Next step towards change: Alex

[unknown_author]

Notes from the Listening Triad session with Alex, at OpenVillage Festival (19th October 2017):

@Alex

Open village is the next step, the evolution of what was tried in un-monastery project.A network of spaces that are connected with an approach rather than an output. It’s about finding solutions for problems that are faced by everyone For example- the reef in Brussels is about consultancy and it’s about a community that is open so it’s a really different than in the reef in another place but the problem we address is the same but the make-up is different.What drew me to un-monastery is a set of different stories which in monastery was religion/authorities but in the new projects it’s societal change

How to feed people? How to reduce our reliance on multinational corporate? Bio hacks, urban gardening, avoiding being taken over by central governments.

What do you think the community can draw from this event?

The event is an opportunity to do two things.The first is reflective of what we have already achieved.Then acting as a catalyst and a way of energizing and going forward, at the end of the event you would say I have met very interesting people who we can go together.The fact that we are using this space and tomorrow we will move to another so there is a sense in the city Brussels of re-development away from large corporations and there are many spaces like these who are growing rooted in the community.

I don’t think Brussels is unique in that we can see it in capital cities and large cities around Europe.I never know what I want to achieve.I am really drawn to the idea and often I find myself between the desire to travel and see and explore and wanting to stay somewhere and be part of a community.So what happens here is a mix of both.It might be interesting with my background and my interests and I approach the community here I found a mix of both.