The Endless Sea is a project by More in Common that aims to provide change-makers, thinkers and practitioners with elements of a blueprint for a widely shared new story for a better tomorrow.
Hope has become a scarce commodity. A widespread sense of exhaustion is running through society, caused by deepening divisions and discontent and the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Established institutions, to which we all once looked for direction, are no longer trusted. This is a climate in which despair can set in, divisions can thrive and conflict can become entrenched.
A powerful tool in breaking cycles of conflict is to shift people’s gaze from the struggles of today towards the possibility of change tomorrow. More in Common’s research has shown, across the fault lines of social divisions, a shared longing for the common good. But at the same time, many people feel they have lost both a sense of agency to shape a better future and the hope that the system can deliver the change they aspire to. Leaders are failing to address this “hope gap” as they struggle to articulate a vision for the future that resonates widely and transcends well-worn narratives of the past.
That is why More in Common has launched an exploration of ‘the vast and endless sea’ – to seek the hopes, ideas and visions that might help shape positive narratives of tomorrow. Our goal is to support change-makers, thinkers and practitioners, to turn people’s attention toward the future world that we will all share, and in so doing hopefully transcend the divisions of today.
In this initial paper Imagining a Story of Tomorrow, More in Common’s Senior Fellow Giuliano da Empoli draws inspiration from groups ranging from the Mexican amusement park chain Kidzania to the Yes Men pranksters and from Fridays for Future to the municipal elections in Istanbul. These all have one thing in common: they are a source of movement and energy and in that sense, we have much to learn from them and from the many other organizations contributing to a story of a better tomorrow. Our hope is to bring more voices into this conversation, and to learn about the ideas and visions that resonate with people across societies.
On this website, you will find ways to leave your own comments, thoughts, and suggestions for future explorations. We would also love to hear from you on Twitter, LinkedIn, or by emailing us using the contact form below. We hope you enjoy the journey.