Reconnecting for a Just and Regenerative Future
April 11–13, 2025
There is no ecological liberation without collective liberation!
Join us for a transformative three-day in-person or virtual conference at Naropa University, the birthplace of contemplative education, as we celebrate 50 years of visionary learning.
The conference will focus on social-ecological justice through a collective liberation framework, addressing our current polycrisis and envisioning pathways toward a just, resilient, and regenerative future for all. Engage in dynamic discussions and hands-on workshops that challenge the status quo and inspire courageous action to resist ‘Business as Usual.’
Registration
At the Reconnecting for a Just and Regenerative Future Conference, we believe that access to knowledge and community should not be limited by financial constraints. To honor the diverse experiences and systemic challenges faced by individuals in our community, we are proud to introduce our Pay It Forward / Pay What You Can pricing model with pricing at set intervals between $108–608. See The Gift Economy: Pay It Forward / Pay What You Can Pricing Option.
What You Will Experience
Join us at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado to experience:
- Authentic Community Connection: Engage deeply with like-minded individuals, fostering lasting relationships in a vibrant academic atmosphere.
- Interactive Learning: Participate in small group workshops and discussions that encourage collaboration and creativity. Engage in social events, art, poetry, and music that offer additional avenues for connection and relaxation outside formal sessions.
- Nourishing Meals: Enjoy delicious, healthy meals that fuel your body and mind throughout the event, while providing opportunities to connect over shared dining experiences that enhance networking.
- Participate in somatic practice experiences to build even more capacity for resiliency and wellness.
- Experience spring in the Rocky Mountains while creating friendships and stories to last a lifetime!
Luminaries
We are proud to present our initial lineup of keynote presenters. We will announce more luminaries in coming days. In addition to our keynote luminaries, we will also feature an exciting lineup of somatic practice, meditation, yoga, art, and community-based offerings. This lineup will be announced closer to the conference.

Jeanine Canty, PhD

Eileen and the In-betweens

Michelle Gabrieloff-Parish
Michelle Gabrieloff-Parish brings over 28 years of experience uniting sustainability with social justice. As a former U.S. State Department BoldFood fellow (Uganda) and U.S. delegate for the Colorado River in Mexico, Michelle has represented her community on national and international stages. Amplifying voices at the intersection of equity and environmental stewardship, she has served on the Colorado Water Equity Partnership and the State of Colorado’s Biochar Working Advisory. She has seeded multiple social impact ventures including: Candelas Glows nuclear guardianship project, “Once and Future Green” consulting firm, and FLOWS (Foundations for Leaders Organizing for Water and Sustainability), a local Environmental Justice organization highlighting and building Frontline community leadership in sustainability, racial justice, and beyond.
Michelle coaches Frontline communities, governments, and institutions in community-led climate solutions with transformative anti-oppression and ecological design tools. Michelle is also a mother, permaculture educator, and a poet, currently featured at Meow Wolf Denver.

Adrián Villasenor Galarza, PhD

Joel Glanzberg

Lydia Violet Harutoonian

Mutima Imani

Monica Mueller—Lenz Foundation Joanna Macy Center Residential Fellow

Eileen O’Shaughnessy—Joanna Macy Center Nuclear Guardian Fellow

Kathleen Rude

Ian Sanderson—Joanna Macy Center Earth Guardian Fellow

Lesley Joy Quilty
Lesley Joy Quilty is a creative consultant, leadership presenter and coach, facilitator of psychedelic-assisted ceremonies, and professional clown.
Lesley’s work as a clown began in the Findhorn Community in Scotland, where she has lived and been a student of Joanna’s since 1986. Trained at Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre in northern California, initiated through many years of touring theatre and circus in North America and the UK, Lesley was employed for fifteen years as a Clown Doctor in children’s hospitals and hospices throughout Scotland, supporting and empowering children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. As Racy the ‘Eco-clown Consultant’ she creates and performs at environmental, educational and corporate conferences and events. She believes in the power of insightful humor to increase compassion, courage and connectedness and to fuel positive change.
Sponsors




More About the Conference
Naropa University serves as a leader in higher education known for embracing inner discovery and learning. This conference will explore Dr. Joanna Macy’s powerful experiential technology, “The Work That Reconnects,” awakening social-ecological interconnection through themes of the 4 Dimensions of the Great Turning: Holding Actions, Life-Sustaining Systems, Shifts in Consciousness, and Nurturing Life.
Participants will engage with facilitator-scholars in eco-dharma, climate resiliency, nuclear guardianship, regeneration, permaculture, social justice, and more while developing practical skills for personal and collective transformation.
Interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or general questions? Please contact reconnect@naropa.edu.
All conference details are subject to change.
Online Option
If you can’t attend in person, don’t worry, all plenary events will be livestreamed for online participation. And we have opportunities for online participants to connect and network too.
Bonus to All Conference Guests
As a bonus, all attendees will have on demand special access to video recordings from the conference and 6 unique live webinars with our Joanna Macy Fellows and scholar practitioners, following the conference to further our commitment in creating an ongoing community of just and regenerative change makers.
Together, we’ll explore how to reconnect with ourselves, each other, and the living Earth to create a more just, regenerative, and resilient world. Register now to secure your spot!
The Gift Economy: Pay It Forward / Pay What You Can Pricing Option
We recognize that systemic oppression and economic disparity affect many individuals differently. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone can participate, learn, and grow, regardless of their financial situation. This initiative is designed to:
- Eliminate Financial Barriers: We want to ensure that cost is not a barrier to attending our conference. By offering flexible pricing, we aim to make our event accessible to all.
- Honor Diverse Experiences: We acknowledge the various forms of systemic oppression that impact economic stability. Our pricing model reflects our commitment to inclusivity and respect for the unique challenges faced by individuals in our community.
How It Works
- Pay What You Can: Attendees are invited to select a ticket price that aligns with their financial situation. Whether you can contribute the full amount or a reduced fee, your participation is valued. Tiered Pricing: $108, $158, $208, $258, $308 (cost of attendance), $358, $408, $458, $508, $558, $608. Anything more than the designated cost of attendance supports others in being able to attend, anything less is considered a discount. We are happy to offer these rates to you on the basis of gift economy.
- Pay It Forward Option: For those who are able, we encourage you to consider contributing above the standard ticket price of $308. Your generosity will help subsidize tickets for others in need, fostering a spirit of community support and shared growth.
- Confidentiality and Respect: We understand that discussing finances can be sensitive. This option is designed to be respectful and confidential, allowing you to choose what feels right for you without judgment.