"Walkshops" (a combination of the terms “walk” and “workshop”), a concept developed by the Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations, are an innovative auditory learning method aimed at informing and empowering young people. The concept draws on Aristotle, whose school of Peripatetics linked mental mobility with physical movement and transfers this approach to the current century. Over the last decade, the range of audiobooks and podcasts increased tremendously. Nonetheless, auditory learning and teaching materials – in contrast to visual counterparts – have not yet been widely used in the education sector.
In doing so, Walkshop participants (i) listen to educational content while walking through diverse landscapes, (ii) visit learning venues along their route and (iii) build on what they have learned and listened to in the course of evening discussions with politicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, activists and citizens. Through the balanced selection of podcasts, but also the balanced line-up of panels at the evening discussion events, participants gain a broad and sound understanding of ecological, economic and social developments. To train the participants to become holistically and well-informed multipliers, the curriculum of digital teaching/learning material is compiled in such a way that the perspectives and problem perceptions of different actors are addressed. Thereby, the participants can foster the societal dialogue between various actors.
Upcoming Walkshops
2025
Walkshop Nuclear Risks and Longterm Peacekeeping
The next Walkshop entitled “Nuclear Risks and Long-term Peacekeeping” will take place in Scotland in June 2025. On a five-day-hiking trip around Loch Lomond, including visits to the HM Naval Base Clyde (the location of Britain’s nuclear weapons) and the Peace Camp in Faslane, participants will experience first-hand exposure to the realities of nuclear weapons and their impact on local communities. By engaging directly with these environments participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of nuclear issues and the importance of long-term peacekeeping strategies. At learning venues and during discussion events, participants will have the opportunity to interact with experts and decision-makers in the field of nuclear disarmament and international peace. The Walkshop will be a unique learning experience, simultaneously involving physical activity, education, and teamwork. The project also fosters international and intergenerational conversations about the existential fears arising from nuclear threats and the potential for human self-annihilation.
Previous Walkshops
2023
Walkshop Social Security and Intergenerational Contracts
This year’s Walkshop centred around the topic of social security and intergenerational contracts. It was held in and around Berlin from 25–29 April 2023. The Youth Hostel Ostkreuz served as the starting point for all hikes and was also the lodging for all participants and the team throughout the trip. Most of the hikes took place in the southeast of Berlin, specifically in the Müggelsee nature reserve. The event encompassed educational visits to the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the German Pension Insurance organisation. In the evenings, various dialogue events were held, where experts from diverse professional fields and members of parliament exchanged ideas and engaged in discussions with participants about social insurance schemes and intergenerational contracts. You can find more information on this Walkshop here.
2022
Walkshop Atomic Waste
In 2022, the topic of the Walkshop was the search for a final repository for atomic waste. It is a central societal issue, which will affect especially future generations over a huge period. After the events of Fukushima, the then-German government under Merkel decided to phase out nuclear energy by 2022. However, the issue of nuclear energy in Germany has not ended with this decision. Now a final repository is needed. The Walkshop took place on 19–24 July 2022 in and around the city of Braunschweig. In addition to a total hiking route of 40 km, the participants again visited various interesting learning values, for instance, the “Konrad mine” in Salzgitter. Here you can find more information about the “Walkshop Atomic Waste”.
2021
Walkshop Coal Phase-out
The second walkshop that took place in 2021 dealt specifically with the phase out of coal. With a share of almost 30%, coal was still the most important energy source for power generation in 2021. The decision was made in 2019 to finalise the coal phase-out by 2038 but many climate associations believe that this date is too far in the future. There is much discussion about accelerating this to 2030. Anyway, the coal phase-out is an important step in the energy transition that is underway in Germany to avert the climate crisis. The participants set off from Leipzig on 30 October 2021, and reached their destination Frankleben in Saxony-Anhalt on 2 November 2021, covering a total distance of 45 km. You can find the website of the “Walkshop Coal phase-out” here. Moreover, we created a position paper on the topic “Coal phase-out and intergenerational justice”.
2021
Walkshop Climate
The very first Walkshop which took place in spring 2021 focused on the climate issue. If humanity does not succeed in initiating a transformation process and drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the next ten years, the consequences of the climate catastrophe will be irreversible. An energy transition from fossil to renewable energy is urgently needed, and yet is stalling. With current global ambitions, we are heading for a global warming of more than 3 degrees Celsius and a climate catastrophe. The climate crisis is a problem for society as a whole, and it can only be solved by society as a whole. The hike took place on 1–8 June 2021 and led the group from Dessau to Berlin to the Bundestag. The participants walked a total distance of 100 km. More information about the “Walkshop Climate” can be found on the website. Also, feel free to check out our position paper “Generationally just climate policy”.
