Section for Agriculture & Natural Science Section

Co-Workers Lin Bautze (CH), Laurens Bockemühl (D), Nadia El-Hage (IT), Bruno Follador (BR), Vesna Forštnerič Lesjak (SI), Justus Harm (EGY), Ueli Hurter (CH), Stefan Siemer (CH), Prof. Dr. Meinhard Simon (D)

Moderation Johannes Kronenberg (CH/NL)

Language EN/DE

It is generally recognised that we are standing on an ecological precipice. With the climate crisis, the loss of biodiversity, the rapid depletion of soils and freshwater reserves, to name but a few, the earth as a living being is endangered to such an extent that one could almost lose hope. The reasons for this state of affairs are to be found in human beings. The emancipation from the gods and their work in nature, which began with modernity, led to an abstract and dead understanding of nature and then to technology. What we have gained on this path is our freedom. A great good! How can we turn to the earth and nature again out of freedom? In the last hundred years many impulses from anthroposophy have flowed into the emerging ecological movement: In science and Goetheanism, in agriculture and food management, in community building and education. Can we renew, deepen and multiply these approaches today? In the thematic forum, we want to contribute our concerns and share them in an interdisciplinary and intergenerational exchange. From this, topics where we can contribute should be found in an interactive way. And then, in a third step, perspectives for action for the next seven years will be outlined. 

We want to connect with the earth, take it into our destiny. We want to work out perspectives to help shape the future of the Earth from the spiritual dimension of anthroposophy in a co-creative attitude and activity. 

Medical Section & Section for Agriculture

Co-Workers Machteld Huber (NL), Martin von Mackensen (D), Peter Kunz (CH)

Moderation Jean-Michel Florin (FR), Georg Soldner (D/CH)

Language EN/DE

What do we mean by human health and how can we promote it? Dr. Machteld Huber from the Netherlands has developed the internationally respected "Positive Health" concept on this question, and she will participate in this forum as an expert. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear that human health cannot be separated from the health of the earth organism. What constitutes the health and resilience of soils, plants and animals? We have invited renowned experts from the fields of veterinary medicine and biodynamic agriculture, such as the renowned seed breeder Peter Kunz from Switzerland. Under the leadership of Jean-Michel Florin and Georg Soldner, co-leaders of the agricultural and medical sections, we want to develop a deeper, practical, transdisciplinary understanding of health in this forum based on anthroposophy. An understanding that encompasses the human being and the earth and will prove fruitful in various contexts when it comes to working together to promote the health of the human being and the earth in the years to come.

Section for the Literary Arts and Humanities, Section for the Performing Arts & Natural Science Section

Co-Workers Dr. Marília Braga (D), Ariane Eichenberg (D/CH), Michaela Glöckler (CH), Sebastian Heycke (USA), Prof. Edwin Hübner (D), Dr. Sebastian Lorenz (CH), Dr. Fritz Wefelmeyer (GB); eurythmische Übungen mit Marianne Dill (CH) und Silke Sponheuer (ZA/CH)

Moderation Matthias Niedermann (D)

Language DE

The improvement of the human being and its transcendence through technology is being driven forward by scientists, entrepreneurs and government circles worldwide. The image of man that underlies these endeavours has become part of our reality and decisively determines our thoughts, feelings and actions. Stopping the latest developments or withdrawing from technological life is not in keeping with life. But how can we learn to deal with technical achievements in such a way that we do not lose ourselves in the process? Which physical, mental and spiritual abilities do we need to develop so that we are able to give technology its rightful and necessary place - these are all questions that we want to discuss on the panel.

General Anthroposophical Section, Pedagogical Section, Medical Section, Section for the Performing Arts & Natural Science Section

Co-Workers Markus Buchmann (D), Inessa Burdich (D), Nirmala Diaz (IND), Andreas Heertsch (CH), Rolf Heine (D), Clarine van Lookeren (NL), Claus-Peter Röh (D/CH), Wolfgang Tomaschitz (A), Bart Vanmechelen (BE), Ulrike Wendt (D)

Moderation Milena Kowarik (CH)

Language DE/EN

Working method: 

In exercises (in groups) and panel discussions (in plenary) we want to exchange and explore experiences. Beginners and experts are welcome. 

Day 1: 

Meditation: A path to healthy incarnation     

How do I find inner peace and yet awakening? Assistance for meditation. Exercises in "shaping the self and the world", sensory experience and ego experience as stabilisation.

Day 2: 

Meditation: A path to spiritual experience     

Becoming aware of being touched by the spirit: Allowing oneself to be addressed and forming a resonance space in order to become spiritually at home in the spiritual world.

Day 3:

Meditation: A path to spiritual community     

Horizontal and vertical communities: one's own being wants to become serviceable (representation), then non-commitments cease and spiritual initiative and responsibility begin.

Pedagogical Section & Anthroposophic Council for Inclusive Social Development

Co-Workers Nele Auschra (D), River Parker (USA), Lisa Romero (AUS), Jost Schieren (D)

Moderation Philipp Reubke (FR/CH), Jan Göschel (USA/CH)

Language EN/DE

One of the most important goals of pedagogical and therapeutic support is the strengthening of the individuality. At least, this is how it is frequently articulated in anthroposophical contexts. Or the other way around: The objective of the pedagogical and social-therapeutic relationship is to work towards a situation in which the human being “does not experience the body as an obstacle to the unfolding of individual freedom” (R. Steiner, 22. January 1922).

On the other hand, societal discourse focusses more and more on the demand to recognize and value the belonging of individuals to different cultural, gender or religious groups. In the contributions and conversations in these panels, we will try to show that this only presents a seeming contradiction. A humanistic pedagogy and social therapy needs to take both aspects into account.

The first two forums will engage with the topics of “interculturality” and “gender”; the third forum with the theme of “reincarnation and karma”. How can the development of individual freedom and the practice of universal solidarity and humanitarian love be integrated with the idea of reincarnation and karma? How can we think about the relationship between necessity and freedom in the human biography?

Natural Science Section, Section for the Literary Arts and Humanities & Visual Art Section

Co-Workers Roland Halfen (D), Craig Holdredge (USA), Rudolf Kaesbach (CH),  Matthias Rang (CH), Martin Rozumek (D), Jaap Sijmons (NL)

Moderation Dr. Daniel Kusche (D)

Language EN

In a polarized society, people like to refer to science as an authority which is independent of private opinions. As the driving force of an increasingly technocratic and digitalized cultural world, science has several faces. It provides a neutral overview, technical solutions and common communication conditions, but just as much a rather paralyzing presence of ethical standards. Thus, it sometimes has a life-threatening effect, while it should guarantee us what is actually a generally humane way of life. Science today exhibits a Janus-head of progress and inhibition.

From Anthroposophy we therefore seek a humanization of science, both in its basic ideas and in its application in the practice of life. The so often missing middle, artistic element that can connect our cognitive and volitional lives enables us, both in the realm of science and in the realm of social design, not to lose the commonly-human, and at the same time to counteract the ever-widening gap between common knowledge and individual action. In the panel we are looking for ways to expand science through artistic methods and to deepen artistic-social processes through scientific approaches. In this respect, Goethean approaches, which will be discussed using concrete examples, offer a special opportunity. It is met by moral imaginations grasped from spiritual initiative, or 'moral fantasies', as Rudolf Steiner also calls them in his philosophy of freedom. The free humanity of Goetheanism is not a luxury good of an otherwise already secured society, but will have to make an essential contribution to our future.

Communication

Co-Workers Marjatta van Boeschoten (GB),

Monika Elbert (D), Wolfgang Müller (D), Börries Hornemann (D),  Armin Steuernagel (D), 

Louis Defeche (CH), Wolfgang Held (CH)

Moderation Gerald Häfner (CH)

Language EN

Anthroposophy has long had a niche existence. Not everyone was destined to encounter it. This is changing. For anthroposophy needs the world and even more the world needs anthroposophy. The exchange is indispensable and beneficial for both sides.

But how does anthroposophy get into the world? What does a growing public demand of ourselves? Do we find comprehensible images, convincing forms and a contemporary language? How do we react to attacks, defamation and distortions? 

And: Do we want to learn to have a voice in public affairs?

 Youth Section, Section for Social Science & Anthroposophic Council for Inclusive Social Development

Co-Workers Fritz Glasl (A), Mirka Hurter (D), in collaboration with the Future Shapers from the Anthroposophic Council for Inclusive Social Development

Moderation Nathaniel Williams (USA/CH)

Language EN

The intention of this forum is to foster dialogue related to contemporary conflict and peacebuilding, with an intention toward collaborations in the coming years. It is intended to be interactive and inclusive. The concept of peace touches diverse layers and meanings. These relate to our ecological crisis, ethnic conflict, economic justice, interpersonal issues, organizational design, democracy and so many other aspects of our social life.

The forum’s preparatory group will host an interactive process and discussion intended to explore a variety of dimensions related to peacebuilding. Naturally, these dimensions will appear differently depending on the scale of conflict, be it micro, meso or macro. It will be increasingly important to think in terms of processes to get out of the dynamics of conflict and violence, and to find ways of constructive, non-violent, co-creation of sustainable peace.  It is easy for us to see that peace is desirable, but what is important is minding the gap between our insight and the reality of conflict. How can we work with this gap? How can we foster awareness and seize windows of opportunity to bridge the gap? How can we bring home the realization that peace is more profitable than war, that peacebuilding can achieve things that money, conventional markets and conflict cannot? When we discuss land as a commons, do we enable possibilities for new forms of mutual understanding? How can we frame associative economics and the separation of nation from state as peace impulses? Where are the powerful potentials of creativity and art rightfully put to work in peacebuilding? These are all areas for conversation and exploration, and at the same time examples of unique and positive contributions to peacebuilding that the anthroposophical movement might offer in the coming decades.

World Goetheanum Association

Co-Workers Juan Bottero (ARG), Sascha Damaschun (D), Sander Dijkslag (NL), Kristoffer Lüthi (SE), Joan Melé (ES), Aysel Osmanoglu (D), Katharina Serafimova (CH/PT); Moderation: Andrea Valdinoci (CH)

Language DE/EN

If we succeed in shaping economic processes in such a way that they are healthy for people and nature, we will not only master the climate challenges, but also achieve decisive successes in the major social tasks. Together we want to look at the causes, such as human habits, but also the man-made instruments, such as money. Over the last hundred years, many impulses have flowed from anthroposophy: In community-building processes, in the founding of sustainable banks and bank-like institutions, such as the trusteeships that advocate a different way of dealing with gift money, in projects that stop speculation with land and corporate capital, in other more community-based insurance companies, and many more. There are also areas where less has been done but where there seems to be a lot of potential, e.g. the whole idea of tripartism and the association of enterprises. In the thematic forum we want to bring in the experiences of all participants and share them in an interdisciplinary and intergenerational exchange. From this, topics to which we can contribute something new are to be found in a co-creative attitude and, in a further step, perspectives for action for the coming seven years are to be outlined.

Pedagogical Section, General Anthroposophical Section & Section for the Performing Arts

Co-Workers Aonghus Gordon (GB), Constanza Kaliks (CH), Hernán Melana (ARG), Xavier Moretti (ARG), Peter Selg (CH), Manuela Smolovich (ARG)

Moderation Andrea de la Cruz (ES/CH)

Language EN/ES

What are your perspectives and visions, struggles and how can we support each other in training centres and publishing houses? Where do you see development potential and what can the Goetheanum and the Sections do to foster development? Based on these questions we will share presentations from guest experts and participants that lead to plenary conversations, group discussions and formulation of questions to make commitments for the future.

Day 1: Where do we stand?

Presentation and overview of the work carried out so far in publishing houses from an international perspective.

- Ita Wegman Institute (Peter Selg) 

- Rudolf Steiner Archiv (David Marc Hoffmann) 

- Univers Enciclopedic Vlad Popa (RO)

- Noam Sharon - Adam Olam Publications (ISR)

- Publishing House Casa de Jóvenes (Hernán Melana, Xavier Moretti, Manuela Smolovich)

Day 2: Where do we stand? Presentation and overview of the work carried out so far in training centres from an international perspective.

- Studium & Weiterbildung (Constanza Kaliks) 

- Ruskin Mill Trust (Aonghus Gordon)

- Facultade Rudolf Steiner (Melanie Guerra)

Day 3:

Together we will define perspectives and commitments for future in collaboration.

Visual Arts Section, Section for the Performing Arts & Section for the Literary Arts and Humanities

Co-Workers Iftach ben Aharon (ISR), Yaike Dunselman (NL), Coralee Frederickson (GB), Tanja Mierau (D), Bodo von Plato (D), Angèle Ruchti (CH), Sonja Zausch (D)

Moderation Christiane Haid (CH), Stefan Hasler (CH)

Language DE/EN

With his famous statement "Every human being is an artist", Joseph Beuys hit the nerve of the time and at the same time formulated a task for the future that Rudolf Steiner had already named. Our current culture, dominated by technical-mechanical processes, mechanises people and robs them of their humanity, which leads to the destruction of culture and nature. By practising artistic skills, every human being can become aware of his or her creative potential and thus be sensitised to the living processes in nature and the world around us. Technology should not be avoided, but should be given its proper place as an aid to shaping life. The shaping of life should come from people themselves and not be dominated by technology as the all-dominating power.

Today, when the "end of man" is being talked up by global corporations in the media and industry with a lot of money in the background, our living conditions are increasingly being taken over by technical devices, digital applications and forms of thinking. Art and culture and the cultivation of an inner life are the only fields in which man can maintain, develop and cultivate his being of freedom. 

Artistic activity is no longer a preserve of the visual and performing artists. Rather, our present living conditions make it necessary for art to be practised ideally by everyone. Being artistically active is necessary for survival as a human being in a technological world and to remain a free being. Finding ways to make artistic practice and creation accessible to everyone, and thus bring about a transformation of the current crisis, is the subject of the panel in which we want to reflect, form ideas and develop activities with you.

World Goetheanum Association

Co-Workers Dr. Fabio Burigana (IT); Marilou van Golstein Brouwers (NL); Inke Kruse (D)

Moderation Sergio Gaiti (CH/IT)

Language EN/IT

If Anthroposophy’s main aim is to connect what is Spiritual in the individual to what is Spiritual in the Cosmos, in which ways is this happening today with the global and multifaceted challenges of the XXI century? What and how can one’s Spirit transform reality and societal issues? Where are the obstacles in organizations and companies of today’s world that Anthroposophy can approach in a unique way? Where is Anthroposophy flourishing and transforming challenges into opportunities and why? We will go through a small path of discovery in the context of Anthroposophic experience in the world:

starting from the perspective of the individual, moving towards the view of organizations and companies and finally touching the theme of community and what really stands out today from these wide realms, full of challenges and windows of hope for the future of humanity.

Claudy Jongstra, Claudia Busson, Jesk Jongstra

With Studio Jongstra you will be Testing with biodynamic dyeplants from the Goetheanum garden, a biodynamic farm in The Netherlands, and the farm Entheos in Spain. We will use Dutch wool and Demeter cotton from Sekem Egypt as textiles to dye. This workshop is connected to the Thonet S33 special edition chair, which will be produced for the Goetheanum World Conference in collaboration with Studio Claudy Jongstra, Thonet, Sekem, Demeter, Iona Stichting and the Goetheanum Garden.

Language DE/EN

Rob and Kathrin Bürklin

We will learn about different dyeing plants from the Goetheanum garden and will dye directly with them.

Language DE/EN

Rik ten Cate

We are building a work in the open air that has meaning for today and can have meaning for the future.

Language DE/EN/NL

Ulrikke Stokholm

What does transformation mean? How does transformation work? What does transformation need from me?

With clay and our hands we delve artistically into this theme and perhaps find unexpected answers.

Language DE/EN/DK

Esther Gerster

Discover and increase your own creative powers with the inner movements of the colors. No previous knowledge necessary.

Language DE/EN

Anna-Christina Gorbatschova

In this workshop we start with a warm-up for the voice and sing songs from all over the world. If interested, we will explore sound spaces in free vocal improvisations.

DE/EN/RU

Martje Brandsma, Johanna Lamprecht

We invite you to a phenomenological research on the interaction of hearing and moving - only open ears, senses and bodies are needed for participation. 

No eurythmy or musical experience necessary, but allowed of course. We discover how a eurythmic gesture sounds and how sound moves from hearing.

Language DE/EN/FR/NL

Vera Koppehel, Peter Augustin.

Movement builds consciousness*. Inspiring movements with reflection in order to be able to perceive, develop and use the potentials of eurythmy in companies more intensively. For leaders, pioneers, entrepreneurs, company eurythmists and those who want to become one.

*This workshop is part of a research on eurythmy in companies.

Language DE

Shengtzi Lee

“行”originally means the crossroad and metamorphosed into different meanings for example to go, to do, be possible… Many moments in life are also like at a crossroad. Instead of thinking about which direction to go, it is better to focus on how we take each step.This workshop will focus on the eurythmy threefold walking. Through the exercises we try to connect our consciousness to our body, to the space and to the present. If possible, please bring eurythmy shoes. 

Language EN/ZH

Kurt Eschmann, Christiane Maiwald, Gerti Staffend, Dominique Preg

This social law, formulated by R. Steiner in 1918, is about the pure “INTERHUMAN". In this working group, we will approach this path toward awakening to the spiritual-soul of the Other as a social-artistic process in the form of a multi-level path of cognition and practice, which leads through imagination, inspiration and intuition to a "being-meeting" with the Thou. The contents worked out together in small groups will be deepened by means of practical exercises.

Language DE/EN

Milena Kowarik, Magdalena Ries.

Vulnerability is still often treated as something negative and undesirable, even though it offers a great opportunity for authenticity and genuine human encounters. To experience vulnerability as a strength and a new ability is necessary to be able to walk new paths in the realm of social life and to give the right room for the threshold experiences of humanity.

Language DE/EN

Ute Craemer, Johannes Wirz

Those who are familiar with honey bee colonies can understand why Rudolf Steiner said that bees show the future of social coexistence as a picture with solidarity, trust, respect and love. These are the qualities we will discuss. The search for a new dwelling by a colony of bees will be presented in order to practically deepen the decision-making process with a case study that we will search for together.

Language DE

Nicole Asis, Guadalupe Olaizola, Massa Ando, Joan Sleigh

This workshop will be an interactive exploration into the art of community building in diverse cultural settings.  We will bring our experience of collaborative leadership, and collective community development, inspired out of Anthroposophy and in deep alignment with diverse values and culture. Join us if you wish to deepen your capacity to embrace multiple perspectives, enhance intercultural leadership, and discover the capacities of sacred hospitality.

Language DE/EN/ES

Sergio Gaiti, Aurelio Parodi

How do I use intuitive thinking in my social organism? How do we transform individual and community processes? Do we develop our organizations in a living, altruistic way?

Language IT

Gilad Allon

"Beauty" for about 100 years. Are they still relevant?

Or is it time to wake "Her" up?

Can we find ways to bring anthroposophical concepts to the social/political sphere?

What can Steiner's ideas contribute to the world's present challenges of Economy, Climate crisis, Education, Racial tensions and others?

Please bring your ideas, thoughts, experiences, questions to our working group.

Together we will create new thoughts and ways of action.

Language EN

Kai Iruma, Nodar Belkania

In this time of polarization and division, we, as concrete people from Georgia and Japan, would like to enter into conversation with you and together explore the question of how seemingly opposing soul qualities and attitudes towards the world could approach the Christ Impulse which actually unites us all and thereby contribute to the further development of the anthroposophical movement.

Language DE/EN

Matthias Girke

The Foundation Stone Meditation is the spiritual basis for the Anthroposophical Society and the School of Spiritual Science with its Sections. It describes an individual and social path of practice and is one of the central sources for anthroposophical work. We will work out its motives, turn to its rhythms, exchange experiences in practical use and discuss the subject of its effectiveness and future significance.

Language DE

Jean-Michel Florin, Eduardo Rincon

The anthroposophical movement was more a European centered movement in last century, now it is developing worldwide. This brings a lot of challenges but at the same time, opportunities: how do we understand the universal core principles of anthroposophy, how to avoid any kind of colonization, how to connect anthroposophy with different cultures and with the spiritual traditions of the world?

Language EN/FR/ES

Cristina Velasquez, Veronika Schmundt Quincas, Cheila Aparecida Bragadin

Nature spirituality and agroflorestal practice at the center of the curriculum. A report about Waldorf schools in transition towards climate protection, about indigenous pedagogy as a role model and about creating a common culture among multiplicities.

Language DE/EN/PT

Maaianne Knuth, Julia O’Leary, Michaela Gloeckler

The All African Anthroposophical Training (AAAT) has offered an annual training in anthroposophical principles and methods to practitioners across Africa. It aims to support human initiative and development within the African context. In this workshop we will share the experiences, challenges and learnings shared by a diverse group of organisers and participants. The wide-ranging experiences will be of interest to anyone hoping to inspire Anthroposophy as an accessible practice and experience within local communities.

Language DE/EN

Fran Russel

How can we understand and work with the critic concerning anthroposophy and racism? And what are important questions to solve?

Language EN

Ina von der Heyden, Stefan Möller, Christof Lützel, Wilfried Münch, Falk Zientz, Juan Bottero.

What are the contributions of anthroposophy to banking and finance and what can be learned from GLS Bank in Germany and Ethical Bank Latin America? What are the next steps?

Language DE/EN