Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation Unites Changemakers at Hearth Summit Bangladesh For Wellbeing and Growth Through Art, Advocacy, and Action

[Dhaka, 23 February 2025]

Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation (IWF), in global collaboration with The Wellbeing Project, hosted Hearth Summit Bangladesh (Dhaka Edition) at BRAC University today. The summit was co-hosted by BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BRAC IED) and supported by the British Council. BRAC University provided venue support, in collaboration with Heroes for All and Teach for Bangladesh.
Bringing together 400 participants, including youth, educators, parents, and mental health experts—the summit fostered intergenerational well-being and resilience. Through this initiative, IWF aims to indirectly impact over 5,000 youth, teachers, parents, and changemakers by promoting wellbeing practices nationwide.
Under the theme “Connecting Generations for Wellbeing and Growth,” the event provided a dynamic space for dialogue, healing, and empowerment through inspiring talks, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and immersive art experiences. By engaging multiple generations, the summit marked a significant step in addressing mental health challenges and advancing holistic wellbeing in Bangladesh.
Stephen Forbes, Country Director, British Council Bangladesh, remarked, “The Hearth Summit Bangladesh is a vital initiative to accelerate well-being efforts. The pressures of modern life on young people and children are growing concerns. As they navigate education and career transitions, they face significant emotional and psychological challenges. IWF and BRAC IED deserve immense appreciation for prioritizing mental health and well-being.”
Marcus Davies, Political Counsellor, Canadian High Commission in Bangladesh, highlighted Canada’s support: “With backing from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, the High Commission of Canada in Bangladesh, BRAC IED, and the Hearth Summit Bangladesh are creating safe spaces for students to heal and access mental health support. The 2024 protests left deep scars—both seen and unseen. Through counseling and psychosocial services, we can foster resilience and build stronger, healthier communities.”
Monira Rahman, Founder & Executive Director, Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation, stated, “Hearth Summit Bangladesh reflects our commitment to strengthening intergenerational connections for mental health and resilience. By integrating artistic expression and open dialogue, we have created a transformative platform for healing and action. Our goal is to mainstream mental health services and wellbeing practices at every level of society, ensuring that people of all ages feel recognized, supported, and empowered.”
The inaugural plenary session, “Connecting Generations for Wellbeing and Growth,” featured experts Prof. Dr. Hamida Begum, Prof. Kamal Chowdhury, and Dr. Tabassum Amina, who emphasized the role of intergenerational connections in fostering collaboration and sustainable well-being. During the Q&A session, students shared their experiences of psychological distress caused by past violence and sought guidance on accessing mental health support.
The summit also featured engaging workshops including Dr. Rehnuma Karim, PhD, President of Heroes for All, led a session exploring the Wellbeing Ecosystem Bangladesh Network (WEB), helping changemakers identify advocacy opportunities; Dr. Nandini Chakraborty, Professor at the University of Leicester, facilitated a storytelling session on “Physical Activities, Sports, and Wellbeing,” encouraging participants to embrace movement for healthier lifestyles. Visual artist & ritual alchemist Ayrin Khan conducted the Delta Identity Workshop, guiding participants through mindfulness, singing bowl meditation, and self-reflective artistic exploration.