Speakers for the Living

In a Zoöp, the voices and interests of other-than-human life are actively represented by a so-called Speaker for the Living, and are thus included in decision-making - at all levels. A Zoöp goes through a cyclical, iterative learning process (together with its Speaker for the Living) to figure out, step by step, how the organisation can become symbiotic with the ecosystems it participates in. That process is not linear but organic. It grows.

Speakers for the Living have basic ecological knowledge, are good with people and know something of the working atmosphere of the Zoöp in which they represent the interests of other-than-human life. But they do not have to know everything. Speakers for the living are appointed by the Zoönomic Foundation and supported by the Council for the Living.

Speakers for the Living

Theun Karelse

Theun Karelse is a Speaker for the Living for Creative Coding Utrecht

Thijs de Zeeuw

Thijs de Zeeuw is Speaker for the Living at De Ceuvel.

Bonnie Chopard

Bonnie Chopard is Speaker for the Living at Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen.

What should a Speaker for the Living be able to do?

There are four important aspects to the general profile of a Speaker for the Living:

1 Potential Speakers for the Living have ecological knowledge and some experience with the ecosystems in which their Zoöp participates. They know how to listen to the voices and interests of other-than-human life - these interests are mostly qute concrete. They include having places to live (habitat), food and chances at forming relations.

2 Humans that can become a Speaker for the Living do not think along the divide between nature and culture, but consider themselves part of the living world. They have developed an ecocentric attitude. Potential Speakers for the Living take for granted that ecological regeneration is essential for all life (including human life); that humans and human organisations are part of the living world and can learn how to contribute to ecological regeneration.

3 Possible Speakers for the Living should also be able to work with humans in organisations and help them get a feel for ecological relations.

4 The person that can become a Speaker for the Living in your organisation, should also know something about the kind of work your organisation does - in other words: should have some domain knowledge of the Zoöp in which they will take up the role of Speaker for the Living.

Furthermore, a Speaker for the Living can never be an employee in their own Zoöp, because they need to be able to give independent advice. A Speaker for the Living is paid by the Zoönomic Foundation.