- Thursday 1 October
What if we started to see activism as gardening rather than firefighting? Hope-based storytelling is rooted in a fundamental understanding of how our brains work. It is a strategic approach to change that focuses on telling engaging and hopeful stories about what we want to build. By grounding narratives in hope while also showing realistic and concrete paths forward, this method creates the foundation for lasting and meaningful change.
At this year’s GRASP, participants will have the opportunity to experience the originator of hope-based communication, Thomas Coombes. In an interactive keynote, he will present his mission to let hope-based narratives shape and structure political and activist work. Afterwards, participants can join a workshop that guides them through a series of more in-depth exercises connecting values with concrete action. The goal is to identify small actions that participants can initiate today—actions that in practice anticipate the utopia and the society they want to create.
Participants will discover how hope-based communication is not just about words and storytelling, but about actions that embody values and create new narratives.
Thomas Coombes has spent two decades in global political communication, including roles as Head of Brand at Amnesty International and speechwriter at the European Commission. One of his specialities is helping leaders and activists prepare for speeches and interviews.
Participants
- Thomas Coombes, UK
Language: English
The session is presented by OpEn