Widening Circles of Hope in a Polycrisis World
In an era of cascading global crises—climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, social fragmentation—many of us feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the challenges we face. Yet, amidst this turbulence, there are widening circles of hope: communities of care, resilience, and regeneration that inspire new ways of being and acting in the world.
In this talk, Songqiao Yao will explore how we can cultivate and sustain these widening circles—leveraging deep ecology, systems thinking, and collective leadership to navigate uncertainty and foster meaningful change. Drawing on her experiences as a global sustainability leader, from conserving China’s rivers to leading expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, Songqiao will share insights on how networks of changemakers, intergenerational wisdom, and cross-cultural collaboration can spark transformation.
Through stories, reflections, and actionable frameworks, this session invites us to move beyond despair and toward a regenerative future—one where hope is not just an emotion but a practice of connection, courage, and co-creation.