INVASIVE IDEAS

The discursive program Invasive Ideas is a transformation of the well-known Perforation program called Invasive Dinner, which was based on the fusion of gastronomy, ecology and audience development, and now focuses on the development of programs that offer ‘food for the mind’ and is a continuation of Domino’s networking with other sectors (educational, entrepreneurship, innovation, activism) to help spread invasive ideas that can contribute to changes in society through wider application. Specifically, it is a presentation of the concept of STEAM education, innovation programs in ZICER, the idea of the first ethical bank in Croatia (ZEF) and possible different monetary policies, as well as the activist activities of the Green Squad at the local and international level. Of course, from a personal perspective and through the practical experiences of speakers Deborah Hustić , Frane Šesnić, Goran Jeras and Vesna Grgić .

We live in an era of rapid technological change and successful and unsuccessful inventions. Why add an A to the acronym STEM and work in STEAM fields? Namely, creativity has never been more important, and the cultural history of science has proven that many scientists have made their most important discoveries in situations outside their working laboratories. Are you wondering why schools in Finland are successful, Danes are happy, Estonians are crazy about technology, and the Dutch are innovative? The reason is STEAM, and Deborah Hustić, an intermedia artist, STEAM consultant, project manager and curator of the Association for the Development of DIY Culture – Radiona , will tell you about all this from her practical work and life experience.

Frane Šesnić is the initiator and director of the Zagreb Innovation Center (ZICER), for many years he was the president of the assembly of the Cooperative for Ethical Financing (ZEF), he is one of the founders of the Eduka Center, he is the initiator and president of the Zagreb Forum for the Development of Creative Potentials of the City of Zagreb, and in his presentation he will present his philosophy of business, innovation and life through a cross-section of his previous activities. In his work, he returns to the essence and purpose of things/organizations/jobs and devises strategies that can most effectively achieve the outlined vision of the organization. In other words, everything is possible , as he says, if we emphasize the positive and stand guard against the risks of the negative. It all starts with our attitude, decisions, responsibility and the risks we are willing to take. Today, the reason for the existence of a certain job, institution or organization is lost sight of, but when we act purposefully and in accordance with the very essence of the job, the impossible becomes achievable. That’s why it’s a special pleasure and actually his main challenge to set a goal as far and as incredible as possible and to go towards it regardless of the well-intentioned advice of those who don’t see it.

Goran Jeras , a physicist and the initiator of the project to establish the first ethical bank in Croatia. After completing his studies at the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, he worked as a consultant for commercial banks in the Netherlands for seven years, and through that work he saw the disparity between the real economy, in which entrepreneurs and citizens participate, and what banks offer. He will introduce us to the largest cooperative in Croatia, the Ethical Financing Cooperative (ZEF), which in the five years since its establishment has become one of the Croatian leaders when it comes to innovative business – they are launching the first ethical bank in Croatia, the first green energy supply, and are also developing new financial technologies and cryptocurrencies. Goran will reveal to us what an ethical bank is and how ethical banks across Europe and the world are encouraging the development of local communities, what the future holds for sustainable and socially responsible banking in the service of citizens, and how ethical banks can return banking to its roots. You will also learn why banks in Croatia mostly issue non-purpose consumer loans that serve exclusively to insure citizens, talk about a new type of colonialism (banking), and present the idea and advantages of a dual official currency system.

Vesna Grgić , a volunteer in the Homeland War, a Taekwondo master and trainer, a 3rd Dan black belt holder and an engineer from the “Ruđer Bošković” Institute, is best known to the public as the initiator of the Green Squad and a person who persistently and loudly exposes irregularities in the work of Croatian Forests and advocates for the sustainable management of our forest resources. She will talk about what one person, despite and despite the system and the will of irresponsible politicians, can do in their environment. Over the past year, she has filed a lawsuit against the Croatian state, activated the media and the general public about irregularities in the management of Croatian Forests, and has received support from numerous citizens, as well as international associations and institutions. Where she started from, which path she took and where she plans to go, and how to stay focused in all of this, she will reveal to us in her presentation.

After the short presentations, we invite the audience to join the speakers in direct conversations, in small groups gathered around each of the speakers, on the terrace of the cafe in front of F-22 – New Academic Scene, where they will get answers to all the specific questions that interest them.