The Seeds of Hope and Action Exhibition
Event details
Emphasising the interconnectedness of each individual to each other and their environment, this exhibit focuses on the power of each person to initiate positive change. A joint initiative of SGI and Earth Charter International.
The 25-panel Seeds of Hope and Action (SOHA) exhibition introduces a positive vision for sustainable living that can contribute to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It includes panels portraying six individuals from South Sudan to Lebanon and Brazil who have successfully taken action for change.
The initial section introduces the idea of interconnection with inspiring quotes from different spiritual and faith traditions. There are panels on climate change and the SDGs and QR codes provide links to further information for online use. An interactive panel collects viewers’ ideas for action inspired by the exhibition. It also introduces the #SeedsofHopeandAction campaign that encourages individuals to share photos and videos of their actions toward the implementation of the SDGs and related Earth Charter principles on social media.
During the day - exhibitions and talks
The exhibition is open to the public to visit from 9am to 5pm and takes place on the ground floor of the Department of Environment and Geography building on Campus West, University of York.
From 1:20pm each day Monday through Thursday, there will be a series of talks and activities from academics, businesses and environmental groups, responding to the themes of hope, action and the SDGs, also free and open to the public: no booking required. Free refreshments will be available.
Monday 12th May, 1:20, Launch Event
Confirmed speakers include: Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of York, Professor Charlie Jeffery, General Director of Soka Gakkai International UK Justine Marchant, Director of LCAB Lindsey Gillson, Lecturer from the University of York and representing YESI Judith Krauss and Research Leader at Kew Gardens Bat Vorontsova.
Tuesday 13th May, 1:20
Confirmed speakers include: Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University Suzannah Williams, Lead Researcher in Cryobiology from Oxford University Peter Kilbride, Group Climate & Sustainability Risk Manager at Aviva Vera Van Gool, Group Public Affairs at Aviva John Huddleston and Associate Lecturer at the University of York Nicola Favretto.
Wednesday 14th May, 1:20
Confirmed speakers include: Coach at the University of York Julie Parker, PhD student at the University of York Kian Hayles-Cotton and former multiple World Champion in BMX and Track Cycling Shanaze Reade.
Thursday 15th May, 1:20
Confirmed speakers include: Director of Conservation and Deputy Chief Executive Plantlife Nicola Hutchinson, Agricultural Advisor Plantlife Hywel Morgan, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of York Jack Hatfield and Lecturer at the University of York Daphne Ezer.
During the evening - interactive workshops
Interactive workshops will take place from Monday to Thursday, from 7pm in the Berrick Saul Treehouse (BS/104) on Campus West.
All workshops are free but due to limited capacity booking is required.
Monday 12th May, 7pm - 8:30pm
Your Seeds of Hope and Action with Justine Marchant and members of the SGI Student Division
Join us for an interactive and participatory delve into the threads and themes of the exhibition. Come along and explore: What is your vision for a better future? In what ways does the exhibition encourage, stimulate and resonate with you? Where do you feel a sense of hope? How will you take and maintain action based on that hope?
Tuesday 13th May, 7pm - 9pm
Climate Cafe, run by York Climate Café Group
A climate cafe is a small gathering which offers a place where fears, uncertainties and hopes about our climate crisis can be safely expressed. It's a confidential, respectful, thinking and feeling space where people can meet with others and talk informally about what climate change and ecological breakdown means for them, perhaps find common ground, and listen to others' diverse experiences and feelings.
Wednesday 14th May, 7pm - 9pm
How We Made It Through, run by Planet South Bank
Join the local climate action group Planet South Bank for an evening exploring their most recent project: How We Made It Through. They will walk us through the community creative writing project that invited citizens of the South Bank area to picture their neighbourhood in the future, having successfully made it to the other side of the 21st century polycrisis. Relevant to anyone interested in hope and fiction as tools of social change, the workshop will include an invitation to try your own hand at some 'Thrutopian’ fiction-writing.
Thursday 15th May, 6pm - 9pm
Climate Fresk
A Climate Fresk is a scientific and collaborative experience that empowers participants to grasp and share climate change’s causes and consequences through an interactive card game, drawing from the latest IPCC report. The Fresk will be run by trained facilitators, but doesn’t involve an expert presenting information to the group; instead it requires all participants to take an active role in the building-up of the Fresk, becoming participative learners.
**Note that the speakers and facilitators at all events represent themselves and their organisations and do not necessarily reflect the views of SGI-UK, LCAB or YESI.
Travelling to the University
The University is easy to get to via public transport. The U1 and U2 buses go from York Railway Station – the nearest stop to both venues is University Library.
If you are travelling by car, public parking is available. For the Department of Environment and Geography building the nearest car park is at York Sports Centre and for Berrick Saul it is Campus Central. If either is full, the North car park is only a short walk away.
If you have any access requirements or questions about the events please contact seedsofhopeandactionyork@gmail.com
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