ABOUT LEARNING PARTNER GROUP (LPG)

THE OBJECTIVES THE OBJECTIVES

The learning and discussion amongst the LPG will inform how this group of institutions acts – individually and collaboratively – to shift the field of social change. The LPG work is guided by and draws from the body of work and framework that Synergos has developed over 25 years. The methodology models and embodies personal wellbeing and reflection as the basis leading to a shared group vision and collective aspirations that lead to collective action. This group gathers virtually every three to four months and several in-person days once a year.
With the guidance of the Learning Partner Group, The Wellbeing Project has initiated work to catalyze wellbeing in specific areas of the social change field. So much so that some of the TWP’s learning communities were born, such as WISE Network.

The Learning Partner Group (LPG), was convened at the beginning of 2016, with the aim to engage leaders of key global institutions in the world of social change in a learning journey. The leaders are invited to learn from and help guide the research and other key areas of learning, learn from the wellbeing-related work of each institution in their networks, and support the overall evolution and strategic direction of the Project.

❏ Convene a ‘learning partner’ community of global social sector leaders

❏ Engage the Learning Partners in the research, and consideration for the whole field of social change

The Learning Partner Group (LPG), was convened at the beginning of 2016, engages leaders of key global institutions in the world of social change in a learning journey. They are invited to:

❏ Learn from and help guide the research and other key areas of learning.

❏ Learn from the wellbeing-related work of each institution in their networks.

❏ Explore the question “What support can be provided to support more broadly the wellbeing of people working in the field of social change?”

❏ Help guide the overall evolution and strategic direction of the Project.

In collaboration with Vuslat Foundation, Generous Listening will be put forward at The Wellbeing Summit as one of the essential elements of wellbeing and a way to deepen our connection with ourselves, each other, and nature.

Generous listening is the practice of listening, to oneself, to one another, and to nature – with an open mind, with compassion, and without prejudice or agenda. It is the ability and willingness to expand our horizons, reach insight and enlightenment, and form empathy and understanding across deep divides.

Generous listening arrives from the practice of taking oneself out of one’s comfort zone, knowingly exiting the echo chambers or ideological bunkers in which we exist, and making an active effort to listen to opinions, ideas, and experiences that may challenge us. 

Generous listening leads to authentic connections and revelation. Through listening generously and working together to cultivate a culture of generous listening, we can transform the way we experience the world – Vuslat Foundation.

HOW IS GENEROUS LISTENING INTEGRAL TO WELLBEING?

We believe that listening plays a key role in the creation of a culture of wellbeing. A healthy relationship with self is essential for sustaining relationships with others and this in turn also affects the way we connect with our work and the world around us. 

Wellbeing is the experience of wholeness and interconnectedness and derives from a lifelong journey of inner work and conscious and intentional choices. 

Kindness, vulnerability, connection, and community can only be cultivated through the three pillars of generous listening: listening deeply to oneself, listening genuinely to one another, and listening sincerely to nature.

Through learning to listen deeply to ourselves, we can cultivate better mental health. Be it through self-compassionate approaches like spiritual practices, meditation, and journaling, or through seeking external guidance through therapy and more, we can embark on both self-development and self-acceptance. Only through some degree of self-awareness and inner peace, can we achieve compassion and empathy towards others. By opening the space and holding the intention to listen generously to one another, we overcome the modern epidemic of loneliness, forge authentic connections, and find paths to bridging cultural or political differences. Finally, we must listen generously to nature in order to value, preserve and seek refuge in the world’s natural environment which nourishes us and gives us life. Our common need and desire for security, safety, and belonging can be attained through cultivating a culture of generous listening. 

HOW IS GENEROUS LISTENING INTEGRAL TO THE WORK OF SOCIAL CHANGE, GOVERNMENT, ARTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO CREATE LASTING SOLUTIONS AND SYSTEMATIC CHANGE?

Social change and inner wellbeing are deeply interconnected. Changemakers who dedicate their lives to working on some of the world’s most pressing issues must similarly demonstrate leadership in listening generously, both to themselves, to others, and to nature. To drive meaningful social change, changemakers must have an acute ability to listen to the needs and experiences of the communities around them. To consistently display the adequate courage and compassion to respond to the challenges of others, they must first and foremost possess a state of inner wellbeing. Through being able to listen compassionately and intuitively to oneself, changemakers will then be able to step outside of themselves to understand the viewpoints of others, gain a more holistic perspective, and tackle social and environmental challenges. 

VUSLAT FOUNDATION AT THE WELLBEING SUMMIT

Vuslat Foundation is a global initiative that fosters a deeper appreciation of listening as the essential element of all our connections. The Foundation creates awareness about and spreads the skill of generous listening. Established in Switzerland in 2020, with offices in Istanbul and London, Vuslat Foundation works with artists, storytellers, changemakers and thought leaders. Through partnerships with academia, civil society, artists, and businesses; the Foundation develops knowledge, research, methodologies, and tools on generous listening, cultivates generous listening in the ecosystems of youth and children, and builds awareness and inspiration on generous listening–deeply aligned with the Wellbeing Summit.