Despite decades of investment in democratisation, human rights, constitutional reform, state building and other ‘development’ approaches, today’s world remains a far cry from the ideals and visions activists, freedom fighters and liberation heroes of the past struggled and died for. In fact, things seem to be getting worse, with the rise of neo-fascism, huge and growing inequality, unbearable systemic corruption, the breakdown of social cohesion and outbreak of conflicts and the hijacking of public freedom and space.

So why, despite our best efforts, and the most organised investment in people we’ve made in history, are we facing such dark times? What can we do differently?

Perhaps it’s time to go back, for the future.

This is a talk about how ancient wisdom can help us examine where we as a change making community may have got it wrong, and how we can chart out new ways to transform our societies. Whatever your walk of life – activism, journalism, diplomacy, teaching, healing – if you are trying to make change in the world and are tired of the ‘same old’ ‘same old’, this talk is for you.

Join the full course here

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About your teacher – Neha Erasmus

Born in London, raised in Nairobi and of Indian origin, Neha began her journey into spiritual philosophy in 2007 when she wrote her Master’s thesis on Indian philosophy as an alternative to human rights. Since then she has studied Vedantic thought, yoga philosophy and mystic wisdom from around the world and across time. In 2015 Neha began to teach a course in yoga philosophy at a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Zanzibar. She designed the course to provide students with an understanding of deep and complex ideas and give them the tools to pursue their own further inquiry. Neha’s approach is to connect philosophy to everyday life, to powerful effect. She has been teaching the course for 6 years and now collaborates with a number of other Yoga-focused organisations.

In parallel Neha serves in the field of peacebuilding and civil society engagement in the East and Horn of Africa. She has worked with grassroots and civic activists, as well as Heads of State and governments in South Sudan, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia. She has also written and presented extensively on conflict and peacebuilding and political and military systems and analysis.

Neha is a certified PSYCH-K facilitator, working one-to-one with clients to transform sub-conscious beliefs and empower people on their journey to the Highest Self.