Together with more optimism in 2025✨
Against paralyzing bad news: Tips & tricks on how to stay active // You, your idea, your company at #waterkant25 // #safethedates
Dear Waterkant Community,
We hope you all had a healthy, energetic start to 2025! We are certainly excited about a new Waterkant season filled with fresh ideas, projects, teams, faces, companies, festivals, exhibitions, futures thinking, and much more. 💪🏼
// Together with more optimism in 2025 – How to avoid being paralyzed by bad news! Read tips & tricks on how to take or stay active!
// #throwback – Futures Thinking 2024
// You, your company, or your idea at Waterkant? Here’s how!
/// Company visits /// Waterkant & Friends Dinner /// Become a partner or supporter
We’re looking forward to the new year, to seeing you, and to many inspiring ideas!
// See you soon 💜 Your Waterkant Team
For more optimism together in 2025_
// Tips & tricks to overcome gloomy thoughts from the overwhelming flood of bad news. What we can do to stay or become active!
It might feel like the world is burning in many ways right now – literally in LA (at the moment), but figuratively in many other places.
But is it really that bad, or is our perception simply too negative?
Fact is (according to social psychologist Christian Unkelbach / University of Cologne) that negative information typically gets more attention than positive news. It is processed more deeply and influences our decisions more strongly. (Read more)
This has evolutionary reasons and isn’t entirely bad. Moreover, the media landscape and its focus on topics significantly shape our perceptions.
Yet, we are not at the mercy of this passive negativity. There are numerous ways, places, projects, initiatives, or methods to counter this. First and foremost, our own actions.
Get active & take action. But how?
// Here are a few examples:
🪧 Get politically engaged – join a party or attend demonstrations 🪧
//// Joining a party is undoubtedly a big step towards influencing politics and requires thorough research to be sure of your choice. However, attending demonstrations is an effective way to stand against far-right ideologies. The impact of demonstrations has been proven, and with the upcoming federal elections, it’s more important than ever for people to take to the streets against the far-right. // Read this Tagesschau article (02/2024) on the effects of demonstrations & this MDR article (02/2024) for examples from other countries.
//// You can also register as an election worker to support the voting process – learn more here.
🤝🏼 Support people & initiatives who are engaged 🤝🏼
//// By buying their books, subscribing to their newsletters, or donating. You increase their reach and, of course, their income, enabling them to continue their work. A smaller but still effective step is to follow them on social media, share posts, and help amplify their voice.
//// For democracy in the digital space, HateAid is a great example. Especially with Meta removing fact-checking, this is crucial. You can support HateAid with donations and learn more here.
💡 Bring your ideas to life (& start a business) 💡
//// Despite challenging times, the number of startups increased again in 2024, according to the German Startup Association. This is encouraging. People want to pursue their ideas and make a positive impact through their unique actions.
If you have an idea but don’t know how to realize it, join the PROTOTYPING WEEK at the starterkitchen from February 24–28, 2025.
Spend a week working on your idea, find potential teammates, and be guided by top mentors. No prior knowledge required – curiosity is enough.
🔈 Talk about topics 🔈
//// Are you concerned about what’s happening? Talk about it. Share your opinions and values within your network. Especially in diverse groups, opinions vary greatly. It’s crucial to stand up for your values, share them, and convince others.
Futures Thinking Course // Throwback_
// Each year, the Waterkant Futures Thinking Lab team offers a Futures Thinking course as part of the Edu program. The goal is for participants to think about the future through the lens of “I am interested in the future of …,” using methods and discussions.
// Thinking about futures helps maintain optimism. The combination of “look back” (10 years into the past) and “look forward” highlights how far we’ve come and helps shift perspectives on the future.
// In 2024, we explored exciting topics with around 15 participants, focusing on futures related to consumption, museums, land grabbing, climate change, municipal administration, and democracy.
“I gained many new and valuable insights and ideas.”
We’re thrilled to follow these participants & projects and hope to develop many of them further throughout the year. #waterkantexhibtion
YOU & Your Idea at Waterkant_
Do you want to contribute your idea or even your company to Waterkant?
Do you want to support us because you think we’re amazing?
Do you want to become an active part of our community and benefit from it?
Awesome! – Whether it’s an exhibition, festival, events, or something entirely different, we’d love to hear from you!
// Join the Waterkant & Friends Dinner_
// A relaxed and casual conversation – No concrete concept or pitch needed. We’re open to everything and welcome every idea!
When_ Once a month // Next_ 23.01. / 18.02. / 25.03.
How_ Sign up for your date via the form, come for dinner, chat, and done.
// Show Us Your Company_
// True to our motto “We Connect_,” we want to meet you & your companies in Schleswig-Holstein. // What do you do? What are your current topics and challenges? // How can your company & Waterkant benefit from each other?
We’re curious about everything happening in Schleswig-Holstein.
When_ Whenever it suits you!
How_ Just send us an email at info@waterkant.sh 🙂
// Become a Partner or Supporter_
// Do you love Waterkant & what we do? Do you want to benefit from it and be associated with our network & name? Or would you like to have a stronger presence in our community?
Then become a partner or supporter with your company!
How_ Send us an email at info@waterkant.sh 🙂 // If you have ideas, feel free to share them. Then we’ll meet and chat!
🔥🔥🔥 SAVE THE DATE 🔥🔥🔥
Waterkant Festival_ June 19 & 20, 2025
Prototyping Week _ February 24–28, 2025
// From idea to pitch at #PTW! Hosted by Starterkitchen
Sea you soon 🌊
Your Team of the Waterkant Futures Thinking Lab 💌
Get in touch_ Instagram // LinkedIn // Mail // Bluesky