In a ritual inspired by the sacred circle ceremony of the Native Americans, the group of 12 Knowmads were assigned (in a very organic manner) a “special buddy” for the year. A person you look out for, achieve a new perspective from, and create a more one-on-one partnership. For myself, personally, it was a very powerful experience and I’ve found a partner that truly complemented myself. Meaning, we couldn’t be more different in many ways, yet we each have what the other needs more of, perhaps. This is the ultimate beauty of the tribal approach taken here at Knowmads; co-creation and supporting each other to truly see how far we can take it!
After our discussion on Social Innovation and Sustainability, we were let loose out into the world with the question posed to us in our curriculum: “In what world do we {want to} live in?” Here are some of the creative approaches the tribe, divided into groups of two using our “special buddy” system. Keep reading to see what we discovered while exploring!
Manuel and Sebastian were focused “on getting things done” as they went around the city collecting unwanted items we could use for making our headquarters feel more like home. They brought the point that sustainability and keeping costs down go hand in hand.
Natasha and Fran went to some of the biggest companies (H&M, McDonalds, Burger King, Albert Heijn, etc.) and connected to the people. The idea was based on the exploration of the message or mission a company has on its website and the connection its employees have to the mission. Most stated that they were not allowed to express their personal opinions on these issues, but some agreed. While filming the interviews was planned, most companies also did not allow this practice in the workplace either. They were left with incongruent answers, but many more questions.
Marianne and Mike entered a public space together, a park, to observe the scene unfolding around them. They also saw the space as a center of both being together and individualistic experience. Marianne shared that “open spaces are inviting” and everybody is moving around and doing things.”
Seul and Cornelius interviewed a diverse range of both tourists and locals wandering around the city exploring the fundamental questions of passion, purpose, meaning, and happiness in life. They found many who lacked a certain vision, dream, or mission for themselves and their perception of the world around them.
Maartje and Naomi encountered a collective of squatters in our very own neighborhood who make music, grow food, and simply live together in harmony, right in our own backyard! It drives the message home: “think global, act local.”
Myself, Brock, and Oscar found ourselves at Amsterdam’s oldest spiritual book store where we encountered a lama on tour from Tibet. We found what may have been perceived as a “religious experience” as overly commercial and inauthentic. However, the connections with people focused on awareness in their every day lives inspiring. Overall, it was a new experience with new insight, but no real new knowledge.
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