Art of Hosting Karlskrona

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘀𝗸𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮

For the past 8 months, this team has been sitting with deep questions around 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, and what it means to host meaningful conversations in a 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 world.

They are a diverse group of changemakers, coming from different cultures, disciplines, and life paths.

Finishing Master's in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) at Blekinge Institute of Technology, they are brought together by a shared longing to practice collective leadership and contribute to a more regenerative world.

From today until June 18, you will meet people working with:

🌱 educational projects weaving together Forest Schools, food education, and sustainability — Leire Olano Jimenez

🌿 facilitation and leadership work from youth engagement to multi-stakeholder project — Siro Koch

🌊 consent, movement, co-creation, and community workshops through the lenses of osteopathy and facilitation — Anita/Nitu

🌀 product design as an agent of change, with systemic perspectives and leadership — Iker Epelde Labayen

🔥 commoning networks and self-organising practices — bringing stories of collaboration into the world, into cooking, and into music — Alekos

🌍 community organising, storytelling, campaign coaching, systems thinking, and sustainability consulting — Salma Sameh

With a team like this, it would not be surprising if you already feel the urge to sit down and have a conversation with them.

And tomorrow, we get to do exactly that.

See you later at 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘀𝗸𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 - 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘀𝘆, 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻

Rossy Rousseva is a facilitator, strategist, and host of meaningful conversations who is deeply inspired by nature, music, and movement 💃

She creates spaces where people can pause, connect, and explore new ways of thinking and acting together!

She believes that real transformation begins within: through how we show up, relate to one another, and co-create the future.
——
Jerry Lin is a facilitator and anthropologist working at the intersection of learning, organizational change, and participatory leadership 🗣️

He helps people and organizations grow their capacity to learn together, surface blind spots, and turn transformation into everyday practice.

He also teaches at the University of Lille, growing beginners’ ability to already have conversations that matter to them – in Mandarin Chinese!
——
Ann Cathrin Nachtwey is passionate about weaving theory and practice for regenerating futures, especially in the agriculture sector 🌸

Currently working on a farm and at a research institute, her focus lays on inter/national project communication.

Her other areas of interests are inner and outer regeneration practices, participatory design and transformation processes, cultural diplomacy and relationality.
——
Together, they will support the hosting and organizing of the training, apprenticing to all that helps hold the space and experience of Art of Hosting.

Happy weekend!
Let’s go for something light this time: Why become a part of the Art of Hosting Training in Karlskrona?

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 - Trang Nguyen
Coming from Vietnam, Trang brings a rare blend of tech-savvy, deep care for people, and a strong commitment to systemic change.

Trang is co-founder of Percolab Vietnam, fostering more human, collaborative, and innovative workplaces.

She is also stewarding a regenerative land project in Hoa Binh, nurturing both the ecosystem and the local community.

The Art of Hosting has become the core practices in her work, her family life and the land community: from co-creating with clients, inviting family circle around shared conflicts, to co-dreaming and redefining prosperity with her community.

Being often one of few Asians in the Karlskrona training, she said:

“Coming from Vietnam, I never felt like a minority in AoH Karlskrona thanks to the great diversity there.

I have made friends with not only sustainability consultants, climate activists, researchers but also musicians, circus leaders, ecovillagers - people from all walks of life who showed me that conscious meaningful conversations are needed everywhere.

I even met fellow Asian practitioners, whom I continued to work with after coming back to Vietnam.”

𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴?

Join us in Karlskrona from June 15–18. Registration link in the comments ✨

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 - Charlotte Zoe Griestop
Charlotte’s journey with the Art of Hosting began right here in Karlskrona in 2018, a transformative experience that eventually led her to graduate from the MSLS program in 2022.

She has returned to the Karlskrona training every year since to deepen her practice.

Currently, she is a PhD candidate in Germany researching human–nature connections and works as a freelance facilitator for global learning journeys and Flow Game sessions.

Charlotte is deeply passionate about the intersection of the inner and outer dimensions of sustainability.

She brings a unique, holistic perspective to our circle as a certified wilderness mentor and mindfulness teacher, integrating her research on the body and nervous system into facilitation.

Why has she been back every single year?

“To me, Art of Hosting Karlskrona is special because of the diversity of both participants and the hosting team regarding age, culture and profession.

It is also special because of its connection to the Masters in Strategic Leadership towards sustainability, making it a yearly happening, driven by a very committed organizing team of passionate changemakers.

Furthermore it is special because the participants will also be hosted by the beautiful sea, forest, cliffs and magnificent sunsets.”

𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴?

Join us from June 15–18. Registration link in the comments ✨

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 - Isabel Chender
Isabel is based in Stockholm, Sweden. She currently works with Hyper Island in Stockholm as a learning developer and facilitator while remaining a guest lecturer for MsLs and KTH.

She has been the co-director of YIP (The International Youth Initiative Program), is a co-founder of Brave Space collective and has worked with the Amazon Summer School.

Isabel is teaching an Art of Hosting course for engineers called 'Leading Complex Change Processes, where she’s learning to be sharp, clear, and humble in how she uses language and how to relearn what she knows in a large-scale university application.

She is raising a 5 month old with her husband and studying Swedish but she is coming to Karlskrona this year (with her child) because of her longing for an opportunity to contribute to and learn with this team of practitioner friends.

Talking about this new role, she shared:

“Right now, I am an apprentice to the present moment.

It has been a humbling and rich learning ground that deepens my practice by helping me sense into the purpose and need at a different scale of system.

I fell in love with the Art of Hosting because of the practice of listening; if I had to explain my job to my child, I would say I talk to and listen to people.

I am stewarding that listening practice and the idea of 'leaving beauty in your wake.”

Curious to experience a space where newborns and long-time practitioners alike come together in meaningful conversation?

From June 15–18, we will gather to explore what it means to talk, listen, and be human together. Registration link in the comments ✨

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 - Narayan Silva
With roots in Brazil and footprints across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Narayan brings a truly global perspective and a heartful presence to the circle.
His journey with the Art of Hosting began in Sweden in 2013 and since then, he’s been dedicating his life to creating spaces for deep collaboration, meaningful dialogue, and collective leadership across sectors and continents.

Currently based in China, Narayan supports European multinationals, government partnerships, and public institutions in their sustainability transitions.

Over the past decade, Narayan has been working tirelessly to initiate and support the growing AoH communities in Vietnam, China, India, Philippines, while crafting his career, building a family and raising his child.

His baby daughter - now less than 3 years old - has sat in the circle of at least 6 AoH trainings and gatherings. Because, for him, this is not just work…

“...The Art of Hosting is the art of being human together—it’s about remembering how to be in meaningful conversation with one another: how to slow down, listen deeply, and make space for the wisdom that emerges when we are in co-creation.”

Curious to experience a space where newborns and long-time practitioners alike come together in meaningful conversation?

From June 15–18, we will gather to explore what it means to host, listen, and be human together. Registration link in the comments ✨

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 - Caroline 🌷
Caroline is based in Switzerland. She worked for decades using participatory practices to build community and collaboration in companies, supply chains, government, and communities of practice.

She has engaged in human rights and sustainable production work in several countries around the world including the US, China, India, Vietnam, Germany, and many more.

She joined the team in Karlskrona because it combines the sustainability and participatory practices threads that carry through her life.

Having worked with and mentored many facilitators, trainers and hosts, here’s what she said when they asked her whether they should join the AoH training:

“What AoH truly allows is for people to work equally with head, heart and hands (rather than head alone).

It thus puts participants into the driver's seat very early on (with coaching and support) so that they are practicing being the facilitator, being a good learner, being a host, and taking care of themselves and each other - all at the same time.

This allows for all kinds of change to happen smoothly.

If you wish to help host change, the practices are very helpful indeed.

If you wish to teach people about change and empowerment, you may end up disappointed as we spend relatively little time on theories.”

𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 15 - 18? 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵!

Fun fact #5 - The Magic of Midsummer 🇸🇪
This year’s training is scheduled to happen right before the famous Midsummer holiday in Sweden, makng it a perfect opportunity to immerse in both learning and celebration - so needed in the world right now.

The training concludes on June 18th, just as the country begins celebrating Midsummer Eve on June 19th.

So, pack some extra clothes and extend your trip to enjoy one of Sweden's most iconic and life-affirming celebrations.

Curious to get a taste of the AoH training? Join our community call on Saturday (info in comment).

Fun fact #4 - Wait, you run an Art of Hosting in an engineering school? 🛠️ Really?

Technical solutions can only be effective if the are adopted, supported and distributed.

Knowing how to work with groups, to help scale change, and to work with the world as it is, is vital. So it makes sense that a leading engineering school would explore ways to engage with the world to increase its student’s effectiveness and impact.

Our home is BTH (Blekinge Institute of Technology), a classic engineering university in Sweden.
Meeting in this mix of academic setting, beautiful sea and forest, and cultural heritage, the AoH training is a unique playground where students and various professionals from across the world meet to practice participatory leadership in the face of complex sustainability challenges.

𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵. 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁?
Not a cult! Not a belief system per se.

AoH is an approach based on proven technologies of participation and effective change, based on the sciences and academic disciplines like human behaviour, sociology, biology, industrial psychology, group dynamics, design thinking, change management and more.

As a result, we welcome all scientists, artists, wanderers, technologists, gardeners, community builders, changemakers and system disruptors.
And - managers, engineers, leaders and all who try to keep our world in order!

It’s together we can find effective ways forward together.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮 "𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲”?
Many of the problems we face feel intractable.

It doesn’t matter how often you solve it, there it is again. So when we sign up to try again, it’s easy to feel worried and defeated.

The Art of Hosting practices help break the feeling, and allow for experimentation, seeing what works, safe to fail ideas and testing, and ultimately progress.

If you keep doing more of what works, and less of what doesn’t, effective change becomes a way of life, not particularly challenging, and not particularly costly. So playful starts to characterise the experience of making things work.

Who wouldn’t want to work in a playground for change?

Curious to get a taste of the AoH training? Join our community call next Saturday (info in comment)