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Due to the funding of the QfWF-project “World Citizenship of the streat” in 2024 the Quest for Wisdom foundation is focussing her activities on a yearly theme. Every month an artistic, intercultural or philosophical contribution around the theme by authors and artists of the Quest-Circle will be published. 

Soul Circle Members (of honour) of the Quest for Wisdom are presenting their view and practice as World Citizens:

The October-Golden Ratio-contribution contains a text as well as podcast with QfWf-Member of Honour Dirk de Wachter on the importance of critical thinking, religion and the arts for our times and culture – in interviewing the professor, psychiatrist and author we followed a red thread along his books. It was very inspiring to hear his fundamental tone of hope in harsh times: it is by sharing our stories and creating rituals that  a sense of community will arise in a cosmopolitan culture! After Bachs Sarabande had sounded  … we received a wonderful message for our World Citizen-programme!

Harm Jaap Hartmans elaborates in the September-Golden Ratio contribution on his experiences in travelling all around the world, and thereby, having studied languages and having experienced differences in cultures. He tells about his last trip and exploration of Japanese culture — an art of living lesson about how to be respectful while traveling instead of following the rather insensitive  symptoms of mass-tourism …

 

Chiquita Odjo-Seymonson has been interviewed for the August-Golden Ratio article on how World Citizenship starts in your own neighbourhood! She gives inspiring examples of her work collaborating with different organizations in Amsterdam, focussing on dialogue and celebrations with citizens from divers cultures.

The juli-Golden Ratio platform presents an impressie of the start of the World Citizenship Soul Circle developing their intercultural programme through Amor Fati Co-creation: By means of Arts Dialogues Methods the seven life themes from the board-game and book Amor Fati are explored in different creative media. Focus is the personal quest of the group members: what does this theme mean in your life as World Citizen?

The June-contribution on De Gulden Snede is by philosopher Erik Hoogcarspel:

“Today’s society is making many people and especially many young people sick. The cause of this, they say, is the neoliberal economy, which places too much emphasis on performing and being competitive, thereby shortchanging an important part of human existence. Because market forces are considered sacred, in other words, Thomas Hobbes’ (1588-1679) statement that man’s state of nature is a state of war of all against all (bellum omnium in omnes) has become a reality. The objection that we should just get used to it because this is the new age, so-called progress, misses the point. The problem is precisely that it has proved impossible to get used to it because everything in us protests against it. We apparently cannot live with this reality. Why not?”

The May contribution expresses a strong social ethos and personal involvement, originating from an exchange of ideas among the QfWf-Soul Circle: Greg Suffanti paints in words and aquarelles his encounters with rooted friends and how these wise beings inspire him as a global citizen:

“Deep-rootedness as an inner compass to a world on fire I find highly evocative. Perhaps an idea that could be translated into various types of creative efforts? Like writing, singing and the visual arts? This multi-pronged approach could be one of the potential ways to expand on and share in helping others to understand what world citizenship means to themselves— and others. A Series – Roots of Global Citizenship. An inspiring idea!

I also feel/felt like certain trees were my friends… Or protectors, like the giant sycamore just outside my bedroom windows. Perhaps a way to tie this idea of trees/friendship to one’s own sense of interconnectedness and sameness with others? Also, the challenges of uncovering one’s own truth…. or Authenticity…, to use your word Heidi. Interesting perhaps, the idea of untangling your own ‘roots’ to become more ‘rooted’, and to connect to other ‘roots’ to really be able to flourish and help other ‘root’ systems to thrive?….”

The April contribution is made by philosopher Giovanni Rizzuto on Filosofisch tegenspel: Traag denken in tijden van versnelling (the title of his recent book ). In this contribution the author presents, illustrated with his own art work, a philosophical perspective as a response to the challenging times we are living in: with the zero-sum games reality of the neo-liberale market/society. In these contexts winning of some is at the cost of many others. As an alternative, Giovanni Rizzuto explores a ‘counter-game’ on basis of an open mind and explorative attitude setting the stage for world citizenship.

The first three contributions 0f 2025 are illustrated with colorful aquarelles of Greg Suffanti!

March: Nivedita Yohana on “Interconnectedness“, the underground power of trees as powerful metaphor for world citizenship:

“In nature, trees stand as a testament to resilience, growth, and interconnectedness. Above ground, each tree presents its own unique characteristics: varying forms, sizes, and species, each adapted to thrive in its own environment. However, beneath the surface lies a hidden network that binds them together—their roots. These roots, often invisible to the naked eye, underscore a profound truth about existence: despite our apparent differences, we are all interconnected. This essay explores how the metaphor of tree roots reflects the concept of global citizenship, emphasizing our shared humanity amidst diverse cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds. I start with my own experience, followed by an exploration of the wisdom of the tree metaphor, after which I present some concluding remarks and give some ideas on how, from this perspective, we could develop global citizenship.”

February: Tycho Muijen on his work as an ecologist, specialized on trees, reflects on his love for trees since his childhood: Trees of life als inspirerende rolmodellen voor wereldburgerschap

January: Mitra Muijen explains the relevance of Amor Fati, the book on ‘playing wisdom for the cosmopolis’: Interculturele therapie als antwoord op een maakbare gefragmenteerde wereld