Second Renaissance
Conference

Metacrisis & Renaissance

From crises in the foundations to paths of renewal

This panel explores what lies at the root of our contemporary unraveling and how moments “between worlds” can open the possibility for renewal. We will look both at diagnosis of today’s intersecting crises, looking for the deeper structures beneath, and at potential pathways of regeneration. How have societies done this in the past, what concrete practices or forms of action are essential. Overall we will invite a shared inquiry into how the very forces driving the metacrisis may also point toward the seeds of a wiser, more life-affirming future.

6th December

The embodied researcher:
Science in the age of interbeing

Reclaiming Wonder

This panel explores the emergence of the embodied researcher—one who integrates analytical precision with lived experience. At a time when knowledge must address both systemic and inner complexity, these researchers engage mind, body, and community to generate insight that is both rigorous and relational. Bringing together four perspectives—developmental psychology and education, complex systems and cooperative governance, Indigenous ecology and kinship rhythms, and aesthetic knowing through social arts—the discussion invites us to imagine research as a transformative practice of awareness and responsibility, where understanding and transformation unfold together.

Participants are warmly invited to bring paper and colored pencils to draw along during the panel, with guidance from Ninni Sødahl in her method of aesthetic knowing

6th December

AI and Wisdom

Pathways and challenges in augmenting collective decision-making

In the context of deepening, interconnected global challenges, increasingly advanced AI offers both risk and opportunity. In this session we’ll ask how AI could create major societal risks or accentuate current crises - and also how it could help us respond to these risks and build wiser societies. We’ll talk to thought leaders whose work covers the technical challenges - and in principle difficulties - in making AI not only intelligent but wise, and participants will also learn about cutting edge projects and practices to enhance collective wisdom through human-AI collaboration.

6th December

Emerging Future

Educating the Next Generation of World Builders

Otto Scharmer writes, “Small islands of coherence are microcosms of the future that is trying to emerge.” As the systems around us collapse, these islands of coherence hold the promise that a higher order can be created. In this session, we’ll talk with educators who are working with young adults to create microcosms of the future. Drawing attention to worldview literacy, we’ll explore the tools these educators use–self-governance, communal living, participatory action research–to support students in the practice of world building. Participants should leave inspired by the work being done by these innovative educators, and with tools to practice world building in their own communities.

5th December

Health-seeing Interdepend(a)nce

Planetary Health as a Pathway for Transformation

Health is more than the absence of disease. The western biomedical healthcare response to disease management generally reflects the fragmented worldview at the core of the metacrisis. In this panel, we'll explore a holistic mindset shift to the interdependence of individual, community and planetary health through integrative health frameworks. Attendees will learn about integrative health values, practices and lifestyle choices that have reciprocal and transformative benefits for both human wellbeing and planetary health, including mindful eco-wellness, nature connection and ‘Earth prescriptions,’ and green healthcare options.

5th December

The Next Political Generation

From disillusion to collective agency

Today’s youth are the most disillusioned generation in living memory. Everything feels too relative or absolute to imagine real change. Young bodies and souls in a self-terminating system have lost touch with what makes life worth living, with where and whom we belong to. But how we live together as humanity in this world is what real politics is about. Beyond electoral politics, beyond parties that are two sides of the same coin... It is time for those of us who haven’t given up to embrace political economy and the culture, cultivation of our togetherness as a key to collective agency. For if we dont, we give up on living, together.

6th December

Reclaiming Community

Cultivating nourishing and meaningful connections in our atomized world

The word "community" has been watered down by corporate capitalism seeking to co-opt human connection for marketing purposes. But the social and developmental benefits of belonging, togetherness, and collaboration are vast, and we hunger for real and authentic connection where we can be mutually seen, known, and encouraged. Come meet community-builders creating self-aware spaces for deeply meaningful relationships, hear lessons from their experiences and walk away with some sparks for your own connection- and community-building efforts.

6th December