VUB embraces inner growth

Igor Vervoort is a thought leader within the sustainability movement and coordinator of the House of Sustainable Transitions (HOST), a research platform at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). The organisation brings together researchers to discuss sustainability issues, with a particular focus on the role of inner change in transition processes. Igor participated in The Inner Shift, our community of practice anchored in the Inner Development Goals (IDGs).

“You often hear about the Sustainable Development Goals or systems change. But it also takes inner work – and the IDGs provide a powerful framework to explore that.”

Where did your interest in The Inner Shift come from?

At our university, Professor Cathy Macharis – co-founder of HOST – had already introduced the Inner Development Goals in her sustainability courses. HOST has always started from a systemic perspective, and from there my interest in the inner dimension also grew. So I already knew a little about the IDGs, but had not really explored them in depth. When I saw The Inner Shift programme, it felt like the right time to dive in, experience, reflect and gain insights that could enrich our work at HOST. And the prospect of doing this with other committed members of The Shift made it all the more appealing.

Which IDG themes spoke to you the most?

The first session, around Being, was particularly powerful. It was about grounding yourself – who you are, how you are in the world. This is very relevant both personally and professionally. But the session on Collaborating also struck a chord with me. Collaborating is in the DNA of HOST. It was enriching not only to discuss the theory, but also to do exercises together that revealed the practical application that was there too.

Was there anything that surprised you along the way?

I was positively surprised by how much care went into the group counselling. Each session began with an opening moment, a short meditation or reflection. That alone was an application of the IDGs. It created space – and that space really made a difference.

What do you take away from this experience?

Honestly, the whole framework. Each of the five IDG dimensions – Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, Acting – can contribute to how we work, grow and what we can do as an organisation. I see a lot of potential to make even more room for this within our research community at the VUB, especially for young researchers and students. It’s a valuable lens.

And I am also proud to say that in the time since, we have officially become an IDG Hub with HOST – now the IDG Brussels House of Sustainable Transitions Hub. Our goal is to put the IDG framework into practice. We have already started doing that through an IDG Lab on co-creation, connection and transformation, as well as a workshop on climate constellations for the sustainable transition. And that’s just the beginning – there are more activities and learning pathways to come.