More than four months have passed since we gathered at the Hearth Summit Berlin to create a space for collective learning about fragmentation and connectedness. Around 150 people participated with great openness, courage, and presence – for which we are very grateful. We also want to thank all those who contributed to the success of this event!
With this reflection, we aim to share our perspective on the shared experience as well as voices of the facilitators. We highly recommend watching the videos linked here.
Our intention and approach
The summit was an experiment. We wanted to explore how it is possible not only to analyze and discuss fragmentation but also to face it – within ourselves, in relationships, and in the collective field. Our focus was on two core questions:
This endeavor was ambitious and a challenge for all of us.
We experienced how difficult it was at the HEARTH Summit to stay connected with clearly differing positions on key societal issues. We saw how these differences can narrow or even close spaces for encounter and connection. But we also experienced that shared experiences and openness can create spaces and new possibilities for connection.
Program and process design
In the Hearth Summit program, we tried to distinguish symptoms and causes of polarization and make this distinction tangible (see iceberg model). We asked what personal reasons might underlie fragmentation on certain topics and from which convictions and feelings these stem.
This approach was complemented by artistic interventions, such as music and poetry, which offered different access points and inner movements related to the summit’s theme. Additionally, in-depth workshops addressed societal oppression, letting go, bodily relatedness, speaking, and listening.
Safety and predictable framework
Throughout the Hearth Summit process, we aimed to give space to all voices. At the same time, we ensured that expressions aligned with certain values. At the beginning of the summit, we made visible and explained a set of values, commitments, which you can review here again (in German).
These commitments describe the HOW of the process. However, the framework was not transparent enough. Specifically, we did not explicitly communicate beforehand that we wanted to invite all perspectives and perceptions, which could include uncomfortable or even harmful worldviews. Not against others – the commitments did not allow that – but as expressions of individual perspectives.
The Hearth Summit Berlin showed us how important it is to clearly define the expected framework before the event. The distinction between a safe space and tension among people should be at the center. There is no such thing as a completely safe space for everyone. Participants should be made aware that encountering very different perspectives can create tension. Because we did not make this distinction at the start and did not obtain clear consent, the levels of tension and a supposedly safe space became entangled. The absence of this distinction led to confusion during the process, making it very challenging and threatening for some participants. We take responsibility for this.
Participants experienced tensions due to the visibility of widely divergent political positions and briefly aggressive communication (which was managed by the moderator team). This made it harder to distinguish personal processes from the overall collective process, and the space became too burdensome for some, leading them to leave. They no longer felt safe because their expectations of the framework differed, which we fully understand (support offers were provided afterward, and the registration fee was refunded).
We also regret that due to this lack of clarity in announcing the event, we could not integrate the emerging tensions into the process, and we apologize for any hurt caused.
Some (incomplete) practical takeaways from our experience:
In conclusion:
This summit was not a perfect space. But it was rich and authentic—full of risk, friction and insight. Through art, encounter, courage, and community we faced the fundamental dynamics of our coexistence—with all their qualities and challenges. The summit showed us that tolerating ambiguity, uncertainty and imperfection is not only challenging but also necessary for genuine transformation.
We hope that the diverse experiences you had—whether powerful, confusing, painful, or connecting—will inspire and accompany you on your path and enrich you. And we thank you for trusting us to be part of this open process.
We remain with further questions—and with the deep conviction: Transformation begins where we are willing to have a deeper look together.
With gratitude,
Kerstin and Lukas
An Invitation to a Brave Space
Together we will create brave space
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space”
We exist in the real world
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
In this space
We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world.
We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,
We call each other to more truth and love
We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow. We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know. We will not be perfect.
It will not always be what we wish it to be
But
It will be our brave space together,
And
We will work on it side by side.
Micky Scottbey Jones