The Multispecies Constitution Project: Venice Workshop 2024

What if a constitution could account for the interwoven lives of humans and nonhumans? In November 2024, a team of lawyers and political theorists gathered in Venice to reimagine political subjecthood—not as a hierarchy of species, but as a dynamic network of processes and interconnections.

The Multispecies Constitution Project convened at the Berggruen Institute’s European office in the historic Casa dei Tre Oci. The participants debated and drafted a speculative constitution that treats humans and nonhumans as political subjects. Building on a year and a half of deliberations and discussions with a range of scholars and scientists, the team of “drafters” met to put pen to paper and distill the insights they have gathered into a constitutional text.

The intellectual breakthrough of this meeting reframed the constitution around processes rather than objects. The drafters put interconnection – the flows and cycles of matter and energy – at the center of their thinking. They avoided reaching a conceptual roadblock when starting from entities, like individuals, species, or ecosystems.

Trust, Collaboration, and Iterative Thinking

The drafters emphasized how trust, respect, and collaboration contributed to the workshop’s success. During multiple sessions, over three days, team members cultivated both their ideas and relationships, fostering an environment of openness and innovation.

Drafting Committee member Mihnea Tanasescu highlighted the rare quality of this collaborative effort, one where intellectual exchange and synthesis led to ideas that none of the members had considered before..

“We were able to slip into this collective writing mode that is precious. It is rare, as it takes time. Everyone came out with different ideas than what they came in with.”

The discussions underscored the power of shared vision, as participants not only developed a constitution but also deepened their connections with each other and broadened their perspectives.

Venice and Casa dei Tre Oci: An Inspiring Venue

Participants drew inspiration from the lagoon city’s unique environment and rhythms, finding its natural and historical elements intellectually stimulating. The Berggruen Institute’s European Office at Casa dei Tre Oci served as an inspiring backdrop.

The city of water and canals itself influenced the participants’ thinking, putting the notion of “flow” front and center. Christine Winter noted how

“Venice is a city so close to nature. Living close to the flow of water is different from the flow of asphalt. Walking through Venice has been vital – we had breakthroughs because of it!”

Venice became a transformative location for participants to integrate the non-human into constitutional thinking. Maria Paula Saffon Sanin framed how Venice fostered both serious discussion and creative exploration.

“Tre Oci’s beauty has been inspiring. We were able to talk and play through new ideas every day.”

Venice’s natural flow reshaped the drafting committee’s approach, underscoring how environment can fashion thought and creativity. The workshop left participants with new perspectives, deeper connections, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Discover the Planetary and Future Humans Program

The Multispecies Constitution Project is reimagining how humans and non-humans can coexist as political subjects. Explore other conversations at the Multispecies Project, learn about the Planetary and Future Humans programs, and join our journey toward a more inclusive multispecies future.