22 to 24 September we will go to Terschelling with our partners and participants. To work together in an environment full of creativity, nature and inspiration on the sustainable transition of the Netherlands. This year our theme is “There is a voice that uses no words. Listen”.
Last year’s theme ‘the power of our voice’ was about speaking up. We were talking about making noise, so that the sustainable themes would be clearly visible in the run-up to the elections. This year’s theme counteracts that.
Listening to the voices that are not heard. Think of the voice of people who live in the future, also think of the voice of nature and the voice of people who live far away. But also the vote of the non-voter, the people who feel ‘caught’ by the government or are afraid that everything will be taken away.
We listen and hear actively without losing our forward momentum, without falling silent.
The principle of Deep Democracy is part of this. Just like Jan Terlouw’s future chair.
The citizens’ forum from Japan, where half of the people represent the future. Think of the tribal principle, where decisions are made seven generations ahead. The mayor of the North Sea also fits in this list and the cabinet of things, where Matthijs Schouten teaches you to put yourself in another being;
“Think like a cod”.
Above all, we will have to curb climate change, the loss of biodiversity, the lack of water for future generations. That requires a sacrifice on our part. For generations that have learned to think in growth and more, this is new and confronting.
Change is a difficult process.
