We dream of a Europe we can proudly call home, that is a living example of what can be, & embodies global & transnational citizenship & socio-ecological interconnection & stewardship. We don't have all the answers but we do know ways for us to experiment & create thriving futures together.

Europe, United Kingdom, Germany

Our transnationalism struggles in our current social systems & is partly met with apprehension. People feel their identities & their ability to meet their needs risk compromise. Our social models & worldviews need to evolve to strengthen our social fabric to live as global citizens, with empathy towards the whole of humanity & other forms of life. We will leverage Europe’s diversity & its transnational, intergenerational & transdisciplinary wisdom; incorporate a long-term, whole systems approach & sensitivity about preferences on how to satisfy needs; go beyond Eurocentrism by bringing in outside voices; demonstrate identity can flourish with both transnational & local dimensions. The lab & the community it will form can be focused adaptively across borders, sectors & scales.

The participants will: Become a dedicated transnational community that provides a support network & a safe space to explore, experiment, prototype & act to actively & practically contribute to realizing a shared bold vision for a thriving, interconnected & diverse Europe. Hone capacities to embed systemic & strategic approaches with long-term, interconnected & root-cause perspectives in their work, & to see, think & do in new & different ways. Tap & amplify their strengths, & apply their insight & learning to develop & begin testing prototypes of interventions, programs, initiatives, etc. Create a shared economy of tangible & intangible resources, ideas & learning. Feel energized, connected & empowered. Inspire, energize, embolden & engage their networks & others.

Pre-work: process design, strategic direction, recruitment, partnerships, resources. Groundwork: Participants review reference material, complete applied & fieldwork-based assignments, begin interacting virtually. Residence: 5 days. Community & capacity building, co-creation & prototyping activities. Methods: Iterative approach with layered parallel processes & design adjustments adapting to the flow, drawing primarily from appreciative inquiry, design thinking, theory U, storytelling, dragon dreaming, systems thinking, & participatory leadership processes. Follow-up: feedback, reflection, sharing learning, requests for help, further prototyping. Extra: Documentary to capture process, enthusiasm & commitments, & spread the message. Subject to budget. When: Residence around November 2015.

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Feedback to further develop & strengthen idea. Help us connect to potential participants & partners, link to existing initiatives, secure additional sponsorship. We would also be happy to hear from complementary initiatives who would like to explore potential for collaboration.