Perspectives on Systems Souls and Society, also known as Perspectiva, is a registered charity and social activist group based in London, England. The group claims to focus on researching the connections between “systems, souls and society” as well as how political culture has failed, “to honor the fullness or reality.” 1 2 The group has published a series of essays and written work on its research as well as organized local projects and initiatives. 3
Founding and History
Perspectiva was co-founded in 2016 by Swedish entrepreneur Thomas Bjorkman and Scottish philosopher Jonathon Rowson. Since its founding the organization has hosted several conferences and has published several books under its in-house press. 4
Finances
According to charity filings in 2022, Perspectiva reported revenue of £487,661 (approximately $633,000) and expenses of £200,800 (approximately $261,000) that year. 5 Notable donors to the group that year include the JJ Trust, Friends Provident Foundation, The Edith Ellis Trust, and the Jospeh Rowntree Charitable Trust. George Soros’s Open Society Foundations, through the Open Society Action Fund, provided a grant of $400,000 to fund “the creation of a series of short books on big ideas.” 6 7
Philosophy
Perspectiva claims it is a 100-year long project that claims to use both theory and practice in order to, “improve the relationships between systems, souls and society in theory and practice.“ 8 It affirms that personal perception and worldviews can alter one’s judgment, thus leading to “political and economic outcomes.” 9
Projects and Initiatives
Emergence
The Emergence Project uses social network gatherings, podcasts, and annual gatherings as a form of developing a “social movement in-the-making” to address issues such as, “income inequality, governance failures, mental illness, [and] ecological collapse.” 10
The Realisation Festival
The Realisation Festival is an international conference for activists, experts and “thought leaders” to meet to brainstorm ideas of advancing a shared vision of social change. 11 The group is hosted by the British aristocrat Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, with a series of material and discussions posted on the Perspectiva YouTube channel as well as on the Perspectiva website. 12
Perspectiva Press
Perspectiva Press is the organization’s in-house press, focusing on smaller 20,000-50,000-word publications that discuss the group’s views such as moving beyond “consumerism,” finding a “systemic” view of the world, and discerning how to “do pluralism better.” 13 The press has previously published works by Perpsecitva co-founder and chairman Thomas Bjorkman including his novel, The World We Create: From God to Market. 14
The Digital Ego Project
The Digital Ego Project is an initiative where members discuss ideas of freedom, community, and individuality during the “digital age.” 15
Leadership
Jonathan Rowson is the co-founder of Perspectiva, and has directed the group since 2016. Prior to the group’s founding, he was the director of the Social Brain Centre at the Royal Society of Arts. He is also registered as a Chess Grandmaster and is a three-time British Chess Champion. 16 He previously attended Oxford and later received a Ph.D. in education from Bristol University. 17
Thomas Bjorkman is the co-founder of Perspectiva, and has chaired the group’s board since 2016. Prior to this, he helped found several companies and organizations including the Investment Banking Partners AB and the Ekskaret Foundation, while previously working as chairman of EFG Investmentbank AB. He also has written or co-authored several books and novels including The World We Create, The Market Myth, and The Nordic Street. 18 19
References
- “Home.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/.
- Origin.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/origin/.
- “Home.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/.
- “Origin.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/origin/.
- “PERSPECTIVES ON SYSTEMS, SOULS AND SOCIETY – Charity 1170492.” Register of Charities. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5073428/charity-overview.
- “Origin.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/origin/.
- “Open Society Foundations – Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=Perspectives+on+Systems+Souls+and+Society&grant_id=OR2023-92084.
- “Origin.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/origin/
- “Origin.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/origin/.
- “Emerge.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/emergence/emerge/.
- “The Realisation Festival.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/realisation/realisation-festival/.
- “The Realisation Festival.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/realisation/realisation-festival/.
- “Perspectiva Press.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/insight/perspectiva-press/.
- “Perspectiva Press.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/insight/perspectiva-press/.
- “The Digital Ego Project.” Perspectiva. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/realisation/digital-ego-project/.
- “Jonathan Rowson: Integrating Our Souls, Systems, and Society.” Onbeing, July 18, 2019. https://onbeing.org/programs/jonathan-rowson-integrating-our-souls-systems-and-society/
- “Biography.” Jonathan Rowson. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://www.jonathanrowson.me/bio.
- “The World We Create: From God to Market, by Tomas Bjorkman.” Perspectiva, Accessed October 18, 2024. https://systems-souls-society.com/insight/perspectiva-press/the-world-we-create-from-god-to-market/
- “Tomas Björkman’s Personal Website.” Tomas Björkman’s Personal Website. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://www.tomas-bjorkman.com/.