New Beginnings

Welcome to a unique gathering. In early December, about 30 thinking leaders and leading thinkers will spend three days together in Kisumu, Western Kenya. The theme of the meeting is New Beginnings. 

Because, in our search for new beginnings, we think that this location will open our senses and frees our creative and cognitive energies. Kisumu City is the largest city in Western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria. The gathering will feature 72 hours of conversations, meetings and visits in and around Kisumu, with a group of about 30 people from Africa, China, Asia and Europe. Before and after the gathering, side-events devoted to business development, training of business/social entrepreneurs and days of retreat-and-reflect will be on offer. This gathering is also an Advance Party that will, together with Kisumu and Kenya-based parties, explore the possibility of organizing a larger event in 2020. 

Why this gathering?

No, humanity is not on the right path towards building resilient communities and a strong cohesive global society. Hundreds of millions may be lifting themselves out of poverty. Scientific and technological breakthroughs are solving problems in many domains. Many islands of innovation are cropping up in different places across the world. But this is not proving sufficient: the consequences of climate and Earth systems change are being felt, often acutely, everywhere. Polarization and conflicts are tearing societies apart. The latest waves of technology-driven economic structural change are making many worried for their livelihoods. Many millions are looking for meaning in their existence. The wisdom of elders and of ancient indigenous cultures is not being listened to. And large institutions, be they governmental or corporate, financial or educational, are just not prepared for the rapid social, political, economic or environmental shifts of our world, and in many cases are effectively hindering our way forward.

Our response to this state of the world is to bring together leaders and thinkers with open minds and open hearts for good conversations. 

Program (preliminary)

Wednesday 4 December:
Afternoon: Arrivals in Kisumu in the afternoon.

6.00PM Opening informal session, get-together, words of welcome, followed by dinner

Thursday 5 December:
First morning session: Welcome to Kisumu – H.E the Governor Prof Peter Anyang Nyongo, with leaders and elders from Kisumu and Kenya, open the gathering,

Second morning session: Who am I, and why am I here? – Dialogues in small groups to learn from our differences, share stories and broaden perspectives. 

Lunch

Afternoon sessions with Kisumu and Lake Region entrepreneurs (at Lake Hub):  An afternoon of sharings about opportunities and challenges for Kisumu, the Lake Region, Kenya, Africa and the World for the 2020’s.

Evening lake-side reception and and dinner: Gathering participants and local entrepreneurs for an evening reception on the shore of Lake Victoria.

Friday 6 December: 
Morning and midday: Into the villages – we divide into smaller groups (max 8 people) and leave Kisumu early morning to spend the day in nearby villages in the countryside, to inspire and be inspired. The day includes visits to schools, farms, community development projects, health centers, local entrepreneurs, etc.

Afternoon:  What am I bringing back from the villages? - Back at the hotel, we gather for dialogues, reflections and sharings

Evening: Coming together – Musical event, open to the public, in a suitable venue in downtown Kisumu, with a program of music, words and drum beats from here and elsewhere.

Saturday 7 December: 
First morning session: The vision and landscape of Kisumu  – presentations and discussion on the present and future of the Lake Region.

Second morning session (continues after lunch): Seeds of the New for Common Action – conversations on sharing initiatives and ideas. This will see some of the practical business and social partnership ideas being discussed and worked upon in small groups. 

Afternoon: Final session of sharings - Initiatives, insights and reflections are presented and shared. (ending by 5pm at the latest)

Evening and following day(s): Under African Skies (Optional) At the end of the gathering, participants will have the opportunity to spend a day at a resort on an island in Lake Victoria. This “retreat and reflect” will take place in smaller groups, and include facilitated conversations, retreat and reflections under the stars of the Kenyan skies. 

Side-events after the gathering

Retreat & Reflect under African skies

Before leaving Western Kenya after the New Beginnings gathering, interested participants can choose to "retreat and reflect" in smaller groups and spend two or three days in lodges, resorts or campsites in the vicinity of Kisumu, for sightseeing and safaris, or just rest and reflection under the sun and stars of the African skies. There are many suitable locations for such days: on nearby islands in Lake Victoria, in lodges in the Great Rift Valley, or in nearby parks and reserves towards the Masai Mara or the Serengeti. All these places are accessible from Kisumu by boat, by road or by plane.