Context

We are living in times of collapse, crisis, and confusion. Many of us feel paralyzed by despair about what is happening in the world—a despair that often immobilizes us and feels impossible to overcome. This stems from the layered crises we face: ecocide, the climate emergency, multiple genocides, and the rise of the political far-right. Polarization is increasing, alongside the misuse and manipulation of media and artificial intelligence, and the erosion of citizen agency. Even democracy is in crisis with many questioning its relevance, or whether it is functioning at all.

To take meaningful action, we must reconnect with hope. We must recognize the incredible creativity and perseverance of those who refuse to surrender to despair—people who invite us to honor the beauty of diverse perspectives, find meaning in our shared humanity, and come together to navigate even the darkest moments.

Amid growing cracks in our systems, collectives and communities are rising in response, standing up for diversity and embracing the unique gifts carried by different identities. Diverse voices are growing louder: women’s movements, Indigenous people defending ecosystems, anti-racism conversations confronting institutionalized injustice, and testimonies of those who have endured long-term oppression and occupation.

Beyond the human sphere, the non-human world is increasingly recognized not just as a set of resources for consumption but as an intelligent force offering guidance as we face these overlapping crises.

The juxtaposition of despair and hope, of crisis and potential, challenges us to move beyond binaries. In doing so, we open the door to co-creating systems that are not only resilient but also regenerative and just. What more could our societies become, and how might we reimagine democracy in practice?

This training invites you to explore this essential question. It calls for societal innovation where democracy transcends outdated paradigms of representation and corporate lobbying to give rise to new forms—participatory, polycentric, ecological, and intersectional. It is a call to shift toward new narratives, in response to a democracy in crisis.

The Art of Hosting and Harvesting Meaningful Conversations

Through the practice of the Art of Hosting and Harvesting Meaningful Conversations, we aim to create a reflective and deep learning space. Together we will explore a worldview of connectivity rooted in living systems, mental models that enable us to navigate complexity and process design that foster full participation—ultimately harvesting new collective intelligence and guiding wise action. 

This training is for you if are …

• Seeking new ways of working and leading to address the challenges and potentials of our times
• Working in a complex environment where collaboration beyond existing paradigms is essential
• Responding to a call you may not yet be fully clear about but feel compelled to explore
• Ready and curious to examine your work, community or personal environment through the lens of “care and kinship”
• Eager to deepen practices of collective inquiry and collaboration to apply in your contexts
• Aspiring to foster engagement and participation in initiatives and activities you are cultivating
• Interested in learning new methods to facilitate meaningful conversations
  Looking to join a growing network of change practitioners in Berlin

Who is this training for?

This training is for individuals and teams seeking new approaches to leadership, collaboration, and democratic resilience, including:

• Community leaders and organizers
• Social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs
• Decision-makers and project managers
• NGO and development workers
• Artists, activists and social designers
• Facilitators, coaches and consultants
• Corporate innovators
• Convenors of cross-sector dialogues
• Policymakers and municipal leaders
• Teachers, trainers and lifelong learners

Language: English

Location:
bUm – Raum für die engagierte Zivilgesellschaft
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 21
10999 Berlin