Andrew Soren, MAPP '13, is the founder and CEO of Eudaimonic by Design, a global network of facilitators, coaches, and advisors who share a passion for well-being and believe organizations must be designed to enable it. Together they harness the best of scholarship and years of experience to advise organizations and design systems that unlock potential and bring out the best in people. Andrew is also co-chair of the 8th IPPA World Congress on Positive Psychology. Andrew's articles are here.
Dear Positive Psychology News reader,
Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, student, or admirer of the field, the 8th IPPA World Congress is a must-attend event of all things positive psychology! As co-chair, I’m reaching out personally to invite you to four incredible days of cutting-edge research, practical application, and special events that will leave you feeling connected to a vibrant community of like-minded peers.
From seasoned positive psychology conference-goers to total novices, this congress has something for everyone. We’re excited about facilitating an experience that will fill you with awe. Here are the details (but read on for a sampler of what programming is in store):
- Details: check out the International Positive Psychology Association World Congress site
- Place: Vancouver Canada
- Dates: July 20-23, 2023
- Accommodations
- Register here
If you’re anything like me, positive psychology has already had a profound impact on your life. I first learned about the field after reading Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. He exquisitely described something I knew in my heart and saw in my experience but had previously had no words to describe. The more I dug into the field, the more I came to realize that there were not only words, there was a whole world of science and evidence-based practice growing exponentially every day that helped all of us find ways to be ever better versions of ourselves.
Fast forward a couple of decades and I have the true honor to be part of a team that has programmed this world-class Congress. To whet your appetite, let me tell you a little about three sessions I’m excited about seeing on the main stage.
To whet your appetite, let me tell you a little about three sessions I’m excited about seeing on the main stage at this year’s congress.
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Compassion
Rick Hanson is leading a conversation on how positive psychology must address the full range of human experience including both the highs and the lows. To do this, we need compassion, which involves being motivated to address and relieve the suffering of others and ourselves and to try to change the causes of suffering in the world.
Joining Rick will be Tania Singer discussing the neurobiology of empathy and compassion and its trainability; James Kirby on a “case for compassion” in terms of its psychosocial and therapeutic benefits; and Mamphela Ramphele who will explore compassionate action to change structural systems that cause much preventable suffering in the world.
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Connecting Nature & Wellbeing
John Zelenski and Holli-Anne Passmore are bringing together an extraordinary panel to explore how nature is connected to our wellbeing. Together with Kelley Bird-Naytowhow, Louise Chawla and Thomas Doherty, they will explore the efficacy and key ingredients of nature-based well-being interventions; why it seems that so many people underestimate the impact that nature has on our well-being; and how nature can be a pathway to wellbeing for all, particularly in the current era of climate crisis.
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Communicating Positive Psychology to Massive Audiences
Jason Marsh of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center is leading a conversation with Tal Ben-Shahar and Sonja Lyubomirsky on how, for positive psychology to have its greatest impact, the science needs to reach a truly massive global audience in both effective and ethical ways.
Based on trailblazing lived experience, each will share their own strategies for translating research into clear, compelling, and actionable terms for the general public, particularly for those who do not have a background in psychology. They’ll discuss the challenges involved in this work, including the need to make positive psychology engaging without compromising its accuracy or integrity and the need to address universal questions while also recognizing differences that exist between individuals, sectors and cultures.
International Scope
This is the World Congress, and the speakers come from all over the world. Even just these three talks have speakers from the USA, Australia, Canada, South Africa, First Nation, and Israel.
And much more…
Of course these are just three sessions and a handful of speakers at a Congress where more than 590 researchers and practitioners will be presenting their work in panels, keynotes, workshops and posters. Over the course of the four days, attendees will not only see the latest innovations in the field of positive psychology, but they will also come together and connect with 1500 passionate individuals who are keen to learn and grow together.
Don’t wait. Register now at ippworldcongress.org, and I’ll see you in Vancouver!
Andrew Soren, Co-Chair, IPPA World Congress
