The Earth’s Aliveness: A Journey into our Planet’s Microbiome
By Linard Bardill
At a time when the intensity of the pendulum swings of human history, shake us, often leaving us disoriented, our event celebrating the Microbiome, offers a rare invitation: to pause, discover an unknown world, and draw courage from the shared acknowledgment of the Earth’s aliveness. On June 22, 2025, we will gather at the historic theater hall of the Volkshaus in Zurich to explore the world of the microbiome and to delve deeper into our dependence on and our own influence over this previously overlooked foundation of fertility and health for both the Earth and humanity.
What Does the Event Aim for?
This is more than just an event; it is an encounter with the mystery of life. In lectures, discussions, and shared exchanges, we will explore the invisible symbiosis of myriad living beings that make this planet a habitable and wonderful place. We will learn how humans play a role in this great orchestra of life. Leading researchers, pioneers, and practitioners will inspire us not only to understand the world anew but also to engage with it.
Deepening and History
At the heart of this event, lies the ethical concept of a culture of radically-shared aliveness – a lifelong journey toward an understanding of relationships that encompasses both thought and feeling. The essence of the transformation toward a perspective and relationship to the world, in which all visible and invisible beings are subjects, marked the inception of the World Ethic Forum five years ago. From the outset, the call was clear: alongside a new, vibrant way of thinking, the love and hearts of people must be at the centre of an impending transformation leading to scientific, holistic, and transformative action. Alongside well-known figures such as Otto Scharmer, Helmy Abouleish, and Vandana Shiva, individuals from all over the world have become the Firekeepers of this awakening to the vibrant here and now.
Focus on the Present
We are embarking on a three-year journey centred around the theme of the Microbiome, beginning this year. The forum aims to make the spirit of shared Aliveness tangible and effective by creating space for participants to collectively engage with the vibrancy of the Earth, particularly through the countless small and microscopic organisms that constitute the so-called microbiome.
What lies at a Deeper Level
Creating Awareness of the Essence of the Earth’s Microbiome, Engaging with the aliveness of the Planet, and Exploring Individual and Societal Action
– Creating Awareness: Learning how soil fertility is directly linked to human health.
– Engaging: Practicing how we can experience and shape our relationship with the world as subjects (everything feels).
– Exploring Action: Finding the courage for a shift towards individual and societal transformation and action.
About This Year’s Program
This year, we are excited to welcome Gabriele Berg from Graz, who has been researching the microbiome at the University of Graz for 30 years and is considered one of the foremost experts in this field. Helmy Abouleish from Egypt, who received the alternative Nobel Prize, is a pioneer of the Sekem development project, where thriving oases and social networks have emerged from square kilometers of desert utilizing the microbiome. Our panel participants include Katharina Seafimova from Lebendiger Bodensee, Ivo Hutzli, a permaculture designer, and Degen Shag Dagsai, a singer from Tibet.
Focus on the Audience
Since it is part of the DNA of the WorldEthicForum to live and experiment with participatory formats, we will spend the entire afternoon exchanging ideas about our practices of engaging with the world. We will gather around different types of soils and embark on a journey with agronomist and landscape reader Josef Schmid to discover the sound of the Earth and its countless inhabitants. Together, we will also consider what the best microbiome question is that we can pose in Switzerland as a citizens’ initiative.
More details about the event: https://event.worldethicforum.com/en
Reserve Your Spot: https://eventfrog.ch/wefo25
