Topics
We want to find out what is possible when we base our political actions, our struggles, and our everyday lives on humanity, solidarity, and empathy, as well as on joy, pleasure, and enjoyment!
Because the world is full of people who have not forgotten this.
The World Congress of the Hedonist International wants to bring these people together.
We are looking for contributions of all kinds on the following key questions:
- How can political hedonism contribute theoretically and practically to not only warding off the authoritarian turn, but rather reversing it into a free, open, and solidarity-based society?
- How can we bring compelling narratives into the public discourse?
- What forms of action, protest, and organization are most effective today?
- How do we build stable political networks and unusual alliances?
- How can we bring hope, joy, and creative energy together in social movements?
- How do we set the course for compassion, care, and cooperation in the short and long term?
- What knowledge, what ideas, and what tools do we need to experience beauty in the here and now? And what do we need to change the course of history?
The congress welcomes well-crafted but hard-hitting philosophy lectures as much as it does playful knowledge transfer workshops. There is room for presentations of projects and actions that shine beyond themselves, as well as for workshops on effective ways to throw a spanner in the works.
You can use unconventional forms of action to pass on your skills or explain the standards of trade union organization. The congress is open to exciting developments in science and technology as well as entertaining night lectures that inspire with absurd political analyses or wonderful nonsense. Whether karate, theater, punk concerts, or drag shows—submit your diverse contributions!
Protest in Berlin’s Grunewald villa district on May 1
Submitting a contribution – here's how:
Submissions are made via Pretalx – the planning tool for the World Congress. Create an account, fill in all the necessary information, and submit your contribution by March 29.
Please describe your contribution in a way that outsiders can understand what you have in mind. Don't be afraid to submit a first draft. This can and should be refined further. Ideally, the description text should be suitable for the program booklet.
The standard length for talks is 40 minutes plus 10 minutes for Q&A, and 50 minutes for workshops. Shorter contributions of 15 minutes are also welcome — as well as “sauna-length” sessions (100 degrees, 10 minutes, one infusion).
We also welcome performances, installations, concerts, and DJ sets, as well as longer workshops. If formats require specific conditions, simply indicate this in Pretalx.
What happens next?
Submissions are reviewed by the Program Committee, which strives to put together a program that is as diverse, gender-equitable, exciting, and rebellious as possible. Not all submissions can be considered—for example, because the topic area is already well covered. The Program Committee will contact you in April to let you know whether your contribution has been accepted.
The World Congress is a participatory congress in which everyone participates and no one earns money. Even the people who have been organizing for months pay admission. Speakers and artists are participants like everyone else and should purchase tickets in advance. The tickets have a break-even price that must be met on average for the congress to sustain itself. However, participants can determine their own ticket price.
If your contribution incurs costs (e.g., for materials, travel, etc.) that could prevent you from participating, please mention this in your submission. Under certain circumstances, expenses can be covered by the congress. Any surplus from the congress will be donated to social and political projects.
If you have any questions, feel free to write to kongress@hedonist-international.org.
And now let's get started!
Protest against the ban on women going topless in Berlin’s parks.