
From their website
The Presencing Institute was founded in 2006 by MIT Sloan School of Management Senior Lecturer Otto Scharmer and colleagues to create an action research platform at the intersection of science, consciousness, and profound social and organizational change. Over the past two decades, we have developed Theory U as a change framework and set of methodologies that have been used by thousands of organizations and communities worldwide to address our most pressing global challenges: climate change, food systems, inequality and exclusion, finance, healthcare and education.
We co-create innovation labs, deliver capacity building programs and conduct action research worldwide in order to support and scale profound societal innovation.
People

From the Otto Scharmer website:
Otto Scharmer is a Senior Lecturer in the MIT Management Sloan School and co-founder of the Presencing Institute. He chairs the MIT IDEAS program for cross-sector innovation and introduced the concept of “presencing”—learning from the emerging future—in his bestselling books Theory U and Presence (the latter co-authored with P. Senge et al). He is co-author of Leading from the Emerging Future, which outlines eight acupuncture points for transforming capitalism. His most recent book, The Essentials of Theory U, summarizes the core principles and applications of awareness-based systems change.
In 2015, Otto co-founded the MITx u.lab, a massive open online course (MOOC) for leading profound change, which has since activated a global eco-system of transformational change involving more than 160,000 users from 185 countries. In March 2020, Otto and his colleagues at the Presencing Institute launched GAIA (Global Activation of Intention and Action), a free, online, deep learning journey, geared toward profound personal, societal, and planetary renewal.
Otto earned his diploma and PhD in economics from Witten/Herdecke University in Germany. He received the Jamieson Prize for Teaching Excellence at MIT, the European Leonardo Corporate Learning Award and is a member of the World Future Council. The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General appointed him to the UN Learning Advisory Council for the 2030 Agenda.
Web Properties
Recent Content
Last 50 posts on own channels (YouTube, Podcast, Medium or Website/Blog):
Slowing Down to Lead: A Conversation with the Executive Champions W Workshop Faculty
Published on: 6 Jun 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Finding Your Heart’s Calling: A Guided Practice for Educators and Change-Makers | Arawana Hayashi
Published on: 23 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
From Ego to Heart: Transforming Educational Leadership for True Flourishing | Rohan Arul-pragasam
Published on: 20 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
The Educational Crisis – Bridging Intention and Agency | Otto Scharmer
Published on: 20 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
How Can We Transform Education for Human and Planetary Flourishing? | An Animation
Published on: 20 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Reaching the Tipping Point: How 250,000 Farmers Are Transforming Egypt’s Agriculture | Justus Harm
Published on: 6 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Trust-Based Communities: Building the Foundations for Regenerative Economies | Aude Peronne
Published on: 6 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Symbiosis: The Missing Concept in Our Relationship with Earth | John D. Liu
Published on: 6 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
What Is Ours To Do? | Otto Scharmer on Meeting Our Moment
Published on: 6 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
What does it mean to regenerate planetary and social soil? – An Animated Scribing
Published on: 5 May 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
How to create radical change | A conversation with Satish Kumar and Otto Scharmer @ ChangeNOW 2025
Published on: 26 Apr 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
From Theory to Practice: Activating Systems Change in Latin America | Laura Pastorini
Published on: 22 Apr 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
How to Build the Infrastructure for Social Transformation | Katrin Kaufer
Published on: 22 Apr 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
The Social Soil: Cultivating Fertile Ground for Change | Otto Scharmer
Published on: 22 Apr 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
What If This Is The Moment We’ve Been Born For? | Otto Scharmer
Published on: 22 Apr 25 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Future Sensing: The Science and Practice of Fourth Person Knowing
Published on: 31 Dec 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
3 Lenses for Making Sense of the 2024 Elections | Otto Scharmer
Published on: 13 Nov 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Leading Change In Uncertain Times | Animated Scribing by Jayce Pei Yu Lee
Published on: 8 Nov 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Ecosystem Leadership Program Asia Pacific, Bali, August 13th-16th 2024
Published on: 5 Nov 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
u-lab: What is the future that is calling us?
Published on: 27 Sep 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
What kinds of projects do changemakers carry into u-lab?
Published on: 10 Sep 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
The most powerful leadership tool we possess – with Julie Arts
Published on: 13 Aug 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
How can we transcend polarization? – Otto Scharmer
Published on: 9 Aug 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
The Essence of Systems Thinking – Otto Scharmer
Published on: 2 Aug 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Our current situation and the potential for systems change – Otto Scharmer
Published on: 31 Jul 24 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Otto Scharmer – The Challenge of Our Time & The Role of u-lab.
Published on: 21 Sep 22 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
u-school Listening Assessment Tutorial
Published on: 7 Sep 22 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Otto Scharmer – Transcending Fear and Prototyping Our Pathway Into the Future.
Published on: 16 Nov 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
u.lab’s Next Live Session: Prototyping – An Invitation from Otto Scharmer and Eva Pomeroy
Published on: 16 Nov 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Awareness Practices for Leadership – Align Your Attention With Your Intention
Published on: 28 Sep 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Awareness Practices for Leadership – Fully “Be” In This Present Moment
Published on: 28 Sep 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Awareness Practices for Leadership – Why take the program?
Published on: 28 Sep 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Service Leadership & Driftology
Published on: 26 May 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Global Forum 2021: Stepping Into the Decade of Transformation
Published on: 19 May 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
2021 05 18 Decade Of Transformation
Published on: 18 May 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Team Building: “In Search of Generative Space in Teamwork
Published on: 5 May 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Listening
Published on: 28 Apr 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Soil Society Self
Published on: 20 Apr 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Inclusivity vs Exclusivity: the Digital Divide and the Missing Voices
Published on: 14 Apr 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
A Window into the u.lab 2x Experience | Co-Sensing
Published on: 8 Apr 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Presencing Institute Live Stream
Published on: 1 Apr 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
(12pm EDIT) GAIA Journey 2021 | Business and the True Cost of Regenerative Agriculture
Published on: 1 Apr 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
(9am EDT) GAIA Journey 2021 | Restoring our Collective Connection to Soil
Published on: 1 Apr 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Responding to Injustice: Finding A Path Beyond Blame and Shame.
Published on: 22 Mar 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
GAIA Journey 2021: Sensing Into Global Transformation
Published on: 22 Mar 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
(12pm EST) GAIA Journey 2021 | Social Presencing Theater: The Art of Making a True Move
Published on: 4 Mar 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
GAIA Journey 2021 | Social Presencing Theater: The Art of Making A True Move
Published on: 4 Mar 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Social Presencing Theater: Trusting Our Senses [202103 UA SPT Clip 1 ]
Published on: 4 Mar 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Social Presencing Theater: Deep Impact [202103 UA SPT Clip 2 ]
Published on: 4 Mar 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Social Presencing Theater: Intelligence of the Body [202103 UA SPT Clip 3 ]
Published on: 4 Mar 21 in Presencing Institute – YouTube
by Presencing Institute
Tornando al nostro punto cieco: vedere l’ombra come fonte di trasformazione — Otto Scharmertradotto da Paolo Fedi — dall’articolo originale in inglese di Otto ScharmerNoi stiamo vivendo in un momento di cambiamento tettonico nella società. Qualcosa
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Article originally written by Helio BorgesIceberg model of Systems Thinking. Image, Presencing InstituteAwareness Based Systems Change can be described by the following three sentences.“You can not understand a system unless you
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This article was originally written by Helio BorgesCollective Trauma. Image, Olaf Baldini“One of the greatest pandemic trauma symptoms in the world, besides numbness and hyperactivity, is the fragmentation of my mind, my
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by Opaline Lysiak & Thomas Lovett — adapted from an original article published on 4ReturnsStudents in an agriculture school happy to use tools to study soil lifeThe time is right to empower youth and
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Una Nuova Superpotenza nella Creazione: un’Azione Collettiva basata sulla Consapevolezza — Otto Scharmertradotto da Paolo Fedi — dall’articolo originale in inglese di Otto ScharmerGrafica di Kelvy BirdTre settimane fa, ho pubblicato alcune riflessioni su ciò che stiamo
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by Helio BorgesGAIA Journey Rachel Hentsch Spadafora“The GAIA journey really is about deepening our connection to ourselves, to each other, and to the place we are living in — our mother Earth.”Otto ScharmerGAIAIn Greek
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Co-authored by Dr. Gemma Jiang, Dr. Stephanie Romero, Christina Ong, and Jackson Martin2019is the inaugural year of the Pitt u.lab hub. Before we embark on the u.lab 2x journey this spring,
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article by Simoon Fransen & Joke MiddelbeekThe African saying “it takes a village to raise a child” acquires a new meaning for us: “it takes a community to raise a
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Going Nowhere in Particular — Story of an Empathy Walkby Helio BorgesThe purposes of an “Empathy Walk” are:To develop empathy for someone very different from yourself.To develop some skill in establishing a relationship across a
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by Manish SrivastavaHere is an application story of the U process and Social Presencing Theater in cross sectoral innovation in the Law and Justice sector in India.This is part of a
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IDG 2023 summit starting now at 9am CEST! Join us for the digital track by Presencing Institute at 6.30pm CEST, more info at https://summit.innerdevelopmentgoals.org/ partner discount 50% on tickets: idg-8549 #IDG23 #IDGSummit23 #ConnectingTheDots #InnerDevelopmentGoals #InnerGrowthForOuterChangePhotos from Presencing Institute’s post
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Applications are now open for u-lab 2x 2024. u-lab 2x is a four-month innovation journey guiding teams through the u-process to deepen and grow their prototype ideas for systems change. To learn more and apply visit bit.ly/ulab2x #theoryU #ulab #innovation #prototyping #leadershipdevelopment #systemschange #transformation #collaboration #changeleadership #changeinitiativePhotos from Presencing Institute’s post
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In March, the 2nd edition of the Ecosystem Leadership Program Latin America will be hosted in Chile, with language tracks in Spanish and Portuguese and with two Modules, one for those who have explored previous programs and one for those who are joining for the first time. If you are in Latin America, we invite you to apply to learn
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This Thursday, the 2nd Global Live Session for u-lab 1x 2023 will be broadcasting from MIT. In the session, we’ll be moving from the co-sensing movement of the u-process into presencing. In this live session we will: • sense into what has surfaced through the journey so far; • hear new framings and insights from Otto Scharmer; • engage in
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How are you using the tools and methods of u-lab to navigate disruptions and bridge divides? (Image of Earth made during NASA’s Apollo 11 space flight) #TheoryU #ulab #awareness #presencing
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“When a system is far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos have the capacity to lift the entire system to a higher order.” Chemist and Nobel Laureate, Illya Prigogine. A few small captures from @kelvybird’s #generativescribing during today’s #ulab1x Global Live Session You can watch the full session replay (the 2nd Live Session) by enrolling for
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Each year, the prototype teams participating in u-lab 2x represent diverse geographies, languages, cultures, and sectors. Through live zoom calls, discussion boards, and other generative spaces, these teams learn from each other, share insights, and often discover new possibilities for collaboration. Last year, 234 teams were accepted into the program and carried forward initiatives for systems change in at least
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Our current reality highlights a need for us to transcend our blindspots and find new ways of learning, working, and innovating as teams, organizations, and communities. Are you and your team holding a transformational project or prototype idea? Are you wanting to: • unlock the full potential of your project? • transcend old ways of operating? • keep your team
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How are you using the tools and methods of u-lab to navigate disruptions and bridge divides? #TheoryU #ulab #awareness #presencingPhotos from Presencing Institute’s post
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Repost from @leejayce – a few screenshots of her animated scribing from last week’s Global Live Session for #ulab1x2023 What do you see? What do you sense? What do you feel? #ulab #TheoryU #generativescribing #globalcommunity #planetearth #latam #presencingPhotos from Presencing Institute’s post
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Earlier this week, we extended the deadline for u-lab 2x 2024 applications until December 17th. If you or your team have questions about the final steps for completing your application – the u-lab 2x facilitation team invites you to an interactive “Ask Us Anything” zoom session: This Friday, December 15th (Tomorrow): 9am Boston • 11am São Paulo • 3pm Berlin
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Are you enrolled in u-lab this year? No matter where you are on the journey, we’re curious to hear from you: how is it going? Are there any key insights or shifts that you’ve been experiencing? #ulab #mooc #mitx
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This Thursday, join us for the third Global Live Session of u-lab 1x 2023. We’ll be broadcasting live from the MIT campus and surfacing and exploring what has been emerging for this year’s cohort since u-lab launched on September 14th. • What shifts have participants been experiencing? • What insights have been showing up? • What prototype ideas and new
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Save the date & book your seat! The Presencing Institute will be hosting a digital track on 11th Oct 6.30-8.00pm CEST, at the IDG (Inner Development Goals) Summit 2023: “Connecting The Dots.” During the PI-hosted digital track “Unlocking Future Possibilities: A Social Body Scan” you will be guided by Otto Scharmer and Antoinette Klatzky into an immersive interactive session that
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We’re delighted to share Antoinette Klatzky and Otto Scharmer’s interview with Thomas Hübl on “Creating Social Systems With a Soul” for his podcast – Point of Relation. Here are some of the themes they explored together: – Architectures of Connection– the social systems and structures that can either be extractive and perpetuate violence and trauma, or be open and regenerative
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Don’t miss the upcoming “Levels of Scribing” online program with Kelvy Bird: learn #visualpractice and #facilitation approaches in various contexts: Sept 27-Oct 11. A 2-week, largely self-paced program, ending with an integrative 2-hour live session, to learn and apply the 4 Levels of Scribing in context. If you are wondering “Can I participate if I have no drawing skills?” Absolutely!
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#ulab’s first live session broadcasts tomorrow from MIT. Come discover this year’s global cohort of over 6,500 participants and what brings them to u-lab. During the live session, we’ll also delve into three intimate, live interviews with systems change leaders from around the world. To find links to the live session, you can enroll for free at u-lab.org #ulab1x2023 #systemschange #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #awareness #Transformation
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Only in-person Presencing Foundation Program being offered in 2023 “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco”Guest Speaker Otto Scharmer. Berlin, Germany, Jun 26-30. https://u-school.org/programs#pfp Early bird rates until Apr 30 (subject to availability) #leadership #TheoryU
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Only in-person Presencing Foundation Program being offered in 2023 “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco”Guest Speaker Otto Scharmer. Berlin, Germany, Jun 26-30. https://u-school.org/programs#pfp Early bird rates until Apr 30 (subject to availability) #leadership #TheoryU
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Invitation and reminder: don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the Presencing Foundation Program (PFP), our signature foundational program in Theory U and its application https://www.u-school.org/offerings/from-ego-to-eco-2023 #leadership #systemschange #future #transformation #network #TheoryU
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Only in-person Presencing Foundation Program being offered in 2023 “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco”Guest Speaker Otto Scharmer. Berlin, Germany, Jun 26-30. https://u-school.org/programs#pfp Early bird rates until Apr 30 (subject to availability) #leadership #TheoryU
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Only in-person Presencing Foundation Program being offered in 2023 “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco”Guest Speaker Otto Scharmer. Berlin, Germany, Jun 26-30. https://u-school.org/programs#pfp Early bird rates until Apr 30 (subject to availability) #leadership #TheoryU
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RT @presencing_inst: Invitation and reminder: Presencing Foundation Program (PFP) signature foundational program in #TheoryU and its application June 2023. Special early bird rate ends April 30, book now! https://www.u-school.org/offerings/from-ego-to-eco-2023 #leadership #systemschange #future #transformation #network #TheoryU
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Invitation and reminder: Presencing Foundation Program (PFP) signature foundational program in #TheoryU and its application June 2023. Special early bird rate ends April 30, book now! https://www.u-school.org/offerings/from-ego-to-eco-2023 #leadership #systemschange #future #transformation #network #TheoryU
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Only in-person Presencing Foundation Program being offered in 2023 “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco”Guest Speaker Otto Scharmer. Berlin, Germany, Jun 26-30. https://u-school.org/programs#pfp Early bird rates until Apr 30 (subject to availability) #leadership #TheoryU
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Last call to sign up for the Social Presencing Theater course 16-18 Mar 2023, “Asia-Pacific-friendly” time zone. https://www.u-school.org/offerings/social-presencing-theater-true-move-apac-2023 #presencing #theoryu #leadershipdevelopment #socialpresencingtheater #spt #socialarts #systemsthinking #creativeart #creativelearning
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RT @presencing_inst: Social Presencing Theater (The Art of Making a True Move) Asia-Pacific-friendly time zone course, taking place 16-18 Mar 2023. https://www.u-school.org/offerings/social-presencing-theater-true-move-apac-2023 #presencing #theoryu #leadershipdevelopment #socialpresencingtheater #spt #socialarts #systemsthinking #creativelearning
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Only in-person Presencing Foundation Program being offered in 2023 “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco”Guest Speaker Otto Scharmer. Berlin, Germany, Jun 26-30. https://u-school.org/programs#pfp Early bird rates until Apr 30 (subject to availability) #leadership #TheoryU
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Only in-person Presencing Foundation Program being offered in 2023 “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco”Guest Speaker Otto Scharmer. Berlin, Germany, Jun 26-30. https://u-school.org/programs#pfp Early bird rates until Apr 30 (subject to availability) #leadership #TheoryU
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Explore with @kelvy_bird how can you integrate Otto Scharmer’s 4 Levels of Listening with “LEVELS OF SCRIBING”. SELF-PACED Mar 1-14 + 2hr LIVE SESSION Mar 15 Enroll before Mar 13: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/levels-of-scribing-tickets-479585462027 #scribing #facilitation #presencing
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Only in-person Presencing Foundation P rogram being offered in 2023 “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco”Guest Speaker Otto Scharmer. Berlin, Germany, Jun 26-30. https://www.u-school.org/programs#pfp Early bird rates until Apr 30 (subject to availability) #leadership #TheoryU
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Course with Otto Scharmer in person in Uruguay on March 29: addressing personal, organizational and social transformation, with a focus on the Education of the future Register before Feb 28 at https://bit.ly/40S8ZXz #educacion #teoriauenespañol #ottoscharmer #transformacion
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Join @kelvy_bird to explore scribing in terms of a social and “healing” art. Upcoming session: March 2nd, with two 60-min sessions starting at 11am EST and 8pm EST. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scribing-applied-to-tickets-479628250007 #generativescribing #education #facilitation #graphicfacilitation #presencing
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Social Presencing Theater (The Art of Making a True Move) Asia-Pacific-friendly time zone course, taking place 16-18 Mar 2023. https://www.u-school.org/offerings/social-presencing-theater-true-move-apac-2023 #presencing #theoryu #leadershipdevelopment #socialpresencingtheater #spt #socialarts #systemsthinking #creativelearning
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Dialogues on Soil and Society: farmers, environmentalists & economists about frameworks + place-based projects to support sustainable/just/reciprocal food economies. https://medium.com/presencing-institute-blog/tagged/soil-series #systemschange #planet #climate #biodiversity #landscape #bioregion #impact #nature
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Last call before earlybird offer expires for our Social Presencing Theater (The Art of Making a True Move) Asia-Pacific-friendly time zone course, taking place 16-18 Mar 2023 https://www.u-school.org/offerings/social-presencing-theater-true-move-apac-2023 #presencing #theoryu #socialpresencingtheater #spt #socialarts #systemsthinking
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Online workshop on Social Presencing Theater 16-18 Mar 2023. 7.30am-12pm Singapore time (SGT) on each day. Register now: https://www.u-school.org/offerings/social-presencing-theater-true-move-apac-2023 Earlybird offer ends Feb 15th #presencing #theoryu #socialpresencingtheater #spt #socialarts #systemsthinking
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You can find a collection of extremely well-document free tools here. These are related to their overall change framework – Theory U. (Take another look at their logo…)