The Villars Institute

Did you know that there’s an umbrella that can predict the weather? Or that it’s possible to make paper from pollen? Mind-blowing, yes. But they’re examples of how AI, nature and science can be brought together to help protect the planet. Professor Subra Suresh, President of the Global Learning Council, explains that thanks to digital manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence, large language models and the power of computing you can create unique opportunities to either understand nature or translate what nature does effortlessly into products. How? Find out in our latest post. https://ow.ly/hOZ850T4PUK

How can the food choices we make today transform the future health of our planet, and ensure future generations thrive within #planetary boundaries? Around the world, the food system is a major driver of environmental pressures and biodiversity loss. There are vital choices in both the production and consumption of food that we must make now that could radically reduce these pressures, and secure a liveable planet where future generations can thrive. Paul Behrens, Associate Professor at Universiteit Leiden and Global Professorship at Oxford Martin School, spoke to us at the Villars Summit about the crucial work of transforming our food systems to tackle #BiodiversityLoss and #ClimateChange, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Our 3rd annual Villars Music Academy came to a close after another memorable week of musical mastery and celebration. 🎵 We thank our young musicians and distinguished coaches who made the week in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland, so transformative. This is a music academy like no other, thanks to the vision and valued partnership of Aline Champion, Director of the Villars Music Academy. In keeping with the Villars Institute’s systemic approach to enabling change, the Villars Music Academy takes a holistic approach to learning by unleashing the full potential of musical talent - not just through performance, but also building personal strength and resilience, while staying true to their purpose. The beautiful Alpine setting also provides the perfect environment for students to draw inspiration from nature and the world around them. Key highlights included: ◦ Daily masterclasses with renowned musicians of the Berliner Philharmoniker ◦ Mental and physical coaching sessions every morning ◦ The Robert Dunand Prize awarded to talented young violinist SongHa ◦ A weekend filled with celebration with two outstanding concerts to a full audience in the historic Villars Palace Theater (Villars Alpine Resort) Learn more about the program here 👉 https://lnkd.in/epNV3hBc As the week concludes, we celebrate music’s incredible power to unite and inspire change. #ThinkFeelAct

Congratulations to Villars Music Academy laureate SongHa on winning the prestigious Robert Dunand Prize. An accomplished violinist, SongHa was among six talented finalists who took to the stage at the historic grand theater of the Villars Palace Hotel on Friday evening, each captivating the audience with their musical mastery. Her prize features a professional video to help launch her international music career. • SongHa has played in the world’s top concert halls, with The Times describing her as ‘mesmerising: full of passion, imagination and daring’. Born in South Korea, and later residing in Germany and the UK, SongHa was recognized as Laureate of the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition. She loves to engage her audiences by giving less known pieces a new lease on life and by infusing a more personal interpretation of the music in every performance. • The winner was voted for by the audience and our three esteemed judges: Acclaimed violinists Aline Champion and Luis Felipe Coelho who are both members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and Lee Howell, Executive Director of the Villars Institute. • Well done to our other amazing finalists: Miray Ito (violin); Eric Seohyun Moon (viola); Mayu Konoe (viola); Mar Gimferrer (cello); and Oliwia Meiser (cello). Learn more about SongHa and the Villars Music Academy laureates 👉 villarsmusicacademy.org #music #VMA #ThinkFeelPlay #VillarsInstitute

Empowering vulnerable communities to protect their local environment and wildlife will be key for #naturerestoration and #biodiversity... Ocean Eye is a platform promoting the conservation of marine biodiversity by linking reports of wildlife sightings with micro payment donations. The payments incentivise the local community to protect endangered species and ecosystems; while the data collected also offers a 'citizen science' means of monitoring the recovery of biodiversity in these areas. Listen to CEO & Founder Sari Tolvanen speak more about this start up platform at the Villars Summit. Watch full video here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eBFRgEU7 UpLink - World Economic Forum

We’ve just opened the doors to the third year of the Villars Music Academy. We can’t wait to discover this year’s cohort of 30 students - and their talents. The last two years have nurtured some incredibly talented musicians. Here we celebrate the previous laureates of the Villars Music Academy and find out what they’ve been up to since leaving the Academy. • Dayoon You started playing the violin at the age of six and was a finalist in the 2024 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition, with his rendition of Elgar’s Concerto in B minor op. 61, performed on a Joannes Baptista Guadanini violin, Turin 1774. • Philipp Sussman, was this year appointed as a violist with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, offering him the perfect stage to further solidify his reputation. • Julia Wawrowska, from Poland, was born into a family of musicians, and has already achieved numerous accolades, including winning the Grand Prix at the Stefan Kamasa Competition of Polish Viola Music Interpretation. Julia was recently appointed as a viola academist with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, an orchestra, celebrated for its commitment to fostering young talent. • Ava Bahari’s violinist career took a monumental leap forward when she was signed by the renowned HarrisonParrott Management, known for representing some of the world’s finest musicians. Ava has recently performed with prestigious ensembles, including the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. • Ulker Tümer, born in Adana, Turkey, has since trained under several renowned instructors, including Viacheslav Kaynov and Dilbağ Tokay. This year she was appointed as solo cellist for the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, known for its dynamic performances. Read more about our alumni success stories here and welcome to the new students! We can’t wait watch (and hear of course!) you thrive. #ThinkFeelPlay #villarsinstitute #genZ #orchestra #VillarsMusicAcademy #ClassicalMusic #RisingStars

As the Villars Intensive Program on Ecopreneurship (VIP-e) wraps up a fantastic week of learning and hands-on experience, we thank our young participants and guest lecturers who made the week in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland so transformative. Throughout the program, the group was immersed in hands-on workshops and inspiring talks, gaining invaluable knowledge in systems thinking, leadership and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Guided by renowned ecopreneurs Sofia de Meyer of Opaline™ and Sofi Khwaja-Horekens of Thesus™, the young participants explored practical cases in the food and fashion industries, crafted personal mission statements, and learned to communicate their visions and business plans authentically. Key highlights included: 🎯 Entrepreneurial Development: Building sustainable business concepts from scratch. 🎯 Full Immersion: Practical case studies and real-world ecopreneurship challenges. 🎯 Mastering Narratives: Crafting compelling stories to communicate personal missions. As the program concludes, we celebrate not just the insights gained but the brilliant community that has been formed – future leaders equipped to pioneer change in their respective fields. #Ecopreneurship #Sustainability #VIPe2024 #VillarsInstitute #EcoInnovation #SystemsThinking John Dutton Judith Ketelslegers John Horekens Marie-Claire Graf Tosca Olivi Guillaume Taylor Karen E. Wilson Anne Headon Bruno ROCHE Jini Sebakunzi Anna Celner Mariah Levin

Our Villars Intensive Program on Ecopreneurship (VIPe) is in full swing!! A group of 20 young aspiring ecopreneurs are in Villars this week for our new 5-day summer program. The past few days have been focused on developing ideation and problem-solving techniques and the art of negotiation as core skills for navigating complexity and turning ideas into action. ‘Working through Complex Problems, Tensions and Tradeoffs’ facilitated by guest lecturers John Dutton and Judith Ketelslegers from UpLink - World Economic Forum guided learners through a series of problem-solving challenges to develop practical skills and tools for setting up a social enterprise. ‘Finding the Common Ground,’ featured two in-depth sessions led by our esteemed guest lecturers Marie-Claire Graf, co-founder of the Youth Negotiators Academy, and John Horekens, former director at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Marie-Claire and John guided our participants through the intricacies of complex negotiations, emphasizing deep listening and authentic relating. This immersive experience was crucial for understanding how to navigate and resolve differences in real-world settings. In the afternoon, our ecopreneurs engaged in a live case study session, delving into the regenerative food and fashion systems. Under the guidance of Sofia de Meyer and Sofi Khwaja-Horekens, participants tackled real-life business challenges, exploring the tensions and trade-offs inherent in these industries. The day culminated in presenting group solutions, identifying common grounds, and connecting the exercise to their personal projects. Looking ahead to Day 4, we have a unique blend of activities lined up, including a guided glacier hike that promises to deepen our understanding of interconnected systems by learning from nature. The day will also focus on developing storytelling skills, with workshops on crafting a compelling narrative and delivering a concise elevator pitch. Visit our website to learn more about the program 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMEFqUQP #VIPe2024 #NegotiationSkills #Sustainability #Ecopreneurship #VillarsInstitute

The Villars Intensive Program on Ecopreneurship (VIP-e) has officially begun! A select group of 20 aspiring entrepreneurs from around the world, aged 16 to 21, are in Villars-sur-Ollons this week for a unique learning experience to develop the mindsets, skills and tools needed to become successful ecopreneurs, and transforming ideas into action! 🌱🎯 The program started with a workshop on ‘Understanding Systems,’ led by Sofia de Meyer, founder of Opaline™, and Sofi Khwaja-Horekens, co-founder and CEO of Thesus™, who shared invaluable insights into the environmental, social, economic, and political contexts that shape our world, emphasizing the importance of interconnected systems. As part of ‘Defining Your Purpose and Mission,’ participants explored their passions and dreams, translating them into clear and purpose-driven missions. This session was not only about setting personal goals but also about identifying key metrics to measure the impact of their ideas. ‘Cultivating Leadership’ continued the theme, with a blend of immersive classwork and a nature walk; an experience that aimed to enhance participants’ emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and resilience – all crucial attributes for future ecopreneurs. We look forward to a week packed with enriching activities, including expert-led workshops, visits to a local organic farm and Glacier 3000, a workshop and dinner with vegan chef Tosca Olivi, and more. #VIPe2024 #Ecopreneurship #Sustainability #Innovation #FutureLeaders #VillarsInstitute

🌏💫The Villars Intensive Program on Ecopreneurship (VIP-e) is just around the corner. From August 4-10, 2024, we’re excited to welcome close to 20 bright young minds from 16 countries, including Brazil, Japan and Uganda, all united in their passion for sustainability and entrepreneurship, in the beautiful setting of Villars-sur-Ollon in the Swiss Alps.🌱🏔️ Aged 16-22, including a robotics student from Portugal and a podcaster from Uganda, they will come together to explore the frontiers of #ecopreneurship. Over the course of the week, they will learn with leading #entrepreneurs Sofia de Meyer of Opaline™ and Sofi Khwaja-Horekens of Thesus™, in a unique program designed to help participants create and refine sustainable business concepts, connect with global peers and industry experts – and gain practical experience from real-world ecopreneurship cases. These budding ecopreneurs will master the art of communicating their personal missions clearly and compellingly, and learn to apply systems thinking to enhance their impact. We’re looking forward to introducing you to this new group of change-makers and sharing the innovative ideas and solutions that emerge from the week. The countdown has begun – stay tuned!💫🌏 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMEFqUQP #VIPe #Ecopreneurship #FutureLeaders #Sustainability #Innovation #VillarsInstitute