On January 14 and 15, 2027, the Center for Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research (ZIN) at the University of Münster, in collaboration with the Franz Hitze Haus Academy, invites you to the conference “Living Utopias—Within Us and in the World” at the Franz Hitze Haus Academy in Münster. The conference is dedicated to transformative education for livable futures and the power of collective imagination. It is aimed at researchers, faculty, and students, as well as active and interested members of civil society.

The concept of “utopia” is often associated with the idea of the unattainable. This can narrow our view of the future and make a particular path of development seem predetermined. The TINA principle (“There is no alternative”) frequently dominates the discussion. The conference aims to break this pattern by reflecting on the TAMA principle (“There are many alternatives!”): There is not “the one” future, but rather numerous futures and possibilities for shaping the world. Utopias can be dreamed and conceived, their realisation can be tested, and established path dependencies can be left behind.

Against this backdrop, the conference—conceived as an interactive future workshop—invites participants to collectively envision possible futures and vibrant utopias, to strive for a “good life for all,” to draw inspiration from utopias of different times and regions, and to view uncertainty as an opportunity. It is intended as a space for exchange and dialogue in the context of transformative education, bringing together science, teaching, academia, and civil society. The event kicks off with a keynote “fishbowl” discussion on utopias, futures, and transformative education. Subsequent workshop sessions will focus on “training utopian muscles” and opening oneself up to futures and visioning processes, learning about building blocks for the future from the project "Zukunft schmackhaft machen!" (Making the Future Palatable!), and finally exploring ways in which utopias can come to life. Even shared meals become a didactic element, such as during dinner at the “Table of Utopias.”

Cooperation partners include the ZIN project "Zukunft schmackhaft machen!" (Making the Future Palatable!), the Ulysseus R&I Group FUTURABILITIES, and the Innovation Hub “Socio-Ecological Sustainability”.

Speakers:

• Lara Abrahamczik, “ZusammenWirken” Project, Wandelwerk, Münster University of Applied Sciences
• Timo Adiek, Social Entrepreneurship Education, Transfer Agency, Münster University of Applied Sciences
• Dr. Anne Becker, ESD Specialist Advisor to the Münster District Government
• Prof. Dr. Antje Bierwisch, UNESCO Chair in Futures Capability for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Management Center Innsbruck
• Dr. Carolin Bohn, ZIN, University of Münster
• Prof. Dr. Tillmann K. Buttschardt, Applied Landscape Ecology and Ecological Planning & ZIN, University of Münster
• Lukas Drees, Integrated Socio-Ecological Modeling, ISOE and Senckenberg
• Prof. Dr. Asmaa El Maaroufi, Islamic Ethics, Faculty of Islamic Theology & ZIN, University of Münster
• Rebecca Froese, Culture in Transformation Processes, RIFS, Potsdam
• Dr. Laura Mae J. Herzog, Socio-Ecological Futures Studies, University of Osnabrück
• Prof. Dr. Sigrid Kannengießer, Media Sociology & ZIN, University of Münster
• Pia Lahrmann, Futures Studies with a Focus on Peatlands, University of Osnabrück
• Thomas Middelanis, Transformative Resilience, Agroforestry Monitoring, University of Münster
• Vanessa Müller, Institute for Transdisciplinarity, Münster University of Applied Sciences
• Dr. Daniela Pastoors, Future-Oriented Skills & Regenerative Peace Work, Ulysseus Innovation Hub at ZIN, University of Münster
• Chiara Pohl, Transformative Resilience, Agroforestry Monitoring, University of Münster
• Laura Pusch, Project Coordinator for “Making the Future Tasty!”, University of Münster
• Dr. David Rott, Research-Based Learning & Individual Support, Institute of Education & ZIN, University of Münster
• Dr. Karen Siegel, Equitable Food Systems, RIFS, Potsdam
• Dr. Björn Wendt, Utopian Studies, Institute of Sociology & ZIN, University of Münster
• Julia Wiethüchter, Sustainability Transformation, Equity & Diversity, ZIN, University of Münster