Empatia at the Global Leadership Exchange in Utrecht

🌍Opora Foundation at the Global Leadership Exchange in Utrecht

Colleagues from Opora's Empatia Program attended the flagship event of the Global Leadership Exchange titled “Leading Change: Flourishing Communities and Wellbeing for All” held at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht.

This biennial international event brought together leaders to discuss critical issues such as inclusivity, mental health, opportunities for a full life for people with disabilities, and care for people with addiction. The plenary sessions and accompanying workshops offered invaluable insights and creative approaches to building a comprehensive mental health ecosystem beyond standard tools.
We extend our special thanks for organizing a dedicated segment on “Mental Health and Disability in Conflict Zones,” focusing on the mental health of Ukrainians. A powerful voice among all the participants was ”How Are You?” an all-Ukrainian mental health program initiated by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

The Empatia Program actively participated in discussions on restoring mental health during war. In a session hosted by Steven Vos from Yulius de Fjord and Chanel Bansema and Rianne de Soet from LUMC Curium, Marina Rozhniatovska, Advisor on the Mental Health of Children and Teenagers in Empatia, shared her expertise on this critical issue.

A significant topic of the event was women's leadership, emphasizing the importance of equality and kindness as a crucial leader's tool. All the guests were honored by the presence of Her Highness Queen Máxima, a symbol of support for developing mental health programs.

We are immensely grateful to the organizers for this opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, to hear and be heard. Together, we believe we can help more people achieve better mental health, leading to healthier and more confident lives.