Thomas Vass

My professional career has always been motivated by my desire to affect change. I have an educational background in Economics (M.Sc.) and Philosophy (M.A.). My eight years as Director of The Young Scholars Initiative at The Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) has given me extensive skills within program management, community organizing and large scale event planning. I have experience representing a non-profit organization and engaging with thought leaders addressing the challenges of the 21st century.

• FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, FESTIVAL FOR NEW ECONOMIC THINKING, An exhibition and conference organized jointly by Young Scholars Initiative, Rethinking Economics, and Exploring Economics, involving more than 50 organizations as exhibitors, including OECD, UNCTAD, Club of Rome, Project Syndicate, Positive Money, OpenDemocracy, Financial Times, Economy.org and many others. Approximately 1000 visitors over 3 days.
• FOUNDER AND HEAD CONFERENCE ORGANIZER , RETHINKING ECONOMICS, 2013, The New York Chapter of Rethinking Economics - a movement to invigorate and diversify economic thinking. Currently organizing a New York Conference in September 2014 and building the network across the North American Continent.
• FOUNDER AND CHIF IDEOLOGIST, ,NIHILISTIC DEMOCRATIC PARTY, 2007-2009, An ironic comment to contemporary Danish politics. More information at www.nihilistisk-folkepart.dk
• LEAD EDITOR, SANDHEDENS SIDER, COPENHAGEN UNIVERSITY, 2003-2005, A student magazine for philosophy students at the University of Copenhagen
• FOUNDER AND ADMINISTRATOR, CRITICAL METAPHYSICS, 2003-2006, An academic study circle with the purpose of determining the possibilities of philosophical critique in the theoretical environment of the 21st century

• VIPASANA MEDITATION, MASSACHUSETTS, 2017 AND SWEDEN, 2021, 10-Day silent meditation retreat
• TRADITIONAL AMAZONIAN PLANT MEDICINE RETREAT, PERU, 2018 AND 2022, Involving a strict diet and 14 ceremonies with psychoactive Ayahuasca facilitated by Shipibo curanderos
• SUNDANCE SUPPORT, SOUTH DAKOTA, 2021, Attended the Sundance with Native American Lakota to support a participating friend.
• BURNING MAN, 2012 - 2023, Attended Burning Man nine times and contributed with various art pieces, including the Thunder Gumbo art car, the 16 Inches of Joy Pizzaria and the Mysterious Stain Hotel.