Inspired by The Wellbeing Project's inaugural Wellbeing Summit for Social Change in Bilbao, Spain, in 2022, the Omega Institute and the Harlem Wellness Center—in collaboration with The Wellbeing Project—presented the first North American Regional Wellbeing Summit for Social Change.
This Wellbeing Summit – a partnership between Omega Institute and Harlem Wellness Center – brought together over 150 social change, governmental, arts, and business leaders with the collective intention to advance wellbeing for those on the frontlines of social change. Together, delegates delved into profound themes of collective wellbeing, personal and systemic change, connection, interdependence with each other and the planet we inhabit, and the power of creativity – celebrating the idea that we are all part of a greater whole.
The Wellbeing Summit was host to:
- 150 attendees spanning diverse backgrounds, including geographic locations, professional sectors, generations, racial/ethnic identities, and gender identities
- 52 award-winning, dynamic, powerful, and revolutionary speakers, artists, and performers
- A community of activists, wellness practitioners, healers, spiritual leaders, philanthropists, educators, storytellers, and catalyzing changemakers
- A 56% attendance of BIPOC delegates, presenters, performers, and artists
- A 30% attendance of men and nonbinary delegates, presenters, performers, and artists who were welcomed in a women-centering space
The Summit provided an opportunity to build relationships, enhance collaboration and innovation, and engage in transformative experiences in an environment of joy, care, and mutual understanding. Activities included:
- Inspiring talks and panel discussions that presented multiple perspectives
- Workshops that offered tools to take meaningful action
- Leadership frameworks to guide delegates through a multi-tiered exploration of their own leadership journey
- Art and art making that engaged wellbeing from the emotional and intellectual language of the arts
- Learning from Omega’s award-winning Center for Sustainable Living and Eco Machine™, which demonstrated what’s possible through regenerative design
- Opportunities to be in nature–gardens, forest, and lakefront, and wellness activities including daily classes in meditation, yoga, and tai chi
