Symposium spotlight: sparking action through collaboration.

18 December 2024

written by Alex Szwaj

Symposium spotlight: sparking action through collaboration.

The Collaborations for Future symposium brought together programme creators, researchers, and innovators to explore how collaboration can spark action in uncertain times. Guided by moderator Marsha Simon , the evening featured diverse perspectives on trust, courage, creativity and enjoyment. From an inside look into unique collaboration processes to a reflective musical performance by Lucija Gregov of KNURL Lab, the event was a celebration of ‘doing’ — taking that first leap into the unknown, and finding energy to keep on ‘doing’.

The Power of Trust: How do you set up collaborations

Foundation We Are’s director, Kornelia Dimitrova, explained that Collaborations for Future was a learning by doing experience. Risk and uncertainty are ever-present, but thanks to the Innovatielabs who took a leap of trust, Foundation We Are was able to expand on their practice and solidify a methodology that can be shared and adapted. This ‘doing’ allows for new actions to spark off: first in the form of a book which aims to encourage policymakes to create more open-ended programmes, next with an exhibition and audio-tour that will visit various scientific institutes, but especially through the 20 people and 10 collaborative projects. It’s clear that the symposium is not an ending, but the celebration a transition to the next step, one which is about ‘where our actions land’.

(The immediate impact is on the level of the individual, the experience of trying something else. And for some it’s enough. Others have a tool or story that they will bring to colleagues or lectures, like ice cream or a travelling phone line.)

Over the past year, each of the pairs developed their unique collaboration form, and interpersonal relationship. These unique configurations informed the research and our understanding of what it truly takes to collaborate across disciplines and practices.

Looking deeper into the individual collaborations:

How do you ‘do’ a collaboration?

Merel Witteman and Roderik Van De Wal handed out sea level neutral ice creams while taking us through their full process: what does it look like to team up with a someone from a different expertise, in a process where the only certainty is that person?

Step 1 – making agreements: you create your own certainty in the uncertainty.“We will not do something boring”, they state on their collaboration manifesto
Step 2 – the learning curve: you read and dive into their work
Step 3 – lots of ideas: you explore concepts and follow your gut
Step 4 – producing: you make it happen.

Together they materialise an important message and share many breathtaking facts of melting ice and sea level rise that physically and emotionally impact the audience at Dutch Design Week, the Symposium and beyond.

How do you find connection and fun?

Most importantly, collaboration is a social process and sustaining it is the connection with your collaborator.

Watching true crime documentaries, doing heavy physical work, having intimate conversations on a boat in the middle of the Wadden Sea, by spending time together beyond the 9-to-5, Matilde Stolfa and Hailley Danielson-Owczynsky became aware of their own professional bubbles, discovered a passion, and most importantly created a mutual drive which created excitement around them – it fosters energy.

How do you involve more perspectives?

Speaking about energy: Nikki Kluskens shared her journey of collecting and testing stories in a speculative scenario of a large scale power outage. By opening up the ‘doing’, giving that role to a new group, she and Lisa Mandemakerexplored: in a time of uncertainty around energy transitions, what really is ‘energy’? What powers us and keeps us going? Their action-research pushed people who work with energy on a daily basis to suddenly question their approach, their definitions and research questions.

Improvising in the Face of Uncertainty

Last but not least, a music performance by artist Lucija Gregov gave a live demonstration of navigating uncertainty. Her improvised performance, informed by the artist’s internal and emotional state, the environment and audience, mirrored the symposium’s message: navigating uncertainty requires trust in oneself, one’s collaborators, and the process — in science, design as well as in music.

From creating sea-level-neutral ice creams to improvising music and redefining energy, the stories shared during the evening showcased the transformative power of collective effort. They reminded us that collaboration is not a static achievement but an ongoing process fuelled by connection, creativity, and curiosity.

My key takeaway

Nine months of collaboration between 10 pairs has sparked countless actions and anecdotes. Each of these continues to ripple outward, and with the right support at the right time, they have the potential to inspire others to take their own leaps into the unknown. In climate change, and the times of uncertainty it brings, it becomes more important than ever to practice how to juggle between a well-made plan and an artful improvisation.

Visit the exhibition at Foundation We Are’s space to see the ten brave attempts to do something in response to the climate crisis. Find out all about these collaborations and their stories and examples in the publication Collaborations for Future: the blueprints.