Quo Vadis Society?
Society is facing challenges: climate change, digitalisation, urban transformation, voter fatigue, human rights violations, or – as recently with the pandemic – science-based political decisions. In response, populism that undermines constructive debate is on the rise. How can we better communicate emotionally charged issues? Especially in education? What methods can be used to develop the potential of citizens AND decision-makers and connect them in a cooperative way? And why is fun the core element in the effort to achieve a pluralistic society?
Podiums And Kitchen Tables
Since 2011, we have been working with international partners from the fields of politics, science, education, economics and media to develop participative formats that make complex content tangible and accessible. Whether on (political) stages, in public spaces, at trade union meetings, in boardrooms, in digital networks, in classrooms or at the kitchen table at home: our methods bring people together and get to the heart of the matter – all over Europe.
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WHY | WHO | WHAT | WHERE | WHEN
News often only shows crises, but our progress and successes usually remain unseen. Negative emotions dominate and make facts fade. Populism ruthlessly exploits this. It's time to take back the baton and set the tone again.
Underestimating the power of emotions and ignoring our successes leads people to seek out simpler narratives that suit them better. Democracy therefore needs emotional narratives based on a realistic promise and without delusion: art, as a hinge, can achieve this.
In cooperation with the North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Civic Education, we developed the concept of practical possibilism: the attitude of only dealing with problems that one 1. can solve and 2. wants to solve, trusting that for every problem there is the right person with the necessary skills.
The question ‘How is our society developing?’ cannot be answered without the question ‘Who is involved in this development?’ Dealing with complex issues requires subject-specific expertise and dialogue. Leaders set things in motion, but what actually moves them?
We need equal partnerships that redefine shared perceptions and abilities. This requires not only new alliances, but also an emotionally appealing, participatory approach. With our international pool of experts – from futurology to human rights – we create well-founded, practice-oriented formats that activate and connect a wide range of target groups.
What we can do is change our thought patterns, word by word, consciously and consistently, and hold on to them until we see results in the way we do things and the consequences that follow. – Tsitsi Dangarembga
Can you win elections with waffles? Can lettuce stop climate change? And what if the EU were a person? Using creative methods, we make complex topics tangible in interactive narratives. Our formats range from political audio walks to interactive online platforms.
Whether it's AI, the environment, EU politics, human rights or urban development, our formats are individually customised and accessible to every target group. The rule of thumb is: a principle should be workable at the kitchen table before it is suitable for the big stage.
Current research topics: Companion Bots / Making human rights tangible / Cancer / Life on Mars – New Societies / From the desk to the street – Walk-in practicality course for draft laws
Art and culture are not like the cream on the cake that you add when things are going well; they are the yeast in the dough.
– Johannes Rau
If you would like to learn more about our parcipative concepts have a look at this gallery. We will be happy to send you further information on request. OR: We will SHOW you in a personal meeting HOW we do WHAT we do. Where the journey takes us depends (not only) on you. CONTACT
It's easy to take a cynical view of the world and claim that nothing is getting better. Fortunately, empirical research says the opposite. The world is much more malleable than you think: and it's just waiting for you to hammer it into the right shape.
– Max Roser, Scientist - Oxford
From show stages to game worlds – we design events that inspire and connect. Digital tools, hybrid formats and participatory productions ensure maximum reach and lasting impact. Our productions are impulses for multipliers and decision-makers.
Whether you choose SHOW, TALK, WALK, STATION, DIGITAL or WORKSHOP, we have the right format for every topic, and if not, we will create it.