INFORMATION BOOKLET

THE POWER OF A COMPASSIONATE MIND FOR HAPPINESS AND SUCCES

28TH OF NOVEMBER, ACADEMIEGEBOUW UTRECHT

Furthermore, more and more studies show the

importance of compassion in people’s personal lives, in

the workplace, education and in the health care system.

Well-being and personal satisfaction go up if one

engages with compassion, works in compassionate

teams, makes compassionate decisions, etc. In this

sense, this conference is as much about rooting

our convictions as it is about inspiring change.

Through the presentation of scientific research and

inspiring examples from international speakers

from different sectors, we enable people to become an

compassionate actor. By proving the science behind the

ideas, participants will be equipped in the future so they

can not only be inspired by compassion themselves,

but also can build the case and convince leaders,

decision makers, and managers of the value of a more

mindful and compassionate approach in whatever

walk of life they may take after the conference.

We believe in the power of new ideas, and how

they can change the world; therefore, with this conference

we hope to become the change we wish to see in the world.

The MIND Conference is one of the first conferences

on compassion in Europe specifically aimed at young

people. It is an initiative of a group of students from

University College Utrecht and Amsterdam University

College. Our main motivation is to inspire students and

young professionals to explore the value of compassion

in today’s world and engage with it through action. We see the conference as part of a bigger movement:

the rise of social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, solidarity and the Charter for Compassion.

The conference will give participants the inspiration

and the opportunity to discover new ideas and practices that

they can integrate into their personal lives. Thus creating

a ripple effect that spreads beyond the walls of the

conference hall. When one reads stories of how individuals

come to be inspired to change their lives for the better, a

remarkable story often repeats itself. People speak of a

chance occasion; the privilege of being at the right place

at the right time; or hearing someone speak that would

change the direction of their lives forever. It is our great

hope, to create this moment of inspiration for others.

The role of empathy and compassion as an integral part in

coordinating social connectedness is becoming

more and more prominent. This has been greatly supported

through scientific research which has become a powerful ally

in promoting the movement for a more compassionate society.

info@mindconference.euhttp://www.mindconference.eu

Our Story

OF ALL THE MANAGEMENT

PRINCIPLES I HAVE ADOPTED OVER THE

YEARS THERE IS ONE I ASPIRE TO LIVE BY MORE THAN ANY OTHER. THAT PRINCIPLE IS MANAGING

COMPASSIONATELY.JEFF WEINER CEO

LINKEDIN

• Highlight the value and necessity of compassion for students and young professionals in today’s world

• Share the latest scientific research on the benefits of compassion for our life and work

• Present inspiring examples of people who integrate compassion in their work, in business, education and healthcare

• Provide the tools to develop and integrate compassion into daily life

The MIND Conference wi l l take place on Saturday, 28 November 2015 in the Academiegebouw Utrecht, the Nether lands. We wi l l invi te internat ional ly renowned speakers and aim for an audience of 200 par t ic ipants. Talks and workshops wi l l take place from 10 to 17 o’clock. Dur ing lunch and the borrel af ter the conference, there wi l l be networking oppor tuni t ies for the audience and organisat ions present.

Our conference aims to:

ConferenceDescription

Speakers Salmaan Sana is mult i - faceted

consul tant and faci l i tator who wants to create a

more compassionate heal th care system, by br inging

professionals, inst i tutes, and pat ients together for a common

purpose

Spencer Hei jnen - How the Science of Happiness changed

my l i fe

Marieke van Vught explores

compassion scient i f ical ly

Dylan Vianen and Sietse de Kok

- the Bi ldung Academy-

Empathy as a const i tut ive

element of Bi ldung

in modern t imes

*more informat ion on the speakers can be found

on our websi te: mindconference.eu

Mari lyn Turkovich - Char ter for Compassion

Zoi Kantounatou - Business Manager at Power of Youth: Purpose-dr iven entrepreneur-ship: connect wi th your potent ia l in order to bui ld a better wor ld through business.

Marjor ieke Glaudemans

- Towards compassionate

leadership

Er ik van den

Br ink - A

personal

ref lect ion on

the ‘care’ in

heal thcare

Maureen

Cooper -

How to make

the best of

your stress

Sasa Kerkos - Compassion and

interpersonal creat iv i ty

Erik van den

Br ink - A

personal

ref lect ion on

the ‘care’ in

heal thcare

Public Relation Manager

Bianca, the PR manager of the MIND Conference team and has been working as a volunteer since she was 14 years old in different contexts. From being part of the PR team in a student organisation, to helping and teaching children with mental deficiencies, volunteering has been an important part of her life.

Treasurer

Lia is the treasurer of the MIND Conference team. Since 2013 she has been studying at AUC, where she specialises in physics and philosophy. Here she co-founded AUC’s science committee, Curiosity which organizes events to promote the fun side of science, while also creating opportunity to speak about science in relation to philosophy and society.

Event Manager

Sabina, the event manager of the MIND Conference, partakes in planning and coordinating the event so that it runs smoothly. Currently a student at the AUC, Sabina has developed a deep interest in journalism and psychology. She likes to focus her writing on healthy living for both the body and the mind.

Fundraising Manager

Vera is a down to earth, positive and creative 2nd year student of UCU. Studying sustainable development, sociology, philosophy and art history gives Vera the opportunity to actively study and impact the world positively. As a treasurer of the student committee MindfulCo she actively supports and improves student well-being on the UCU Campus.

Bianca Banu

Lia den Daas

Sabina Sofia Bahisheva Vera Vrijmoeth

Who We Are

Yara Vrolijks

Executive Director

Yara is the founding mother of the MIND Conference and as the Executive Director. She founded and chaired the student Committee MindfulCo with the belief that the most excellent student is the one who is content and happy as a human being. She is an instructor of meditation and compassion sessions for fellow students and a board member of the Charter for Compassion NL.

Secretary

Carla is a the co-founder of the MIND Conference. She follows her interest in the nature of mind and reality by studying Buddhist philosophy and taking Cognition and Philosophy courses at AUC. Practising meditation and compassion is an important part of her life, which she shares with fellow students by being the Chair the ZEN committee at AUC - a student initiative offering meditation, yoga and other activities.

Carla Ott

Fundraising Manager

Xinyi studies economics and mathematics at UCU. She is curious, energetic and positive. As one of the board members of the student-led NGO on campus, she helped creating social bonds between students and the inhabitants of Utrecht through volenteering events. Xinyi believes that being empathetic and compassionate is one of the most important things when it comes to living a happy and successful life.

Xinyi Tong

Do something WONDERFUL, people may imitate it Insighttimer

Good people bring out the GOOD in people. Action for Happiness

Charter for Compassion

The Charter for Compassion is a cooperative effort to restore not only compassionate thinking but, more importantly, compassionate action to the center of religious, moral and political life.The Charter for Compassion is the result of Karen Armstrong’s 2008 TED Prize wish. www.charterforcompassion.org or http://www.handvestvoorcompassie.nl/

University College Utrecht (UCU)

University College Utrecht (UCU) is the international undergraduate Liberal Arts and Sciences honors college of Utrecht University. UCU is a place for motivated students who have broad academic and social interests and an international orientation.

Empathy and Compassion in Society

Empathy and Compassion in Society is an annual professional conference that brings together leading experts, shares the latest research, presents real-world examples from the workplace, and offers practical tools to cultivate and apply empathy and compassion successfully in all situations.

Compassion for Care

Compassion for Care stimulates the rise of personal leadership, passion, and compassion in health care. By working in three fields, community, education and research they realise a more compassionate health care system.

Our Partners

Amsterdam University College (AUC)

As a joined initiative of the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam University College (AUC) is an liberal arts college with a strong offer in the sciences. It is a centre of academic excellence with an international and intercultural focus, as well as outreach to the (local) community

THESE ORGANISATIONS WERE INSPIRED BY OUR IDEA AND BECAME OUR PARTNERS IN A MOVEMENT TOWARDS MORE COMPASSION. ARE YOU READY TO JOIN THEM IN THE MOVEMENT?

We consider compassion as a good in its own right helping us in our personal lives, however potential side effects in your life and the workplace may include: higher personal satisfaction, a more

meaningful life, a happier workplace, increased productivity; better client relations, and better communication

Disclaimer

early bird * students: 18 euroadults: 45 euro

regularstudents: 24 euro

adults: 55 euro

* till the 21st of October

www.mindconference.eu

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