focus area
Emotions
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The critical decisions that can either protect or harm our planet are well within our grasp. So, the pressing question arises: Why do we continue to make choices that jeopardize our world and our future?
The answer may lie much deeper than knowing the facts; it's intricately linked to the psychology of emotions and our perceptions. What if the key to unlocking a sustainable future is not just in the actions we take, but in understanding and transforming the emotional drivers behind those actions? What if sustainable development doesn’t only mean physical and structural development but also behavioural and emotional development?
For the Beyond Lab, better understanding the field of affective science and how emotions can be used and activated represents an important opportunity to shape and influence long-term sustainability. This is why we are developing the Hope Method (if you want to know more, scroll further below) as an approach to how we communicate, raise awareness, and ultimately, change behaviours.
The Beyond Lab is looking into the relationship between affective science - the exploration of emotions through psychology and sociology, among other fields - and long-term sustainability through a multi-faceted approach.
Firstly, we focus on enhancing our ability to interpret and analyze emotions and perceptions linked to sustainability and their impact on individuals and societies. This involves a deep dive into the psychology of emotions and understanding broader societal dynamics in the multilateral space and beyond.
Secondly, the Lab is working on the concept of sustainable communication. One aspect of this approach integrates emotions by considering the emotional states and needs of our audiences and stakeholders. By acknowledging and addressing these emotional dimensions, we aim to foster more meaningful and impactful interactions.
Finally, our efforts extend to fostering constructive hope, which we are developing into a methodology. We work to establish spaces of hope, promoting more constructive dialogues on devising long-term sustainability solutions. Through hope-driven methodologies, we strive to inspire and mobilize individuals and collectives towards taking actionable steps in crafting a world where people and planet thrive.
Creating a caring society is about nurturing empathy, compassion, and responsibility towards others and the natural world. This impact point calls for a societal transformation where care, in its many forms, becomes the cornerstone of our interactions and systems. In a care society, policies and practices are designed to support the vulnerable, promote mental and physical health and well-being, and foster a sense of community and belonging.
By valuing care as a fundamental societal principle, we can create a more inclusive, supportive, and resilient world that can navigate the complexities and challenges of tomorrow.
The escalating threat of political polarization and opposition severely undermines efforts towards multilateral cooperation and the creation of a sustainable future. In this context, fostering emotional awareness and cultivating positive emotions and perceptions emerge as potent strategies to mitigate these challenges.
Similarly, by encouraging creative and imaginative thinking, individuals and collectives can rethink and redesign long-held systems and beliefs; actions that are required to accelerate the shift towards long-term sustainability.
It is crucial to recognize that the multilateral, economic, and social frameworks governing our lives must reflect the very individuals they serve. While we design these systems, we are also their users. By integrating insights from the fields of affective science and the psychology of emotions, we can craft solutions that are genuinely aligned with the full spectrum of human and planetary needs. This approach allows for achieving a harmonious balance between who we are, what we want, and what we need.
By tapping into emotions, we better equip ourselves to build systems that place emphasis and importance on having people and planet at the centre.
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