Wholebeing mix at euforia
Being a mother in our world is not easy. Mothers are judged by society while they simultaneously judge themselves. Hence, the radical collaborative atmosphere at euforia, where we give everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential within a context of inclusion, competence and openness has just been so incredibly supportive in my new role as a mother of two, but also in my personal development.
Les aventures lausannoises avec les Changemakers du tonnerre
Ce mois de juin a été des plus chargé pour mon acolyte Alizé et moi-même! Nos aventures lausannoises se sont poursuivies avec l’organisation de deux Share & Grow portant sur deux thématiques différentes en moins de dix jours! Entre le stress lié à l’agencement des programmes, avoir un nombre suffisant de participants et le règlement des derniers détails techniques, retour sur 10 jours intenses et enrichissants!
Notre marathon “Share & Growien” a débuté le jeudi 13 juin avec un Afterwork consacré à la consommation durable. Pour l’occasion, ma merveilleuse partenaire Alizé nous avait trouvé 4 Changemakers du tonnerre (en plus du vin!)
C’est avec passion que Mathieu Voisard a ouvert le bal avec sa plateforme FAIR'ACT qui promeut une mode éco-responsable en proposant des alternatives à nos modes de consommation actuelles. Mathieu nous a partagé.e.s ses convictions mais aussi les limites qu’impliquent un tel engagement bénévole.
S’en est suivie la présentation de l’épicerie participative La Brouette par Clémence Guex, qui nous a parlé.e.s des valeurs de la coopérative et de l’engagement des coopérant.e.s.
A l’aide d’un Pechakucha* des plus réussis, l’enthousiaste Julie Scotton nous a parlée.s. de sa volonté d’ouvrir une bibliothèque d’objets à Lausanne. Elle nous a également fait part de l’émergence de son idée et des difficultés qu’elle rencontre dans la réalisation d’un tel projet.
Face à tant de motivation, nos participant.e.s ont vraiment pris plaisir à s’impliquer dans les activités proposées et, c’est avec grand intérêt qu’ils ont échangé avec nos Changemakers. Indicateurs personnels de succès: la difficulté à poursuivre le programme prévu tant les gens étaient absorbés par les conversations en cours ( je pense d’ailleurs m’être faite de 2-3- ennemi.e.s pour les avoir interrompues un peu trop sèchement après la troisième tentative oups!).
Dans un autre style, c’est dans la beauté et le calme du Parc Montbenon que nous avons organisé notre troisième Share & Grow autour de la migration, et où nous avons eu le plaisir d’accueillir un panel de Changemaker exclusivement féminin!
La généreuse Carole Guignet nous a parlé.e.s de son association Palabres qui lutte contre l’isolement psycho-social des personnes migrantes. Elle en a profité pour nous partager l’énergie et la passion que requiert une telle initiative.
Dans un autre registre, l’énergique Coline Sauzet nous a expliqué.e.s comment Powercoders concilie intégration des migrants et pénurie de main d’oeuvre dans le secteur de l’IT en Suisse, en proposant des formations dans ce domaine à des réfugié.e.s.
Nous avons également eu le bonheur de découvrir l’association Agents de santé co-fondée par l'enthousiaste Delphine Amstutz, et qui vise à améliorer la santé des populations en situation de vulnérabilité tout en promouvant des formations dans ce domaine.
Enfin, la douce Christina est venue nous parler de son rôle de Marraine au sein de l’association Paires qui propose des tandems linguistiques entre locaux et requérant.e.s d’asile.
Ecoute, santé et formation. Nos actrices du changement nous ont à la fois donnée une belle leçon d’engagement mais ont surtout montré qu’il existe différentes manières de s’engager pour une même cause.
Au-delà de la joie d’avoir réussi à tenir notre pari, Alizé et moi sommes ravies d’avoir proposé des événements appréciés tant par les participant.e.s que par les Changemakers, mais surtout d’avoir découvert toutes ces initiatives et l’histoire drôle, touchante ou improbable qui se cache derrière chacun de ces engagements.
Nous nous réjouissons d’avance de vous retrouver encore plus nombreux.ses à notre prochaine Share & Grow lausannoise consacrée au Genre le 8 août prochain. Les informations suivront très bientôt.
*format de présentation synchronisant une présentation orale à la projection de 20 diapositives se succédant toutes les 20 secondes.
3D System Sculpting
At a recent quarterly meeting with the whole euforia team we did a 3D system sculpting exercise from the Presencing Institute. Doing this exercise had two main purposes. On the one hand I had just recently participated in the Presencing Foundation Program in Berlin and wanted to bring back some insights from the training to the team. On the other hand, the 3D sculpting exercise has been a great way to create a shared understanding of the current reality of euforia in a playful yet insightful way. We split the team up into three different groups, using the treasures of our shelves and cupboards at the euforia office to sculpt three different and yet similar structures representing euforia in its creative beauty. Following the method and the analysis of the current reality of euforia that is described below we entered a generative discussion of how we want to see euforia evolve in the future. In short, this has been an effective, inclusive and playful way to talk about current reality and future strategy with the whole team.
What is this method?
3D Sculpting of an individual or collective ‘system’ when combined with inquiry from four specific vantage points allows for a 360 degree view of current reality and its underlying (emerging future) potential. An assortment of items, that contain basically anything from playdough, cotton, pipe cleaners, figurines to any kind of small objects is provided to the group. Using any selection of the available material, a model or sculpture that represents the current system is co-created. After completing the sculpture that depicts the current reality of the system that wants to be transformed, the group moves around the sculpture stopping at each side reflecting on the characteristics of the present system.
East: Feeling, Relationships
South: Truth, Practicality
West: Perspective
North: Vision & Purpose
After completing the analysis from four directions, you can adjust and change the model so that it better represents the future that you want to create. This then allows to identify the key strategic leverage points in changing the current system.
Why use this method?
To create an externalized view of current reality and gain insight, from multiple perspectives, into some of the systemic underlying causes and shaping factors. To sense and surface the inherent possibilities pushing through current reality, and to begin to activate them.
Underpinning concepts
Symbols: When depicting the 3-dimensional model of current reality and future possibility, an assortment of materials and objects to represent in symbolic form the forces at play, arranged according to one’s sense of their relationship and proportion, spatial proximity or distance, showing concrete elements as well as intangible essences or dimensions. Anything can be made to represent anything.
Archetypes: An Archetype represents a universal aspect of the human psyche or stream of consciousness rooted in the larger field. When we step into these streams of perceptions, we experience the world through different lenses almost like different facets on a prism. Gazing on the scenarios of our lives and work through these facets, new wisdom and perspective begin to appear.
-Severin von Hünerbein
Brunch climatique: trouver des solutions quand on a faim ou comment faire suite à la grève du climat
Avec un titre aussi engageant, notre première Share & Grow lausannoise partait sous les meilleures auspices. Et nous avons eu raison d’y croire!
Le challenge était néanmoins multiple. Outre le défi de proposer un événement suffisamment motivant pour tirer du lit les gens un dimanche matin, Alizé et moi-même ne sommes nullement des expertes de la cuisine vegan (et de cuisine tout court en ce qui me concerne!). C’est néanmoins avec force et honneur que nous avons étendu notre zone de confort culinaire pour sustenter nos participant.e.s. Premier succès, notre buffet a littéralement été dévalisé et salué par les gourmand.es qui composaient notre public du jour.
Autre fait des plus notables: la générosité des Changemakers. C’est en effet avec passion qu’Emma Baumgartner, David Tschan et Guillaume Sommer nous ont présenté.e.s leur engagement quotidien à travers leur projet respectif, nous offrant ainsi une belle leçon d’engagement ainsi qu’une bonne dose d’inspiration!
Mais s’il y a bien un aspect que nous retiendrons de cette rencontre, c’est sans aucun doute la vague d’ondes positives qui a balayé le brunch du début à la fin. Que ce soit dans la richesse des échanges comme dans l’implication des participant.e.s dans les défis qui leur était proposé.e.s. Toutes et tous ont montré qu’ils étaient réellement intéressées et animé.e.s par notre thématique et ses enjeux (en plus de notre savoureux brunch ;-). Preuve indéniable: lorsque nous avons clos l’événement, personne n’a quitté sa table tant les participant.e.s étaient encore absorbé.e.s par les discussions en cours.
Inutile de vous dire qu’avec un tel condensé de positivité et d’engagement, Alizé, Camille et moi-même avons quitté les lieux satisfaites et plus motivées que jamais. Vous l’aurez compris, ce brunch a été une merveilleuse expérience, qui on en est sûres, marque le début d’une série d’événements funs, stimulants et good vibes only!
On vous donne rendez-vous le jeudi 13 juin pour la suite de nos aventures lausannoises, pour un Afterwork consacré à la consommation durable! Plus d’informations ici.
Géraldine Fankhauser, 06.06.2019
Share & Grow nights taking over the German-speaking part of Switzerland!
Winter is (almost) over, flowers and birds are announcing the warm days and with the arrival of summer, euforia also has some good news: we are back in Bern! From June on, our German-speaking Share & Grow evenings will not only take place in Zurich, but also in the Swiss capital city. Our first events are already planned, check them out here.
But that’s not all: in both Swiss german cities, our Share & Grow will now happen on a regular monthly basis. Join us *every first Wednesday of the month in Bern* and *every last Wednesday of the month in Zurich* to meet other changemakers, exchange new ideas and discover new topics… we are looking forward to seeing you very soon!
Share, exchange & connect: as our changemakers network is filled with people who have all kinds of talents, we organize regular Share & Grow nights, which are events that create a space for people in our community to share and exchange some of their inspiration with others. It should be an open, flexible and interactive place where all members of the euforia community can sign up to share their knowledge and skills, get input on methods, topics and projects and try out new ideas in a "safe space". If you are interested in organising one yourself, don’t hesitate to contact Clara (Züri) or Camille (Bern) or put your event directly on our sign up form and we will get back to you!
Much love from the German-speaking team! 😌🤩
Welcome Camille!
Hi there,
My name is Camille! I was born in the French-speaking part of Switzerland some years ago, and I grew up spending my time in Geneva – when I was not in the mountains fresh air or on my way to a new travelling destination. Having always been curious to discover new places, people and languages, after high school I decided to cross the Röstigraben for my studies and ended up in Zurich for a couple of years.
It’s during my time there that I got to know euforia through an imp!act event in 2015. During this few days, I discovered an amazing community, bubbling with energy and full of inspirational people, very cool interactive methodologies and principles and mostly how cool it is when people are empowered and can unleash their potential. Since that time, I got stuck with euforia and over the following years, I got the chance as a volunteer to learn a ton of new cool things, to spend hours on organising calls and in that process, I discovered a passion for planning and organisation - and the fact that I really don’t mind spending hours re-organizing a Drive or putting bright colours on every document on the list! ☺
Apart from euforia, the things that put a smile on my face mostly include being outdoors, doing sports (particularly the ones with a stick or a board), learning new things, being surrounded by people that make me laugh, mountains, sunsets and waves, as well as food, a cold beer and getting lost in very long talks.
I am very happy and grateful to join the team now and looking forward to spread euforia’s magic in the German part of Switzerland, with many cool events that empower each and every one to unleash their full potential with the aim of co-creating a more sustainable, fair and open world!
Welcome Géraldine!
Hi there!
My name is Géraldine and I’m one of euforia’s new unicorns! I had the great opportunity of joining the euforia team in March. I consider myself being very lucky to have discovered that amazing organisation and team which promotes the goodwill values and unleashes ideas that I share and want to spread as well.
My background is pretty much atypical but it defines my path and the way I see life well: a continuous and evolving adventure. I hold a Bachelor degree in French Literature and History, and a Master Degree in Policy and Public Management, which basically means that I’m comfortable with identifying figures of speech and the general understanding of the Swiss institutions (but not only!). I was raised by a Guatemalan mother, who provided me with a great open mindedness towards different people and cultures, speaking as much with my hands as with words and a strong sense of family (don’t you dare messing with my brother…(ever!)).
I love running and hiking! I’m actually preparing for two races for the upcoming month, the most important one being the Geneva Marathon. I also love getting to know other people and getting inspired by their lives and experiences in different fields around a nice cup of coffee or something stronger ;). I’m also always up for partying, going to music and film festivals and learning new things.
I care about environmental issues and am currently working on changing my consumption and general habits towards a more sustainable way of life. I also feel truly concerned about educational issues and its free access. In the long-term, I’m planning to contribute to projects that aim to provide access to school to disadvantaged children in Guatemala, specifically those involved with organized crime. I completely resonate with Victor Hugo’s quote: « Every school that is opened, closes one more prison » .
On a lighter tone, I love Virginie Despentes’s books, my favorite color is green, I’m planning parachuting this summer and I never moved on from Jack’s death in Titanic.
PS: Presenting myself is something that I’m not comfortable with at all. So writing down that text represents a real achievement! then please if you want to know me better do not text me! ;)
