Help making Connect possible! As usual, there is no fixed participation fee for Connect participants, but we ask everyone who has the possibility to fundraise for us to help! Each participant costs us 270 Swissfrancs for the whole conference, so every bit of money that comes in helps students form all over the world to be able to be part of a grwat event!

Be part of making this possible! Click here to see our bank details!

Are we all part of the same picture?

In a world that is rapidly globalizing through media and mostly out of political, financial or even military interest, where in that world, is the felt/human connection between individuals?It’s hard to feel connected, let alone be connected. It takes an effort to become clear on what direct or indirect connections you have to others.In a global community it is all the more important to find and make these connections. Global consciousness leads to global responsibilities.Let’s find ways to meet those responsibilities!

-From Reinoud Meijer, founder of Connect and the YIP Program

 

I am honored and excited to be with you all during the conference... I am generally a very handy person. I like to do the dirty thankless jobs that no one else wants - like cleaning toilets. It keeps me grounded and there is much authentic conversation to be had, karma to be faced and destiny to be considered in the midst of the real work.

-From a Connect Helper

 

 I have been in a Waldorf school for my entire education thus far. I sing and act. I have a farm and milk goats. I speak french and have the goal to be able to speak four languages. I love the ocean and love to be in it, on it or under it, (swimming, boating, surfing or diving.) My life goal is to renew sustainablility and balance to the oceans and the worlds environment.

-From a soon-to-be Connectee

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WE DID IT!!!

From April 19th to 23rd 550 people held an amazing conference together. 143 class 12 students offered workshops and thereby filled the morning program to the brim, 7 classes performed on the big stage in the Goetheanum, more than 10 natiaonlities played on the night cafe stage,44 contributors held afternoon conversation groups, we served 450 alcohol free coctails on the last night,
we consumed over 500 l milk (partly donated), 350 kg potatoes (donated),
300 kg carrots (donated) and a lot more donated things of course...
450 people peeled these potatoes, one evening they managed to peel over 100kg of potatoes in 45 minutes, we gave out 180 sponsored traintickets, which were used for 1620 tramrides....facebook is going wild with all this community-spirit that the Connect Conference brought about, many people found new friends, experienced deep moments, saw snippits of different cultures, had uncountable conversations, the Goetheanum was filled and lively, colourful and happy!

 

Our aim: "Many young people from all around the world will come together to share their class 12 project, to take part in the Connect Conference, to perform, to meet, to listen, to learn..." was definitely accomplished. Also the part were we, the otrganization of Connect, wished for Connect to be an example as to how much responsibility we as young people can take on if we are trusted. We care for this world and we want to actively take part in shaping it, Connect has proven that! Thank you everyone who was willing to open their eyes and see what Connect needed, and who had the courage to do it! Thank you all helpers who dilligently carried out the tasks until they were done! Thank you Kings and Queens of the Connect Conference for being all part of the same picture, for making this picture all together!

 

We are incredibly grateful to all of the individuals, foundations, businesses, farmers, school classes, volunteers, and (who am I forgetting?!), who made Connect a real possibility. As of now, our budget is slightly in the plus.  It is a relief, and another vote of confidence, whispering in our ears... when is the next Connect?  We don't know yet, but we will surely let you know!