Bioneers brings together a very diverse, discerning, engaged and reflective community, and the curated conversations around crucial topics we have been hosting recently (“Conversation Cafes”) have proven highly popular and stimulating. Each session begins with a very brief presentation by one of the conference presenters as a “conversation starter” to frame the topic, followed by structured group discussion. At the end of each session, a “harvester” who has carefully witnessed and “absorbed” what has transpired, offers us a poetic synopsis/recapitulation of the highlights of our time together.

This session will lead off with conversation starter Joan Blades, entrepreneur, renowned activist, author and co-founder of LivingRoomConversations.org (an open-source effort to build respectful connections across ideological, cultural and party lines) discussing the “Building Trust in Elections” project, a critical call to action for 2024. Trustworthy elections are something an overwhelming number of Americans desire. How can we make it a transformational effort to restore confidence in elections? The conversations will be facilitated by: David Shaw, Santa Cruz Permaculture and UCSC Right Livelihood Center. “Harvester:” Jason Bayani, author, theater performer, Artistic Director, Kearny Street Workshop.