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Our
Case Studies
Explore our 2024 case studies that showcase how the power of awe can drive transformative change across diverse contexts.
We are asking critical questions around:
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How might we weave in awe as a unique ingredient in the changemaking process?
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How might we co-create pathways toward collective reflection, systems thinking (and feeling), and action?
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How might we develop blueprints for organizations in socio-environmental changemaking spaces to leverage the power and potential of awe to catalyze new connections to each other, ourselves, and the planet?
Environmental Stewardship and Urban Reforestation
Montreal, Canada
Can experiences of awe connect community members to their tree 'neighbours'? Can it strengthen longer term commitments to reforestation?
A 50 tree urban forest will be planted in September 2024 located at Montreal's Lachine Canal National Historic Site. The 'Forêt Collective' is supported by donors and supporters who will experience a unique connection by playing music with the trees they have sponsored for planting, using the innovative Playtronica technology. We are particularly interested in testing whether experiences of awe can strengthen environmental stewardship.
Scheduled to conclude in September 2024, this case study seeks to develop blueprints for grassroots reforestation initiatives to leverage our shared potential to experience awe in fostering a sense of kinship with the natural systems we are part of.
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Awe and gatherings
Tangier, Morocco
Awe experienced at gatherings provide us with important prompts to dive deeper into our emerging experiences, and even offer residual shifts. The House of Beautiful Business is a global platform and community dedicated to making humans more human and business more beautiful through in-person gatherings, online programs, publications, and art. This project, integrated into HOBB's 2024 festival in Morocco, aims to explore how awe can serve as a catalyst for self-directed learning, with the possibility of prompting action. Our collaboration leverages the unique environment of HOBB gatherings to study the impact of awe on emotional engagement and transformation. Scheduled to conclude in December 2024.
Bridging divides through dialogue
Berlin, Germany
In collaboration with Y Berlin and the Carnival of Cultures Berlin, an annual festival that celebrates the city's diversity and attracts 1.1 million attendees, we are excited to explore awe-based changemaking. As the largest cultural intervention in an open space in Germany, this event offers a unique platform to foster profound connections among participants. We are designing a narrative playground, a community connection lab, and a multisensory street-level experience to capture moments of awe, bridge divides through dialogue, and enhance the festival's impact by promoting collective effervescence and personal transformation. This case study will conclude in September 2024, providing valuable insights into the role of culture and connection in driving positive change.
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Strengthening the gender equity conversation
Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
In collaboration with the Lugongolo Foundation, a South African nonprofit dedicated to advancing gender equality and fostering community well-being, we are co-developing facilitation strategies to support community gatherings with men and boys. These gatherings aim to empower men on their learning journeys about gender, health, and inequality, while creating a safe space for togetherness. Our goal is to co-create strategies that resonate with the experiences of the communities the foundation serves, advancing meaningful conversations on gender inequality. By integrating awe-based approaches, we aim to strengthen connections, promote understanding, and enhance the impact of these vital community events. This initiative will provide valuable insights into how awe can be leveraged to build trust and inspire positive change within communities.
