open state concept

CONFERENCE. CAMP. COMMUNITY.

BERLIN / TORNOW

WhatIS Every day, 200 species go extinct – that’s 73,000 species a year. 6 million hectares of forest disappear every year, the equivalent of 4 soccer pitches a minute. A 35-meter thick swirl of 3.5 million tonnes of plastic inhabits the Pacific Ocean. Of the 40 million tonnes of electronic waste produced every year, only one percent is recycled for its precious metals.

The world consumes 13 billion liters of oil every day while we are headed straight towards a four-degree warmer planet. German coal power plants alone produce 300 million tonnes of CO2 each year, not to mention what the rising industrialization levels of India and China will cause. And every day, 24,000 people starve to death while 1.5 billion people suffer from obesity.

Why does everything remain the way it

cannot be?

WhatWAS International conferences. Resolutions, petition, manifestos. charity gala events and sustainable shopping fairs. Editorials and mega-donations. Facebook revolutions and Occupy movement.

That‘s all good. That won‘t suffice.

Let’s face the failure of our current systems and processes. Let’s talk openly about necessary radical changes to the economy, politics and consumer society. This isn’t a utopian idea, it’s simply what’s necessary.

We need an emergency plan, now.

We want to support people with projects that are already offering solutions. With methods that lead to intelligent decisions for everyone. With shameless honesty and constructive anger.

What‘s HAPPENINGExample: In order to reduce the most severe consequences of climate change, we would need an immediate and radical change of our energy systems and consumption patterns. We cannot wait for globally binding political treaties that are influenced by lobbyists from the wrong side anyway. Large corporations on the other hand do not have a motivation to address the social benefit.So we need a room:

To work with bright minds on concrete solutions.We make a plan:

To turn families, living communities, or colleagues into agile unites of a sustainable society.And we reach the masses:

With inspiring and plausible instructions, modern web communication, and by pub-lishing and disseminating the results among networks of researchers and decision-makers.

„Imagine the Pilot tells you at the Airport:

„The probability that we will crash today is

90 PERCENT.“ Would you board this plane?“

HANS JOACHIM SCHELLNHUBER, CLIMATE SCIENTIST

OPEN STATE Climate, resources, energy: The combined crises affirm the overwhelming urgency with which we

need to act. With the 2012 Rio+20 summit however, yet another attempt failed. Open State aims to

counter this with an exploratory & practical approach.

We are deliberately leaving discussions behind and

designing the realistic utopia: decentralized, networked

units of a sustainable future.

A three-day conference and a five-week camp are the

kick-off to Open State. We gather experts to describe the current state of affairs in all clarity and urgency, and explain what needs to be done. 10 selected projects work on a ‘future of reason’ and develop instructions that work for a majority of the population – project-focused, decentralized, and attainable for everyone.

The first Open State will take place in spring 2013 at

Schloss Tornow near Berlin.

All methods and results will be published as open source blueprints for everyone to copy and improve. The results

of the pilot projects will populate a web platform, will be turned into a book, spread through talks and presentations, and publicized via a web campaign.

And then, onwards: By 2015 we aim to have realized 10 Open States in other countries that will develop 100 more projects to change the status quo.

We create the room, the plan, and the material to equip communities with concrete practical instructions that will be exponentially disseminated through the network effects of our online communication.

The goal: Open State solutions shall reach and engage the 5% of the population in western industrialized countries that are necessary for a substantial shift in society.

Visionaries and Changemakers will present keynotes on concrete solutions.

The kick-off will include press and invited guests. The intensive exchange of

ideas will form the basis of the ensuing five-week camp.

FACTS

3 Days150 Participants

Keynote presentations &

interactive workshops

CONFERENCE

Day 1 INPUT

A bluntly stated view on the combined crises of the environment, society and economy. Researchers and Activists unequivocally inform the participants of the consequences of continuing with the status quo and draw a holistic picture of the problems. The speakers shine a light on the backgrounds and block-ades in the economy, politics, and society.

Open State does not end with a theoretical exchange of ideas that is so typical for conferences.

The main part begins after the conference: By bringing these projects into the Camp, we start

building and prototyping practical blueprints and instructions to support small and medium-

sized citizen networks.

Day 2 WORK

The participants accept the call to action and develop solutions. Seven previously selected projects are indicative of the variety of sustainable solutions that have long been possible. In addition, there are opportunities to develop further projects, three of which will move into the camp with us. The 150 partici-pants convene in workshops to support these projects with their know-how and network.

Day 3 INCUBATION

As a gesture of their identification with Open State, the participants receive “Open State passports” and agree to a long-term engage-ment either through communication, financial support or direct participation. The agenda loosens up and allows for open dialogue and activities around the castle. Working groups can continue their meetings, networking and intensified dialogue lead to further thoughts and actions.

CAMPThe Camp will host seven previously selected projects as well as three projects developed at the

conference. The 50 Camp participants will live together for five weeks at Schloss Tornow and work

on sustainable solutions for the essential basic needs of food, housing, energy, communication,

and mobility.

FACTS

5 Weeks50 Participants

10 ProjectsCoachings, Design Thinking, Expert Voices

Together we create a functional on-site prototype of the smallest unit of a sustainable society in the future. This prototype devel-ops into replicable blueprints that can be adapted to individual situations and accessed online. A step-by-step instruction manual from today to tomorrow.

A multi-disciplinary pool of experts will support the participants in their endeavors during the course of the Camp – from interac-tion designers to permaculture practitioners to programmers.

In addition, we will offer necessary resources such as seed capital, contact networks, expert knowledge and continuous procedural mentoring throughout the Camp.

CAMP: IdeaFun, engagement and experiencing your own

creative energy are at the central pillars of the Camp

OPEN

STATE

1. INSPIRATION

Meeting the parti-cipants. Presenting ideas and projects. Diverse expert sessions and input formats. Mutual coaching among the participants.

2. CONCEPTION

Structured idea de-velopment processes activate the group’s crowd intelligence and creativity. Developing an implementation plan for each project to take advantage of each participant’s unique knowledge, experience and skills.

3. PROTOTYPING

The concepts are pro-totyped as graphics, models, code, or 3D-print out in order to avoid erroneous deve-lopments and make ideas tangible.

4. NETWORKING

The prototypes are assembled into a wor-king solution model. Project groups will work on minimizing any gaps between the projects and the identified problems.

5. STORYTELLING

The essence of each solution is turned into intelligible in-structions and stories to facilitate commu-nication. The Camp’s philosophy and ideas are communicated to the public without intermediary.

6. IMPLEMENTATION

The implementation happens in two areas: On-site at Open State and in digital work-spaces. The status of each project is commu-nicated, implemented, tested, and further developed within the new community.

CAMP: Phases

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4th Week

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The 10 projects shall fulfill the following

criteria:

Scalable, potentially sector-disrupting concept in the areas of food, housing, energy, communication or mobility.

Open (not closed) organization model, willingness to share one’s own content in accordance with an open source philosophy.

Diversified teams from all generations, with visionaries and grounded “people of action” that have done similar projects in the past.

The age of the project is irrelevant – Start-Ups are as welcome as traditional organizations.

The legal form of the project is also irrelevant – whether LLC, research lab, or citizen’s initiative.

CAMP: Selection

What works, counts. The project research

is based on our numerous existing

networks and contests that have

identified and awarded pilot projects.

In addition to the open online call for

proposals we will also specifically

approach projects that resonate with our

ideals.

A)

B)

C)

D)

E)

A DECENTRALIZED, RESILIENT COMMUNICA-

TION INFRASTRUCTURE

So-called “Jerry Servers” were originally designed for the rough environments in developing coun-tries. These mini-servers are extremely robust, only use standard electronic components, and are partly even built from electronic waste. In the last months, a global community supple-mented the open source server with wireless internet antennas, mesh network functionality and solar cells.

Thus, a Jerry Server can even run without access to grid electricity. Possible next steps could include a link to the GPS-guided “Low Orbit Server Stations” (LOSS) drones developed by the Swedish “Pirate Bay” founders. These operate fairly autonomously within a 50 km radius and could eventually enable public access to server functionalities.

Further advantages: Independence from internet providers and an almost free internet access point.

CAMP: ProjectsAn exemplary selection of already existing open source projects to help make the Open States

vision more “tangible.”

1)

possibilities. For example, the “Copenhagen Wheel” developed by the MIT generates energy while its user rides a bike.

DIY SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

Self-sufficient houses with a closed materials cycle are highly efficient solutions to reduce energy and resource consumption. Recycled construction material and simple instructions to autonomous self-made houses can reduce the initial costs and enable more people to live

in touch with nature. This is how the American architect Michael Reynolds has been working for more than 40 years in the desert of New Mexico. His “Earth-Shops” adapt to any climate zone and allow an autonomous “off-grid” life: energy, fresh water, sewage treatment and disposal are as integrated as passive heating and agricultural spaces. The open source project “Wikihouse” has a different angle: Standardized components enable the building of wooden houses with open construction plans and drawings. This has also attracted a global and very active community. Both approaches can be implemented almost entirely autonomously, and combining them would make sustainable, resource-conserving housing for everyone possible.

MICRO POWER STATIONS FOR EVERYONE

The majority of technology that currently produces energy is proprietary, i.e. owned and

“protected” by patents that prevent open source development. A hardly known fact is that “solar concentrators” produce 5 kW of electrical or 40kW of thermal energy, enough to power the average energy demand of 10 people. Another project could be the refinement of the open-source “SHPEGS” (Solar Heat Pump Electrical Generation Systems), tower-like structures using natural the air movement between the cold earth surface and warm air to generate power. This could be augmented by a variety of small, practical mechanical energy generation

2)

3)

CAMP: Projects

LOCATION20 years ago, the non-profit organization “Ökowerk Brandenburg” started restoring the landmarked building according to ecological criteria and has been using it as a conference center since then. This common philosoph-ical ground, paired with the castle being surrounded by nature and its accessibility from Berlin, make Schloss Tornow the perfect location for the first Open State.

Conference and Camp aim to be pioneers of resource-

friendly events:

› Energy shall be produced, not consumed: Optimal insulation, renewable energy sources, the

movements and body heat of the participants, etc.

› We avoid flights by primarily inviting guests from Germany and bordering countries

› The organic and regional catering will be co-organized by the “Slow Food Movement”

› Packaging and trash will be avoided as much as possible, or otherwise reused or recycled.

› All remaining emissions will be offset through targeted investments in climate protection projects

Schloss Tornow in Fürstenberg was built between 1888 and 1898

in the “Naturpark Ückermärkischer Seen“ close to Berlin

LOCAL: Just like during the Camp, the physical Open Spate remains open for the interested public. It is a living space where small and large utopian ideas can be realized. Workshops, barcamps and “hacksprints” develop further concepts for sustainable living that can be explored and experienced at Open State.

GLOBAL: An online community platform is already launched during the run-up to the conference and camp. It allows people from around the world to become an active part of the development process, give feed-back and share knowledge, experience, contacts or resources.

The platform publishes each open source project blueprint under a creative commons license so that interested people or groups can refine the projects, adjust them to local needs and implement them.

In addition to the step-by-step instructions, we develop clear guidelines for the self-organization of groups of all sizes, from a small task force to a commune. At the same time, the platform is a communication hub for collective action and campaigns as well as a permanent discussion space for questions and ideas.

After the pilot project in Tornow, we plan to assemble a top-notch advisory board that will carry the messages from the Open States to decision-makersin the economy and politics. We also plan to link to researchers, think tanks, and institutes to provide the scientific framework for the practical results from Open State and spread the results.

Open State has the potential to become a worldwide movement for a

feasible and future-oriented way of life.

OPEN STATE EverywhereWith the conclusion of the Camp, the first Open State is founded and functional. The pioneering work

is done. Now the challenge is to spread the first results and the spirit of the event, to set up new Open

States, and to include as many people as quickly as possible.

PHASE 1

May - July 2012

GOAL: Presentation, Fundraising

› Brochure and presentation “Open

State”

› Launch of the landing page openstate.cc

› Budget definition

› Approach foundations and other funders

› Secure the required seed funding

› Attract partners from academia, architecture,

private sector

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PHASE 2

Aug. - Okt. 2012

GOAL: Fundraising, Projektplan, Partner

› Secure all of the required funding

› Development of the project plan with all milestones

› Finalization of partner-ships (universities,

architects, coaches, media, etc.)

› Selection and invitation of conference speakers

› Architectural and resto-ration plan for Schloss Tornow

› Logistical and structural planning of the camp

PHASE 3

Nov. 2012 - Jan. 2013

GOAL: Eventgestaltung, Marketing, Team

> Launch of the full-scale web platform

> Expansion of the core team with further

experts

> Selection of 7 projects and 150 participants

> Finalization of the concept and methods of the Camp

> Detailed procedural planning of the Confe-rence

> Contracts with the Camp’s advisors

PHASE 4

Feb. - May 2013

GOAL: Location, Realisierung

› Set up of Conference and Camp in Tornow

› Peak of the online campaign and media relations

› Briefing speakers, participants, projects, advisors

› Hosting & managing Conference and Camp

› Documenting the event and results

› Publishing & distributi-on of the blueprints

PHASE 5

June - Aug. 2013

GOAL: Open State Every- where, Communitypflege

› “Team Tornow” will pro-mote further events and pass on knowledge

› Sustainable marketing of the blue prints

› Publishing a book and lectures on the project

› Community management (social media and web platform)

› Network relationship ma-nagement and wrap-up with all partners

› Contacting and engaging the international advisory board

TIMELINE

10more

Open States worldwide 100

Projects in total

› Launch of the platform “Open State

Exchange” featuring the camp projects

as open source blueprints.

GOALS till 2015:It also allows for a matching of projects,

people and problems to create a worldwide

network that fosters collaboration. “Project

Spaces” will facilitate the collaborative

design and development of concrete solutions.

› From a prototype to mainstream:

Small groups create sustainable life

concepts that will become the “New

Normal” – attractive and attainable

for all.

›

›

PARTNERSThis is a small selection of our close contacts that will support us with their knowledge and

recommendations to gain further partners and sponsors.

METHODOLOGY› HPI – School of DesignThinking ›

Prof. Uli Weinberg, Headteacher› Open Design City Berlin › Jay Cousins, Founder

ARCHITECTURE› Triad Projektgesellschaft › Prof. Lutz Engelke, Founder & Managing Director› GRAFT Gesellschaft von Architekten ›

Wolfram Putz, Founder & Managing Director

THINK TANKS› Club of Rome › Daniel Dahm, Member› Sandbox Network › Antoine Verdon, Founder & Managing Director

CIVIL SOCIETY› Greenpeace Deutschland › Volker Gassner, Team Leader New Media› Oxfam Deutschland › Judith Orland, Social Media Campaigns

CULTURE› Foreign Affairs − Berliner Festspiele ›

Matthias von Hartz, Artistic Director› Zur Nachahmung empfohlen! ›

Leonore Leonardy, Curator

ECONOMY› Deutsche Telekom AG ›

Thomas Sattelberger, Chief Human Resource Officer› Deutsche Bahn AG › Markus Hofmann, Head of Marketing Strategy

INNOVATION MANAGEMENT› TU Potsdam › Prof. Dr. Katharina Hölzle, Chair Entrepreneurship› Platoon Cultural Development Berlin ›

Marcello Dato, Cultural Development

RESEARCH› Fraunhofer-Institut › Dr. Philine Warnke, Director Innovation and Technology Management› Z_punkt – The Foresight Company ›

Klaus Burmeister, Managing Director

ACADEMICS› Design Akademie Berlin › Prof. Dr. Holger Zumholz, Strategic Marketing› Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance › Stephan Breidenbach, Headteacher

DOMINIK WIND ›

Managing Director, Ideabrigade, Co-Founder Palomar5

Germany’s first innovation camp “Palomar5” brought an international team of 30 experts and creatives to live and work together in Berlin. Financed by Deutsche Telekom AG, the camp developed 12 projects on the “future of work.”

Dominik Wind is currently developing Ideabrigade, a network organization of multi-disciplinary creative teams using a custom-tailored process called “Ideasprint” to solve their clients’ problems in 24 hours.

TEAMThe founders of Open State have already been part of a multitude of events. Now we want to bring

everything together: Avoid mistakes and make new ones, bring together the best minds of our

generation and establish a format that will create a lasting effect. DANIEL KRUSE ›

Managing Director Nest Agency

The event “Table of Free Voices” gathered 112 personalities at the Bebelplatz in Berlin to answer 100 questions submitted on the web in advance. Human rights campaigners and envi-ronmental activists, sustainable entrepreneurs and creatives from around the world created a video archive with more than 11,000 answers to the most pressing questions of our time.Daniel Kruse directed an international team of bloggers that documented the project. During the G8 summit in Heiligendamm he led a media camp of 100 volunteers. His agency Nest develops online campaigns for clients such as Caritas International, terre des hommes or the German green party Bündnis90/Die Grünen.

MAX LISEWSKI, SIMON KIEPE & KARI WOLF ›

Management Team 10hoch16 Agency

10hoch16 focuses on creating and communi-cating meaningful products and projects. They turned Amnesty International’s 50-year anniver-sary party into a recyclable exhibition, fought with Oxfam against food speculation, and supported the Iranian Revolution with their engagement in the award-winning “The Green Wave.”

Motivated by their insights about responsibil-ity and the long-term effects of communication and design, they realize social/political art and activism, teach social marketing at the Design Academy Berlin, and lecture in the Green Design Module of the Institute of Design Berlin as well as on revolution design at the University Bozen.

„Social movements are always propelled

by minorities. And FIVE PERCENT of a population is plenty to

set the current state of affairs in motion.“

HARALD WELZER, SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGIST

CONTACTTHANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND INTEREST!

PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO DIRECT YOUR QUESTIONS TO:

Daniel Kruse

Open State e.V. (currently in formation)

Prinzenallee 74, 13357 Berlin

+49.030. 6165 7419

[email protected]

open state concept

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