Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October, London
Hosted by Resurgence & Ecologist magazine, the fourth Resurgence Festival of Wellbeing returns to London’s Bishopsgate Institute ) on Saturday 10th October, calling for a shift in focus from economic growth to growth in wellbeing.
A follow up workshop organised by Network of Wellbeing follows on Sunday 11th October at Friends of the Earth in Clapham, exploring how the learning from Day One can best be put into practice.
For this year’s Saturday event, Satish Kumar, Editor-in-Chief of Resurgence & Ecologist – which soon celebrates 50 years of publication – brings together leading change-makers and thinkers to explore how the interdependent wellbeing of individuals, communities and the environment can be transformed to generate a happier, healthier and more sustainable planet. With wellbeing currently one of the world’s fastest growing trends, the festival is set to be another sell-out event.
Satish Kumar says: “We need to create a shift in awareness so wellbeing is recognised as what really matters in life and to spark action that puts community wellbeing at the heart of political and social decision-making. By placing wellbeing at the core we can move from austerity to prosperity and from consumerism to contentment.”
Speakers for the Saturday event include Natalie Bennett, Leader of the Green Party; Scilla Elworthy, three times Nobel Peace Prize nominee; Bishop James Jones, author of Jesus and the Earth; Dr Iain McGilchrist, psychiatrist/author; “Urban Birder” David Lindo; futurist James Wallman; Karen Downes, Director of the Flourish Initiative; James Sainsbury; and Phillippe Sands QC. Stirring performances reflecting themes of the day will be presented by poet Jo Shapcott, singer/voice workshop leader Susie Ro Prater and Indian dancer, Vinjamuri Ragasudha.
Natalie Bennett says: “We face interlinked economic, social and environmental crises – an unstable economic system that’s failing to meet even basic needs, unsustainable levels of inequality and massive overconsumption of our fragile planet’s resources. The pursuit of increased GDP can’t continue and hasn’t delivered the kind of prosperity and quality of life its proponents offered. “I’m delighted to be taking part in this conference, looking at how we promote wellbeing in our society, moving towards a system that works for the common good, not just for the few, within the environmental limits of our fragile planet. I’m particularly delighted there’s a number of artists and authors taking part. We need to not just analyse what our new genuinely prosperous society looks like, but to help people to picture it – for that creative involvement is essential: fewer zombie movies, more hopeful, positive futures.”
Sunday’s follow up workshop, entitled ‘How to turn Inspiration into Action’, will be facilitated by acclaimed Transition Network trainer, Sophy Banks.
Florence Scialom, International Community Coordinator for NOW, says: “We are delighted Resurgence & Ecologist have invited us to produce the festival’s second day which offers an interactive workshop for discussion, group work and networking around different aspects of personal, community and societal wellbeing. We will explore how we can harness our collective skills, resources and passions to inspire greater wellbeing in our communities and society at large.”
MORE INFORMATION:
- Saturday’s festival takes place at the Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH, 10am-6pm. Tickets cost £45/£35 Concessions, plus £15 for an Indian vegetarian lunch. For further information and to book, contact the Resurgence office on 01237441293 or visit the Resurgence website: www.resurgence.org/wellbeing
- The Sunday workshop takes place at Friends of the Earth, The Printworks, 139 Clapham Road, London SW9 0HP. Entry to the workshop is available at no extra cost to those who’ve bought a Festival ticket. Places, limited to 60, must be booked in advance: email info@networkofwellbeing.org / or call 01803 849107
- For further information about the Festival visit the Resurgence Website: www.resurgence.org/wellbeing
- the Festival of Wellbeing is a fundraising event for The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity registered at Ford House, Hartland, Bideford, Devon EX39 6EE. Registered charity no. 1120414. Tel: 01237 441293. www.resurgence.org