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Hearth Summit Nairobi 2026

Hearth Summit Nairobi dates (Q1 2026) and Language (Hosted in English)

HOSTED BY

Axum

ABOUT THE SUMMITABOUT THE SUMMIT

Fostering Intergenerational Wellbeing in Kenya

Axum will convene a three-day regional summit in Kilifi, Kenya, bringing together changemakers from across East Africa.

This year’s Hearth Summit Nairobi centers on how we might individually and collectively reimagine renewal and regeneration in the midst of a quiet crisis: burnout. We will explore how burnout shows up among social change leaders across a wide range of sectors and uncover pathways to renewal, collective care and long-term resilience.

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CONTENT PILLARSCONTENT PILLARS

Relational Wellbeing

The Relational Wellbeing track explores how we deal with trauma, grief, and relational pain with a focus on inner personal and collective healing as the foundation for sustainable impact and self-renewal. It also provides an opportunity to reimagine how we approach interpersonal, intergenerational, and communal restoration, as a way to alleviate the burden of burnout through collective care and shared life.

The Way We Work, Build & Create

At a time of polycrisis (climate change, conflict, and social unrest), made worse by fatigue and uncertainty, changemakers across sectors report deep exhaustion, with many operating in survival mode rather than thriving in purpose-driven work. Urgency has become our default, leaving little space for healing, reflection, or the inner work needed to sustain long-term impact. This track focuses on how we shift towards cultures of care, trust, and wellbeing for individuals, and in institutions and movements.

Wellbeing in the Digital Age

With the increasing importance of digital literacy in human interaction, this track will explore how we connect and act as global and local citizens, and how we build care and community in an environment where smartphones, social media, AI, and constant connectivity shape how we live, work, and interact.

Ecological Belonging

This track explores the relationship between nature and human flourishing. It honors how ecological restoration, food sovereignty, and intentional environmental planning and preservation, can also restore people, while building a sense of purpose as we collectively connect with the world around us.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSPROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

The summit is then organized around two major sub-themes, each anchoring two of the four core pillars. Each day begins with a plenary session that frames the discussions for the day and sets the context for the two pillars being explored.

Schedule At A Glance

The Hearth Summit unfolds over three impactful days, each anchored in the summit’s core pillars. Day 1 explores Systems of Wellbeing, focusing on how work, environment, and societal structures impact collective health, burnout, and renewal. It invites a reimagining of how we work, build, and live in ways that sustain rather than deplete us. Day 2 shifts to Practices of Wellbeing through the lens of relationships and technology, exploring how connection, community, and meaning-making can foster resilience and healing in a polarized world. Day 3 continues the micro focus on tools and strategies for personal and collective transformation.

The three days provide a dynamic balance of reflection, learning, and connection to help changemakers understand and implement wellbeing systems and practices in their work and lives.

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Hearth Summit Nairobi 2024 Hearth Summit Highlights

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STORIES FROM THE SUMMITSTORIES FROM THE SUMMIT

Connecting the Dots for Systemic Change

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Ecological Wellbeing in Kenya: Where Are We Now and Where Should We Go?Ecological Wellbeing in Kenya: Where Are We Now and Where Should We Go?

Stories from the Hearth

Interview With:

Session Recap From:

Hearth Summit Nairobi 2024
🌍 Nairobi, Kenya

Hearth Summit Nairobi invited changemakers to reflect on their relationship with the natural world by being held in the landscape of the Karen neighborhood of Nairobi, known for its forests, flowers, and vegetation.

Quick Reads

Ecological Belonging and planetary wellbeing were key themes at Hearth Summit Nairobi, the first regional wellbeing summit for social change held in East Africa by Axum.
A diverse group of experts – Fridah Kiboori, Nyaguthii Chege, Constant Cap, and Kevin Juma – shared perspectives on contributors and inhibitors to ecological wellbeing in Kenya.
They recognized drastic environmental changes over the years in Kenya, including the loss of green spaces in cities like Nairobi, and the need for conservation and green urbanization.
Community-driven initiatives, justice, and equity were highlighted as necessary to successfully reclaim and transform urban spaces and achieve ecological wellbeing throughout the country.
Possible solutions explored include significant investments in accessibility to green spaces, successful biodiversity conservation, and community-led projects.

At Hearth Summit Nairobi, the first regional wellbeing summit for social change in East Africa, 300 changemakers gathered to explore a new culture of social change in Kenya and beyond. With Ecological Belonging as a core pillar of the Summit’s program, changemakers reflected on their relationships with the natural world, climate change in Kenya, and the rich cultural heritage present in the region. The Summit was organized by consulting firm Axum as part of their work to foster climate-positive, digitally innovative, inclusive growth, economic development, and social advancement across Africa, the Middle East, and the world.

A diverse group of experts were brought together to explore the intersection of urban development, nature conservation, and the future of green spaces. Fridah Kiboori, Associate Partner, Axum, moderated the conversation featuring:

Nyaguthii Chege, Director, Natural Justice East Africa Hub
Constant Cap, urban planner and researcher, and
Kevin Juma, Africa Climate Director, The Nature Conservancy

Each speaker shared personal experiences and professional insights, creating a rich dialogue that highlighted both challenges and opportunities in the realm of ecological wellbeing.

Catch a glimpse of the Summit here in this short video:

Scene Setting: Changes in the Kenyan Landscape

Each panellist shared personal stories of their relationship with nature, particularly reflecting on their memories from childhood and how they shape their present perspectives. From their stories, the discussion was rooted in real-world examples and human-centered views on the complexities of conservation, urbanization, and community action.

Kevin Juma shared his journey from a nature-loving boy in Western Kenya to a leading forestry specialist. He recounted his childhood experiences of gathering wild fruits and playing outdoors, which later inspired him to study forestry. Kevin highlighted the drastic changes he observed over the years, from shrinking rivers to disappearing fruit trees, underscoring the urgent need for conservation. His career spanning over two decades has been dedicated to understanding and preserving the intricate connections between natural environments and human wellbeing.

Constant Cap brought a contrasting viewpoint as someone who grew up in an urban setting. He vividly described how Nairobi has evolved from the 80s and 90s, where open spaces and public parks were more accessible. Over time, these green spaces have been encroached upon, impacting the city’s ecological balance. Constant mentioned the intentional grabbing of public land and the subsequent deterioration of communal spaces. Despite these challenges, he highlighted positive community actions and initiatives aimed at reclaiming and preserving urban green spaces.

Nyaguthii Chege tied the conversation to her childhood memories and larger societal impacts. She discussed the systematic theft of public land and how it has reshaped Nairobi’s urban landscape. Nyaguthii emphasized the importance of justice and equity in ensuring ecological wellbeing, pointing out how past struggles to protect spaces like Uhuru Park are still relevant today. She touched upon the emotional and psychological benefits of green spaces and the necessity of fighting to protect and reclaim these areas for future generations.

Conservation Matters

Watch episodes of NTV’s Wild Talks with Smirthi Vidyarthi to discover five captivating stories of The Nature Conservancy’s conversation work in Kenya.

Looking Forward: Actionable Solutions for Ecological Wellbeing

As Fridah guided the panel towards discussing actionable solutions and developments, the panellists gave examples of projects and initiatives that are driving positive impacts for ecological wellbeing. Kevin talked about the necessity of balancing conservation with economic activities. He advocated for better enforcement of environmental laws and the inclusion of indigenous communities in conservation efforts. Constant highlighted grassroots initiatives like the Dandora Transformation League and Nairobi Placemaking Movement, which are successfully reclaiming urban spaces. Nyaguthii pointed out community-driven efforts like the Ghetto Farmers of Mathare, which transform trash-filled areas into green spaces and cultivate local produce. These initiatives showcase the power of community action in restoring and maintaining ecological health.

Watch to learn more about the Ghetto Farmers of Mathare, one of the solutions highlighted by the panel.

Envisioning the Future: Headlines of Hope

The panelists concluded by sharing hopeful headlines they would like to see in the future. Constant envisioned a significant investment in walking and cycling infrastructure in African cities, aligning with a broader push for sustainable mobility and making green spaces more accessible. Kevin’s ideal headline focused on a dramatic increase in the population of black rhinos, indicating successful conservation efforts and biodiversity protection. Nyaguthii’s emphasized the need for social justice as a foundation for ecological wellbeing, envisaging a society where fairness and equity drive environmental actions.

Fridah wrapped up the session by underscoring the interconnectedness of individual actions, community efforts, and systemic changes in achieving ecological wellbeing. The conversation highlighted the dual need for protecting natural spaces and ensuring equitable access to these areas for all.

Go further and learn about Axum’s work to pioneer sustainable forestry management and drive biodiversity conversation in East Africa.

EXPLORE THE REGIONAL SUMMITS FURTHEREXPLORE THE REGIONAL SUMMITS FURTHER

Dive Into Stories From Around the World

Discover the Wellbeing Movement in AfricaDiscover the Wellbeing Movement in Africa

Meet and hear stories from the changemakers championing the wellbeing movement in Africa.

A Deep Dive Into Hearth Summit Nairobi 2024A Deep Dive Into Hearth Summit Nairobi 2024

Stories from the Hearth

Reflections From:

The Axum Team

Organizers of Hearth Summit Nairobi 2024
🌍 Nairobi, Kenya

Quick Reads

Axum hosted the first regional Hearth Summit in East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2024.
The Summit’s four main pillars — restorative justice, intergenerational wellbeing, ecological belonging, and faith and wellbeing — guided insightful discussions on integral aspects of societal wellbeing.
The Summit embraced an embodied and uniquely Kenyan approach to wellbeing with diverse arts experiences, wellbeing practices, and celebrations of Kenyan culture throughout the event.
The main takeaways from the Summit centered around the need for driving systemic change using homegrown solutions: for Africa, by Africa!

The Axum and The Wellbeing Project teams gather after a successful first Hearth Summit in Nairobi.

In July, we partnered with The Wellbeing Project to host Hearth Summit Nairobi, the first regional Hearth Summit in East Africa.

The two-day Summit hosted over 300 changemakers from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and fields to explore the intersection of wellbeing and social change. The Summit was thoughtfully crafted to ignite engaging discussions and interactive experiences centered on pillars crucial to our societal wellbeing: restorative justice, intergenerational trauma, ecological belonging, and faith and wellbeing. Within these pillars, participants explored themes that included movements of change and community organizing, wellbeing in the workplace, wellbeing and parenting, sports and wellbeing, among others.

Beyond the breakout sessions, the Summit also offered immersive and interactive art experiences designed to allow participants to explore the concept of wellbeing. These experiences included dance, flower arrangements, and biokinesthetics. Additionally, participants engaged with immersive art such as spoken word and stage readings, musical performances, dances, paintings, tapestries, and a live caricature setup.

For its look and feel, the Summit embraced an Afrocentric aesthetic to cultivate a strong local community atmosphere within our environment. This included using furniture adorned with traditional Kenyan cloth prints and vibrant, patterned banner graphics. The team aimed to create a Summit experience that felt as anti-conference as possible. We wanted our guests to step outside the typical hotel conference room setting, immerse themselves in nature, and participate in physical activities.

Catch a glimpse of the Summit here in this short video:

The four panel sessions touched on the following The four panel sessions touched on the following

Restorative Justice

This panel was co-chaired by Edwin Macharia, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Axum, and Chief Justice Martha Koome, a prominent legal authority with over 30 years of experience in criminal, land, and welfare issues in Kenya. The panel explored justice as a shared responsibility and lived experience, requiring empowered individuals, accessible courts, and support for the marginalized. Critical issues discussed included addressing the overrepresentation of people with disabilities in prisons, reducing stigma, and decolonizing the justice system to promote restorative justice.

Her Ladyship Chief Justice Martha Koome speaks at Hearth Summit Nairobi with Waizeh Solonka, AJAR Trust, and Felicia Mburu, Article 48.

Ecological Belonging

The panel was chaired by Wanjira Mathai, MD, Africa & Global Partnerships at the World Resource Institute (in absentia), who unfortunately could not attend the summit. Our very own Fridah Kiboori moderated it, and it explored the deep connection that individuals and communities have with their natural and built environments. The session explored the profound interdependence between humans and nature, recognizing that our wellness and identity are deeply rooted in the health of our ecosystems and spaces.

Faith and Wellbeing

This panel was moderated by Archbishop Anthony Muheria of the Archdiocese of Nyeri, one of the co-chairs. The session explored faith as a lifelong journey of questioning our formal or informal beliefs and recognizing that our collective consciousness and actions unite us. Within formal religion, the panel discussed the common challenge of reconciling it with the perception of religion as oppressive.

Archbishop Anthony Muheria of the Archdiocese of Nyeri speaks at Hearth Summit Nairobi.

Intergenerational Wellbeing

Chaired and moderated by Edwin Macharia, this panel explored how individuals, families, and communities are interconnected and shape our collective ecosystem. The session explored how traditional methods can address community trauma and bridge generational gaps by preserving cultural knowledge and fostering overall wellbeing.

Sam Mugacha, Imaginable Futures, speaks on the intergerational wellbeing panel with Julie Gichuru, Mastercard Foundation, and peace practitioner Tecla Namachanja.

These were our key takeaways based on overarching themes from the Summit:

The significance of decolonizing our political, religious, and social structures to dismantle narratives of inequality and create systems that support collective wellbeing.

The power of intentionally and collectively identifying traumas and unlearning unhealthy habits, especially from an intergenerational perspective.

The need to remove economic, social, and infrastructural barriers to wellbeing initiatives and ensure accessible and inclusive resources for all.

For Africa by Africa. Homegrown solutions work, and we have what it takes to solve Africa’s challenges.

We left the Summit feeling reinvigorated by the insightful conversations and the deep spirit of community. We’re excited to continue the dialogue around the wellbeing movement in Kenya and look forward to championing a pan-African effort to bring the movement to the rest of the continent!