Climate crisis, hopelessness, and no convincing proposals for how to get out of this? We want to change that! The alternatives to the present are full of ideas from the past. To find ideas and solutions for the major problems of the 21st century, we explored new ways to begin a new history and create images of a future we have never seen before. In the DARE project, we explored questions and answers about a desirable, profound social change.
Together with the collective radix from Vienna and many interested people, we asked ourselves the question: "What kind of world would we like to live in?" During three workshop weekends in Vienna and Leipzig, as well as a reading group each between April and July, there was space for discussion, reflection, shared dreams, and action. We explored topics such as climate justice, Afrofuturism, and collective resilience and gained fascinating insights into initiatives that have already embarked on a path toward a transformative future. This made a changed world tangible and accessible, which encourages us to initiate and continue change.
Worum geht's?
Between March and September 2023, we explored questions about desirable, profound social change in the DARE project.
- How can we preserve our livelihood and that of future generations?
- What could a socially and ecologically just future look like for everyone?
- How do we make the transition from criticizing and dreaming to taking social responsibility and participating?
- Where do we get the courage and perseverance to fight for a just world for all?
What exactly happened?
We have created a learning space that, through the different perspectives, Experiences, emotions, thoughts and desires of interested people. We were particularly open and empathetic approach together and we have done our best to To perceive, make visible and dismantle power hierarchiesOur methods of transformative education embrace learning with head, heart, and hands. This means we want to discuss and learn with one another, listen to one another, share our concerns, work with our bodies, take action ourselves, and actively shape society.
The DARE project consisted of three phasesthat are connected to each other. This allowed us to get to know each other better and network as a group.
Phase 1: Dare Utopias
In March, a weekend workshop took place in Vienna and Leipzig.
Phase 2: Between Utopia and Dystopia
Between April and July, we met twice a month for reading circles in Vienna and Leipzig. Participants suggested topics and actively participated in the meetings. In Vienna, there was a concluding workshop on utopian mapping, in which participants explored potential sites of transformation in their surroundings.
Phase 3: From Utopia to Reality
In September, a transformation workshop in Leipzig, where we gained insights into exciting initiatives:
→ Pödelwitz has a future: Pödelwitz, formerly threatened by lignite mining, is a model village of ecological and social sustainability in the Leipzig area.
→ Initiativa nájemníků a nájemnic (inn) is an association of Czech tenants who advocate for the dignity and safety of people who cannot afford to own their own home.
And now?
We're very inspired by the event series and have compiled everything we've learned for you. The project has resulted in new educational methods that you can find on our platform. Finally growth under the following names (also available in English):
The event series took place as part of the Erasmus+ funded project “From Dreams to Actions, from Reflection to Engagement – DARE for socio-economic change!”.
Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Executive Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible.
