Gábor Horváth is a researcher and facilitator focusing on transformative learning, political economy, and societal change. He is currently pursuing a PhD in International Political Economy, exploring different varieties of capitalism and pathways toward more sustainable and equitable societies.
At the IDN, he coordinates the Transformative Learning Circle, serves as Secretary of the General Circle, and contributes to the organization's Think Tank (Degrowth Policy Circle). Beyond his academic and civic work, he develops his communication and leadership skills through Toastmasters, where he mentors new members and regularly practices public speaking.
Drawing on a professional background in agile coaching and organizational development, Gábor is particularly interested in how individuals, organizations, and societies can learn, adapt, and transform in the face of complex challenges. He is also involved in the early stages of an initiative exploring how the principles of regenerative governance could be introduced and adapted within the public sector in his home country.
What lead you to first discover the topic of degrowth? I first encountered degrowth through the Hungarian translation of Un projet de décroissance (external link) by Vincent Liegey and colleagues, which was published in 2013 as a special supplement to the journal Eszmélet. I found the ideas fascinating and refreshingly different from mainstream economic thinking. However, at the time I was fully immersed in my professional career, so I put the topic aside and did not return to it seriously for almost a decade. Looking back, that early encounter planted a seed that later grew into a much deeper intellectual and personal engagement with degrowth.
What do you like most about the degrowth movement? What attracts me most is its nomadic utopianism. Rather than presenting a fixed blueprint for the future, the degrowth movement often develops ideas through experimentation, dialogue, and collective learning. As someone with a background in agile ways of working, I appreciate this iterative and evolutionary approach. Many proposals are treated not as final answers, but as hypotheses to be explored, adapted, and improved in practice. This openness creates space for creativity, humility, and genuine democratic participation.
How did you discover the IDN? I discovered the International Degrowth Network during the 2023 Degrowth Conference in Zagreb. On the final day, I attended an introductory session about the newly emerging network. By the end of that meeting, I had already become involved in the preparatory work of what would later become the Transformative Learning Circle. What began as curiosity quickly turned into active participation, and I have remained engaged ever since.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the IDN? Being part of the IDN has given me a rare opportunity to contribute directly to work that I consider meaningful and aligned with my values. Supporting a movement that aims to improve both human well-being and ecological sustainability feels very different from many of the more transactional environments I experienced earlier in my professional life.
The network has also introduced me to an extraordinary diversity of people, perspectives, and organizations from around the world. These interactions have broadened my horizons, enriched my thinking, and often inspired ideas for my PhD research in International Political Economy. I was also able to experience sociocratic governance in practice for the first time, which has been both intellectually and personally rewarding.
Another aspect I particularly enjoy is the opportunity to design and facilitate learning experiences. Having previously organized workshops and training sessions in my professional career, I appreciate being able to continue this practice within the IDN by contributing to collective learning and creating spaces for meaningful dialogue and reflection.
Finally, initiatives such as the Degrowth Book Club have helped me cultivate more regular reading and reflection habits.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering with the IDN? One of the strengths of the IDN is that there are many different ways to contribute. Some volunteers coordinate the work of a Circle, prepare decision-making materials, facilitate meetings, support communications, or help follow up on ongoing tasks. Others participate more occasionally by joining discussions, attending webinars, or contributing ideas when they have time and energy.
The level of commitment is equally flexible: whether you can offer a few hours per month or several hours per week, there is usually a meaningful way to get involved. Beyond the specific tasks, what makes volunteering rewarding is the opportunity to collaborate with thoughtful and committed people who are working toward a more just, democratic, and human-scale future. Every contribution, no matter how large or small, helps move us a little closer to that goal.
