(LOCATION: GARM space, 3 doors to the right of the downstairs meditation room) After Zuzalu, I traveled to Ukraine and drove to the frontlines to deliver medical ssupplies thanks to a crowdfunded prize. I saw how conflict affects people as a group fights for sovereignty against an external threat.

After Zuconnect, I traveled to Syria and taught classes on AI and web3 to students there. In Syria, I found a different approach to achieving autonomy.

In 2012 during the Arab Spring many movements resulted in the violent overthrow of the current government. However, the new government often had similar issues and also lacked democratic principles.

However, in northeastern Syria in a region known as Rojava a movement started a parallel society that people could opt into. It eventually became The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria governing 5 million people in local communes who cross-coordinate. Despite facing attacks from extremists, assassinations from drone strikes, and being cut off from the world, they are building a startup society that more and more people try to move into because of the better governance.

Learn more in this presentation.