Speakers
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Crystal L. ParkUniversity of Connecticut, Professor of Clinical Psychology
Dr. Crystal L. Park is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of
Connecticut. Her research focuses on coping with stressful events, including
the roles of religious beliefs and meaning making in the context of traumatic
events and life-threatening illnesses. Her recent work has focused on integrative
approaches to health, especially yoga. She is co-principal investigator of an NIHfunded
study of mechanisms of action through which yoga helps low back pain
and an NIH-funded research network, Mind-Body Measures and Mechanisms of
Emotional Wellbeing. She is co-author of Spirituality, Meaning, and Trauma and
Co-Editor of The Handbook of the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality and
editor of the journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. -
Daniel WeinerUniversity of Connecticut, Vice President of the Office of Global Affairs and Professor of Geography
Dr. Daniel Weiner is Vice President of the Office of Global Affairs and Professor
of Geography at the University of Connecticut. He serves as the University’s
Senior International Officer (SIO) and is one of the longest serving SIOs in the
country. Dr. Weiner is a development geographer with area studies expertise in
Eastern and Southern Africa, Appalachia and the Middle East. His research areas
include climate change, political ecology and participatory GIS. Dr. Weiner sits
on the Boards of Capital Workforce Partners, the MetroHartford Alliance, the
YMCA of Greater Hartford and is former President of the World Affairs Council
of Connecticut. -
Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, PhDFaith for Earth Coalition of UNEP, Founder and Director
For around 40 years, Dr. Abumoghli has been focusing on sustainable development,
interfaith collaboration, and innovation. He held senior level positions at the UN
including as Regional Representative of UNEP in West Asia, Director of Innovation
at UNDP’s Regional Office for the Arab States, Environment Advisor at the
Regional Facility in Beirut, Global Practice Manager for the Environment Group
in New York, Assistant Representative of UNDP in Jordan. Dr. Abumoghli holds a
doctorate degree in Engineering from University of Bath/UK, and an outstanding
graduate of the Virtual Development Academy – Johns University. -
Dr. Kumanga AndrahennadiCentre for the Advanced Learning of Mindfulness (CALM) and Mindfulness for Earth (M4E) Initiative, Founder and Director
Dr. Kumanga Andrahennadi is Founder and Director of the Centre for the
Advanced Learning of Mindfulness (CALM) and Mindfulness for Earth (M4E)
Initiative. Dr. Andrahennadi is a Mindfulness Researcher, Educator and
Consultant with over 15 years of experience in delivering the specialized
Mindfulness for Earth (M4E) programs in the West for public, private and
government sectors including to Education (universities and schools), Police
Organisations, Mental Health and Private Corporations and NGO’s in the U.K.,
U.S.A., Europe and internationally. She is currently co-leading the Mindfulness
for Earth (M4E) in Higher Education Initiative headed by the Office of Global
Affairs at the University of Connecticut.
Mindfulness, Spirituality and Planetary Health Initiative – University of Connecticut
This session will introduce the Mindfulness, Spirituality and Planetary Health Initiative led by the University of Connecticut (UConn), in partnership with the Centre for the Advanced Learning of Mindfulness (CALM) and UNEP Faith for Earth Initiative. The session addresses the interconnection between contemporary environmental, spiritual and mental health crises, and provides the participants with an opportunity to experience a short eco-contemplative practice. Furthermore, the panel explores how the Mindfulness, Spirituality and Planetary Health Initiative can serve as a strategy for the reduction of human consumption, natural resource extraction and a toolkit to improve emotional health while highlighting how the initiative can contribute towards sustainability goals.