Program

Departing from a project started at the World Ethic Forum 2024 in Pontresina, a collective of researchers, activists and artists tries to identify the most promising future-fit economic models that are discussed and practiced. The models we envision and want to make visible and embody social justice, solidarity, inclusion, democracy, and sustainability. We call the selection “The TAPAS Gallery” and our plan is to disseminate this gallery in an approachable and experiential way for broad audiences. ​

According to the slogan “TAPAS”: “There are plenty of alternatives!” we call the project “The TAPAS gallery”. The models will be selected according to criteria such as equitable, deeply sustainable/ regenerative, participatory/inclusive, and they need to have been proven in successful practices. We want to make them visible in a comparative overview according to categories that allow to describe, characterize and understand them easily and quickly. We took inspiration from a similar project: “Exploring Economics”. This “gallery” was created in the field of theoretical schools of economics (https://www.exploring- economics.org/de/). This matrix showcases relevant heterodox schools of thought in the field of economics next to the dominant mainstream school of neoclassical economics. We want to undertake the “next step” showcasing the most widely discussed, practical, and convincing future-fit economic models. ​

By highlighting these diverse approaches, we hope to inspire actionable change towards economies that truly serve the many, not the few. We want to share knowledge about these models and also try to facilitate conversations, collaboration, and convergence across different approaches. They can be used by teachers, policy makers and the media to rethink and relearn the economy. Together, these alternative frameworks offer a tapestry of solutions that meet the diverse needs of our global future. Together, they can become the economic foundation of tomorrow - one rooted in justice, equity, and sustainability for all.

How can we solve problems in an increasingly complex world? Knowing how to solve complex problems could mean the success or failure of your next big project. In this workshop, you will learn how complexity affects world economies, societies, the environment or organizations. Then, we will learn a method for mapping and solving problems in complex systems such as rural economies or multinational organizations. This workshop will be useful for business leaders, political leaders, social-entrepreneurs and researchers, who want to learn how to visualize the complexity of the world. This workshop will also be interesting to Master’s students and PhD students looking for a new way of researching.​

As the polycrisis unfolds and mankind is failing to turn the tide, the sustainability movement knows very well it needs to step up its​ efforts. In our circles we see many gatherings where this awareness is​ central. Concepts for upscaling, however, often remain on the level of pilot projects and convening bottom-up actors in coalitions. 

The drawback of this strategy is that it does not address what we see as a polycrisis root cause: the inability of political systems to organize sustainability transitions timely and effectively. In this workshop we research a different approach: convening the democratic top-level boards of networks and institutes from five mutually dependent transition task groups. Basically, this is designing a new political subsystem, which needs to be scalable, needs to be compatible with and acceptable for (liberal) democratic institutions and the sustainability movement and needs to be easy to proliferate.​

Sustainability conferences often generate valuable discussions, but translating dialogue into concrete collaboration and implementation remains a challenge. This interactive workshop creates a space where participants from academia and practice collaboratively explore transformation challenges, develop shared system perspectives, and turn conference insights into actionable next steps.

Using LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® as a renowned collaborative method, participants make complex relationships and transformation dynamics visible through tangible models. Together, they identify interdependencies, tensions, and leverage points between science, practice, and society, while reflecting on how sustainable transformation can shift from isolated initiatives toward meaningful cooperation.

The workshop is designed as a focused collaboration format for a small group of participants from diverse sectors and disciplines. Beyond reflection and exchange, participants develop concrete short-term collaboration ideas and outline practical next steps for implementation over the next 12 months.

In addition to collaborative modeling and reflection, the workshop supports networking between science, practice, and transformation-oriented actors through facilitated exchange and networking materials. Workshop outcomes, visual documentation, and collaborative insights will contribute to a post-conference communication and exhibition format accompanying the ECGIC 2026 after movie and dissemination activities.

Outcome:
Shared transformation models, documented collaboration impulses, and concrete next steps for cooperation emerge from the conference dialogue.