Projects

Imagine what it would feel like to live in a world where you knew without a shadow of a doubt that if you were ever sick or incapacitated or elderly, people would take care of you with love and dignity, not as an object of pity but because they could not be well unless you were well.

Care work can be one of the most powerful ways in which we can strengthen our social bonds with each other. Receiving and providing care when we need it the most is the essence of building a more compassionate world. When we are cared for and are able to care for others it not only enhances our wellbeing, but it also increases our ability to function more effectively.

Today the question is not whether we should care but if our world is to survive, can we afford not to care? We are all dependent on each other and require care from each other to survive. None of us could have survived to adulthood if someone hadn’t taken care of us, fed us and sheltered us. And as adults there will be times in our lives when we will be sick, when we might be incapacitated, when we will most likely age to the point of needing more intensive care. Those are the times in our lives when we are at our most vulnerable and need care and compassion from each other. Most of that care globally is being provided by women within a paid or unpaid context which exacerbates gender inequalities in all domains. With increasing numbers of people aging and entering into that phase of their lives when they will depend on others for care we are also facing a global care crisis. This pandemic has exacerbated the care crisis and has taught us that care work must be a shared responsibility of all human beings.

Come join us to share your stories and ideas and learn more about the care economy. Sign up for one of our two-hour care economy sessions where we will incorporate mindfulness practices to help us work together to create a more just and compassionate world that will not only provide the infrastructure necessary for all human life to flourish but will also help decrease inequalities in health, education and income and make us more resilient and prepared for the climate crisis.