Born in the eternal city
Chapter 1: The Rome Process
Piazza del Popolo, Rome
A group of global “dreamers with purpose” gathered below the Obelisk, with open minds, yearning to participate in four weekends of discussions – we called this the Rome Process. Amongst them artists, producers, bankers, diplomats, pharmacists, students... With a glint in their eye, they incarnated the cheeky desire to institutionalize notions of sharing and respecting diversity. They each possessed the catalyzing energy and technical know-how to develop new approaches to radically change systems. One could call us ethically driven idea entrepreneurs, yearning for a rebellious systemic change. A playful and loose process began: a guerrilla of well thought thoughts.
11th – 13th October 2019
A long term vision of a sharing environment resonated. Inclusively, the discussion generated a call for systemic change based on selfless personal implications with a purpose. The notion of the Ethic Charter was born. It became the guiding principles for internal processes and working environments, while steering external actor interaction and selection of initiatives.
1st – 3rd November 2019
A mantra bridging our common driving dreams was born: To Be, Act and Belong. Profound and yet born out of lighthearted rebellious dreams.
Be - our impactful role in the world that surrounds us . Belong – the resonating and power instilling sentiment of collectively striving for a common objective. Act – generate ideas how we can initiative, incentivize and manage systemic change.
8th – 10th November 2019
Inspired by a tree’s delving root system and sky-reaching foliage, systemic change was envisioned collectively as a top down and bottom-up movement. Each participant shines a new ‘window’ with a unique direction to the system. Distilled personal dreams trickled into the mission of supporting initiatives that are transboundary, multisectoral and intergenerational gearing towards the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.
22nd – 24th November 2019
Sprouting ideas grew into a twisting and reaching structure. The vehicle, an international foundation based in Switzerland, proved to be the most resilient and impactful mean to sustain ecological principles, social equity and collaborative governance. Systemic changes in the socioeconomic fabric are spurred by grants, shared equities, loans and knowledge building networks. It provides a playful yet strong platform, mobile enough to parallel cheeky dreams.
Chapter 2: Distilled Dreams
Swiss Alps, Monte Lema
Left with a sweet taste of resounding common Belonging, the new year began with passion and drive. The personal stories, of the forty Rome Process dreamers with purpose were symbolically united by an underlying common desire. A desire to push forward, constructing the missing puzzle piece of our narrative. Curious to see what this different approach would yield. Young and wise combined vibrantly, sprouting vigorously new potential. Working groups churned out the foundations of an international vehicle for change. Our bottom-up collaboration resulted in a unique definition of who we are, how we act and how to belong in the foundation. The information traveled horizontally, spurred by personal implication. Inputs and activity born out of sole personal commitment. Commitment to distill our dreams.
Outcome of the Rome Process
- Systemic change must lead to circular and regenerative economies, inclusive and peaceful societies and protected ecosystems. Experience and know-how must collaborate with youthful energy.
- To Be, Act and Belong changes the way we invest. Projects break boundaries and build bridges between countries, sectors, cities, communities and generations
- The three principles of transboundary, multisectoral and intergenerational guide all the activities and initiatives. The ethic charter will reside at the heart of the foundation
- Financial resources are mobilized though a strong 3 year business plan and fundraising strategies. The pre-operational phase implicated dedicated individuals and ad-hoc consultants.
Chapter 3: Foundations of a Vision
Swiss Alps, Grischun
The visionary motor churned. Following April and May a distilled brief was redacted, setting in stone who we are and what we stand for. It forged an internal compass guiding the forty dreamers, while welcoming newcomers aligned with similar energy. The flowing identity now formed our living tree sap. Simultaneously, successful redaction of the first legal drafts concretized the gritty trunk of the foundation skyward. Over the course of the next months timely and precise legal processes, bank requirements, and definition of council members would take place.
A new creative challenge sprouted leaves of imagination. The foundation required a name and image. An impactful phonecall on April 2020 resonated: the name must be worthy of each personal narrative of the forty dreamers with purpose. An image instilling impactful simplicity and peaceful desire to act. Quickly learnt and slowly forgotten. Tumultuous storms of ideas swirled for various months, until one sunny morning shaded by a chestnut tree, we found the one. Simply it became: Blue Arbor.
Thereafter the creative machine sprung loose. In heartfelt response, a musical dive yielded the Blue Arbor Panta Rhei piano piece on June 2020. A trio of creative individuals reflected, discussed and dreamed closely. A natural blotch, reminiscent of the four elements, was meticulously safeguarded in an artist’s sketchbook. Its simplicity harnessed the self-recognition of the forty dreamers in Blue Arbor. A palette of natural yet modern colors was gathered, symbolically inviting new dreamers to be and belong together, while positively calling for action. From this point on the challenge became sharing what Blue Arbor meant and stood by. A fitting website was to be the next pivotal step.
Chapter 4: Work In Progress
Swiss Alps, Lugano
Lugano became the physical location where it all began. Strategically centered, residing in a country rich in diplomatic neutrality and international mediation, Blue Arbor was to become a swiss based international foundation. The aim is to operate to the best of our abilities, pushing to concretize our innovative dreams aiming to break barriers. Start small, dense, and true to our mantra.
Progressively, the building blocks ammounted to the concrete beginnings of the Blue Arbor foundation. Rigoruous in it’s legal conception, and yet daring and playful in its mission and vision. Twelve co-founders gathered amidst tumultuous times to uphold a belief of idea entrepreneurs. Following the official reunion in the notary’s office on the 1st of April 2021, the board members signed the official paperwork, sailing steadily towards our joint vision. But first, auguri! A cool and needed toast.
Finally, from August to October 2021 the final bureaucratic steps are reached. The IDI number is attributed, the foundation is validated by the federal authorities, the tax exemption statute is validated, and the long awaited bank account is opened. With this marks the race to completing the bottom-up endowment goal. The co-founders have six months to reach the required starting capital required by the state!
On January 2022 to goal is reached. A long process, powerful in essence, and genuinely evolved reaches the turning point. We are active. With the first employee Ludovica Donati leading the charge, we are the Blue Arbor Foundation.
Chapter 5: the vision is shared
Lakeside, Zug
True to our mission and our ambition to support inter-generational initiatives, the first ever public outing of Blue Arbor was released by the youngest member of our Board, Rocco Wennubst Pedrini, at the Youth Forum Switzerland in January 2023. Our first of many Youth Forums to come!
Looking at the future, it is clear that the only way we can move forward is by coming together. At Blue Arbor we stand behind the strength of inter-generational collaboration to create broad collective intelligence.