I was lucky to attend the Human Systems Dynamics Gathering , organised by Smart Coaching & Training’s associate Miriam Bayes in the beautiful old town of Vic, north of Barcelona. This is what she had to say
Wise words from Miriam Bayes:
A few days after the #HSDGathering2026 in Vic, I’m still processing everything that happened over those three days.
People travelled from across the world to be here. They brought their questions, their experience, their curiosity, their challenges — and, most importantly, their willingness to share and connect.
And that is what made the Human Systems Dynamics Gathering what it was.
We talked about #complexity and #uncertainty
We explored Human Systems Dynamics models and methods
We heard different perspectives, challenged some of our assumptions, shared experiences from very different contexts and learned from each other
But what I will remember most is the #community.
The conversations that continued over coffee and meals
The connections — new and renewed
The generosity in sharing knowledge and experience
The questions we didn’t necessarily answer, but learned to hold differently
The laughter
The emotions
And the feeling of belonging that seemed to emerge as the days unfolded
Thank you to everyone who made the effort, took the time and invested the energy to come to Vic. Some of you travelled a very long way.
I know what it takes to step away from work, family and everyday responsibilities to spend three days together, and I am deeply grateful that you chose to do so
Thank you also to everyone who contributed — through a presentation, a conversation, a question, an Open Space session, a story, a photograph, a helping hand, or simply by being fully present
Creating something rather special
Thank you also to everyone who contributed — through a presentation, a conversation, a question, an Open Space session, a story, a photograph, a helping hand, or simply by being fully present
And a very special thank you to all those who worked behind the scenes, before and during the Gathering, to turn an idea into these three very real days. There was a huge amount of largely invisible work involved, and this Gathering simply would not have happened without you
When we opened the Gathering, I said that we had created the space and the structure, but what those three days became was up to all of us
Looking back, I think we created something rather special
We have now returned to different countries, organisations, communities and lives. The Gathering is over, but I hope the conversations, relationships and learning continue — and that we take something of what we experienced in Vic into the systems we are part of.
Perhaps that is the real work now
Thank you for coming to Vic. Thank you for being part of it. And thank you for helping create the HSD Gathering 2026
The Human Systems Dynamics Gathering in Vic Barcelona Spain September 2026
From me: Sometimes it was intellectually challenging as I don’t know the HSD methodology but I followed well enough. Some presentations, some group work, tour of historic Vic and group dinners. All held in a beautiful Seminary with great accommodation. I suggest you go to the next one!
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Written by David Rigby © 2026 Smart Coaching & Training Ltd
