​Exploring a Second Renaissance together -short course

​Event Details

​Where: Online - Zoom

​Price: Standard tickets 10€ (donation option and discounted option for those with limited means)

​Organisers: Life Itself, Rufus Pollock and Sylvie Barbier

​In this short one session course, we will explore together the second renaissance. Led by Life Itself co-founders and Second Renaissance project curators Rufus Pollock and Sylvie Barbier we will cover the following areas:

• ​Awareness: Exploring our paths to the second renaissance. How did you come to be interested in this? If and when did you start noticing “cracks” in the foundations? What are the resonances amongst us?

• ​Renaissance: Exploring what we see can arise? What kind of views and values do you think are needed going forward? What kind of changes in technology and institutions?

• ​Seeds: What are the seeds of the second renaissance? Where should we plant and cultivate them? What kinds of greenhouses? What kinds of pockets of emergence are there?

​The course focuses on supporting your own exploration and discovery using small group discussion and sharing amongst the wider group.

​This format makes it suitable whether you’re a complete newcomer to the second renaissance or already have deep knowledge of the area.

​What's the format?

​The course primarily uses dialog and inquiry in small groups with sharing back with the group as a whole. There will be brief introductions to key features of the second renaissance to frame and prompt discussion.

​Who is facilitating?

​Rufus Pollock is a co-founder of Life Itself and a researcher, technologist and serial social entrepreneur as well as long-term zen practitioner. He has been a research fellow at the University of Cambridge, founded an international digital non-profit Open Knowledge Foundation and a Shuttleworth and Ashoka fellow.

​Sylvie Barbier is a co-founder of Life Itself and international performance artist https://sylviebarbier.com. French and Taiwanese, she has had performances and exhibitions on three continents. She has taught fashion and branding at Polimoda in Florence.

​What happens if I miss a session?

​Whilst this intended to be a live course, we will record the session so you can catch up if you need to 🙂

​What does ‘Second Renaissance’ mean?

​To start see the overview on https://secondrenaissance.net and for more detail download our whitepaper https://secondrenaissance.net/paper

​Do I have to speak?

​We won’t make you? 😉

​Why attend?

• ​Co-Sensemaking and Discussions: This course is centered around co-sensemaking, where participants engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences, and reflect on diverse perspectives.

• ​Deep Insights: Understand the interconnected ecological, political, and social crises we face today by exploring their deeper roots.

• ​Interactive and Reflective Learning: Transition from the old paradigm of modernity to a new paradigm of interconnectedness, wisdom, and inner growth.

• ​Emerging Worldviews: Learn about and reflect on emerging values and worldviews, and discover how to contribute to this cultural transformation.

• ​Community and Collaboration: Engage in meaningful discussions with like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of community and connection through co-sensemaking activities.

• ​Practical Strategies: Develop practical ideas and strategies for personal and societal transformation, and learn to integrate interconnectedness, wisdom, and inner growth into daily life.

​Themes of the course

• ​Historical Context and Contemporary Relevance: Understand the relevance of the first Renaissance to today's world

• ​Diagnosis and Solutions to Societal Decay: Dive deep into the root causes of global crises, and the need for accurate diagnosis to address issues effectively.

• ​Emerging Worldviews and Values: Reflect on new cultural paradigms that recognize interconnectedness and emphasize collective well-being.

• ​Personal Growth and Social Change: Explore the intersection of personal development and societal transformation.

• ​Community Connection and Collective Thinking: Examine the role of community, and nurturing supportive pockets of like-minded individuals.