"Falling in love with the future": Rob Hopkins mobilizes the collective imagination in Luxembourg

Walferdange, June 12, 2025

"A silent majority supports more ambitious climate policies and is ready to change her habits for the good of the planet. In his work, Rob Hopkins inspires a positive attitude that spurs us to action. By joining forces and by getting organized, we can accelerate the transition towards a sustainable future. - Serge Wilmes, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity

"This conference reminds us that our municipalities have a key role to play in ecological transformation. The future doesn't begin in some far-off capital city or at an international summit, it's being built right here, right nowthrough the decisions we make, with vision, creativity and courage. - Jessie Thill, alderwoman in Walferdange

Visit June 11, 2025the arrival of Rob Hopkins in Luxembourg left a lasting impression. The British author, co-founder of the Transition movement and an ardent advocate of collective imagination as an engine of transformation, led a participatory conference in front of over 250 people at the Centre Prince Henri in Walferdange. The event, organized by CELL - Citizens for Ecological Learning and LivingThe event brought together citizens, institutions, associations and companies around a central question: how can we build a desirable future for our neighborhoods, towns and cities?

The evening was enthusiastically opened by Serge Wilmes, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversitywho stressed the importance of making positive, concrete stories of transformation visible.

It was also introduced by Jessie Thill, alderwoman of Walferdangewhose inspiring words reminded us of the central role played by local authorities in adapting to climate change and creating resilient territories.

A conference like a journey through time

Mixing storytelling, humour, anecdotes and audience participation, Rob Hopkins took the audience on a voyage of discovery. 2030in a world where we have done all we can to respond to the current crises. A fairer, livelier, more humane world.

"If climate change is a fact, despair is not an option. We need to imagine the best possible scenario, and make it real."

During this time travel experience, participants were invited to feel, hear and visualize this possible future: green, car-free streets, healthy local food, schools designed by children, biodiversity in the city, intergenerational cooperation, community energy systems... Rather than dwell on the catastrophe to be avoided, Hopkins focuses on the desirability of the future an approach radically optimistic, that restores the desire to act.

Imagining concrete alliances

In the afternoon, Rob Hopkins led a workshop with a group of Luxembourg civil society organizationswith the aim of fostering synergies, strengthening existing alliances and stimulating new forms of cooperation. Together, participants explored how the collective imagination can become a strategic lever for amplify the ecological and social transition in the region.

A preview just for Luxembourg

The conference also featured the Luxembourg preview of the new book by Rob Hopkins : How to Fall in Love with the Future - A Time Traveller's Guide to Changing the World

A book at the crossroads of essay, narrative and action tool, in which he proposes a bold and joyful vision of transformation. The book will be available for sale from June 17, 2025.

"An irresistible invitation to dream bigger, then make those dreams come true." - Kate Raworth, author of Doughnut Economics

The future begins here and now

The evening was a moment of collective inspiration, but also a call to action, addressed to everyone: local authorities, citizens, economic players and institutions.

"The solutions already exist here in Luxembourg: energy cooperatives, repair cafés, community gardens, local entrepreneurial initiatives... At CELL, we work every day to help these alternatives emerge and connect. What Rob Hopkins reminds us is that for a real transition to succeed, we need to imagine together, cooperate concretely and provide the necessary collective impetus. And we need everyone's commitment, creativity and participation. " – Norry Schneider, Head of Climate Pact and Territories in Transition - CELL

• The webcast of the conference is available in replay on YouTube.
• Visit photos of the event are available here (© Capucine Chandon / CELL).