August 2023 - The Wellbeing Project

Eradicating Violence against Women in the Gaming Industry: Insights from the Dialogue “Violence is Not a Game” Eradicating Violence against Women in the Gaming Industry: Insights from the Dialogue “Violence is Not a Game”

Guest Post by

In an increasingly digitized world, video games have become an integral part of modern life, attracting millions of people of all ages and genders. However, this growing popularity has not been without issues, especially when it comes to violence and harassment targeting women in the gaming industry. To address this concerning topic, the “Violence is Not a Game” dialogue was held, organized by Movistar and L’Oréal Groupe. This event brought together experts, players, and advocates for women’s rights to reflect on how to eradicate gender-based violence in this virtual space.

Speakers at the event included prominent figures in the gaming and advocacy fields, such as Olimpia Coral, a Mexican activist; Mariana Baños, the Founder of Fundación Origen; Kalipso, a competitive gaming host and content creator in eSports; and Jennifer Romero, the Creative Director of Twitch and an ambassador for Women in Games.

With a global audience of 3.1 billion players, the gaming industry is a diverse landscape that mirrors the composition of today’s society. Surprisingly, 46% of players are women, underscoring the significant presence of women in this field. In the context of Mexico, a country with a vibrant gaming culture, 55.8 million individuals enjoy video games, with a 41% female participation rate. These statistics highlight the importance of addressing gender-related issues within the gamer community.

In digital environments, violence and harassment can take various forms, all of which are detrimental to the gaming experience and the wellbeing of women. Some of these manifestations include:

Insults and offensive language: Comments reflecting racism, sexism, homophobia, or other forms of discrimination.

Sexual harassment: Unwanted messages of a sexual nature, inappropriate propositions, or explicit images.

Discrimination and hatred: Treating female players negatively based on their gender, race, sexual orientation, or other personal traits.

Cyberbullying: Repeated and intentional harassment aimed at intimidating or defaming female players.

Griefing: Deliberately sabotaging the gaming experience of others.

Doxxing: Revealing personal information without consent.

Harassment: Directing abusive comments via voice chat or monitoring the activities of female players negatively.

Censorship: Limiting equal participation of female players on platforms.

The “Violence is Not a Game” dialogue emphasized the need for individuals to identify these behaviors and take measures to protect themselves and their community. Awareness and education are crucial to transforming digital spaces into safe and respectful environments for everyone.

It is essential for everyone to be aware of their rights as gamers to promote an inclusive and respectful environment in the gaming world. As this industry continues to captivate audiences of all ages, it becomes even more important to foster positive, conscious, and responsible digital experiences that benefit society. The creation of a safe, inclusive, and sustainable digital world is vital to ensure the wellbeing and mental health of all involved, contributing to a more empathetic and connected society.

The gaming world generates opportunities to connect people and bring them together in an environment that should be safe and guided by positive values. When diverse experiences and perspectives are brought to the table, everything becomes enriched. Dialogues like the one led by Movistar and L’Oréal Groupe, who are working on the issue through their initiatives #mynamemygame and #bravetogether respectively, are a clear example of how collaboration and the exchange of ideas can lead to the creation of a more inclusive, diverse, and respectful digital world.

Wellbeing in Higher Education Network Gathering 2023 Wellbeing in Higher Education Network Gathering 2023

Montreaux, Switzerland

The Wellbeing in Higher Education Network held its annual gathering this year in Switzerland. Participants from 34 of our member institutions immersed themselves in experiential spaces fostering wellbeing of the mind, body, and soul and its relation to our practices in Higher Education.

During our days together, we built a space of connection, learning, and growth for our community as we focused on envisioning and co-creating models that weave wellbeing into higher education programs and curricula focused on social innovation and change. The broad goals of our gathering included:

Enhancing collaboration and strengthening relationships

Facilitating knowledge creation and sharing

Fostering a sense of identity as a community

Building the foundations for our next year together

The gathering was co-hosted by The Wellbeing Project, Facens University, Georgetown University, Highpoint University, and Mondragon University. Daily workshops and practices, led by our incredible network members, allowed for contemplation and creativity in imagining a future for Higher Education centering wellbeing. Some highlights were:

Wrapping spaces to hold our community together, fostering storytelling, mapping and creativity
Presentation of the Inner Work Think Tank for Social Change in partnership with Georgetown University
Unconferencing methodology to address our shared topics of interest and expertise around wellbeing in higher education

Together we imagined a future for Global Higher Education that integrates wellbeing into every aspect of our education systems and promotes flourishing for all. We thank all of our network members for being part of making this event and shared work so special!

Testimonials From Our Members Testimonials From Our Members

Haikus & Poems From Our Gathering Haikus & Poems From Our Gathering

REFLECTIVE PASSAGE

A Journey of Introspection and Collective Learnings

As a sunsetting community, EN members gifted themselves and one another the time to pause and reflect on their individual, organizational, and collective journey as a Network. This is a testimony of the distilled and harvested wisdom gained from their experiences together.

Join us in this heartfelt exploration where reflection brings us closer, memories are honored, and growth is nurtured. Together, let’s celebrate the Ecosystem Network’s accomplishments while embracing new opportunities on the horizon.

ECOSYSTEM NETWORK

Inner Growth, Outer Influence: Our Global Commitment

The Ecosystem Network (EN) was a worldwide, multifaceted network of organizations committed to:

1. Integrating the realms of inner wellbeing and social change seamlessly within member organizations and across the broader spectrum of social change endeavors.

2. Assisting and empowering members in delving deeper into their personal inner wellbeing quests.

3. Facilitating platforms for members to come together, exchange insights, foster learning, and perpetuate the growth of a close-knit community, thus reinforcing bonds and cultivating trust.

For 7 Years

The Ecosystem Network has been one of the core pillars of The Wellbeing Project

Through its dedicated efforts, it has played a central role in shaping research direction, pioneering new initiatives, and fostering a transformative cultural shift towards wellbeing among all changemakers.

Key Initiatives

Quarterly Wellbeing Forums and Targeted Discussions
Collaborative Subgroups
Inspiring Retreats and Community Gatherings
Informative and Engaging Newsletters

These endeavors collectively underline the Ecosystem Network’s unwavering commitment to nurturing a holistic sense of wellbeing within the changemaker community, thereby creating a lasting positive impact.

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97 Member Organizations

The Ecosystem Network Around The Globe

Spanning across 5 continents, the Ecosystem Network boasted 104 representatives—a tapestry of global collaboration.

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://wellbeing-project.org/ecosystem-network-group-member-organisations/” align=”center” bg_color=”#0190bb”]LIST OF MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS[/mk_button]

Sunsetting Our Story

After a remarkable journey spanning 7 years, the Ecosystem Network (EN) has gracefully reached the sunsetting phase, marking the culmination of its impactful mission.

With resounding success, the EN has surpassed all its envisioned goals, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape it aimed to transform. While bidding farewell to this chapter may evoke a bittersweet sentiment, it primarily stands as a joyous celebration of the collective accomplishments achieved by its dedicated members. Their unwavering dedication, collaborative spirit, and efforts have paved the way for a radiant future, one where the seeds of positive change continue to flourish and illuminate the path ahead. The sunsetting of the EN embodies not just an end, but a radiant beginning of even greater endeavors and possibilities.

A Timeline

Of Our Journey

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Testimonials

From Our Network

OUR IMPACT

The Achievements Of Our Network

Pioneering & Strengthening The Case

Pioneered, piloted, and led new programming, which has helped tell some of the first wellbeing stories in the field.
Helped build the case for the need of wellbeing globally.
Guided TWP’s main research and supported project-wide emerging processes and initiatives.
Created different types of wellbeing related materials (e.g. books, research, webinars).

Relationships & Peer Support

Created safe spaces from which trustworthy relationships could be built, thus modeling a new way of being and relating with one another within the sector at large.
Showcased the importance of having a community of peers and leaders to travel and journey with.

Wellbeing At Different Levels

Helped us deepen the collective understanding of what it takes to integrate wellbeing at a personal and organizational level.
Played an active role in sharing personal and organizational learnings & experiences with the broader field in different settings (e.g. global conferences)
Incorporated wellbeing into the core of many members’ organizations and their strategies.
Contributed to the creation of some of the first major global and regional ripple effects in the sector. (e.g. The Wellbeing Summit Bogotá)

Civil society – the power of now | Andreas Rickert | TEDxBerlinSalon

Books By Our Members

New Work Needs Inner Work

by Joana Breidenbach

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.amazon.com/New-Work-needs-Inner-Selbstorganisation/dp/3800661373″ target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#0190bb”]LEARN MORE[/mk_button]

Leading from Within: Conscious Social Change and Mindfulness for Social Innovation

by Gretchen Ki Steidle

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Within-Conscious-Mindfulness-Innovation/dp/026203719X” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#0190bb”]LEARN MORE[/mk_button]

The New Reason to Work: How to Build a Career That Will Change the World

by Roshan Paul & Ilaina Rabbat

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.amazon.com/New-Reason-Work-Career-Change/dp/1544525176″ target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#0190bb”]LEARN MORE[/mk_button]

More From The Ecosystem Network

Spotlights From The Community

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://wellbeing-project.org/global-glassroots/” target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#0190bb”]GLOBAL GRASSROOTS[/mk_button][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://wellbeing-project.org/fundacion-mi-sangre/” target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#0190bb”]FUNDACIÓN MI SANGRE[/mk_button]

The Wellbeing Summit Bogotá – Podcast

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://wellbeing-project.org/the-wellbeing-summit-bogota-podcast/” target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#0190bb”]LISTEN NOW[/mk_button]

Reflective Passage – Learnings From The Ecosystem Network’s Sunset Journey

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://wellbeing-project.org/reflective-passage/” target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#0190bb”]READ MORE[/mk_button]

Haikus & Poems Haikus & Poems

By The Higher Education Network

Get ready to embark on a journey through the poetic expressions of The Higher Education Network‘s annual gathering in Switzerland.

In this collection, you will discover haikus and poems that echo the spirit of intellectual exploration, camaraderie, and the shared commitment to the future of wellbeing in education. Each syllable is a brushstroke, painting a picture of contemplation, connection, and elevation of the mind. Through verses inspired by the serene landscapes, the vibrant discussions, and the harmonious bonds formed, we invite you to experience the essence of this gathering.

As you immerse yourself in these poetic reflections, may you find inspiration, insight, and a renewed sense of purpose in the pursuit of wellbeing and enlightenment within the realm of education.

Success Story: Theory of Change. The journey towards wellbeing Success Story: Theory of Change. The journey towards wellbeing

Guest post in collaboration with:

Muhammad Imran Kazmi, Senior Finance Manager in Khwendo Kor

Muhammad Imran Kazmi is the Senior Finance Manager in Khwendo Kor (KK), a well reputed local-based non-for-profit organisation in Peshawar, Pakistan. In 2019 KK was one of 8 social change organisations chosen to participate in The Wellbeing Project’s Organisational Exploratory Program (OEP). The purpose of the OEP was to support the organisations through a learning journey to build wellbeing into the heart of their cultures.

Consistent with its vision to build a society where women and girls live with dignity and self-reliance, organisational wellbeing within Khwendo Kor would be defined by a participatory culture and supportive community giving opportunities for every staff member to learn and grow.

Whenever there is change, there will be some resistance to that change: it is a normal human response to uncertainty. Imran explains his own resistance: “At first, I could not accept the idea of wellbeing in the context of Pakistan, where we have such challenges with education, with electricity, with so much. And I did not like the idea of sharing my learning with staff, with connecting with more people.”

He goes on to say: “I have a stammer tongue by birth and before joining the wellbeing project I was not accepting this problem. All the time I was crucially blaming myself and complaining to GOD for this given. It was always a big challenge for me to accept when I was given a chance to speak in a meeting or a public gathering. Only the thought of it brought always fear in my mind that if I stammer, I would be embarrassed and thus lose self-confidence.”

The OEP was, from the beginning, framed as a learning journey. Everyone came to understand that there were no one-size-fits-all answers. This was an exploration by the participating organisations to define what organisational wellbeing meant to them and identify how they might work to improve it. Learning would come whether the impact was as expected, or not. And learning would be shared among the 8 organisations.

Imran says: “Since I joined OEP in 2019 I had several check-in sessions with our organisational coach. I have a learning attitude, so I have positively learnt a lot from this journey. Since joining the OEP, I slowly and gradually started accepting it.”

“I worked on myself and learned through various session. I did research in internet to found ways to address my stammering and YouTube videos to learn on how to overcome stammering. Once I started accepting my stammer problem, it really worked out and now I don’t feel shame if stammer. This has really built my self-confidence and now sometimes when I speak, I don’t even stammer anymore. For this I feel very grateful first to myself because I’ve learned to change and to The Wellbeing Project /OEP team and Khwendo Kor (KK) for providing me with this beautiful platform not only for organisational wellbeing but also for my personal wellbeing.

Based on my experience I developed some powerful wellbeing indicators which has not only bought miracle change in my life but also a positive attitude. I recommend everyone to apply these in their life.

Regular practice meditation.

Acceptance.

Believe in yourself.

Expressing gratitude.

Calm and peace to have healthy mind.

Be happy and stay positive.

Exposure to nature.

Focus on yourself.

Be aware of the present moment.

Don’t think about your past and future that has yet to come.

Let the ego go.

Having said that, one indicator ACCEPTANCE from the above list has changed my life.

Last year, in 2022, one of our senior Board of Director Dr. Salma Masood Khan and myself have attended The Wellbeing Summit for Social Change in Bilbao, Spain. There we learnt from different sessions and met with beautiful souls across the world. This was an extraordinary experience for me as it was my first ever experience to travel abroad in an airplane. This international exposure was also an additional booster for me to learn and share mutual experiences. Upon our return, we have prepared a PowerPoint presentation and successfully conducted a one-day session on wellbeing to all our staff.”

As for powerful organisational wellbeing indicators, KK is currently heading into its mid-term Strategic Planning Review Process with organisational wellbeing top of mind. Initially Imran was primarily responsible for the KK wellbeing work. Now the KK Human Resource function is taking the lead -reviewing policies through the lens and perspective of wellbeing, looking at salaries, providing interest-free loans to staff, and offering retirement benefits to which the organisation and the staff members contribute.

Imran offers his own powerful wellbeing guidance. “Last but not least my humble submission is: Love yourself, care yourself so that you are able to love and care others as well”.

John Gasko

Engagement Lead at The Wellbeing Project

Austin, Texas

John has a long history with the Wellbeing Project. Back in 2017, he collaborated closely with the project to create the vision for what has now become the Higher Education Network and was personally transformed as a member of the first cohort while serving as a professor and Dean.

Once again, a lightning strike of creativity happened over coffee at Sigmund Freud’s summer villa in the Austrian Alps while participating in an inner work retreat. It was there where the Teacher Wellbeing Group was further incubated and soon thereafter Gasko was quickly dispatched to the WISE Summit in Qatar to meet up with Xymena Salado, Networks Senior Manager, and curate a workshop with education leaders from around the globe.

In the Fall of 2019, Dr. Gasko was appointed Chief Well-Being Officer at Uplift Education, one of the largest public education , charter school systems in the United States.

In 2016, Dr. Gasko was appointed Professor and Dean of Education at the University of North Texas and eventually Special Advisor to the President. While at UNT, Dr. Gasko built and launched thirdspace, one of the first mindfulness and well-being centers dedicated to supporting students, faculty, and leaders in higher education. Earlier in his career, Dr. Gasko served as the Director of Research and Public Policy for the Children’s Defense Fund, worked alongside physicians, neuroscientists, and psychologists as Associate Division Chief of Developmental Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, and became CEO and Managing Director of the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute. Dr. Gasko has experienced firsthand how talented social changemakers are besieged, overwhelmed, stressed out, and who leave their professions at alarming rates. Striving evermore to understand why people on the front lines of helping others were “dropping out,” Gasko traveled the country and the globe to study with a variety of institutions, physicians, scientists, and wisdom teachers—including Harvard Medical School, the Chief of Primary Care at UChicago Medicine, Alex Lickerman, UMASS Medical School’s Jon Kabat-Zinn, Boston Trauma Center’s, Bessel Van Der Kolk, and Tibetan teacher, Pema Chodron. Gasko is one of the few people to attain a Black Belt “with distinction” in Jamie Wheal’s Flow Genome Project system, which is featured in the NYT’s best-selling book, Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work.

He has trained in expedition-based canyoneering in the rugged Utah-based desert system with Wheal and Curt Cronin, a former commander of Navy SEAL Team 6, and is extending this training to include back-country skiing and guiding in the Holy Cross Wilderness in the Pike San Isabel National Forest. Gasko is also a trained Emergency Medical Technician and Wilderness First Responder.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?
From the Heart Sutra: “Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form…”

How would you define wellbeing in one word?
Harmony.

Are there any rituals or practices you use to enhance your wellbeing?
I have imperfectly experimented with Shikantaza or “Just Sitting” for almost 30 years and will receive Zen Jukai ordination in November, 2023.

Why is it important that we prioritize individual, organizational and societal wellbeing?
Because there’s nothing like feeling at home in your own body and mind, with colleagues at work, within our communities and in seamless relationship to nature.

Do you have any favorite books, podcasts, or articles that you believe support, promote or educate on wellbeing and related themes?

Shantideva’s Guide to the Boddhisattva’s Way of Life

Learning From the Climate Mental Health Convergence Learning From the Climate Mental Health Convergence

Webinar Held By Catalyst 2030

August 2023

This webinar focused on the Stanford Social Innovation Review article of the same name. Read here.

The webinar was moderated by Matt Hughsam, speaking to Kelly Davis and Lian Zeitz as they expanded on the ideas within the article they co-authored with John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta.

Speakers Speakers

KELLY DAVIS

Kelly Davis is the AVP of Peer and Youth Advocacy at Mental Health America, where she leads efforts to expand peer support and young adult leadership. Kelly is a person with lived experience and is passionate about lived experience-driven and led programs, policies, and research. Examples of her current projects include partnering with college students to advance mental health rights in higher education and collaborating with youth to create priorities for school mental health policy.

LIAN ZEITZ

Lian Zeitz is the Co-Founder at the Climate Mental Health Network and was previously the Global Director of Love and Compassion for citiesRISE, a global platform committed to transforming the state of mental health policy and practice in cities and beyond to meet the mental health needs of populations across the world. He has conducted national and global research on youth mental health, family therapy models, trauma, and community mental health interventions. He has published work in leading journals, such as Contemporary Family Therapy, Cities & Health, Environment international, and Journal of Adolescent Health. Lian recently completed a Master of Divinity at Naropa University, studying contemplative wisdom, bioethics, youth mental health, and community healing. Lian earned a BASc from Quest University Canada, where he focused on public mental health and literature, and a certificate for Leadership in Mental Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

MATT HUGHSAM

Matt Hughsam is a facilitator, researcher, and coach committed to pursuing well-being and justice for people, our communities, and our planet. He is passionate about bringing together grassroots-led and systems-led efforts toward transformative change. At citiesRISE, Matt builds research, innovation, and movement building initiatives supporting youth-driven mental health transformation, primarily in India, Kenya, the U.S., and Colombia. He previously worked on programs ranging from community-based interventions to supporting evidence-informed decision-making in national governments. Matt loves speculative fiction and outdoor adventures.

Inspiring Change through Wellbeing: Insights from Fundación FEMSA’s Breakfast in Mexico City Inspiring Change through Wellbeing: Insights from Fundación FEMSA’s Breakfast in Mexico City

Guest Post by

Alejandra Garza & Fernanda Martínez

Last week, on July 27th, we had the honor of attending a remarkable breakfast organized by Fundación FEMSA in Mexico City. The event brought together more than 100 participants working in the field of social change in Mexico, making it an inspiring and timely occasion.

Since 2008, Fundación FEMSA has been working on the premise that “a sustainable company can only exist with sustainable communities.” Over the years, they have made significant strides in Sustainable Development, Early Childhood, Arts & Culture, Circular Economies, and most recently, Wellbeing, which was the focal point of this enriching event.The session was inaugurated by Sebastian Viramontes, Global Wellness Manager at FEMSA, who shared FEMSA’s wellbeing model, integrated by 5 areas: Healthy Body, Psychological Wellbeing, Workplace Wellbeing, Financial Wellbeing and Social Connection. He highlighted the far-reaching impact of this model, not only on FEMSA’s workforce, but also on their families and the broader community.

After this presentation, Dr. Rosalinda Ballesteros, Director of Instituto de Ciencias del Bienestar y la Felicidad of Universidad Tecmilenio, México, elaborated on the challenges of work-related stress and the implications of this in social change work. Drawing on her expertise in positive psychology, she shared practical strategies for promoting personal wellbeing, emphasizing the importance of curiosity in exploring one’s own emotions, needs, as well as unique perspectives, and learning how to do this in normal everyday life.

Both presentations highlighted the link between personal flourishing and the sustainability of collective efforts, affirming that only by taking care of ourselves and each other can we hope to build a future where transformative change becomes a reality.

The event ended with a psychodrama exercise led by David Ordaz, Social Psychologist and Master in Political Sociology. Through role-playing and embodiment exercises, participants connected with their emotions and shared their visions for the future of the social change sector in Mexico.

It was a real honor and pleasure to attend this wonderful event. We are inspired to see wellbeing as a topic that is growing strongly in this region and to have witnessed how everyone present was genuinely interested in exploring ways to incorporate and enhance wellbeing on both a personal and organizational level. The enthusiasm and commitment shown by all attendees and speakers was wonderful and it is heartwarming to see a growing community that values the wellbeing of individuals and organizations alike.

We are very grateful to have been part of such an uplifting experience and are excited to witness the continued growth of a community that values the wellbeing of all its members.