FUTUREPERFECT: Goethe-Institut and Futurzwei present international collection of stories

The social and environmental crises of our time cannot be resolved by relying solely on politicians, engineers or the market. Instead, each individual must explore what is possible. This attitude is reflected in the stories being told on the online platform FUTUREPERFECT (www.futureperfectproject.org). Officially launched by the Goethe-Institut and the German foundation Futurzwei on July 1, 2015, FUTUREPERFECT expands a project begun in German- speaking countries, presenting international stories of people, initiatives and companies working in practical ways to create a different, better future.

Three American surfers produce skateboards from fishing nets discarded in the ocean off the Chilean coast. Agricultural engineer Ahmed Saleh introduces rooftop gardens in the Gaza Strip, providing families with a source of self-sufficiency while deepening bonds between individuals and nature. From Brazil comes a story about poetry evenings in slums; in Switzerland a bank is succeeding in supporting small and medium enterprises; young people in Tunisia are volunteering in a nursing home.

FUTUREPERFECT presents these and many other stories to foster international exchange about a better future. FUTUREPERFECT began with 39 stories from 17 countries; every week at least one story will be added from a widening circle of countries.

FUTUREPERFECT challenges us to question patterns of thought and everyday behavior by showing that everything can be different. The network of worldwide Goethe-Institutes is working with local partners such as prestigious foundations, socially- and ecologically-oriented magazines and journalists, architecture institutions and museums to identify relevant and transformative projects and develop stories.

All stories can be found in English and German on the central platform www.futureperfectproject.org, and in their original language on the country portals of the Goethe Institutes. The stories and images are published under Creative Commons licenses; sharing and retelling them is explicitly encouraged. Like the main characters of the stories, Futurzwei and the Goethe Institutes want to foster a good interaction with the world through these stories and show what is possible when people use their individual strengths and opportunities.

Recent and Upcoming FUTUREPERFECT Events:

May 6 – August 7, 2015 Goethe-Institut Washington, DC, USA

FUTUREPERFECT Project Photography Documentation. Stories for tomorrow – lived today, everywhere. A selection of the stories featured in the project.

July 1, 2015, 6:30 pm: Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Berlin, Germany

FUTUREPERFECT: Opening Night – World Stories and Stratagems. With Harald Welzer, Berthold Franke, Péter Pozsár, Lia Rea, Alex Rühle, Luise Tremel

July 7, 2015, 6:30 pm: Goethe-Institut Washington, DC, USA

FUTUREPERFECT – Telling Stories for a Better Future: How Art and Narratives Can Change the Worldwith KAL (Kevin Kallaugher), Sarah Browning, Marc Gunther, Nancy Averett, Erik Assadourian. Videos of the presentations by KAL and Sarah Browning can be heard here

July 31 and August 1: Vigántpetend, Hungary

FUTUREPERFECT at the Művészetek Völgye Festival. Poster presentation, laboratory and wall of ideas, discussion with HelloWood und FuturePerfect Hungary in the temporary HelloWood Village, dedicated to the living environments of small communitites in the 21st century

October 8, 2015, 11 am – 7 pm: Goethe-Institut Paris, France

FUTUREPERFECT. A Conference. The French project partners, the FUTURZWEI Team, artists and supporters supply positive suggestions and perspectives for a sustainable economic and living praxis. Contact: Tsveta Dobreva: Tsveta.Dobreva@Paris.goethe.org

October 28, 2015, 7:30 pm: Goethe-Institut Rotterdam, Netherlands

FUTUREPERFECT: A Common Good? Experts from grassroots movements, science and economy discuss the common good economy and initiatives which showcase concrete social participation. Always in the background: In what kind of world do we want to live? Contact: Barbara Mulzer: Barbara.Mulzer@Amsterdam.goethe.org

About the Goethe-Institut Washington

On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, cultural institutes around the world provide cultural programs, language courses, support to educators, and up-to-date information on Germany in the context of Europe. Founded in 1990, Goethe-Institut Washington, DC is a center for German culture and language in the midst of the revitalized Downtown. Visit www.goethe.de/washington for more information.

Source: press release from the Goethe-Institut WashingtonThe social and environmental crises of our time cannot be resolved by relying solely on politicians, engineers or the market. Instead, each individual must explore what is possible. This attitude is reflected in the stories being told on the online platform FUTUREPERFECT (www.futureperfectproject.org). Officially launched by the Goethe-Institut and the German foundation Futurzwei on July 1, 2015, FUTUREPERFECT expands a project begun in German- speaking countries, presenting international stories of people, initiatives and companies working in practical ways to create a different, better future.

Three American surfers produce skateboards from fishing nets discarded in the ocean off the Chilean coast. Agricultural engineer Ahmed Saleh introduces rooftop gardens in the Gaza Strip, providing families with a source of self-sufficiency while deepening bonds between individuals and nature. From Brazil comes a story about poetry evenings in slums; in Switzerland a bank is succeeding in supporting small and medium enterprises; young people in Tunisia are volunteering in a nursing home.

FUTUREPERFECT presents these and many other stories to foster international exchange about a better future. FUTUREPERFECT began with 39 stories from 17 countries; every week at least one story will be added from a widening circle of countries.

FUTUREPERFECT challenges us to question patterns of thought and everyday behavior by showing that everything can be different. The network of worldwide Goethe-Institutes is working with local partners such as prestigious foundations, socially- and ecologically-oriented magazines and journalists, architecture institutions and museums to identify relevant and transformative projects and develop stories.

All stories can be found in English and German on the central platform www.futureperfectproject.org, and in their original language on the country portals of the Goethe Institutes. The stories and images are published under Creative Commons licenses; sharing and retelling them is explicitly encouraged. Like the main characters of the stories, Futurzwei and the Goethe Institutes want to foster a good interaction with the world through these stories and show what is possible when people use their individual strengths and opportunities.

Recent and Upcoming FUTUREPERFECT Events:

May 6 – August 7, 2015 Goethe-Institut Washington, DC, USA

FUTUREPERFECT Project Photography Documentation. Stories for tomorrow – lived today, everywhere. A selection of the stories featured in the project.

July 1, 2015, 6:30 pm: Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Berlin, Germany

FUTUREPERFECT: Opening Night – World Stories and Stratagems. With Harald Welzer, Berthold Franke, Péter Pozsár, Lia Rea, Alex Rühle, Luise Tremel

July 7, 2015, 6:30 pm: Goethe-Institut Washington, DC, USA

FUTUREPERFECT – Telling Stories for a Better Future: How Art and Narratives Can Change the Worldwith KAL (Kevin Kallaugher), Sarah Browning, Marc Gunther, Nancy Averett, Erik Assadourian. Videos of the presentations by KAL and Sarah Browning can be heard here

July 31 and August 1: Vigántpetend, Hungary

FUTUREPERFECT at the Művészetek Völgye Festival. Poster presentation, laboratory and wall of ideas, discussion with HelloWood und FuturePerfect Hungary in the temporary HelloWood Village, dedicated to the living environments of small communitites in the 21st century

October 8, 2015, 11 am – 7 pm: Goethe-Institut Paris, France

FUTUREPERFECT. A Conference. The French project partners, the FUTURZWEI Team, artists and supporters supply positive suggestions and perspectives for a sustainable economic and living praxis. Contact: Tsveta Dobreva: Tsveta.Dobreva@Paris.goethe.org

October 28, 2015, 7:30 pm: Goethe-Institut Rotterdam, Netherlands

FUTUREPERFECT: A Common Good? Experts from grassroots movements, science and economy discuss the common good economy and initiatives which showcase concrete social participation. Always in the background: In what kind of world do we want to live? Contact: Barbara Mulzer: Barbara.Mulzer@Amsterdam.goethe.org

About the Goethe-Institut Washington

On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, cultural institutes around the world provide cultural programs, language courses, support to educators, and up-to-date information on Germany in the context of Europe. Founded in 1990, Goethe-Institut Washington, DC is a center for German culture and language in the midst of the revitalized Downtown. Visit www.goethe.de/washington for more information.

Source: press release from the Goethe-Institut Washington