Mission

The Plurality University (U+) Network is a non-profit organization, based in France, with members from around the world.

We recognize that ecological and social transformation comes from questioning dominant and alienating representations, and by developing capacities to imagine other worlds and other ways of being in the world. The Plurality University Network (U+)’s mission is to explore and open possibilities for the emergence of empowering, just and sustainable futures, by mobilizing resources of the imagination (art, fiction, speculation…).

U+ is an open space for sharing and experimentations. It implements and/or welcomes projects that :

  • Develop the capacities of individuals and organizations to imagine change and project themselves as agents of transformation;
  • Create spaces for imagining and discussing alternative futures;
  • Draw from artistic and alternative forms the transformations needed for our world.

In its actions, U+ mobilizes several forms of collective work:

  • Open research & Communities of practice: identify and gather initiatives from all around the world where art, research and change come together, foster discussions with and between them, in order to bring out common knowledge, new questions, and new paths for transformation (Narratopias, Collective Creative Practices…).
  • Futures Literacy: create and test methods to allow all sorts of people to better understand the role the future plays in their lives, to empower their imagination, and enhance their ability to prepare, recover and invent as changes occur (Future is now…).
  • Creative foresight: with the help of artistic practices, guide those concerned through the exploration of radically new possibilities for their community, activity or territory, and project themselves towards them, in order to value their field knowledge and raise their concerns (The Emerging Enterprise, Aux Futurs Citoyen·nes…).
  • Events: organize events (exhibits, festivals, conferences, workshops) to make visible and accessible the work around imaginaries and to organize encounters between those who develop these practices and the public (Quand, Soudainement”, Décorama, Imaginisations…).

Team

The association is run by a small team under the supervision of the Board of Directors. The team carries out the projects decided by the Board and the members, creates partnerships with other organizations, organizes the communication of the U+.

Daniel Kaplan, Director

Daniel Kaplan is a futurist and social entrepreneur, with one leg in innovation, and another in imagination. In 2000, he created the Next-Generation Internet Foundation (Fing), a think-&-do-tank to “anticipate digital transformations”. In 2018, he co-founded the Plurality University Network.

Chloé Luchs

Chloé Luchs is a creative with a multidisciplinary background in fine arts, digital culture and international organizations. She strategizes, develops new projects and collective methods around themes such as ecological transformation and future literacy.
To make the debate public on the changes needed for a sustainable world, she curates exhibitions, festivals and art events. In 2018, she co-founded the University of Plurality.

Juliette Lépineau

Juliette Lépineau is a graphic designer working with cultural and artistic fields. She is trying to create a new language by using drawings. She is in charge of the communication of U+. juliettelepineau.net

Juliette Grossmann

Juliette Grossmann is a philosopher on-the-go. Her work with non-profit organizations allows her to develop original action-research methods. She is currently doing a PHD examining what future literacy practices say about our vision of what is possible. At U+, she is a journalist, a philosopher and a project officer.

Where to find us

The U+ team can be found at 3 rue de Santeuil, 75005.

The Censier space is a project led by Plateau Urbain, a cooperative that works in transitional urbanism in order to create a bridge between different universes that are still far apart, and to make the access to premises in Paris accessible. In this former university, you will find all sorts of structures from the associative, cultural, artistic, artisanal, social and solidarity economy, teaching and training fields, as well as young companies wanting to get involved in a collective project.