In 2000, Truus Geraets and Ute Craemer initiated the World Social Initiative Forum (WSIF) to create a network of support for anthroposophical and spiritually-minded social organizations and individual workers. The aim of this self-sustainable network would be to empower each member in their task of addressing issues such as marginalization, poverty, and other forms of injustice in society.
In 2015, the co-founders handed the project over to the Section for Social Sciences at the Goetheanum, where it continues to host the Social Initiative Forum (SIF) under the leadership of Joan Sleigh.
By 2017, numerous Forums led by local people in collaboration with the SIF network had happened across four continents, inviting and connecting hundreds of people all over the world.
Renamed back to the World Social Initiative Forum in 2020, it has organized over 20 Forums in 5 continents, partnered with 80 network members in 15 countries, and reached over an average of 1,500 viewers through Web-Seminars and Online Workshops made available and free online.
2000
WSIF Network Summit 2021: Living In Between Spaces
Sponsored by Mahle Stiftung, Stiftung Edith Maryon, World Goetheanum Association and Clearspring Ltd
Sponsored by Mahle Stiftung, Stiftung Edith Maryon, World Goetheanum Association and Clearspring Ltd
At the Goetheanum and Streamed Online
Forum Overview: Joan Sleigh and Nicole Asis
Forum Overview: Joan Sleigh and Nicole Asis
WSIF Network Online Workshops via Zoom
For WSIF Network Colleagues only
For WSIF Network Colleagues only
1 Enlivening Dialogues Online: Nicole Asis
Workshop 1: “Finding the Spirit of Place for Integrated Cultural Development” with Aonghus Gordon (Ruskin Mill Trust)
Workshop 2: “Societal Change through Initiatives” with Cecilia Adasme Escobar (Fundacíon Dinero y Conciencia)
Workshop 3: “From Free Market to Market Free” with John Bloom (General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in America)
Workshop 4: “Regenerative Ecology: A Path to Sustainable and Permanent Solutions” with Sundeep Kamath (Biodynamic Association – India)
Workshop 2: “Societal Change through Initiatives” with Cecilia Adasme Escobar (Fundacíon Dinero y Conciencia)
Workshop 3: “From Free Market to Market Free” with John Bloom (General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in America)
Workshop 4: “Regenerative Ecology: A Path to Sustainable and Permanent Solutions” with Sundeep Kamath (Biodynamic Association – India)
2000
WSIF 4-part Living In Between Spaces Web-Seminar Series via FB Live
Open to the public
Open to the public
1 First WSIF Web-Seminar: Nicole Asis
2 Facing the Gap: Nicole Asis
Web-Seminar 1: “What now? : Social Needs of Today” with Joan Sleigh (World Social Initiative Forum) and Helmy Abouleish (SEKEM)
Web-Seminar 2: “The Power of Commitment: Safeguarding what is Human” with Ute Craemer (Monte Azul & WSIF) and Daisuke Onuki (Tokai University & CRI-International)
Web-Seminar 3: “What is my Place: The Challenges of Inclusion” with James Sleigh (Camphill Village West Coast) and Bart Vanmechelen (Anthroposophic Council for Inclusive Social Development)
Web-Seminar 4: “Reconnecting: Transformative Villages of the Future” with Maaianne Knuth (Kufunda Learning Villag)e and Grace Zozobrado-Hahn (Koberwitz 1924 Inc.)
2 Facing the Gap: Nicole Asis
Web-Seminar 2: “The Power of Commitment: Safeguarding what is Human” with Ute Craemer (Monte Azul & WSIF) and Daisuke Onuki (Tokai University & CRI-International)
Web-Seminar 3: “What is my Place: The Challenges of Inclusion” with James Sleigh (Camphill Village West Coast) and Bart Vanmechelen (Anthroposophic Council for Inclusive Social Development)
Web-Seminar 4: “Reconnecting: Transformative Villages of the Future” with Maaianne Knuth (Kufunda Learning Villag)e and Grace Zozobrado-Hahn (Koberwitz 1924 Inc.)
World Social Initiative Forum revisits Vision-Mission & Goals and drafts Charter of Colleagueship
World Social Initiative Forum 2020 Handbook
2000
Egypt – 2019
WSIF Egypt 2019: Unfolding Individual Potential for the Future
In collaboration with SEKEM | Sponsored by IONA Stichting
1 Forum Report from WSIF: Nicole Asis
2 Forum Review from Heliopolis University: Nadine Greiss
3 Info3 Article: Andrea Kreisel
4 On Unfolding Individual Potential: Joan Sleigh
5 Contributor’s Reflections: Alexander Schieffer
6 Reflections from the Youth Participants: Interview by Nicole Asis
In collaboration with SEKEM | Sponsored by IONA Stichting
2 Forum Review from Heliopolis University: Nadine Greiss
3 Info3 Article: Andrea Kreisel
4 On Unfolding Individual Potential: Joan Sleigh
5 Contributor’s Reflections: Alexander Schieffer
6 Reflections from the Youth Participants: Interview by Nicole Asis
Switzerland – 2019
WSIF Ethical Individualism 2019: Transforming Self & Society
In collaboration with Freunde der Erziehungskunst Ehemaligenarbeit
1 Forum Review: Nicole Asis
In collaboration with Freunde der Erziehungskunst Ehemaligenarbeit
2000
Switzerland – 2018
WSIF Ethical Individualism 2018: Transforming Self & Society
In collaboration with Freunde der Erziehungskunst Ehemaligenarbeit
1 Forum Review: Andrea de la Cruz
2 Joan Sleigh: Ethical Individualism – Transforming Self & Society
3 Gerald Häfner: Exploring Individual Responsibility in Global Challenges
In collaboration with Freunde der Erziehungskunst Ehemaligenarbeit
2 Joan Sleigh: Ethical Individualism – Transforming Self & Society
3 Gerald Häfner: Exploring Individual Responsibility in Global Challenges
Brazil – 2018
Regional Forum in Brazil
Organized by Associação Comunitaría Monte Azul
1 Regional Forum Review: Vanusa Coutinho
Organized by Associação Comunitaría Monte Azul
Japan – 2018
WSIF Japan 2018: Knowing Self through Others: Empathy Towards a Just & Fraternal Society
In collaboration with Associação Comunitária Monte Azul and CRI-International
1 Forum Report: Daisuke Onuki
2 Forum Review: Andrea de la Cruz
3 Joan Sleigh: Empathy
4 Joan Sleigh: Diversity and Empathy
5 Ute Craemer: World Citizenship
6 Nicanor Perlas: Humanity’s Last Stand
In collaboration with Associação Comunitária Monte Azul and CRI-International
2 Forum Review: Andrea de la Cruz
3 Joan Sleigh: Empathy
4 Joan Sleigh: Diversity and Empathy
5 Ute Craemer: World Citizenship
6 Nicanor Perlas: Humanity’s Last Stand
March 2018. We are online!
Uniting borders with our Network section, where you can find all the projects which we collaborate.
2000
Brazil – 2017
Multicultural Social Arts Festival: South Africa/ São Paulo
2000
India – 2016
WSIF India 2016: Healthy Earth, Healthy Body, Healthy Society
In collaboration with the Section for Social Sciences-Goetheanum and Biodynamic Association in India
Forum Review: Andrea de la Cruz
In collaboration with the Section for Social Sciences-Goetheanum and Biodynamic Association in India
2000
Switzerland – 2015
World Social Initiative Forum
Brazil – 2013
São Paulo VI Pan-American Congress
South Africa – 2012
Social Initiative Forum South Africa
Switzerland – 2011
Goetheanum World Social Lab Colloquium
Argentina – 2011
Buenos Aires’ V Pan-American Congress
1990
USA – 2002
Social Initiative Networking Forum
Brazil – 2001 – 2018
Social Initiative Networking Forum
1990