Writing workshops | My place - write the future!

The future arises from possibilities. What we think is possible is influenced by stories - by narratives. What if we could write stories to shape the future?
Our writing workshops aim to provide space for this experience. On the one hand, we will learn about a method of creative writing, and on the other, we will create narratives about the future of places. We want to explore together how our own writing, but also the telling and hearing of such stories, affects us and whether this opens up possibilities for us. How can the formulation of such possibilities influence future decisions? Under what conditions can stories become so powerful? Which narratives from the past influence our decisions, values and thinking today?

Over the next few months, the SDG+ Lab will be organized in cooperation with the vhs Region Kassel, the Kompost Ensemble e.V., sustain! Büro für Nachhaltige Entwicklung and Professor Sandra Drumm from the Department of German as a Second Language at the University of Kassel with the project "Mein Ort - schreib' Zukunft!" (My place - write the future!) in the city and region. As part of the writing workshop on offer, anyone interested is invited to imagine a happy future for the region with a story about their relationship to a place.

Telling such stories promotes the development of collective positive narratives beyond the personal level. They can develop motivation and the power to act and are therefore one of the prerequisites for society to actively shape the future. Writing and talking about the future opens up space for possibilities.

The process of creating narratives and their results should be used as a basis for further scientific, cultural and educational discussions. This can be useful in the transformation of energy and resource use. However, its implementation requires not only broad social acceptance, but also joint efforts. The project should therefore serve as an inspiration for local actors to take further action in urban and regional development.

If you have any questions about the dates, please send an e-mail to schreibwerkstaetten[at]uni-kassel[dot]de