Hope in Action Workshop: Material Institute

Join us at the Material Institute for an intentionally spacious day dedicated to reflection, learning, and connection.

This immersive workshop introduces the Compassionate Systems Awareness framework—offering practical tools to help us navigate complexity, nurture our relationships, and sustain our well-being while working toward collective change. Together, we will explore how we show up, listen deeply, and cultivate the resilience needed to flourish in a rapidly changing world.

Hosted by Esther Hill, Sarah Proud and Kim Shore, as part of the Academy of Hope, along with special guest Dr Richard Owens, Director of Woodleigh Institute and the Australian Centre for Systems Awareness.

Why compassionate systems?

Creating lasting, meaningful change in complex social and ecological environments begins with how we see, feel, and act. Compassionate Systems Awareness bridges systems thinking and systems sensing. It provides practical methods to care for ourselves and one another, helping us amplify our impact without burning out.

Who is this for?

This space is designed for anyone working within complex community, social, or ecological settings across Kutalayna / Nipaluna (Bridgewater / Hobart) and surrounding regions.

We warmly invite:

• Educators, scientists, and community organisers

• Artists, makers, designers, and local change makers

• Gardeners, growers, and food advocates

Whether you are completely new to compassionate systems framework or seeking to ground and deepen your existing practice, we invite you to bring your curiosity and presence.

What you'll experience

We have designed this day to be unhurried and restorative:

• Theory Meets Practice: Actionable tools and contemplative practices you can bring directly into your daily work and life, grounded in robust framework theory.

• Spacious Dialogue: Dedicated, unhurried time to share collective wisdom, reflect alongside peers, and listen deeply.

• Connection to Country & Place: Gentle immersion in our thriving market garden and the surrounding parklands.

House keeping

Venue: The garden home of Material Institute — 2a Eddington Street, Bridgewater.

Catering: Light refreshments and a delicious garden-to-plate lunch will be provided.

Attire: Weather permitting, parts of the day will take place outdoors in the garden and parklands. Please wear comfortable layers and sturdy, flat walking shoes. (In the event of rain, outdoor activities will move under shelter).

Reference

• Towards a methodology for living systems change White Papers written by Boell, M., Herrmann L., Cook L.

• Redesigning Education for Compassionate Systems, Mette Mirriam Boell, Podcast