TWBS Dakar-Thiès

Regional Wellbeing Summits

WHEN

November 29 – December 1, 2023

WHERE

Dakar and Thiès

LANGUAGE

Hosted in English & French

ABOUT THE SUMMIT

“In the spirit of teraanga: for openness and sharing”

The Wellbeing Summit Dakar – Thiès, hosted by Tostan, will be a transformative gathering that aims to empower individuals, organizations and communities to foster well-being in professional, personal and community settings.

In an increasingly challenging global context, a focus on holistic wellbeing has never been more relevant, especially for those at the center of social change and wellbeing efforts.

In Senegal and across West Africa, when challenges arise, a gathering – referred to as a “pénc” in the local language of Wolof – is called to bring together the whole community for discussion.

Tostan is delighted to be part of this global movement, and to be hosting a Regional Summit in Senegal which will be an African-based, African-led, globally connected convening to explore the intersection of wellbeing as a global goal and wellbeing as a daily practice in our organizations, communities, and personal lives.

What to expect:

Attendees will:
- share proven experience, cutting-edge theory, and practical approaches to supporting wellbeing
- guide fellow participants on a journey of self-reflection, mindfulness, and inner wellbeing
- explore the intersection of organizational, community, and collective wellbeing.
The Summit will be first and foremost about experiential sharing and learning. Workshops and sessions will be centered around lived experience, local practices and perspectives, and exploring and creating pathways forward, both individually and together in community.
Local and regional arts and music – including interactive experiences created In partnership with arts collective Partcours– will help foster self-reflection and shared connection. West African song and dance, contemporary art installations, and theatre will be woven into the summit to inspire a unique individual experience that can lead to collective action.

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WHO WILL BE THERE

The Wellbeing Summit Dakar-Thiès welcomes activists, NGOs, community leaders, academics, policymaker, and practitioners working in the field of sustainable development and human rights.

Young people and women leaders who play a crucial role in driving positive change within their communities are particularly encouraged to join the event. The Summit is an inclusive gathering, welcoming individuals and organizations from Africa and beyond who are committed to fostering wellbeing and social transformation.

Join an amazing line-up of speakers and artists for this one-of-a-kind event in Senegal:

Ame David, Regional Capacity Development Specialist, Global Fund for Children
Nafissatou Diop, Director, Sahel Women Empowerment and Demographic Dividend, UNFPA
Sister FA, Senegalese singer, rapper and activist
Sobel Ngom, CEO, Consortium Jeunesse Senegal
Fatim Soumaré, Senegalese artist
Yafane, Senegalese artist

WORDS FROM THE ORGANIZERS

“The potential challenge of a decline in wellbeing is especially relevant in West Africa, where a social sector already confronted in recent decades by major issues — in health, education, economic hardship and many others — now faces many new challenges simultaneously – as climate change joins pandemics, challenges to peace and security and the erosion of democracy, and increasing inequality.

Yet West Africa also has many positive aspects and major contributions to make to our world.”

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Wellbeing in West Africa

How We Gather Together

“Our upcoming Wellbeing Summit Dakar-Thiès reflects our dedication to embracing community-centered models that resonate with our core values. Locally-driven initiatives and capacity development for communities are critical paths forward, as our CEO Elena Bonometti has pointed out. But at the heart of our vision is Teraanga, where openness and sharing guide us in meeting the multifaceted challenges that our world faces. In Senegal, when challenges arise, a community gathering – referred to as a “pénc” in Wolof – is called to bring together the community for discussion. The Summit will be a globally-connected pénc, embodying the essence of African-based, African-led collaboration and growth in wellbeing. This is not just a “nice to have”; it is essential to our collective wellbeing and social cohesion.”

– Carina Ndiaye, Chief Partnerships Office, Tostan

EXPLORING ART, TERAANGA, AND SOCIAL CHANGE WITH PARTCOURS AT THE WELLBEING SUMMIT DAKAR-THIÈS

LEARN ABOUT THE UPCOMING COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE WELLBEING SUMMIT DAKAR-THIÈS HOST, TOSTAN, AND RENOWNED SENEGALESE ART FESTIVAL, PARTCOURS.

“In the heart of West Africa, where the vibrant culture and traditions of Senegal meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world, an extraordinary event is set to unfold: the Wellbeing Summit Dakar-Thiès, hosted by Tostan in partnership with The Wellbeing Project, promises to be a source of hope and inspiration for social change across the continent. At the core of the first Regional Wellbeing Summit in Africa will be a collaboration with Partcours, one of Senegal’s leading contemporary arts festivals. In the 12th edition of this renowned event, a new exhibition, “Yoonu ci biir (The Inner Pathway)”, will explore stories of inner journeys towards wellbeing through the eyes of local artists.”

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions and more information about The Wellbeing Summit Dakar-Thiès, please contact rwsdakar-thies@tostan.org