This is how the rap song begins, which was created in the seminar "The Invention of the Future" from April 22nd to 26th, 2024, with trainees from the Louise-Schroeder-School. In a parallel workshop group, animated films were developed and created using Tagtool. The results can be seen here.
Crises, wars, and rapid developments such as those in artificial intelligence bring with them fears and uncertainties: what will our future look like? Instead of creating dystopian visions out of our own powerlessness, the seminar focused on exploring constructive visions of the future. A key element was, for example, reflecting on values. What is important to us when it comes to the present, in which we live, and shaping the future?
To be able to shape the future, we must strengthen our capacity for utopian thinking.
To generate ideas in the workshop groups, mixed small groups future scenarios for the "city of the future ." In which places, in which forms of housing, and under what power structures do we want to live?
The "Animation" workshop group reflected on many different aspects of the future.
Through their discussions, the participants developed several scenes using the digital tool Tagtool and produced a film that highlights future challenges but also explores utopian visions.
Excerpt: “Nothing stands in the way of a world of discovery and boundless innovation. The future is bright and full of opportunities. I imagine that solidarity will be at its core. A society where everyone is there for each other, where compassion and empathy prevail. People bear responsibility not only for themselves but also for each other and for the environment. Together, they work to create a world where everyone has equal opportunities and rights.”
In the rap workshop group, participants also developed desired future possibilities from their exploration of fears and hopes. Their self-written lyrics and their performance in front of the microphone and camera resulted in the video for the rap song "Imagine".
Excerpt: "Imagine the world were perfect. In this time when joy is fading, everyone finds their happiness in harmony. No suffering, no pain, only sunshine. In this world, this is where you should be.
In a perfect world, there is no want, everyone has food, a roof over their head, and bread. Love and peace are everywhere, friendship and solidarity, that is beautiful. There is enough food and water for everyone, no lack of hunger, you will understand. Education for all, opportunities without limits, no war, no violence, that is what we should remember. In my world, we are all united, no one needs money anymore, and everyone shines. There, where everyone is filled with love and everyone's wish is fulfilled."
How do we want to live? In order to confront uncertainties and fears and to develop our own design possibilities and options for action, the design of utopias will continue to be an important topic in the wannseeFORUM.
The seminar was a collaboration with the Louise-Schroeder-School Berlin.
It was funded by the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family.
It took place as part of the collaboration in the program “Political Youth Education in the AdB” in the project group “Social Question and Political Participation” , funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
