In Retrospect: YouCan Talk 5th May

Wilfried Ifland, Chairman of YouCan Trust, was beaming on his birthday!! The YouCan Talk on 5th of May was really an evening spanning generations. With the focus of the evening on social change, this “age-independent” aspect can surely be seen as progress. Tim Bruysten (wavetank – everything collaboration) explained clearly that, for instance, the iPhone itself does not represent progress but the changed behaviour of its users does. Here we have to think how the spread of the Internet has indirectly heightened expectations in living and can thus bring real progress to a society. Of interest was also his thoughtful estimate of ever increasing acceleration: given the ever shorter development periods in science and technology, could it be dangerous to continue to have a 4-year legislature?

What should and can schools teach today? All present quickly concluded: education, which does not mean merely disseminating facts and knowledge. Classes today? Some guests were amazed at the changes taking place in the classroom. Tristan Junker, Felix Kaysers and Malte Moeser presented their results of their participation in this year’s Focus Competition and surprised most of the older guests with their “matter-of-fact” knowledge and maturity, showing that they will not belong to those who will dedicate their whole life to a job. The awareness to take responsibility themselves to do and make something of their lives was their key message.

The really interesting thing was reflected in what was not said. All present discussed among themselves and asked questions, such as: what is actually a “Wiki”?, which the 3 young men could easily answer. In many ways they are way ahead of the older generation but they can still benefit from the experience of the latter. The mood was: finally a different picture of young people. It is a pity that one does not hear much about this from the mass media, an almost frightening state. Learning from and with one another, discussing and listening, and this between generations. This is how we envisage one form of progress. A connection that bridges generations!

Toward the end, Patrick Wallochny briefly presented the film project “IndianCurry”. If you want to find out more about this project, he and Jonas Zimmermann will talk about this in more detail at the YouCan Talk event on 8th June in Essen. Should be exciting!!

We thank all participants, speakers and guests for making this a great YouCan Talk evening! Many thanks also from the young people that so many completed the feedback forms. The comments will surely be useful. Please note: the next YouCan Talk in Düsseldorf will take place on the 1st of September. Among the guests will be Sraddhabandhu with a presentation on: Helping from a Buddhist point of view.