The Library
for a Happy Future
Neuchâtel Library
The Library
for a Happy Future
Mapping our Relationship
to Water
The Library for a Happy Future aims to strengthen our relationships, our sense of care and connection to water, and essentially to ourselves and
our communities.
People are invited to participate in a research process that combines science with art and traditional knowledge. Our aim is to map our external and internal relationship with water - sweet and salty - encompassing all parts of life; agriculture, mental and physical health, economic relationships, environmental issues, spiritual connections, power asymmetries and so on.
Since the last pandemic and even before, we have been aware that there can be no health and well-being in an unbalanced environment. Health
is probably the greatest private good in a person's life, but it also has a significant public and community dimension and is influenced by how
a community relates to the natural environment.
The strong link between water, our health and collective wellbeing (bienêtre, buen vivir, etc.) could be an important key to transformation.
But are we aware of this connection, and to what extent?
The Library
in Neuchâtel
3.10.2024
-1.12.2024
A Library
in the Making
The Library for a Happy Future is a travelling project that connects communities along different bodies of water: springs, rivers, lakes, the ocean. Its collection is created and filled with the experiences and contributions of each community that becomes part of
our network.
Our approach focuses on local priorities, but also seeks to connect the individual libraries - eight in all - through a common research agenda. Are there overarching findings and needs? How can we learn from each other? What are the ideas and seeds of change that could inspire the libraries? Could the question of safeguarding health in the context of water management lead to new insights?
Over the course of several months, we explore water and its connection to the idea of a good life, health and community
well-being in a participatory way.
Listening to each other across interests and generations is essential.
Our methods are based on the principles of action research: Action research is a participatory approach to problem solving that involves collaboration between researchers and practitioners to address
real-world problems.
By involving the community in the research process, action research ensures that the solutions developed are contextually relevant and socially acceptable, laying the foundation for long-term sustainable development and One Health.
How does our library work?
From Research
to Relationship
Our approach seeks to frame our relationship with water - sweet and salty - in a very personal way. The aim is to move away from thinking about water as a necessary resource to feeling and thinking about
our deep relationship. Water and all parts of nature have an emotional and cultural value that affects our physical health and emotional wellbeing. We are connected to water through our hearts and bodies. We are water.
The Library for a Happy Future reminds us of this deep connection and asks how the shift from resource to relationship might affect our priorities as a society.
The concepts of health and well-being are considered in a culturally grounded way, but with an emphasis on the collective and communal interconnectedness, including animals, non-human actors and ecosystem health.
Our collection includes two types of resources: Scientific and Artistic Resources. We try to appeal to different people and different ways of processing knowledge: feeling and thinking.
The libraries are located in different parts of the world and can interact with each other.
The results of each edition will be made available to local policy makers and in different library editions around the world. The project is planned to last 5 years (until 2029) and was formally launched in 2024 in the community of Vals, Switzerland, after a pilot year (2023) in Zurich.
A central repository called "The Water Library" is planned, including other solutions around the theme.
A growing
network
Bottles of Vals?
I chose this image because there are different people.
There are people who are rather calm.
There are people who have more strength.
And there are also waters that are so different.
(Photo voice with school children in Vals)
I need water every day
I chose this image because I drink a lot of water in my daily life.
(Photo voice with school children in Vals)
Partners
Information
about the Library
Events. Join us and enjoy!
Results and contributions
