Imagining wellness in a post-COVID world: SFU brings together global leaders in dialogue series

“We’ve all been impacted and changed in almost every aspect of our lives, no matter who we are, what we do, or where we live,” said Sobhana Jaya-Madhavan, Simon Fraser University (SFU) associate vice-president of external relations, in her opening remarks at the Emerging from COVID-19 curtain raiser. “Hence a deep desire amongst the global community for holistic healing, revival and recovery.”

Emerging from COVID-19 is a 4-part dialogue series, launched by Impresario Global, in collaboration with SFU, BC India Business Network, Pio-TV, Never Grow Up and Cancer Patients Aid Association (India). The series will frame how individuals and institutions around the world can collaborate for pandemic recovery that prioritizes healing and wellness. Jaya-Madhavan serves as series moderator.

Discussants will emphasize the importance of holistic wellness, as the series explores many arenas and avenues of well-being including community, leadership, empathy, creativity and art. 

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU continues to host dialogues such as these to surface collective knowledge, inspire collective action and strengthen communities.

Asoke Mukerji, Former Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations (UN), and a guest speaker at the series curtain raiser, reiterated the global community’s interest in holistic wellness and concern for the planet, and the importance of these issues at the UN General Assembly. “Emerging from the COVID-19 dialogue series strengthens the multi-stakeholder approach of Agenda 2030,” he stated, in reference to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a plan approaching economic, social and environmental development from a sustainability lens, and addressing issues such as human rights and poverty. “We must not leave anyone behind on our path to recovery.”

The first episode of the two-part talk titled, “Artists as Healers”, launches Saturday, July 10. This talk will feature artists including author Robert Pardi, dancer Dr. Shovana Narayan, actor Vivek Anand Oberoi, and photographer Ashley Jones. The artists also bring experience in philanthropy and work in healing.

"Today, COVID-19 is testing our mettle. It is up to each one of us to draw upon our inner reserves of creative instincts, curiosity, determination and the will to find avenues of self-expression, thus not only releasing pent-up emotions, but also being connected to the inner self and the outer world. Performing arts is the perfect answer and healer in all situations," says Dr. Narayan. 

The continuation of “Artists as Healers” will also add Anosh Irani, award-winning author and playwright, and term assistant professor in SFU’s Department of World Languages and Literatures.

The second dialogue will focus on “Leading with Head and Heart”. Emerging from COVID-19 episodes will be released biweekly over July and August.

“I salute this series that aims to strengthen societal links through creativity, art & culture, that are a catalyst to unity and resilience,” said H.E. Ambassador Simona-Mirela Miculescu, who joined the curtain raiser from UNESCO. “The pandemic has necessitated self-expression by waking up the artist and leader within ourselves. Creativity is the first step to problem-solving and we must, as a global community, embrace it."

The dialogue series supports the Cancer Patients Aid Association, a Mumbai-based non-profit organization helping pediatric cancer patients. COVID has brought increased challenges to cancer treatment, affecting physical health as well as access to care. While the series is free to watch, donations to the Cancer Patients Aid Association are welcome.

Watch Emerging from COVID-19 on the following dates:

• July 10 & Aug 14: Artists as Healers, 8-9 PM IST
• July 24 & Aug 7: Leading with Head and Heart, 8-9 PM IST

For more information on the series visit Impresario Global.

This is a non-ticketed event.
Donate to Cancer Patients Aid Association.