Returning to Earth — Pathways to Ecological Awakening

In today’s fast-paced and highly structured world, most of youth have become disconnected from what truly sustains and nourishes — the living Earth itself. Surrounded by systems, routines, and constant demands, they often lose sight of their inherent relationship with the natural world. Yet, within this recognition lies the possibility of return: of re-establishing a deeper, more balanced connection with the planet that supports all life.

This trilogy of webinars, “Returning to Earth — Pathways to Ecological Awakening,” invites participants to explore the deeper dimensions of human relationship with nature and to discover practical ways of revitalizing that bond among youth in everyday life.

Developed as part of the dissemination activities of the Erasmus+ project “Seeds of Future” (co-funded by the European Union), the webinars contribute to the EU priorities on Environment and Climate Action by highlighting how awareness, reflection, and care can translate into concrete, life-enhancing practices.

Combining theoretical insights with experiential tools, the series draws on the concept of Eco-Awakening (as introduced by Dr. Bill Plotkin and other scholars in the field of eco-consciousness). It is designed for youth workers, educators, and all individuals interested in cultivating ecological awareness within their communities and daily lives.

Below, you can find more detailed information about each webinar in the series.

WEBINAR 1 — Ecological Consciousness: From Ego-Centric to Earth-Centric

This webinar invites participants to explore what it means to shift from an ego-centric worldview — centred on human needs and dominance — to an earth-centric one, grounded in interconnectedness, respect, and care for all forms of life.

Through short inputs, reflection, and experiential activities, we will examine how the sense of separation from nature has shaped modern societies and how we can rebuild our relationship with the natural world in our personal and professional lives.

During this webinar participants will:

• Explore how our separation from nature has shaped our individual and collective consciousness.
• Engage in reflective and embodied practices that help us re-member our belonging to the web of life.
• Experience practices in sensory awareness and imaginal connection with nature.
• Reflect on how an Earth-centred perspective can inform our daily choices, relationships, and community actions.

When: Wednesday 26th November 2025, 10:30-12:30 EET.

WEBINAR 2 —  Igniting the Wild Self: Re-discovering the Life Force

This webinar explores the relationship between human domestication and the domestication of the natural world, inviting participants to reflect on the concept of the “Wild Self” and how societal norms and cultural conditioning have shaped our relationship with our own vitality and with the environment.

During this webinar participants will:

• Explore the concept of the “wild self” as a source of vitality, creativity, and resilience.
• Reflect on how cultural systems influence our connection with nature and with our own inner life.
• Engage in guided exercises that foster awareness and reconnection with natural rhythms.
• Identify ways to integrate this awareness into professional practices that support ecological and personal wellbeing.

When: Thursday 27th November 2025, 10:30-12:30 EET.

WEBINAR 3 — Cultivating an Enchanted Life: Falling for the Beauty and Mystery all Around

This webinar invites participants to rediscover a sense of wonder, appreciation, and connection with the natural world. In times of uncertainty and environmental crisis, nurturing an attitude of gratitude and attentiveness to beauty can strengthen both personal resilience and collective hope and encourage further sustainability actions.

During this webinar participants will:

• Explore the role of beauty, wonder, and gratitude in cultivating ecological consciousness.
• Reflect on how perception influences our relationship with the natural environment.
• Engage in simple experiential practices that enhance presence and appreciation for life’s interconnectedness.
• Identify ways to bring these insights into professional contexts to foster care for the Earth.

When: Friday 28th November 2025, 10:30-12:30 EET.

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GUIDES OF THE WEBINARS:

Bogdan Romanică – Bogdan is a human development guide, trainer, and mentor, from Romania. In his work, he intuitively combines elements of eco-psychology, nature connection, experiential learning, outdoor education, storytelling, and art. He loves exploring nature and the human soul. He feels in his element when inspiring and empowering people to become the truest versions of themselves. He has worked locally and internationally in the field of human development since 2010. He developed his craft by engaging consistently in deep and meaningful work and training with the Animas Valley Institute from the USA (graduated the Wild Mind Program), the Mankind Project, Illuman and other organizations and teachers. Born in Romania, he feels deeply connected with the lands where he lives, the hills, mountains and forests that spread not far from his city, Cluj-Napoca.

Eleni Michail - Eleni is a weaver of the ancient threads of Soul and Spirit and a songstress of the sacred. As a deep listener and a deep see-er, she tends the essence of all things. She devotedly calls people to lose their mind, to the point of truly and deeply finding themselves. She holds spaces, rituals and ceremonies in which people go on an inward pilgrimage of reconnecting with their inner wisdom, their unique gifts and the wisdom of the Mystery.

For almost 20 years, she has facilitated and guided individual and collective transformation using elements of Eco-Soulcentric development, ancient traditions, and arts. As she recently crossed the threshold of motherhood, she holds even more tenderly the preciousness of Life and tends with even more love the story of each Being. She resides in her birthplace, the island of Aphrodite, Cyprus.

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PRACTICAL ASPECTS - HOW TO PARTICIPATE

• In order to participate in the Webinars fill in this form https://forms.gle/X3L7bjT58CE3hjY78
• You can participate in a single or in all webinars.
• All who register will receive the recordings of the Webinars by the end of November.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

- Professionals active in the field of human development (youth workers, adult educators, teachers, trainers, educators, mentors, psychologists etc.)

- Anyone who is interested in theAnyone who is interested in the Webinars and ecological sensitivity.

WHERE?

• The webinars will take place online, on Zoom platform. We will send the link to everyone who registers.
• The webinars will be recorded and published on Youtube for further use.

PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION: There are no costs for participating, though, we invite you to consider a donation to the organizer, Inspiration Path from a scale of 5-10 euros. The donation will help us do more activities which are not based on funding and are open to people across ages and countries. Thank you in advance for considering this.

GRATITUDE: These webinars are part of the project “Seeds of Future” implemented by Inspiration Path and Actions for Change. The project is Co-funded by European Union under the project number 2024-1-CY01-KA210-YOU-000252831. We are grateful to EU for making this offering possible.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.