[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
thank you thank you very much it’s been
thank you thank you very much it’s been a super exciting day today and we have
a super exciting day today and we have
a super exciting day today and we have heard from many of the speakers today
heard from many of the speakers today
heard from many of the speakers today that we really live in turbulent times
that we really live in turbulent times
that we really live in turbulent times we live in times of transition and
we live in times of transition and
we live in times of transition and transformation the challenges that we
transformation the challenges that we
transformation the challenges that we are facing today of hidden algorithms
are facing today of hidden algorithms
are facing today of hidden algorithms globalization migration breaks it and
globalization migration breaks it and
globalization migration breaks it and Trump and all the rest are all
Trump and all the rest are all
Trump and all the rest are all expressions I believe of one underlying
expressions I believe of one underlying
expressions I believe of one underlying meta-crisis our inability our collective
meta-crisis our inability our collective
meta-crisis our inability our collective inability to handle the increasing
inability to handle the increasing
inability to handle the increasing complexity of our world I think that we
complexity of our world I think that we
complexity of our world I think that we need again as we have done so many times
need again as we have done so many times
need again as we have done so many times before throughout history update our
before throughout history update our
before throughout history update our cultural software of our society we need
cultural software of our society we need
cultural software of our society we need again to increase our collective
again to increase our collective
again to increase our collective consciousness not long ago we had no
consciousness not long ago we had no
consciousness not long ago we had no internet no mobile phones this is the
internet no mobile phones this is the
internet no mobile phones this is the forum where I grew up
forum where I grew up
forum where I grew up in Sweden it’s me there with my younger
in Sweden it’s me there with my younger
in Sweden it’s me there with my younger brother and my grandfather I’m old
brother and my grandfather I’m old
brother and my grandfather I’m old enough to have started life in a family
enough to have started life in a family
enough to have started life in a family where we had no television and no fixed
where we had no television and no fixed
where we had no television and no fixed telephone line now not much later we are
telephone line now not much later we are
telephone line now not much later we are about to enter into a society as we have
about to enter into a society as we have
about to enter into a society as we have heard with artificial intelligence the
heard with artificial intelligence the
heard with artificial intelligence the Internet of Things and all the other
Internet of Things and all the other
Internet of Things and all the other wonderful technologies that could give
wonderful technologies that could give
wonderful technologies that could give us a world
us a world
us a world of abundance within the planetary
of abundance within the planetary
of abundance within the planetary boundaries a world of peace or totally
boundaries a world of peace or totally
boundaries a world of peace or totally not the only thing that is absolutely
not the only thing that is absolutely
not the only thing that is absolutely clear to me is that the future is not
clear to me is that the future is not
clear to me is that the future is not going to be easy but also that we are
going to be easy but also that we are
going to be easy but also that we are really in charge of the future a hundred
really in charge of the future a hundred
really in charge of the future a hundred and fifty years ago in the middle of the
and fifty years ago in the middle of the
and fifty years ago in the middle of the 19th century Denmark Norway and Sweden
19th century Denmark Norway and Sweden
19th century Denmark Norway and Sweden were at an equally great technological
were at an equally great technological
were at an equally great technological and societal transition the Industrial
and societal transition the Industrial
and societal transition the Industrial Revolution back then we have a very poor
Revolution back then we have a very poor
Revolution back then we have a very poor agrarian non democratic societies due to
agrarian non democratic societies due to
agrarian non democratic societies due to starvation and miserable living
starvation and miserable living
starvation and miserable living conditions 25% of the working population
conditions 25% of the working population
conditions 25% of the working population in Sweden emigrated to the US during the
in Sweden emigrated to the US during the
in Sweden emigrated to the US during the second half of that century that is why
second half of that century that is why
second half of that century that is why at the time all Cowboys were blond just
at the time all Cowboys were blond just
at the time all Cowboys were blond just kidding
kidding
kidding just a few decades later already before
just a few decades later already before
just a few decades later already before the Second World War Denmark Norway and
the Second World War Denmark Norway and
the Second World War Denmark Norway and Sweden had transitioned into being
Sweden had transitioned into being
Sweden had transitioned into being amongst the richest and happiest
amongst the richest and happiest
amongst the richest and happiest countries in the world we had managed to
countries in the world we had managed to
countries in the world we had managed to become very stable democracies and I
become very stable democracies and I
become very stable democracies and I would say that compared to other
would say that compared to other
would say that compared to other countries both in Europe and elsewhere
countries both in Europe and elsewhere
countries both in Europe and elsewhere our way of managing this transition was
our way of managing this transition was
our way of managing this transition was extraordinary successful so how did that
extraordinary successful so how did that
extraordinary successful so how did that happen how did this transition go so
happen how did this transition go so
happen how did this transition go so quick and peacefully and what can we
quick and peacefully and what can we
quick and peacefully and what can we learn from that transition when we today
learn from that transition when we today
learn from that transition when we today are facing an equally great transition
are facing an equally great transition
are facing an equally great transition now from national industrial societies
now from national industrial societies
now from national industrial societies into a global digitally connected
into a global digitally connected
into a global digitally connected world in the next 12 minutes I will try
world in the next 12 minutes I will try
world in the next 12 minutes I will try to give some answers to these questions
to give some answers to these questions
to give some answers to these questions in times of uncertainty and rapid change
in times of uncertainty and rapid change
in times of uncertainty and rapid change like now we all tend to turn towards an
like now we all tend to turn towards an
like now we all tend to turn towards an outside Authority someone or something
outside Authority someone or something
outside Authority someone or something that we can put our trust in we tend to
that we can put our trust in we tend to
that we can put our trust in we tend to turn towards religion or to words
turn towards religion or to words
turn towards religion or to words authoritarian leadership we did it back
authoritarian leadership we did it back
authoritarian leadership we did it back then and when we are doing it now again
then and when we are doing it now again
then and when we are doing it now again but a hundred and fifty years ago we had
but a hundred and fifty years ago we had
but a hundred and fifty years ago we had extraordinary visionary leaders in
extraordinary visionary leaders in
extraordinary visionary leaders in Scandinavia they knew that the only way
Scandinavia they knew that the only way
Scandinavia they knew that the only way to build democracy and they were totally
to build democracy and they were totally
to build democracy and they were totally committed to building democracy was to
committed to building democracy was to
committed to building democracy was to build it from bottom up that is why
build it from bottom up that is why
build it from bottom up that is why these visionaries wanted to empower a
these visionaries wanted to empower a
these visionaries wanted to empower a large part of the population not just a
large part of the population not just a
large part of the population not just a little elite or Vanguard they want to
little elite or Vanguard they want to
little elite or Vanguard they want to really to empower a large part of the
really to empower a large part of the
really to empower a large part of the population to become active and
population to become active and
population to become active and conscious co-creators of the new social
conscious co-creators of the new social
conscious co-creators of the new social order that wanted to emerge and for that
order that wanted to emerge and for that
order that wanted to emerge and for that purpose they created all over
purpose they created all over
purpose they created all over Scandinavia retreat centers for inner
Scandinavia retreat centers for inner
Scandinavia retreat centers for inner growth yes you heard me correctly
growth yes you heard me correctly
growth yes you heard me correctly they established retreat centers for
they established retreat centers for
they established retreat centers for inner growth and they did this all over
inner growth and they did this all over
inner growth and they did this all over Scandinavia it started in Denmark moved
Scandinavia it started in Denmark moved
Scandinavia it started in Denmark moved on to Norway and then to Sweden and over
on to Norway and then to Sweden and over
on to Norway and then to Sweden and over the next couple of decades it grow
the next couple of decades it grow
the next couple of decades it grow rapidly and at about 1900 at the turn of
rapidly and at about 1900 at the turn of
rapidly and at about 1900 at the turn of the last century there were
the last century there were
the last century there were hundred retreat center like this in
hundred retreat center like this in
hundred retreat center like this in Denmark 75 in Norway and a hundred and
Denmark 75 in Norway and a hundred and
Denmark 75 in Norway and a hundred and fifty in Sweden these centres were all
fifty in Sweden these centres were all
fifty in Sweden these centres were all state from financed but they were not
state from financed but they were not
state from financed but they were not state-run or state organised here young
state-run or state organised here young
state-run or state organised here young adults with a few years of working
adults with a few years of working
adults with a few years of working experience mainly from the farming or
experience mainly from the farming or
experience mainly from the farming or working part of the population could
working part of the population could
working part of the population could spend up to six months in retreat with
spend up to six months in retreat with
spend up to six months in retreat with the expressed aim of not being
the expressed aim of not being
the expressed aim of not being politically indoctrinated but rather
politically indoctrinated but rather
politically indoctrinated but rather finding their own inner compass finding
finding their own inner compass finding
finding their own inner compass finding themselves in order to resist the sirens
themselves in order to resist the sirens
themselves in order to resist the sirens calls of fundamentalist religion or
calls of fundamentalist religion or
calls of fundamentalist religion or authoritarian leadership to be able to
authoritarian leadership to be able to
authoritarian leadership to be able to hold the complexity of rapid social
hold the complexity of rapid social
hold the complexity of rapid social change and become active and conscious
change and become active and conscious
change and become active and conscious co-creators of the emerging new social
co-creators of the emerging new social
co-creators of the emerging new social order a hundred years ago up to ten
order a hundred years ago up to ten
order a hundred years ago up to ten percent of each generation in the Nordic
percent of each generation in the Nordic
percent of each generation in the Nordic countries participated in these six
countries participated in these six
countries participated in these six months long retreats four to six months
months long retreats four to six months
months long retreats four to six months long retreats in addition to finding
long retreats in addition to finding
long retreats in addition to finding their inner compass these retreats gave
their inner compass these retreats gave
their inner compass these retreats gave the participants knowledge about the
the participants knowledge about the
the participants knowledge about the current technology technological
current technology technological
current technology technological development in crafts and farming it
development in crafts and farming it
development in crafts and farming it gave them a sense of feeling for their
gave them a sense of feeling for their
gave them a sense of feeling for their place in history and culture and it gave
place in history and culture and it gave
place in history and culture and it gave them basic tools for organizing civic
them basic tools for organizing civic
them basic tools for organizing civic movements and activism so where did
movements and activism so where did
movements and activism so where did these even for our time radical ideas
these even for our time radical ideas
these even for our time radical ideas come from well they came from here they
come from well they came from here they
come from well they came from here they came from Germany
came from Germany
came from Germany they came from German thinkers like
they came from German thinkers like
they came from German thinkers like Schiller and Goethe here from Humboldt
Schiller and Goethe here from Humboldt
Schiller and Goethe here from Humboldt harridan and lots of those idealistic
harridan and lots of those idealistic
harridan and lots of those idealistic philosophers all of these philosophers
philosophers all of these philosophers
philosophers all of these philosophers pointed out that the Enlightenment idea
pointed out that the Enlightenment idea
pointed out that the Enlightenment idea of our mind as a rational machine a
of our mind as a rational machine a
of our mind as a rational machine a rational decision decision machine that
rational decision decision machine that
rational decision decision machine that somehow miraculously is all ready when
somehow miraculously is all ready when
somehow miraculously is all ready when we are 18 or 20 and we are allowed to
we are 18 or 20 and we are allowed to
we are 18 or 20 and we are allowed to vote that idea they said is totally
vote that idea they said is totally
vote that idea they said is totally wrong totally wrong they pointed out as
wrong totally wrong they pointed out as
wrong totally wrong they pointed out as science does today that our mind is not
science does today that our mind is not
science does today that our mind is not just in our brain our mind is embodied
just in our brain our mind is embodied
just in our brain our mind is embodied in the totality of our bodies and
in the totality of our bodies and
in the totality of our bodies and embedded in our culture and that our
embedded in our culture and that our
embedded in our culture and that our mind is a complex organic system under
mind is a complex organic system under
mind is a complex organic system under lifelong development under lifelong
lifelong development under lifelong
lifelong development under lifelong development it’s never finished it never
development it’s never finished it never
development it’s never finished it never finishes these philosophers lived
finishes these philosophers lived
finishes these philosophers lived thought and wrote in the years after the
thought and wrote in the years after the
thought and wrote in the years after the French Revolution and they came to the
French Revolution and they came to the
French Revolution and they came to the conclusion that the only way to avoid
conclusion that the only way to avoid
conclusion that the only way to avoid future political blood baths
future political blood baths
future political blood baths was for a large part of the population
was for a large part of the population
was for a large part of the population to find their inner compass and to
to find their inner compass and to
to find their inner compass and to become what we today would call
become what we today would call
become what we today would call inner-directed
unfortunately few of us are able to do
unfortunately few of us are able to do this without conscious effort here in
this without conscious effort here in
this without conscious effort here in Germany after that the failed
Germany after that the failed
Germany after that the failed revolutions of 1848 had been forcefully
revolutions of 1848 had been forcefully
revolutions of 1848 had been forcefully put down nobody in any responsible
put down nobody in any responsible
put down nobody in any responsible position dead to implement these new
position dead to implement these new
position dead to implement these new ideas instead as we have seen these
ideas instead as we have seen these
ideas instead as we have seen these ideas traveled to Scandinavia
ideas traveled to Scandinavia
ideas traveled to Scandinavia and it was here that the originally
and it was here that the originally
and it was here that the originally German idea is about the connection
German idea is about the connection
German idea is about the connection between inner personal transformation
between inner personal transformation
between inner personal transformation and democracy came to be implemented on
and democracy came to be implemented on
and democracy came to be implemented on a large scale
a large scale
a large scale eventually this program of human
eventually this program of human
eventually this program of human empowerment followed in the footsteps of
empowerment followed in the footsteps of
empowerment followed in the footsteps of the Nordic immigrants to the US where it
the Nordic immigrants to the US where it
the Nordic immigrants to the US where it played a part in the civil rights
played a part in the civil rights
played a part in the civil rights movement but that is another story today
movement but that is another story today
movement but that is another story today not many not even in the Nordic
not many not even in the Nordic
not many not even in the Nordic countries know about this fascinating
countries know about this fascinating
countries know about this fascinating story about democracy building that is
story about democracy building that is
story about democracy building that is why my Danish co-author and I Lena
why my Danish co-author and I Lena
why my Danish co-author and I Lena Andersson and I call it the Nordic
Andersson and I call it the Nordic
Andersson and I call it the Nordic secret the retreat centers still exists
secret the retreat centers still exists
secret the retreat centers still exists they are called Falk high schools but
they are called Falk high schools but
they are called Falk high schools but after the Second World War the focus on
after the Second World War the focus on
after the Second World War the focus on personal inner transformation and
personal inner transformation and
personal inner transformation and democracy building was lost now our
democracy building was lost now our
democracy building was lost now our focus goals are mainly used for simply
focus goals are mainly used for simply
focus goals are mainly used for simply adult education and training we somehow
adult education and training we somehow
adult education and training we somehow forgot about the insights of the
forgot about the insights of the
forgot about the insights of the lifelong development of our mind and we
lifelong development of our mind and we
lifelong development of our mind and we reverted back to the old view of our
reverted back to the old view of our
reverted back to the old view of our mind as rational and fixed and democracy
mind as rational and fixed and democracy
mind as rational and fixed and democracy was by then
was by then
was by then anyhow mostly taken for granted we are
anyhow mostly taken for granted we are
anyhow mostly taken for granted we are now at a point in history where we again
now at a point in history where we again
now at a point in history where we again could use some of the insights of
could use some of the insights of
could use some of the insights of Schiller and Goethe that was so
Schiller and Goethe that was so
Schiller and Goethe that was so instrumental in building the Nordic
instrumental in building the Nordic
instrumental in building the Nordic democracies today neuroscience adult
democracies today neuroscience adult
democracies today neuroscience adult developmental psychology and behavioral
developmental psychology and behavioral
developmental psychology and behavioral economics all confirm that the old ideas
economics all confirm that the old ideas
economics all confirm that the old ideas of rational mind or Homo economicus are
of rational mind or Homo economicus are
of rational mind or Homo economicus are deeply flawed
this old mechanistic view of our mind
this old mechanistic view of our mind can actually dangerously undermine both
can actually dangerously undermine both
can actually dangerously undermine both our society and our democracy I firmly
our society and our democracy I firmly
our society and our democracy I firmly believe that we need again to look at
believe that we need again to look at
believe that we need again to look at the lifelong development of our mind and
the lifelong development of our mind and
the lifelong development of our mind and of our inner world we need again to
of our inner world we need again to
of our inner world we need again to focus on the development of our
focus on the development of our
focus on the development of our consciousness I have myself gone through
consciousness I have myself gone through
consciousness I have myself gone through and witnessed such inner growth and in
and witnessed such inner growth and in
and witnessed such inner growth and in the process became interested in the
the process became interested in the
the process became interested in the connection between inner transformation
connection between inner transformation
connection between inner transformation and societal change after I sold my
and societal change after I sold my
and societal change after I sold my banking business ten years ago I started
banking business ten years ago I started
banking business ten years ago I started the a credit foundation and a trial it
the a credit foundation and a trial it
the a credit foundation and a trial it means literally as we heard the oak tree
means literally as we heard the oak tree
means literally as we heard the oak tree island even if you as you can see on
island even if you as you can see on
island even if you as you can see on this picture there are mainly pine trees
this picture there are mainly pine trees
this picture there are mainly pine trees growing there today every summer on our
growing there today every summer on our
growing there today every summer on our island we arrange a number of youth caps
island we arrange a number of youth caps
island we arrange a number of youth caps to week-long camps where young
to week-long camps where young
to week-long camps where young adolescents are able to spend two weeks
adolescents are able to spend two weeks
adolescents are able to spend two weeks to find themselves a few years ago when
to find themselves a few years ago when
to find themselves a few years ago when I was a leader at one of these camps I
I was a leader at one of these camps I
I was a leader at one of these camps I overheard a conversation between a young
overheard a conversation between a young
overheard a conversation between a young participant and a leader the young girl
participant and a leader the young girl
participant and a leader the young girl was complaining about how stressed out
was complaining about how stressed out
was complaining about how stressed out she always felt about all the things
she always felt about all the things
she always felt about all the things that she wanted to do like meeting
that she wanted to do like meeting
that she wanted to do like meeting friends doing sports social media and
friends doing sports social media and
friends doing sports social media and all that a situation not unknown to many
all that a situation not unknown to many
all that a situation not unknown to many young people today and even as adults
young people today and even as adults
young people today and even as adults the leader who was just a few years
the leader who was just a few years
the leader who was just a few years older than she asked some open probing
older than she asked some open probing
older than she asked some open probing questions
questions
questions and then suddenly the young woman said
and then suddenly the young woman said
and then suddenly the young woman said now now I see that I do not have to do
now now I see that I do not have to do
now now I see that I do not have to do all the things I want to do something
all the things I want to do something
all the things I want to do something had shifted in her for the first time
had shifted in her for the first time
had shifted in her for the first time perhaps in her life she had been able to
perhaps in her life she had been able to
perhaps in her life she had been able to take her own will and look at it look at
take her own will and look at it look at
take her own will and look at it look at it as an object and relate to it and
it as an object and relate to it and
it as an object and relate to it and decide what she wanted to do with her
decide what she wanted to do with her
decide what she wanted to do with her will her inner awareness had expanded
will her inner awareness had expanded
will her inner awareness had expanded she had just experienced inner growth
she had just experienced inner growth
she had just experienced inner growth later in life we can go through similar
later in life we can go through similar
later in life we can go through similar expansions of our awareness we can for
expansions of our awareness we can for
expansions of our awareness we can for example stop identifying with the norms
example stop identifying with the norms
example stop identifying with the norms and values of our peer group to actually
and values of our peer group to actually
and values of our peer group to actually be able to choose who we want to be and
be able to choose who we want to be and
be able to choose who we want to be and how we want to contribute to society we
how we want to contribute to society we
how we want to contribute to society we can become in a directed and by doing
can become in a directed and by doing
can become in a directed and by doing that we can become authors of our own
that we can become authors of our own
that we can become authors of our own lives in a much deeper sense but this
lives in a much deeper sense but this
lives in a much deeper sense but this requires deep inner work reflection and
requires deep inner work reflection and
requires deep inner work reflection and dialogue we live indeed in turbulent
dialogue we live indeed in turbulent
dialogue we live indeed in turbulent times times of transition and
times times of transition and
times times of transition and transformation and the challenges we as
transformation and the challenges we as
transformation and the challenges we as humanity face today deeply humble us the
humanity face today deeply humble us the
humanity face today deeply humble us the success of the Industrial Revolution was
success of the Industrial Revolution was
success of the Industrial Revolution was based on an acceptance acceptance of the
based on an acceptance acceptance of the
based on an acceptance acceptance of the fact that we were ignorant about our
fact that we were ignorant about our
fact that we were ignorant about our outer world it was that acceptance and
outer world it was that acceptance and
outer world it was that acceptance and our curiosity about our outer world that
our curiosity about our outer world that
our curiosity about our outer world that made us discover new continents and put
made us discover new continents and put
made us discover new continents and put a man on the moon
the revolution of our time is also about
the revolution of our time is also about acceptance this time
acceptance this time
acceptance this time acceptance about our ignorance about our
acceptance about our ignorance about our
acceptance about our ignorance about our inner world that acceptance and the
inner world that acceptance and the
inner world that acceptance and the discoveries that will follow from that
discoveries that will follow from that
discoveries that will follow from that will be the big step forward for
will be the big step forward for
will be the big step forward for Humanity in our century in order for us
Humanity in our century in order for us
Humanity in our century in order for us to move into the new social order that
to move into the new social order that
to move into the new social order that wants to emerge
wants to emerge
wants to emerge we need to surrender we need to
we need to surrender we need to
we need to surrender we need to surrender to the fact that we are not
surrender to the fact that we are not
surrender to the fact that we are not fully developed that we are in a
fully developed that we are in a
fully developed that we are in a constantly developing path and when we
constantly developing path and when we
constantly developing path and when we have accepted that and being in touch
have accepted that and being in touch
have accepted that and being in touch with ourselves that will be an
with ourselves that will be an
with ourselves that will be an invitation for us to raise our
invitation for us to raise our
invitation for us to raise our consciousness to grow and hopefully to
consciousness to grow and hopefully to
consciousness to grow and hopefully to become more human thank you very much
become more human thank you very much
become more human thank you very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
thank you thank you very much it’s been
thank you thank you very much it’s been a super exciting day today and we have
a super exciting day today and we have
a super exciting day today and we have heard from many of the speakers today
heard from many of the speakers today
heard from many of the speakers today that we really live in turbulent times
that we really live in turbulent times
that we really live in turbulent times we live in times of transition and
we live in times of transition and
we live in times of transition and transformation the challenges that we
transformation the challenges that we
transformation the challenges that we are facing today of hidden algorithms
are facing today of hidden algorithms
are facing today of hidden algorithms globalization migration breaks it and
globalization migration breaks it and
globalization migration breaks it and Trump and all the rest are all
Trump and all the rest are all
Trump and all the rest are all expressions I believe of one underlying
expressions I believe of one underlying
expressions I believe of one underlying meta-crisis our inability our collective
meta-crisis our inability our collective
meta-crisis our inability our collective inability to handle the increasing
inability to handle the increasing
inability to handle the increasing complexity of our world I think that we
complexity of our world I think that we
complexity of our world I think that we need again as we have done so many times
need again as we have done so many times
need again as we have done so many times before throughout history update our
before throughout history update our
before throughout history update our cultural software of our society we need
cultural software of our society we need
cultural software of our society we need again to increase our collective
again to increase our collective
again to increase our collective consciousness not long ago we had no
consciousness not long ago we had no
consciousness not long ago we had no internet no mobile phones this is the
internet no mobile phones this is the
internet no mobile phones this is the forum where I grew up
forum where I grew up
forum where I grew up in Sweden it’s me there with my younger
in Sweden it’s me there with my younger
in Sweden it’s me there with my younger brother and my grandfather I’m old
brother and my grandfather I’m old
brother and my grandfather I’m old enough to have started life in a family
enough to have started life in a family
enough to have started life in a family where we had no television and no fixed
where we had no television and no fixed
where we had no television and no fixed telephone line now not much later we are
telephone line now not much later we are
telephone line now not much later we are about to enter into a society as we have
about to enter into a society as we have
about to enter into a society as we have heard with artificial intelligence the
heard with artificial intelligence the
heard with artificial intelligence the Internet of Things and all the other
Internet of Things and all the other
Internet of Things and all the other wonderful technologies that could give
wonderful technologies that could give
wonderful technologies that could give us a world
us a world
us a world of abundance within the planetary
of abundance within the planetary
of abundance within the planetary boundaries a world of peace or totally
boundaries a world of peace or totally
boundaries a world of peace or totally not the only thing that is absolutely
not the only thing that is absolutely
not the only thing that is absolutely clear to me is that the future is not
clear to me is that the future is not
clear to me is that the future is not going to be easy but also that we are
going to be easy but also that we are
going to be easy but also that we are really in charge of the future a hundred
really in charge of the future a hundred
really in charge of the future a hundred and fifty years ago in the middle of the
and fifty years ago in the middle of the
and fifty years ago in the middle of the 19th century Denmark Norway and Sweden
19th century Denmark Norway and Sweden
19th century Denmark Norway and Sweden were at an equally great technological
were at an equally great technological
were at an equally great technological and societal transition the Industrial
and societal transition the Industrial
and societal transition the Industrial Revolution back then we have a very poor
Revolution back then we have a very poor
Revolution back then we have a very poor agrarian non democratic societies due to
agrarian non democratic societies due to
agrarian non democratic societies due to starvation and miserable living
starvation and miserable living
starvation and miserable living conditions 25% of the working population
conditions 25% of the working population
conditions 25% of the working population in Sweden emigrated to the US during the
in Sweden emigrated to the US during the
in Sweden emigrated to the US during the second half of that century that is why
second half of that century that is why
second half of that century that is why at the time all Cowboys were blond just
at the time all Cowboys were blond just
at the time all Cowboys were blond just kidding
kidding
kidding just a few decades later already before
just a few decades later already before
just a few decades later already before the Second World War Denmark Norway and
the Second World War Denmark Norway and
the Second World War Denmark Norway and Sweden had transitioned into being
Sweden had transitioned into being
Sweden had transitioned into being amongst the richest and happiest
amongst the richest and happiest
amongst the richest and happiest countries in the world we had managed to
countries in the world we had managed to
countries in the world we had managed to become very stable democracies and I
become very stable democracies and I
become very stable democracies and I would say that compared to other
would say that compared to other
would say that compared to other countries both in Europe and elsewhere
countries both in Europe and elsewhere
countries both in Europe and elsewhere our way of managing this transition was
our way of managing this transition was
our way of managing this transition was extraordinary successful so how did that
extraordinary successful so how did that
extraordinary successful so how did that happen how did this transition go so
happen how did this transition go so
happen how did this transition go so quick and peacefully and what can we
quick and peacefully and what can we
quick and peacefully and what can we learn from that transition when we today
learn from that transition when we today
learn from that transition when we today are facing an equally great transition
are facing an equally great transition
are facing an equally great transition now from national industrial societies
now from national industrial societies
now from national industrial societies into a global digitally connected
into a global digitally connected
into a global digitally connected world in the next 12 minutes I will try
world in the next 12 minutes I will try
world in the next 12 minutes I will try to give some answers to these questions
to give some answers to these questions
to give some answers to these questions in times of uncertainty and rapid change
in times of uncertainty and rapid change
in times of uncertainty and rapid change like now we all tend to turn towards an
like now we all tend to turn towards an
like now we all tend to turn towards an outside Authority someone or something
outside Authority someone or something
outside Authority someone or something that we can put our trust in we tend to
that we can put our trust in we tend to
that we can put our trust in we tend to turn towards religion or to words
turn towards religion or to words
turn towards religion or to words authoritarian leadership we did it back
authoritarian leadership we did it back
authoritarian leadership we did it back then and when we are doing it now again
then and when we are doing it now again
then and when we are doing it now again but a hundred and fifty years ago we had
but a hundred and fifty years ago we had
but a hundred and fifty years ago we had extraordinary visionary leaders in
extraordinary visionary leaders in
extraordinary visionary leaders in Scandinavia they knew that the only way
Scandinavia they knew that the only way
Scandinavia they knew that the only way to build democracy and they were totally
to build democracy and they were totally
to build democracy and they were totally committed to building democracy was to
committed to building democracy was to
committed to building democracy was to build it from bottom up that is why
build it from bottom up that is why
build it from bottom up that is why these visionaries wanted to empower a
these visionaries wanted to empower a
these visionaries wanted to empower a large part of the population not just a
large part of the population not just a
large part of the population not just a little elite or Vanguard they want to
little elite or Vanguard they want to
little elite or Vanguard they want to really to empower a large part of the
really to empower a large part of the
really to empower a large part of the population to become active and
population to become active and
population to become active and conscious co-creators of the new social
conscious co-creators of the new social
conscious co-creators of the new social order that wanted to emerge and for that
order that wanted to emerge and for that
order that wanted to emerge and for that purpose they created all over
purpose they created all over
purpose they created all over Scandinavia retreat centers for inner
Scandinavia retreat centers for inner
Scandinavia retreat centers for inner growth yes you heard me correctly
growth yes you heard me correctly
growth yes you heard me correctly they established retreat centers for
they established retreat centers for
they established retreat centers for inner growth and they did this all over
inner growth and they did this all over
inner growth and they did this all over Scandinavia it started in Denmark moved
Scandinavia it started in Denmark moved
Scandinavia it started in Denmark moved on to Norway and then to Sweden and over
on to Norway and then to Sweden and over
on to Norway and then to Sweden and over the next couple of decades it grow
the next couple of decades it grow
the next couple of decades it grow rapidly and at about 1900 at the turn of
rapidly and at about 1900 at the turn of
rapidly and at about 1900 at the turn of the last century there were
the last century there were
the last century there were hundred retreat center like this in
hundred retreat center like this in
hundred retreat center like this in Denmark 75 in Norway and a hundred and
Denmark 75 in Norway and a hundred and
Denmark 75 in Norway and a hundred and fifty in Sweden these centres were all
fifty in Sweden these centres were all
fifty in Sweden these centres were all state from financed but they were not
state from financed but they were not
state from financed but they were not state-run or state organised here young
state-run or state organised here young
state-run or state organised here young adults with a few years of working
adults with a few years of working
adults with a few years of working experience mainly from the farming or
experience mainly from the farming or
experience mainly from the farming or working part of the population could
working part of the population could
working part of the population could spend up to six months in retreat with
spend up to six months in retreat with
spend up to six months in retreat with the expressed aim of not being
the expressed aim of not being
the expressed aim of not being politically indoctrinated but rather
politically indoctrinated but rather
politically indoctrinated but rather finding their own inner compass finding
finding their own inner compass finding
finding their own inner compass finding themselves in order to resist the sirens
themselves in order to resist the sirens
themselves in order to resist the sirens calls of fundamentalist religion or
calls of fundamentalist religion or
calls of fundamentalist religion or authoritarian leadership to be able to
authoritarian leadership to be able to
authoritarian leadership to be able to hold the complexity of rapid social
hold the complexity of rapid social
hold the complexity of rapid social change and become active and conscious
change and become active and conscious
change and become active and conscious co-creators of the emerging new social
co-creators of the emerging new social
co-creators of the emerging new social order a hundred years ago up to ten
order a hundred years ago up to ten
order a hundred years ago up to ten percent of each generation in the Nordic
percent of each generation in the Nordic
percent of each generation in the Nordic countries participated in these six
countries participated in these six
countries participated in these six months long retreats four to six months
months long retreats four to six months
months long retreats four to six months long retreats in addition to finding
long retreats in addition to finding
long retreats in addition to finding their inner compass these retreats gave
their inner compass these retreats gave
their inner compass these retreats gave the participants knowledge about the
the participants knowledge about the
the participants knowledge about the current technology technological
current technology technological
current technology technological development in crafts and farming it
development in crafts and farming it
development in crafts and farming it gave them a sense of feeling for their
gave them a sense of feeling for their
gave them a sense of feeling for their place in history and culture and it gave
place in history and culture and it gave
place in history and culture and it gave them basic tools for organizing civic
them basic tools for organizing civic
them basic tools for organizing civic movements and activism so where did
movements and activism so where did
movements and activism so where did these even for our time radical ideas
these even for our time radical ideas
these even for our time radical ideas come from well they came from here they
come from well they came from here they
come from well they came from here they came from Germany
came from Germany
came from Germany they came from German thinkers like
they came from German thinkers like
they came from German thinkers like Schiller and Goethe here from Humboldt
Schiller and Goethe here from Humboldt
Schiller and Goethe here from Humboldt harridan and lots of those idealistic
harridan and lots of those idealistic
harridan and lots of those idealistic philosophers all of these philosophers
philosophers all of these philosophers
philosophers all of these philosophers pointed out that the Enlightenment idea
pointed out that the Enlightenment idea
pointed out that the Enlightenment idea of our mind as a rational machine a
of our mind as a rational machine a
of our mind as a rational machine a rational decision decision machine that
rational decision decision machine that
rational decision decision machine that somehow miraculously is all ready when
somehow miraculously is all ready when
somehow miraculously is all ready when we are 18 or 20 and we are allowed to
we are 18 or 20 and we are allowed to
we are 18 or 20 and we are allowed to vote that idea they said is totally
vote that idea they said is totally
vote that idea they said is totally wrong totally wrong they pointed out as
wrong totally wrong they pointed out as
wrong totally wrong they pointed out as science does today that our mind is not
science does today that our mind is not
science does today that our mind is not just in our brain our mind is embodied
just in our brain our mind is embodied
just in our brain our mind is embodied in the totality of our bodies and
in the totality of our bodies and
in the totality of our bodies and embedded in our culture and that our
embedded in our culture and that our
embedded in our culture and that our mind is a complex organic system under
mind is a complex organic system under
mind is a complex organic system under lifelong development under lifelong
lifelong development under lifelong
lifelong development under lifelong development it’s never finished it never
development it’s never finished it never
development it’s never finished it never finishes these philosophers lived
finishes these philosophers lived
finishes these philosophers lived thought and wrote in the years after the
thought and wrote in the years after the
thought and wrote in the years after the French Revolution and they came to the
French Revolution and they came to the
French Revolution and they came to the conclusion that the only way to avoid
conclusion that the only way to avoid
conclusion that the only way to avoid future political blood baths
future political blood baths
future political blood baths was for a large part of the population
was for a large part of the population
was for a large part of the population to find their inner compass and to
to find their inner compass and to
to find their inner compass and to become what we today would call
become what we today would call
become what we today would call inner-directed
unfortunately few of us are able to do
unfortunately few of us are able to do this without conscious effort here in
this without conscious effort here in
this without conscious effort here in Germany after that the failed
Germany after that the failed
Germany after that the failed revolutions of 1848 had been forcefully
revolutions of 1848 had been forcefully
revolutions of 1848 had been forcefully put down nobody in any responsible
put down nobody in any responsible
put down nobody in any responsible position dead to implement these new
position dead to implement these new
position dead to implement these new ideas instead as we have seen these
ideas instead as we have seen these
ideas instead as we have seen these ideas traveled to Scandinavia
ideas traveled to Scandinavia
ideas traveled to Scandinavia and it was here that the originally
and it was here that the originally
and it was here that the originally German idea is about the connection
German idea is about the connection
German idea is about the connection between inner personal transformation
between inner personal transformation
between inner personal transformation and democracy came to be implemented on
and democracy came to be implemented on
and democracy came to be implemented on a large scale
a large scale
a large scale eventually this program of human
eventually this program of human
eventually this program of human empowerment followed in the footsteps of
empowerment followed in the footsteps of
empowerment followed in the footsteps of the Nordic immigrants to the US where it
the Nordic immigrants to the US where it
the Nordic immigrants to the US where it played a part in the civil rights
played a part in the civil rights
played a part in the civil rights movement but that is another story today
movement but that is another story today
movement but that is another story today not many not even in the Nordic
not many not even in the Nordic
not many not even in the Nordic countries know about this fascinating
countries know about this fascinating
countries know about this fascinating story about democracy building that is
story about democracy building that is
story about democracy building that is why my Danish co-author and I Lena
why my Danish co-author and I Lena
why my Danish co-author and I Lena Andersson and I call it the Nordic
Andersson and I call it the Nordic
Andersson and I call it the Nordic secret the retreat centers still exists
secret the retreat centers still exists
secret the retreat centers still exists they are called Falk high schools but
they are called Falk high schools but
they are called Falk high schools but after the Second World War the focus on
after the Second World War the focus on
after the Second World War the focus on personal inner transformation and
personal inner transformation and
personal inner transformation and democracy building was lost now our
democracy building was lost now our
democracy building was lost now our focus goals are mainly used for simply
focus goals are mainly used for simply
focus goals are mainly used for simply adult education and training we somehow
adult education and training we somehow
adult education and training we somehow forgot about the insights of the
forgot about the insights of the
forgot about the insights of the lifelong development of our mind and we
lifelong development of our mind and we
lifelong development of our mind and we reverted back to the old view of our
reverted back to the old view of our
reverted back to the old view of our mind as rational and fixed and democracy
mind as rational and fixed and democracy
mind as rational and fixed and democracy was by then
was by then
was by then anyhow mostly taken for granted we are
anyhow mostly taken for granted we are
anyhow mostly taken for granted we are now at a point in history where we again
now at a point in history where we again
now at a point in history where we again could use some of the insights of
could use some of the insights of
could use some of the insights of Schiller and Goethe that was so
Schiller and Goethe that was so
Schiller and Goethe that was so instrumental in building the Nordic
instrumental in building the Nordic
instrumental in building the Nordic democracies today neuroscience adult
democracies today neuroscience adult
democracies today neuroscience adult developmental psychology and behavioral
developmental psychology and behavioral
developmental psychology and behavioral economics all confirm that the old ideas
economics all confirm that the old ideas
economics all confirm that the old ideas of rational mind or Homo economicus are
of rational mind or Homo economicus are
of rational mind or Homo economicus are deeply flawed
this old mechanistic view of our mind
this old mechanistic view of our mind can actually dangerously undermine both
can actually dangerously undermine both
can actually dangerously undermine both our society and our democracy I firmly
our society and our democracy I firmly
our society and our democracy I firmly believe that we need again to look at
believe that we need again to look at
believe that we need again to look at the lifelong development of our mind and
the lifelong development of our mind and
the lifelong development of our mind and of our inner world we need again to
of our inner world we need again to
of our inner world we need again to focus on the development of our
focus on the development of our
focus on the development of our consciousness I have myself gone through
consciousness I have myself gone through
consciousness I have myself gone through and witnessed such inner growth and in
and witnessed such inner growth and in
and witnessed such inner growth and in the process became interested in the
the process became interested in the
the process became interested in the connection between inner transformation
connection between inner transformation
connection between inner transformation and societal change after I sold my
and societal change after I sold my
and societal change after I sold my banking business ten years ago I started
banking business ten years ago I started
banking business ten years ago I started the a credit foundation and a trial it
the a credit foundation and a trial it
the a credit foundation and a trial it means literally as we heard the oak tree
means literally as we heard the oak tree
means literally as we heard the oak tree island even if you as you can see on
island even if you as you can see on
island even if you as you can see on this picture there are mainly pine trees
this picture there are mainly pine trees
this picture there are mainly pine trees growing there today every summer on our
growing there today every summer on our
growing there today every summer on our island we arrange a number of youth caps
island we arrange a number of youth caps
island we arrange a number of youth caps to week-long camps where young
to week-long camps where young
to week-long camps where young adolescents are able to spend two weeks
adolescents are able to spend two weeks
adolescents are able to spend two weeks to find themselves a few years ago when
to find themselves a few years ago when
to find themselves a few years ago when I was a leader at one of these camps I
I was a leader at one of these camps I
I was a leader at one of these camps I overheard a conversation between a young
overheard a conversation between a young
overheard a conversation between a young participant and a leader the young girl
participant and a leader the young girl
participant and a leader the young girl was complaining about how stressed out
was complaining about how stressed out
was complaining about how stressed out she always felt about all the things
she always felt about all the things
she always felt about all the things that she wanted to do like meeting
that she wanted to do like meeting
that she wanted to do like meeting friends doing sports social media and
friends doing sports social media and
friends doing sports social media and all that a situation not unknown to many
all that a situation not unknown to many
all that a situation not unknown to many young people today and even as adults
young people today and even as adults
young people today and even as adults the leader who was just a few years
the leader who was just a few years
the leader who was just a few years older than she asked some open probing
older than she asked some open probing
older than she asked some open probing questions
questions
questions and then suddenly the young woman said
and then suddenly the young woman said
and then suddenly the young woman said now now I see that I do not have to do
now now I see that I do not have to do
now now I see that I do not have to do all the things I want to do something
all the things I want to do something
all the things I want to do something had shifted in her for the first time
had shifted in her for the first time
had shifted in her for the first time perhaps in her life she had been able to
perhaps in her life she had been able to
perhaps in her life she had been able to take her own will and look at it look at
take her own will and look at it look at
take her own will and look at it look at it as an object and relate to it and
it as an object and relate to it and
it as an object and relate to it and decide what she wanted to do with her
decide what she wanted to do with her
decide what she wanted to do with her will her inner awareness had expanded
will her inner awareness had expanded
will her inner awareness had expanded she had just experienced inner growth
she had just experienced inner growth
she had just experienced inner growth later in life we can go through similar
later in life we can go through similar
later in life we can go through similar expansions of our awareness we can for
expansions of our awareness we can for
expansions of our awareness we can for example stop identifying with the norms
example stop identifying with the norms
example stop identifying with the norms and values of our peer group to actually
and values of our peer group to actually
and values of our peer group to actually be able to choose who we want to be and
be able to choose who we want to be and
be able to choose who we want to be and how we want to contribute to society we
how we want to contribute to society we
how we want to contribute to society we can become in a directed and by doing
can become in a directed and by doing
can become in a directed and by doing that we can become authors of our own
that we can become authors of our own
that we can become authors of our own lives in a much deeper sense but this
lives in a much deeper sense but this
lives in a much deeper sense but this requires deep inner work reflection and
requires deep inner work reflection and
requires deep inner work reflection and dialogue we live indeed in turbulent
dialogue we live indeed in turbulent
dialogue we live indeed in turbulent times times of transition and
times times of transition and
times times of transition and transformation and the challenges we as
transformation and the challenges we as
transformation and the challenges we as humanity face today deeply humble us the
humanity face today deeply humble us the
humanity face today deeply humble us the success of the Industrial Revolution was
success of the Industrial Revolution was
success of the Industrial Revolution was based on an acceptance acceptance of the
based on an acceptance acceptance of the
based on an acceptance acceptance of the fact that we were ignorant about our
fact that we were ignorant about our
fact that we were ignorant about our outer world it was that acceptance and
outer world it was that acceptance and
outer world it was that acceptance and our curiosity about our outer world that
our curiosity about our outer world that
our curiosity about our outer world that made us discover new continents and put
made us discover new continents and put
made us discover new continents and put a man on the moon
the revolution of our time is also about
the revolution of our time is also about acceptance this time
acceptance this time
acceptance this time acceptance about our ignorance about our
acceptance about our ignorance about our
acceptance about our ignorance about our inner world that acceptance and the
inner world that acceptance and the
inner world that acceptance and the discoveries that will follow from that
discoveries that will follow from that
discoveries that will follow from that will be the big step forward for
will be the big step forward for
will be the big step forward for Humanity in our century in order for us
Humanity in our century in order for us
Humanity in our century in order for us to move into the new social order that
to move into the new social order that
to move into the new social order that wants to emerge
wants to emerge
wants to emerge we need to surrender we need to
we need to surrender we need to
we need to surrender we need to surrender to the fact that we are not
surrender to the fact that we are not
surrender to the fact that we are not fully developed that we are in a
fully developed that we are in a
fully developed that we are in a constantly developing path and when we
constantly developing path and when we
constantly developing path and when we have accepted that and being in touch
have accepted that and being in touch
have accepted that and being in touch with ourselves that will be an
with ourselves that will be an
with ourselves that will be an invitation for us to raise our
invitation for us to raise our
invitation for us to raise our consciousness to grow and hopefully to
consciousness to grow and hopefully to
consciousness to grow and hopefully to become more human thank you very much
become more human thank you very much
become more human thank you very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
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