Develop your capacity to lead meaningful change in a world full of challenges. Through philosophical inquiry, deep experiential work, and practical skill-building, you will discover what you truly stand for and learn to engage with world problems from a place of grounded compassion.
Do you have a passion for making a positive impact in the world? Are you worried about the current state of the world and its runaway societal and ecological crises? Are you seeking to develop your personal leadership for a better world? Would you like to discover what you truly stand for and how to contribute in a meaningful and morally ambitious way? Do you wish to deepen your vision while growing your capacity to shape positive change? Are you wondering how to transform difficult emotions like despair or overwhelm about our world's challenges into creative and inspired engagement?
This course is designed for students and professionals who want to develop their capacity for meaningful leadership in service of a better world. It is for those who seek to know deeply what they stand for and how to make a difference in their communities and organizations. We will work outside in and inside out, exploring essential questions such as: What world problems touch you to the core? What is your mission? What are your core values? What kind of leader do you wish to become? What are your character strengths and areas for growth?
Over the course of the week, we focus on:
We explore diverse subjects such as moral ambition, compassionate communication, the psychology and philosophy of purpose and meaning, positive psychology of character strengths, parts work (Internal Family Systems/Hakomi), Joanna Macy’s ‘the work that reconnects’ and her concept of active hope, Roman Krznaric’s concept of the good ancestor, relational mindfulness, loving presence, embodiment practices and widening the circle of moral concern.
Our programme combines:
Through deep introspection and leadership development, you will:
Led by experienced trainers, our programme offers a unique opportunity to gain inspiration, deepen your self-understanding, develop your skills, and collaborate with like-minded peers from different countries and cultures.
Join us for this transformative week of personal growth and meaningful engagement. Apply now to be part of the Meaningful Leadership for a Better World course at Utrecht Summer School.
Thursday evening (16.00 - 21.00 hrs): Team activity
This is a course in which inner transformation meets meaningful impact.
Derek van Zoonen is dedicated to helping people lead more examined and meaningful lives.
He is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Oslo, where he collaborates with an interdisciplinary team at the crossroads of philosophy and psychology to explore human happiness and well-being. In particular, Derek’s research focuses on the role of meaning and positive (and negative) affect in the good life.
Before joining the University of Oslo, Derek held affiliations with Oxford University, Columbia University, Humboldt Universität in Berlin, and the University of Groningen, where he earned his PhD (cum laude) in philosophy. His dissertation on the role of pleasure in the good life won the Wierenga Rengerink Prize for the best dissertation of 2022 and was nominated for the Keetje Hodshon Prize for outstanding work in the humanities.
Outside academia, Derek applies his expertise to help individuals enrich their lives. He is training in the Hakomi Method of mindfulness-based, body-oriented psychotherapy at the European Hakomi Institute (approved by the European Association for Psychotherapy and the European Association of Body Psychotherapy), and works as a counselor. Derek also organizes retreats and regularly gives workshops and talks to help people sharpen their thinking and deepen their feeling. He also loves to support people engaging with altered states of consciousness, such as those induced by breathwork or psychedelics, helping them navigate these transformative experiences.
Imre is an international trainer and (team)coach in higher education, politics and development aid agencies. His expertise lies in personal development, communication and group dynamics. He has a passion for empathic and compassionate communication, personal leadership, finding meaning and critical thinking. As a coach he brings out the best of people in a disarming and an inspiring way. He likes to ask probing questions, challenge assumptions and analyse arguments, all aimed at growth and learning.
For seven years he ran the Better World Foundation in The Netherlands that organized intensive traineeships about practical idealism.
An idealist in heart and soul, he likes to use his critical mind to better the world. Critical when needed, with humor when possible. He likes to connect heart and mind when doing his coaching. He has worked with many politicians and members of parliament, development organisations in Uganda, Laos and Vietnam amongst others, for commercial companies and many universities such as the International Space University in Strasbourg, the Honours Programme at the University of Groningen, Nyenrode Business University and students of the University of Beijing.
This course is meant for advanced bachelor and master students and professionals.
The courses will start at 10:00 hours every day, and end at around 16:00 hours.
If you are eligible for the student fee, please send us a message at imrevegh@protonmail.com. A limited number of participants (24) is admitted to this course. We accept participants on a first come, first served base.
The housing costs do not include a Utrecht Summer School sleeping bag. This is a separate product on the invoice. If you wish to bring your own bedding, please deselect or remove the sleeping bag from your order.