How can change not only be thought of, but also felt? This was the question addressed at the recent Inspiration Salon of the Arts & Nature Social Club (ANSC). Under the title "Images shaping the future – Film and Education as Keys to Change," the Data Space Berlin hosted discussions, singing, reflection, and visioning.
Guests included the filmmaker Johanna Jaurich, Co-Director Story of a New World and known for her documentary work at the intersection of sustainability and storytelling. Christian Rebernik, founder and CEO of Tomorrow University, whose vision is to rethink education – collaborative, future-oriented, and meaningful. The evening was led by Jörg Geier, Program Chair of the ANSC.
The goal of the evening was to create new visions of the future. Not abstract or didactic—but emotional, artistic, and participatory. This is precisely where the power of the ANSC lies: Complex topics such as sustainability, connectedness, and systemic change are conceived here not as an agenda, but as an experience.
From the pull of fear to the power of imagination
The evening began with KASO, an artist who touched the hearts of listeners with his voice, presence, and depth. The songs of Kaso Nausad Madhosh were more than just entertainment—they were an invitation to meet people. A musical bridge that intuitively introduced the themes of the evening.
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"What inspires more courage to act – the news that CO₂ absorption by trees is declining, or Denmark's announcement to plant a billion trees?" – Filmmaker Johanna Jaurich posed this question right at the beginning. She then added: "Who's raising their hand for news one?" No one did. The message was clear: Negative headlines paralyze. But stories that inspire hope move people.
Activation instead of applause in the cinema
Jaurich presented her latest project this evening: Story of a New World. A hybrid film format—half documentary, half fictional feature film—that not only informs, but also moves. Emotional, visually powerful, and visionary. At its core is the question: How do we need to change to collectively create a future worth living?
What makes the project special is that it goes beyond the cinematic presentation. After each screening, local initiatives will be present on-site to translate what they see into concrete action. The cinema will become a meeting place – turning the audience into co-creators. "We want to turn passive consumption into active engagement," says Jaurich. "People often just need a spark – a moment that shows them: I'm not alone. I can do something."
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Rethinking education – for the world of tomorrow
Christian Rebernik, CEO and co-founder of Tomorrow University, demonstrated that education can also be radically rethought. His impetus: Education can no longer be a rigid system that imparts knowledge, but must be a space that creates meaning and enables change. The university is therefore based on three pillars: purpose, competence, and community.
Tomorrow University was born out of a personal experience: During the pandemic, Rebernik observed his son falling asleep during a digital school lesson. "It was like a wake-up call," he said. "I wanted to create an education that was relevant, that inspired—and that truly prepared young people for the future." Rebernik cited the "Circle of Influence" model here—a concept he recommends for guidance in uncertain times:
- The outer circle: worries over which we have no control.
- The middle circle: Topics where we can influence others.
- The inner circle: things that we can actively shape ourselves.
"The more we focus on what we can influence, the greater our impact will be," said Rebernik. A plea that resonated in the room.
Imagining the future together
A special highlight of the evening: the collective "Utopian Recharge." Johanna Jaurich challenged the audience to collectively create a vision for Berlin in three years. A Berlin without cars, with urban gardens, free public transport, solar-powered houses, and emotional openness. Each contribution began with "Yes, and..." – a playful principle from improvisational theater that promotes openness and creativity. What emerged was that when people are allowed to dream together, it doesn't create a naive utopia, but rather a shared vision of a future worth living.
In the subsequent discussions, it became clear that many participants brought their own stories of change. A lawyer dedicated to climate-friendly urban planning, an educational consultant researching cinematic narratives, and an investor seeking to make sustainable projects economically viable. It wasn't about labels or "impact washing," but about honesty, openness, and curiosity.
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What remains: the future is relationship
At the end of the evening, host Jörg Geier aptly summed up the experience: "Social capital – the relationships we form today – are just as valuable as financial capital. Perhaps even more so." And that was precisely what this evening was about: inspiration not as an end in itself, but as a relationship builder. As an invitation to move forward together – and as proof that change has long since begun.
What remains is a sense of optimism. And the realization: the future is not created by fear, but by imagination. Not by individual warriors, but by the collective. "Yes, and... there will be many more evenings like this."
The event was made possible through the cooperation between Arts & Nature Social Club and Data Space BerlinSpecial thanks go to Johanna Jaurich, Christian Rebernik, Jörg Geier, KASO and everyone who helped make the evening a success.
