November News from the Youth Section at the Goetheanum

"Since the turn of the century, young people have sensed – at least in subconscious depths – the shake up that is taking place in human kind’s evolution. Of course, people say that it has always been like this, in any age, young people have always resisted the contributions of their elders or of tradition.
Indeed, this has always been the case to a certain extent, but what is happening among today’s young people has never existed before (...) From the very beginning it was quite clear to me that the majority of modern youth have a strangely comprehensive understanding that a great, earthquake-like transformation must now occur in the evolution of humankind as a whole".

Rudolf Steiner (In Youth and the Etheric Heart, 1924)

Dear friends of the Youth Section Worldwide,

As the year progresses and we draw closer to the Christmas mood, the team works deeply in strengthening our research on different themes. With the uprising of young voices across the world demanding action on climate and social crises, we are moved to ask ourselves what we, the younger generations, are bringing with us: are the young people the sole guardians of truth and justice today? Do we, as young people, sometimes miss opportunities to include others in our strivings? Is a trans-generational working together and cooperation possible and if so, how? In this sense, the above words of Rudolf Steiner to the youth at the turn of the 20th century resonate and seem applicable to our own vital moment.

In October, we met young people who had completed volunteering opportunities through the Friends of Waldorf Education volunteer programme. We learnt from them that a need for activism is key at the moment and that we are willing to take up responsibility, but also that sometimes we are quick to judge, leaving those who don't think like us behind without considering their side of the story. In the research project, which was recently presented in Atlanta (USA), the team continues to explore what social forms might spring from future generations, specially when paradoxical longings of togetherness and autonomy arise in our conversations.

We are looking forward to engage in conversation over the next months with you all through our events, projects and initiatives. If you find yourself in Dornach, we hope to see you at our house. On Thursday evenings we meet to share not only delicious food, but also nourishment for the soul in the form of shared talks, activities and conversations.

With our very best wishes from the Goetheanum,

Andrea de la Cruz, Ioana Viscrianu, Johannes Kronenberg and
Rocio Ferreira with Constanza Kaliks.

The Youth Section at the Goetheanum Team

In December 2019 we will host our third (Re)Search Colloquium to share latest observations. Some of the key themes we would like to present and discuss with you are: young people’s ideas and visions of social forms (future societies); questions around commitment and freedom arising in young people’s discourses, how relationships shape their reality and the main challenges that arise when they become active in the world.

We live in a time when youth is in the spotlight and on everyone’s minds. From revolutionary acts calling for climate justice, to loneliness and despair being manifested in many young adults – the collective voices of the young fill the mass media and statistics reflected on various youth studies.

In our research, we look at individual voices and their life journeys, asking ourselves: what can we learn from the wisdom of youth? What does each person participating in our study has to say about themselves and the world? What do they struggle with and what challenges do they face? What are their hopes and longings for the future? Are there common visions arising from individual voices?

Everybody of all ages is welcome to attend the colloquium and bring their questions with them. We also welcome other people interested in initiating their own research projects! If you would like to hear about a specific theme/insight, you can contact the team in advance to help us tailor the content to your project, organisation or ideas.

About the programme

On Saturday 7th of December, the research team will present new insights, which will be followed by a question and answer session with participants (09:30 - 16:00 with breaks and lunch in between).

Participants are welcome to stay at the YS house in Dornach. Email house@youthsection.org to book your space.

Breaks will be offered during the colloquium. Lunches and dinners will not be provided but attendees are welcome to use our kitchen in the Youth Section House on donations.

The heartbeat of society seems to undergo a rapid change, one that is by now touching everybody and acts under the name of climate crisis. Pressure is rising, words of fear, accusation but also hope and empowerment are reaching many. Finding both an individual and collective attitude – out of freedom and responsibility – seems to be more and more urgent. How do you, and how do we, relate and respond to the stories that reach us? How do we move from the ‘story of separation, reductionism and profit’ to a new story that unites the individual’s strength with a collective force to renew?

In the midst of this storm the dawn of a new youth movement is rising. One that speaks from the heart and acts out of courage. Some of them fill the streets – both analog and digitally – and stand straight. It is not the first time that youth ‘wander’. Over hundred years ago, the Wandervogelbewegung expressed resistance against the industrial revolution and mechanization of society already. Today, in the general debate most attention is focused on the question of climate crisis, CO2 emissions and pressuring policy makers. Therefore, technology tries to save the world in a green way but if possible, still lets profits rise. The internet is taking over huge amounts of energy consumption and all parameters of production, and consumption and degradation are still rising. A story, a new horizon is urgently needed.

Image credits: Above, the Wandervogel movement (Wikipedia) and right, February Days 2020 poster (Youth Section Goetheanum)

As Youth Section at the Goetheanum and as participants of this new dawn of youth we want to think, understand and reflect on the deeper layers of what is going on, what we can do and exchange about the possibilities of creation of new horizons, ways of living and encounter out of freedom, responsibility and commitment. We want to embrace the climate crisis debate and challenge; reaching the sources of its origin. Polarisations affect the possibilities of being young and also what it means to be human in the complexity of a living world, relaying in a yet unknown cosmos. This is something we cannot do alone - we invite all who feel connected to join in.

This winter we organise the youth conference "February Days 2020: Bound to Earth – Freedom, Responsibility and Destiny in times of Climate Crises" from 30th January to 2nd February 2020. We will try to deepen the understanding of the human being placed within the given ecosystems and created social dimensions. The perspective of the Amazon workers, scientists and active change makers will fill the room in dialogue and interaction. The German-Brazilian singer Bê Ignacios will give a benefit concert on Friday 31st of January at 20:00.

Amidst cries of anxiety, loneliness, fear and hatred for those who have done us wrong, a new discourse is emerging: one that calls for a reconnection of the disconnected, of the parts that have split across the biography of humanity, in the hope that a healthier future might arise. In the words of our interviewees, this can be achieved by "asking questions, instead of assuming" or "being open to humans, not judging, truly listening to others".

What we need now is a commitment, people who are willing to commit for the common good, which at the end of the day is the same as committing to one’s self.
(Interviewee, 18)

It is in this spirit that our (Re)Search project evolves – wishing to bring together individuals with individuals in an effort to experience in dialogue, out of the differences, what is essentially human.

The Insight Open Mic is a learning community platform for us to cultivate and share individual lines of inquiry with supportive peers. We hear from one friend each month followed by conversation and questions. It is a brand new attempt for us in the Youth Section to foster international connections, support one another’s self-education, and explore different research methods.

Click on the image below to access the recording of the first insight open mic gathering with Youth Section at the Goetheanum's Johannes Kronenberg on the aspect of climate crisis:

"What is really going on in humanity? Why are we devouring the planet? How can we widen our consciousness to see that the climate question is not about CO2 rising or temperature levels, but that it's actually a question to the human being? Now with the climate crisis we see ourselves in a mirror and it is asking of us:
"human being, know thyself"
Johannes Kronenberg

Do you sometimes feel a sense of alienation, despair and anxiety, but at the same time a deep longing and belonging to a broader whole of inter-connectedness with humanity and nature?

Professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies Richard Tarnas points out, inspired by Rudolf Steiner, that these feelings are not only subjective personal struggles and joyful moments but also part of a deeper transformation of consciousness that is currently going on. In his view today’s humanity is going through a rite of passage. A transition from an Ego to an Eco consciousness. Is the modern dualistic approach to reality transforming into a participatory relation?

During this Masterclass we will utilise a philosophical perspective in search for this breakthrough in our culture of this new form of being. Film and philosophy will be our guiding companions to do so in combination with deep dialogue with your fellow participants (Art of Hosting), art (Art-Based-Learning) and nature (Nature Based Learning).

Location: Goetheanum, Dornach
Registration by email: johannes@youthsection.org
Costs: 75 euro

About Flore Lutters

Flore Lutters (1991) studied history, film and philosophy. At the moment he works as scientific coordinator at the Liberal Arts Year (Vrije Hogeschool) where he teaches philosophy, is coaching students and makes philosophical walking journeys trough Europe (Classroom Alive). He also coordinates the Dwarslopers Lecture cycle ‘The Perfect Storm?’ (2019-2020). As a freelancer he gives national and internationally workshops about film and philosophy.

Young class members are welcome to join us for the third consecutive year to experience the 7, 8 & 9 Class Lessons of the School of Spiritual Science. The Class Readers for this year will be Bart Vanmechelen, Constanza Kaliks and Joan Sleigh.

The General Assembly of the Anthroposophical Society takes places three days after our gathering, from April 2-5. We can make reservations for you in the Youth Section house if you want to stay. You can register yourself at www.goetheanum.org.

COSTS: 100CHF including gathering, meals and accommodation.
REGISTER: by sending an email to johannes@youthsection.org
TRAVEL SUPPORT: can be requested until December the 15th 2019.

"May we have the courage to be alone, and the bravery to risk being together." Eduardo Galeano

What does it mean to be human on Earth? What does Nature need from us? How can we grow inner silence, and learn to listen, speak and create? Can we be together? Where do we meet? What do we want to work together for? How can we be alone and together? These were some of the questions living this year within our group. We lived great shifting processes; people moving in and out, some moving to other countries or provinces, but still carrying inside the flame of our work. And many new and younger members approached and joined after each gathering we held...