Exploring a Second Renaissance Together

Join our short online course to explore together this time between worlds and the growing civilizational crisis and renewal – a Metacrisis and Second Renaissance.

Led by Life Itself co-founders and Second Renaissance project curators Rufus Pollock and Sylvie Barbier this series is an invitation to those already curious about the cracks in the modern worldview — and those feeling the pull towards a more connected, meaningful, and regenerative future.

📆 When 18th and 25th March, 1st April, 8th April 2026
🕰️ Format: 4 sessions of 1h30min over 4 weeks (recordings available)
🌐 Where: Online, interactive sessions
💶 Price: €39 / $39 (scholarships available on request)

"I left this feeling inspired. It was amazing getting to talk with others and hearing stories straight from the heart. I feel more connected to myself and to others and a sense of being part of a collective movement." — Maria

The course focuses on supporting your own exploration and discovery using small group discussion and sharing amongst the wider group. Along with introductions to the key concepts each session includes dialogue, small group inquiry, and shared reflection.

This format makes it suitable whether you're a complete newcomer to the second renaissance or already have deep knowledge of the area. This will be a space for collective making sense of what's happening, what's needed, and what's possible. It is an opportunity to:

💬 Engage in co-sensemaking discussions
🌊 Gain deep insights into global crises
🌏 Reflect on emerging worldviews and values
🦋 Connect with a community of like-minded individuals
💪 Develop practical strategies for transformation

What We'll Explore

Week 1 Symptoms: (Meta)crisis Awareness: How did we come to see the cracks in the old world? What experiences awakened your awareness? We'll share our own paths and map the resonances between us.

Week 2 Diagnosis: Exploring the Roots of the (Meta)crisis: What are the deep factors driving the crises we face? How can this understanding help us orient ourselves?

Week 3 Hope: Cultural Evolution and Regeneration: Views and values can change. The deep stories that shape civilization have evolved throughout history. New paradigms can emerge transcending old ideas and offering responses to the problems and limitations of the old world.

Week 4 Paths: Seeds of a Second Renaissance: What are the paths to a second renaissance? Where are the seeds of this new paradigm already growing? What are the "pockets of emergence" we can cultivate? What greenhouses do we need?

Week 4 pt 2: Action & Integration:: How do we carry these insights forward? What does it mean to live and lead from this new paradigm in practice?

Personally you will get to look at:

Awareness: Exploring our paths to the second renaissance. How did you come to be interested in this? If and when did you start noticing “cracks” in the foundations? What are the resonances amongst us?
Renaissance: Exploring what we see can arise? What kind of views and values do you think are needed going forward? What kind of changes in technology and institutions?
Seeds: What are the seeds of the second renaissance? Where should we plant and cultivate them? What kinds of greenhouses? What kinds of pockets of emergence are there?

Format

The course focuses on supporting your own exploration and discovery using small group discussion and sharing amongst the wider group.

This format makes it suitable whether you’re a complete newcomer to the second renaissance or already have deep knowledge of the area.

Using dialog and inquiry in small groups with sharing back with the group as a whole. There will be brief introductions to key features of the second renaissance to frame and prompt discussion.

Why Join?

Participatory Exploration: Share perspectives in a co-created, dialogic space
Deep Contextual Framing: Understand the Second Renaissance in historical and cultural context
Integrative Learning: Connect personal growth with global transformation
Community & Belonging: Meet others committed to a saner, wiser future
Tools & Inspiration: Leave with practical insights for integrating these ideas into your life and work

Who's Facilitating?

Rufus Pollock is a co-founder of Life Itself, researcher, technologist, and social entrepreneur. A former Cambridge academic, Ashoka and Shuttleworth Fellow, and long-time Zen practitioner, he is one of the lead authors of the Second Renaissance whitepaper.

Sylvie Barbier is a co-founder of Life Itself and an internationally exhibited performance artist. With French and Taiwanese heritage, her work spans three continents, and she has taught fashion and branding at Polimoda in Florence.

Practical Info

Sessions are live but recordings will be available if you miss one
Speaking is always welcome, never required 😉
No prior knowledge is necessary — just curiosity and openness
Email enquiries to [email protected]

Explore the vision behind the Second Renaissance:

🌐 secondrenaissance.net
📄 Download the whitepaper