How do we really create change in the world?
Everyone is talking about change, but what can we actually do to not only raise our voices, but to put action to our words, and create movements that last beyond today?
That's what this programme is about. It's about identifying your own values and cause, about finding a community and space to work with and in, about creating real solutions and initiatives in collaboration with others. It's about learning to step into different roles at different times - know when to be the activist, opponent, and critique, and when to lead regeneratively.
And, it's about learning to lead transitions, change and movements, to deal with setbacks and challenges, to build resilience and strength in character.
If you're looking for a deep, challenging and transformational learning experience about how to actually move the world, then this programme is for you.
✊ Fight injustice.
❤️ Create solutions.
🌎 Lead change.
Philosophy of the Programme
The programme is founded on the belief that positive change can be achieved through collaborative initiative, innovative design value-based leadership, and activistic engagement.
The programme is based on a community based approach, rooted in real-world projects and inspired by the belief that the best learning and creating are interconnected activities, thus learning should be experiential, engaging and meaningful.
What makes this learning experience unique is that we put learning at the center of what we do. It's not about creating a shiny project or about writing a good exam, but it's about what kind of person you come out of the experience as. We're aware that learning can be uncomfortable. And we embrace even the uncomfortable parts of the journey. This is why you are not doing this alone but together with wonderful peers and experienced mentors. We are there to create and hold a space where you can grow and become a stronger, more resillient, more creative, more empathic change maker.
A different education for a different world.
Individual Transformation is at the heart of this program. As a student you don’t only learn to grow into the person you want to be - but you get to co-create the journey itself.
By providing you with tools and mindsets to actively create your own learning journey as a change maker, the programme supports you to define your own personal and meaningful direction. You are equipped to develop a practice of making, voicing and leading your own value-based change projects.
At the core of this unique education are the ideas of co-creative project work, real-world experience and learning from and with each other in teams, the wider community, through hands-on workshops and together with real activists and practitioners.
Not everyone will follow the same learning path over the course of the year but you will be able to choose and follow your interest, passion and individual cause.
Learners in Kaospilot+ programes take initiatives and are open to exploring the potential of any given opportunity, challenge or situation. They navigate complexity and ambiguity with patience and a sense of groundedness. They have a deep sense of personal agency and who seek to collaborate with others and put themselves in service of a bigger agenda.
We explore what systemic transformation is all about by exploring relevant content and concepts (Activism, Design, Leadership) and nitty-gritty practices: how do you design a workshop, practice non-violent communication, or create sustainable ways to finance your project.
Who is this programme for?
This programme is aimed at anyone who wants to make a difference in the world. We're looking for people who see potential solutions in any problem, who are not content with what is, but want to create a tomorrow that is better.
You do not need any specific experience to join this programme. Each of our paths is unique and we strongly believe in individual learning paths, strengths and skill sets. What you should bring is the will and passion to create a better world, for people and planet.
We know we cannot change the world alone, that's why we have created this programme: For people to come together, to learn from and with each other and to find a community of real change-makers.
Learning Outcomes
What you will learn
We learn by making experiences, by reflecting, making mistakes, and by learning from and with others about our own role and behavior. In this course you will learn to:
- Define your cause and direction and continuously gain new insights on your personality, perception and relation to the world
- Build a portfolio of holistic, systemic and sustainable interventions and solutions by working on different projects
- Lead yourself and others sustainably and with care through complex situations and challenges
- Design your own learning journey and challenge your objectives
- Radically collaborate with others that are different from you
- Build resilience by being challenged and learn how to deal with conflict and complexity
- Work with systemic change through lenses of Activism, Leadership and Design.
Topics you will explore
Activism
Students learn together with and from activists, making sense of various definitions and practices constituting activism. They identify systems of oppression, practices of resistance and explore forms of solidarity from around the globe to learn about creating and leading collective solutions that are truly bottom-up, intersectional, and systemic. We believe that it is important to develop one’s own practice of activism in the 21st century to dismantle the racist, misogynist, oppressive, neocolonial, and extractive systems still in place causing global injustice.
Leadership
With climate and technological change, disruptive industries, markets, and political crises, people, organizations, and societies are confronted with more and more complexity and uncertainty. In order to contribute to a systemic and sustainable transformation of the living systems, cultural, societal, and organizational structures that we’re part of, we need skills, mindsets, and tools to navigate accordingly. Our impact depends not uniquely on our work and projects, but on our characters, value systems, and leadership skills.
Design
In recent decades the meaning of design has expanded beyond the mere visuals or graphics that are added to a project in the final phases of roll-out. Instead, at Kaospilot+ Berlin, we practice design as a holistic approach. Design starts early in the creation process, acknowledges systemic perspectives, and involves user research, creating ideas and concepts, involving stakeholders, testing hypotheses, and building prototypes. It also includes looking at how the natural world around us functions and getting inspired by that in how we design interactions and processes.
What can you do after completing the programme?
A graduate from the KAOSPILOT+ Berlin 1-year programme is prepared to practice their activism and work for social and environmental justice and can take on leadership roles in value-based projects, enterprises, and organizations. Graduates will head into diverse fields and directions, equipped with a lifelong learning mindset, a supportive and inspiring community, and a strong sense of purpose and personal agency. And those who want to continue with a Kaospilot learning experience are well equipped to join the 3 Year Enterprising Leadership Programme in Aarhus.
Berlin Activism Ecosystem
The city of Berlin has a unique rebellious spirit and attracts especially impact-driven people, movements, startups, and initiatives. With its international, diverse, and multicultural inhabitants, the city is a never-ending container for intercultural connections and learning. Therefore it is an ideal living context to be inspired by, a great playground to create impact with and for the city. Kaospilot+ Berlin is located at Atelier Gardens, home of the historic BUFA Film Studios, where many actors of societal transformation are based and do their work. Learners are therewith embedded in an ecosystem of actors of societal transformation and action and can learn with and from these norms critical, bold, and visionary transformation agents.
