About the Embassy
‘The image of a gathering place where problem owners come together,
not pressing for the immediate solutions but having the patience and tolerance
to stick with the moving ground. Where thinking, dreaming and acting are related,
making sense. And I see these ‘gathering places’ operating on all seven continents
around the globe’
Frank Heckman, The Hague Peace Conference 1999
photo: Patrick Augenstein
Severe complex challenges face our planet. Global warming is spinning out of control. Challenges that cannot be approached in a linear fashion. In these environments, solving a problem in one place often creates a multitude of new ones elsewhere. With time not on our side, we´ve got to find new ways to solve problems.
Crisis!
Rooted in Open Systems Thinking: people in direct relationship with their land are in charge of their own future. The work unfolds through a simple and powerful rhythm: Call – Search – Act
CALL
Through seeking common ground, a shared challenge or opportunity is named: the common purpose. The right people, stakeholders and problem owners, are invited into the process, through action dialogues.
SEARCH
Through processes such as the Future Design Basecamp, participants engage the full complexity of their landscape. All ‘pieces of the puzzle’ are present. They listen, observe, and begin to see the ‘whole system’ in its relationships, its patterns, interdependencies, and potential. And design the best possible future around the common purpose.
ACT
From this shared understanding and determination, coordinated action follows. Concrete interventions take shape — regenerating land, livelihoods, and governance in an integrated way. Facing the reality of the living environment, an organization is formed, to progress in sync with the presenting challenges towards the best possible future.
This rhythm is not linear, but iterative. Each cycle deepens insight, strengthens relationships, and expands capacity. The system begins to organize itself. What is restored is not only the relationship with the land, but trust, ownership, and the ability to respond — again and again — to new challenges.
Our approach
Board
Arjan Elst - Chair
Maryan Klomp - Treasurer
Theun Karelse - Secretary
Diana van Aalst - member
Lucia Zuiderwijk - memeber
Camiel van Damme - member
Spiritual keepers:
Bruce Hardwick
Duane Kinnart
Van Archiquette