‘Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ — Ralph Waldo Emerson

As Australia grapples with the crisis of domestic violence, we're also struggling with the growing impact of drugs and alcohol, gambling, the impact of pornography on young people, depression, intercultural tensions, violent crime and the ongoing mental health crisis.

Leaders are looking for novel and effective ways to promote mental wellbeing, peace and social cohesion.

Inaction is no longer an option. We can no longer remain bystanders, and we need to lift our gaze beyond the existing policy frameworks and approaches to ending violence.

As leaders, we often look for quick fixes while addressing any complex challenge that we face and overlook the need to build the capacity of individuals and communities to actively promote compassion, mutual respect and social cohesion. In our busy lives at work, particularly if our work connects us to the coalface of the impacts of violence, we can easily forget that change is always an inside job.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also recognised the importance of addressing the inner dimension and has started advocating for the integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in violence reduction, conflict resolution and peace-building programs. Even urban civic agencies like the Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention advocate for programs focusing on trauma healing and building personal resilience to combat urban violence.

You are invited to join an experiential and interactive discussion on how we can effectively heal trauma and build our capacity as leaders and changemakers to actively promote compassion, peace and social cohesion.

The session will consist of interactive discussions, frameworks and wisdom for deepening leadership transformation as well as guided breath practices to enhance wellbeing, resilience and activate the leader within.

This is a ‘by invite’ only session. The session is co-hosted by Humans of Purpose, The Catalyst Network, and facilitated by Mandar Apte.

About your facilitator: Mandar Apte

Mandar worked at Shell for 17 years and managed Shell’s prestigious GameChanger social innovation program investing in ideas that create shared value – business value and social impact. In 2016, Mandar produced the From India With Love documentary film to reinvigorate the message of nonviolence (or Ahimsa) in the world. Aligned with this mission, in Oct 2018, Mandar hosted the inaugural World Summit for Countering Violence & Extremism that brought together peace activists and law enforcement executives from across the world in the spirit of promoting promote peace and compassion in the world.

For over a decade, Mandar has taught leadership programs using meditation practices for the International Association for Human Values and the Art of Living Foundation.