosystems
