How can we stand together and collectively build new paths forward in the age of polarisation and “othering”?
We invite you to join us for the Art of Hosting and Harvesting meaningful Conversations, focusing on the question: How can we stand together and collectively build new paths forward in the age of polarisation and “othering”? and practicing togetherness and collective path building.
We are living in turbulent and challenging times. We know we are experiencing the age of the multi-crisis, and everywhere we look it seems to be happening – ecological disaster, political strife, challenges to democracy and the standard of living, conflict and war. So many of us are experiencing stress, anxiety, and despair. The world seems to have become a place where polarisation and “othering” have become the new normal. Social media only amplifies our differences. All of this results in rising uncertainty and decreasing stability. We know that our world order is transitioning and is currently at a pivotal point. Our communities long for leadership that is focused on values and is less self-serving. We long to participate in creating a healthy world, but many of us lack the opportunities and practices to do so.
Hungary is the perfect place to explore this most important question. This is a land where many European values have been curtailed or blocked and many people feel a lack of hope that change will come. Yet, paradoxically, it is also a place where societal innovation happens, where we can learn to strengthen our ability to act, where we can dig deeper into what community means and find new forms of standing up for what we want to see and living it together.
We will gather as a diverse community to explore and surface practices of togetherness based on a living systems worldview. Through participatory methods, mental models, and action learning,we will tap into our collective intelligence and gain new perspectives on coming together to overcome polarisation and othering.
Who this training is for?
Are you afflicted by…
- Meetings that lead to no action?
- Conferences that have too many talking heads and not enough real engagement and wisdom?
- Cross-functional teams that are more loyal to their function than to their team – or vice versa?
- Silo thinking and political infighting?
- Decisions made too far away from those impacted by them?
- NGO’s who work for their own purpose and forget the common good, the whole picture and collaboration with others?
- Learning situations where both teachers and students are unhappy or unfulfilled?
- Communities that are marked by consistent lack of dialogue, tension and difference of opinion or fall into apathy or indifference?
If these describe your reality and you desire a more collaborative and generative process, this training is for you. It is designed for people working in the private and public sectors, in NGOs, in community organizing and activist work – anywhere that a vibrant learning space can contribute to collaboration and results. If you work in a team, it is most valuable to come as a team, making the application of what you’ve learned much easier to integrate.
We are inviting:
- Managing directors & senior leaders
- Project Managers & team leaders
- Changemakers, artists and storytellers/journalists
- External & internal Consultants
- Those working in NGOs or community
- Teachers & school administrators
- Parents
- Students and youth leaders
- Anyone who feels called by this invitation
This training is for you if you are:
- Seeking new ways of working and leading to address the challenges and potentials of our times
- Working in a complex environment where collaboration beyond existing paradigms is essential
- Responding to a call you may not yet be fully clear about but feel compelled to explore
- Eager to deepen practices of collective inquiry and collaboration to apply in your contexts
- Aspiring to foster engagement and participation in initiatives and activities you are cultivating
- Interested in learning new methods to facilitate meaningful conversations
- Looking to join a growing network of change practitioners in Budapest
Our Hosting Team
Mary Alice Arthur
Mary Alice Arthur is a Story Activist dedicated to harnessing the power of narrative to drive positive systemic change and focus collective intelligence on critical issues. Originally from the United States, she has been traveling the world since becoming an exchange student at the age of 17, following the red thread of story. She currently has a home base in Ohio, another heart home in New Zealand, and an impatient suitcase in the closet.
Over the past 30 years, Mary Alice has honed her craft as an internationally recognized process host, working with individuals, communities, and organizations to bring their stories to life. She is a steward of the Art of Hosting (www.artofhosting.org), teaching participatory practices globally, a steward of the Flow Game (www.flowgame.net) and co-creator of the Collective Story Harvest methodology. Her work emphasizes creating spaces where people can discover and live into the stories that lead to their most flourishing futures.
Eren Öztürk
Melinda Varfi
Melinda Varfi is a firm believer in the power of communities and is passionately committed to fostering their growth for a more sustainable society. She co-founded Impact Hub Budapest and has been bringing the Art of Hosting practice to life for the past 12 years.
Over the last 5 years, she has focused primarily on participatory democracy initiatives in Hungary and Europe, including citizens’ assemblies, citizens’ forums, and participatory budgeting. Melinda has been hosting meaningful conversations on societal, communal, and personal levels, drawing on the support of the Art of Hosting, Theory U, and Trauma-Informed Awareness practices since 2012.
Judit Gerda
Judit Gerda is an Emotional Intelligence specialist dedicated to helping individuals and teams develop self-awareness, resilience, and trust. With a background in business communication and innovation management, she supports environments where people feel empowered – both professionally and personally.
Her work focuses on teaching emotional intelligence as a skill that transforms both individuals and teams – because while we all experience emotions, understanding them is what leads to real change. She integrates nature- and dog-assisted approaches for deeper personal and team development, mentors social innovation projects, and supports leaders in creating emotionally intelligent workplaces. Based in Malta, she works internationally, supporting organisations and individuals who care about building future-ready, human-centered environments with lasting impact.
Judit Osika
Judit Osika is a facilitator, coach, and consultant. She comes from an Operations & Supply Chain Management background, and later expanded her expertise with coaching, facilitation, and the Art of Hosting. This allows her to blend structured, strategic thinking with participatory and people-centered approaches when working with individuals and organizations.
Over the past 10 years, Judit has explored how many ways there are to work with people and creativity in practice. From opening an Etsy shop as an artist—selling over 40 pieces of her quilling art—to leading team-building sessions (even at sea), facilitating strategic workshops, coaching business professionals and guiding teenagers in their career exploration, she brings a hands-on, dynamic approach to her work. While Budapest is home, the Netherlands holds a special place in her heart after living there for six years.
Kati Sánta
Kati Sánta is a facilitator, organizational consultant, and mediator. She focuses on simplicity, effectiveness, and transparency, supporting groups in finding ways to collaborate that feel both natural and functional. With 10 years of experience working with teams and at their intersections, she has developed a deep interest in group dynamics and decision-making. Since 2018, she has been practicing the Art of Hosting, exploring participatory approaches to working together. She believes in learning by doing and approaches her work with an experimental mindset, using feedback and iteration to improve along the way. Kati is always reflecting, questioning, and adapting—very much ‘in the making’ herself. Her work is about finding balance between structure and flexibility, clarity and emergence. She helps teams navigate complexity in a way that feels practical and grounded. More than anything, she values meaningful collaboration and the conversations that shape it.
Szabolcs Emich
Szabolcs Emich is a professional in organizational development, specializing in cultural transformation and Teal-inspired leadership. As the Chief Innovation Officer at Atlas Platform, he pioneers tools aimed at fostering sustainable growth within organizations. With over 15 years of experience, Szabolcs has played a pivotal role in facilitating organic, Teal, and Agile transformations across various sectors. His expertise extends to training and team coaching, with a particular emphasis on Agile methodologies.
In addition to his corporate endeavors, Szabolcs is deeply involved in educational initiatives. He has been instrumental in developing and promoting programs through Jövőképző, focusing on leadership, agility, and community conflict mediation. These programs reflect his commitment to fostering collaborative and forward-thinking organizational cultures.
Participation fees:
This training is being offered in the spirit of allowing everybody with different means to participate, regardless of economical status. Please be mindful of this while deciding your contribution’s amount.
The training fee includes the hosting & organization, 4 warm meals and plenty of tea and coffee and snacks.
Prices are in euro and do not include VAT.
You have 3 choices:
1) Pay with early bird full amount until 15th April
* €390 (Low GDP areas)
* €550 (High GDP areas)
2) Pay the Fixed Fee after 15th April
* €490 (Low GDP areas)
* €690 (High GDP areas)
3) Apply for scholarship support – limited number of scholarship is available for young activists – this will be a limited availability only.
Dates- Gathering flow
Thu 29th of May
Arrival and Opening
Fri 30 of May
Full-day Training
Sat 31st of May
Full-day Training
Sun 1st of June
16:00 – Training ends
Language
The training will be held in English.
Contact
In case you have any question, please feel free to contact us via socialfokusco@gmail.com anytime!