Communities: Interdisciplinary Workshop

✨ Communities: Interdisciplinary Workshop

An experimental gathering on how communities create knowledge, meaning, and transformation.

📅 September 26–28, 2025
📍 Hostačov, near Prague, Czechia
👉 Apply now

🤔 The Challenge

The future belongs to communities that can evolve together – but why do some thrive while others fragment?

We’ll explore how different kinds of communities adapt to modern pressures:

• Wisdom traditions engaging with today’s challenges
• Scientists working with AI tools
• Digital spaces that shape human connection
• Local communities blending tradition and innovation

🔬 What We’ll Explore Together

Over three days we’ll examine:

• How communities preserve what matters while adapting to change
• What makes some networks antifragile while others break down
• How technology can support genuine connection instead of replacing it
• Concrete challenges participants bring from their own community work

🎯 Two Key Interactive Sessions

These are optional opportunities for those who want to share:

• Frameworks & Provocations (Sat morning): substantive presentations & discussion
• Community Challenges Lab (Sat afternoon): collaborative problem-solving on real challenges

👥 Who Should Join

We welcome practitioners, builders, researchers, and curious people from any domain.
What matters most is genuine curiosity and readiness to contribute.

🏰 Venue & Logistics

A beautifully restored historic venue in the Czech countryside, about an hour from Prague.
🌿 Libraries, gardens, and intimate spaces for both dialogue and connection. 
Bedrooms will be shared with up to 2 people. Supporter rate = private bedroom.

🚉 Train: Golčův Jeníkov station (75 min from Prague, 2h from Brno)
🚐 Pickup: 4 km transport to venue provided

💰 Participation & Accommodation

Includes accommodation, all meals (Fri dinner → Sun lunch), full program.
🥗 Dietary needs accommodated.

Bonus: Stay on for Co-working Extension (Sept 29–Oct 3) at €40/night.

👨‍🔬 Current Team

František Drahota – Entrepreneurship, community building, theology, event production

Estere Seinkmane, PhD – Computational biology, community-building, open science

Elliot Harris – Social entrepreneurship, humanitarian aid, co-production

Aaron Halpern, PhD – Systems modelling, AI infrastructure, interdisciplinary research

Andrew Szabados, PhD – Complex systems, AI strategy, decision science

Collaborators from mathematics, game design, systems thinking, and beyond

🚀 Beyond the Weekend

We aim to spark lasting connections through collaborations, shared projects, and future gatherings.

✍️ Apply

📝 Application form (~10 minutes)
📬 Expression of interest for future events

📞 Questions?

This is collaborative and experimental – we’re figuring it out together.
Want to lead a session or join the organizing team?

📧 communities.workshop@gmail.com

📅 Schedule
 

Friday, Sept 26

17:00–18:00 Arrival — Check-in & orientation

18:00–19:00 Dinner

19:00–21:00 Opening Circle — Intentions & introductions

21:00–23:00 Evening Connections — Informal gatherings & activities

Saturday, Sept 27

08:00 Breakfast

09:00–11:00 Frameworks & Provocations — 24-min presentations + discussion

11:00–12:00 Integration Time — Small group discussions

13:00 Lunch

14:00–17:00 Community Challenges Lab — Real problem-solving sessions

17:00–18:00 Open Exploration — Self-organized activities

18:00–19:00 Dinner

19:00–21:00 Choose Your Adventure — Nature walks, games, conversations

21:00–23:00 Community Simulation — Interactive LARP experience

Sunday, Sept 28

08:00 Breakfast

09:00–11:00 Synthesis & Next Steps — Collaborative process for insights

11:00–12:00 Forward Momentum Circle — Action planning

13:00 Lunch

14:00–17:00 Departure — Transport coordination