From Inner Development to Inclusive Social Development
This online course is designed to support colleagues working in inclusive social development initiatives by connecting Anthroposophy with practical approaches applicable to their everyday work
About the program
Online | Three modules | Class start: October 2026
This program is carried by the Section for Inclusive Social Development. During the online sessions, participants will explore how exercises from the anthroposophical path of inner development can enrich our daily practice. These exercises cultivate an inner attitude that supports meaningful encounters, strengthen our capacity for careful observation and deeper understanding, and foster resilience by developing and strengthening the capacities of the soul. In this way, they can become practical tools for supporting the development of the people in our care.
The full program is divided into three modules, which can also be taken separately. Each online session combines practical introductions, reflective exercises, conversations with colleagues, and a learning environment that encourages open, respectful, and thoughtful dialogue. The course is offered in English, online via Zoom.
How to register
Course information, content, and recordings will be available on Sutra, our learning platform for this online course.
To complete your registration and proceed with payment, please create an account on Sutra by clicking the Register button for your chosen module below. Once your account is set up, you will be directed to the secure payment page.
Module 1: Anthroposophical basic exercises for enlivening our soul forces
5 Sessions, every third Tuesday of the month at 20:00 CEST
Session 1: 20 October 2026
Session 2: 17 November 2026
Session 3: 15 December 2026
Session 4: 19 January 2027
Session 5: 16 February 2027
This first module offers a practical introduction to the basic exercises of the anthroposophical path of research. The emphasis is on direct experience, reflective inquiry, and collaborative learning.
In the online sessions, you will be invited to practice the exercises and share your observations, insights, discoveries, questions, and challenges. By learning together in an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect, we deepen both our individual understanding and the collective learning process.
Regular practice of the exercises, combined with thoughtful reflection on our experiences, not only strengthens our inner capacities but also leads to a deeper, more personal understanding of anthroposophy.
Module 2: Creating space for development
5 Sessions, every other week on Thursday at 20:00 CEST
Session 1: 15 October 2026
Session 2: 29 October 2026
Session 3: 12 November 2026
Session 4: 26 November 2026
Session 5: 10 December 2026
The second module invites you to engage with key exercises from Rudolf Steiner's lectures on special needs education. These practices cultivate presence of mind, foster relationships grounded in trust, and strengthen the courage and creativity needed in professional life. Through a selection of core exercises, we will deepen our understanding of human development and explore how to discover forms of support that truly respond to the unique needs and potential of each individual.
Module 3: Anthroposophical meditation and research
5 Sessions, every other week on Monday at 20:00 CEST
Session 1: 11 January 2027
Session 2: 25 January 2027
Session 3: 8 February 2027
Session 4: 22 February 2027
Session 5: 8 March 2027
This third module builds on the foundations of the first two and focuses on developing a personal meditative practice in relation to questions and challenges arising in professional life. No previous experience with meditation is required.
Together, we will explore how inner work can strengthen our capacity to receive imaginations, inspirations, and intuitions that illuminate new initiatives and guide the future development of our work. We will also investigate how contemplative research within a team can open new possibilities for collaboration, foster renewed engagement, and inspire supportive forms of working that respond creatively to the needs of the people and communities we serve.
General Information
Participation Fee
From EUR 100 - EUR 150. Participants may choose freely the fee that best applies to their circumstances.
Technical Requirements
Desktop, Laptop or Tablet Computer with an up-to-date browser and video camera
Zoom app (If you don't have Zoom installed yet, you can download it here: https://zoom.us/download)
Timezone
20:00 Central European Time (CET) / Switzerland
Certificate
Participants who complete the program will receive a digital certificate issued by the Section for Inclusive Social Development.
Duration
Recordings and supporting material will be available during the course and one month after.
Cancellation Policy
Please note that registration fees are non-refundable once your registration has been confirmed.
The Section
The Section for Inclusive Social Development acts in the context of the interdisciplinary field of supportive education and inclusive social development, encompassing special needs education, early intervention, inclusive education, social work, social therapy, social pedagogy, inclusive community building and related disciplines oriented towards supports for persons with disabilities or otherwise at risk of marginalization.
Faculty
Bart Vanmechelen
Bart Vanmechelen has a background in applied psychology and anthroposophy, as well as in organizational development and existential well-being counseling. He has worked as a teacher at a Waldorf school for children with special needs and as the director of a supportive education day center for children with complex disabilities. He has many years of experience as an instructor and trainer in anthroposophical professional training programs, advises teachers, and coordinates international online working groups on “schools for everyone” and the anthroposophical schooling path in relation to the profession. As a freelance teacher, he gives lectures and workshops, contributes to conferences and training programs worldwide, and is involved in quality and organizational development in social initiatives and Waldorf schools.