Thematic forums

The 12 transdisciplinary thematic forums at the 2023 World Conference focussed on key contemporary issues and perspectives that can be developed from anthroposophy. The participants addressed the question: What is our contribution to the needs and burning social issues today?

Here we summarise the results of the thematic forums as well as the perspectives, initiatives and projects that have developed from the respective forums. We are constantly updating this page so that together we can be aware of developments in the fields of action worldwide.

Health for Humans and the Earth. How are the health of human beings and the Earth interconnected, and how can they be fostered?

Thematic Forum 2

In 2022, a collaboration began between the Agricultural and Medical Sections, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel (Prof. Zinsstag), and the Dutch Louis Bolk Institute (LBI). This collaboration focuses on applying the One Health approach to investigate and improve the health situation of agricultural enterprises in Europe. The core principles of the One Health approach involve:

• Simultaneously studying the health conditions of humans, animals, plants, and soils through scientific methods and discussing the findings with those directly affected.
• Collaborating with stakeholders—primarily farmers, and where appropriate, involving the local community and economically linked enterprises (e.g., dairies)—to define, promote and implement  steps to improve health across all levels.
• Scientifically monitoring and evaluating the effects of these implemented measures.

Initially, the group intended to focus on dairy farms for several reasons: the cow occupies a central position in biodynamic agriculture; the dairy industry is under increasing scrutiny, particularly from the growing vegan movement; and economic pressures in this sector are exceptionally high. Over time, the focus broadened to include various farms practising animal husbandry (e.g., poultry, goats, cattle, etc.). In 2024, qualitative interviews were conducted with selected individual farmers, revealing:

• How closely the mental and, to some extent, physical well-being of farmers is tied to the health of their animals, and how deeply human beings suffer when excessive demands are placed on the animals (e.g. in dairy farming, but also in poultry farming and other sectors).
• How, over time, a biodynamic approach to farming can be reflected in soil quality and resilience, for example, in the face of climate change.
• How crucial, yet independent of the farming method, the attentive commitment and willingness to develop and adapt are for the health of soils, plants, animals, and human beings.
• How vital a positive relationship with consumers is for farmers’ sense of purpose and well-being (e.g. experiencing appreciation and building relationships through on-farm shops or direct marketing of their products), while conversely, many feel isolated.
• How precarious the economic pressure and dependency on state or supranational subsidy programmes are often experienced to be.
• How important stable relationships within the value chain (e.g. with dairies or wholesalers) are. 

Currently, the Louis Bolk Institute is working to develop initial studies with farmers employing various farming methods (conventional, organic, and biodynamic) based on insights gained from these qualitative interviews. In Germany, a collaboration is being established with the University of Witten-Herdecke and the Faculty of Agriculture at Kassel-Witzenhausen. Similarly, further steps are being planned for Switzerland. At the same time, through Prof. Martin (University of Witten-Herdecke), a connection exists with SEKEM. In Egypt, SEKEM has initiated the conversion of several tens of thousands of small farms to biodynamic agriculture. This transition is based on the proven effectiveness of biodynamic methods in building humus and storing CO₂, offering Egyptian smallholders the opportunity to earn additional income through certifications for CO₂ storage. This farm transition is intended to be accompanied by scientific research. As part of this initiative, the inclusion of One Health perspectives in the scientific evaluation is now under consideration.

For further information, please contact:
Georg Soldner (g.soldner.mue@t-online.de)
Jean-Michel Florin (jean-michel.florin@goetheanum.ch)

Living with Technology!

Thematic Forum 3

The "Forum on Living with Technology" emerged from many years of work addressing questions surrounding transhumanism, technology, and the associated processes of digitalisation. This work continues through biannual colloquia held in Dornach, attended by researchers and individuals from diverse fields such as computer science, medicine, biology, philosophy, mathematics, physics, literary and art studies, as well as the arts themselves. This interdisciplinary approach ensures a broad range of perspectives that complement and enrich one another. The forum’s efforts involve not only tracking the latest technological advancements and attempting to assess their impact across various aspects of life but also delving into these complex issues through insights drawn from anthroposophy. The aim is to achieve a deeper understanding, gain orientation, and, above all, develop actionable strategies for the future. This includes engaging with carefully selected texts by Rudolf Steiner that are relevant to specific developments and phenomena.

Central to the forum's focus for some time now has been the question of the significance of the human body, the senses, and the "I." The rapid progress in prosthetics and the vision of a "neo-body" raise deeply existential questions about the body as a physical-sensory form imbued with the individuality of the "I." How can we conceive of a future human body so that it can be permeable to the spiritual? What capacities need to be cultivated together with the latest technological developments rather than in opposition to them? A research project exploring these themes is currently in the planning stage and is set to be further developed at the next meeting in early October 2024.

Other areas of inquiry include questions of authenticity, originality, and truth, as well as distinguishing features of digital and human-created art, and the cultivation of an ability to achieve true insight into the essence of phenomena.

The colloquium is open to anyone interested in engaging with these questions.

For further information, please contact:
Christiane Haid (christiane.haid@goetheanum.ch)
and Ariane Eichenberg (ariane.eichenberg@goetheanum.ch),
Section for the Literary Arts and Humanities

How Do We Build Peace? Peaceful Resistance, Coalitions and Associations for the Future 

Thematic Forum 8

The forum focused on the fundamental role that everyone can play in working for peace through developing an awareness of a feeling for the dynamics of conflict and reconciliation that are at play of all levels of life. This awareness can grow into a feeling of personal implication and responsibility regarding how one engages with the potentials for peace whether it be on a micro, mezzo or macro level. Through studying dynamics of conflict and of reconciliation this can be fostered in a highly specific way.

A number of pertinent projects and events have followed on the forum. These include the International Students Conference of 2024, Taking Heart – finding our way together, which saw 700 high school aged students from around the world gather at the Goetheanum. Their work was oriented toward peace. One red thread of the gathering was the powerful story of the Great Law of Peace which was shared in a participatory pageant on the Münsterplatz in the city of Basel.(1)

The Youth Section, in collaboration with the World Goetheanum Association, also collaborated on an event dedicated to trans-national voluntary economic cooperation(2) in honor of the efforts of Daniel Dunlop’s inauguration of the World Power Conference of 1924 which envisioned a global economy characterized by a trans-national stewardship of resources, elevating the virtue of efficiency, the sharing of knowledge and interdependence. This intergenerational gathering included a pre-program on key issues of associative economics and the production of a booklet of pertinent articles, images and re-imagined folk songs of economic cooperation that students from different countries created to be sung at the event.(3)

More recently a series of panel discussions on pressing social and political themes has been hosted in collaboration with Goetheanum TV. Themes in these conversations range from orientations that can facilitate peaceful navigation of conflict, the tensions between diversity and community and social and cultural challenges connected with narrow mindedness and dogmatism.(4)

1. https://dasgoetheanum.com/en/thinking-should-replace-killing/

2. https://www.worldgoetheanum.org/en/wgf-2024

3. https://static.goetheanum.ch/assets/webseite/WGA-Booklet-with-songs-and-articles.pdf

4. https://goetheanum.tv/categories/offen-gesagt

Biosphere-Based Economy: Associative Work as a Cultural Technique for Greater Resilience in Life

Thematic Forum 9

During the thematic forum on "Associative Economy" at the Goetheanum World Conference in September 2023, a diverse group of participants—including bankers, project developers, sustainability experts, and farmers—engaged in intensive discussions. The central question was: how can community initiatives better support one another to foster economic resilience and sustainable development? The outcome of these discussions is a concrete project aimed at strengthening the capacities of communities in Brazil for the benefit of the entire population: the Empowering Communities’ Sharing Brazil project.

The project aims to enhance the economic resilience of individuals while creating liquidity and access to credit for sustainable initiatives through appropriate technological and monetary innovations. Beyond individual resilience, the project seeks to generate liquidity and credit opportunities for social, ecological, educational, and cultural initiatives within communities.

Supported by several participants from the workshop at the Goetheanum, the project combines the diverse expertise and commitment of those involved to foster sustainable development. Brazil, with its vibrant communities and pressing need for economic resilience, serves as an ideal location for implementing the project. The country serves here as a model for various possible countries in Latin America and worldwide. In Brazil, as in many other Latin American nations, both private individuals and businesses face a significant challenge: high interest rates on loans and credit. This financial burden hinders economic development, delays recovery from setbacks, stifles the growth potential of small businesses, and complicates the implementation of sustainable initiatives. Addressing this issue demands innovative solutions.



The project represents a significant step towards strengthening Brazilian communities and promoting sustainable development. By addressing the challenge of high interest rates that hinder economic growth, it aims to create a more resilient and sustainable future for these communities. This ambitious initiative holds considerable international potential, and its realisation appears highly likely due to the combined expertise and dedication of the project team. Phases One and Two of the project have already been completed: defining the strategy, selecting three communities, and developing a roadmap with milestones, partners, budget, and services. Phase Three began in September 2024, focusing on the preparation and implementation of the project within the selected communities.

Contact: Andrea Valdinoci; association@worldgoetheanum.org