Building Trust, Sustaining Presence in the Age of AI & Acceleration
Contemplative Policy Retreat
June 26-29, 2026 | Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire Dales, UK
The Global Centre for Rehumanising Democracy invites 25-30 senior policy leaders to three days of contemplative practice and ethical discernment at the intersection of AI governance and democratic renewal.
In a world being rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence, what does it mean to remain fully human — and to govern wisely? This retreat brings together senior leaders, scholars, and practitioners to engage this question through a rare integration of intellectual inquiry, democratic deliberation, moral reflection, and contemplative practice.
The retreat culminates in the co-creation of:
The Broughton Declaration on AI, Democracy, and Human Flourishing, including a set of Principles for Trustworthy Governance in the Age of AI
A personal and institutional Rule of Life for the AI Age
Together, these outputs aim to shape policy, guide leadership, and contribute to global discourse on AI and democratic life.
Core Questions
→ How do we protect the interior spaces from which wisdom emerges?
→ How do we build trust in the age of algorithms?
→ How do we guard attention and conscience as sacred territory?
→ How do we use AI to serve human flourishing and democratic renewal?
What Participants will leave with
• A personal Rule of Life for sustaining contemplative practice in policy leadership
• Moral discernment frameworks
• Peer accountability networks for ongoing formation
• Facility with tools: centering practices, clearness committees, institutional examen, moral imagination scenarios
• Rest and renewed hope
The Setting
Broughton Sanctuary—a 3,000-acre historic estate established in 1097, recognized by National Geographic as one of 2024's most exciting global destinations. The Yorkshire Dales location provides the beauty, silence, and distance from digital noise essential for depth and discernment.
Who Should Attend
Senior policy officials working with AI/algorithmic systems in government
Parliamentary/Congressional representatives addressing AI governance
Technology policy advisors and ethics officers
Civil society leaders working on algorithmic justice and digital rights
Media leaders addressing AI's impact on information ecosystems
Academic researchers bridging contemplative traditions and technology policy
Apply
For details and application, visit here.
Download the programme here.
For group booking inquiries, contact us at info@gcrd.org.uk
Event Type: Retreat | Formation Programme
Location: Broughton Sanctuary, Skipton, Yorkshire Dales BD23 3AE
Format: In-person, residential (3 nights)
Language: English
Accessibility: Please contact us regarding specific accessibility needs