Conversations on Hope

A gathering in Dublin, jointly organized by the Atlantic Institute at Rhodes Trust, Oxford, and the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) at Trinity College Dublin , looked at why, especially in dark times, hope is so important to our work and lives. The convening, Conversations on Hope, between December 5-9, was for Atlantic Fellows — equity-focused leaders from across the world who are driving change for social justice.

Evie O'Brien , Executive Director,?Atlantic Institute, said:

“The Atlantic Fellows community’s mission is to strive for fairer, healthier, more inclusive societies in Ireland and across the world. Having hope is important because it sustains us — not just as individuals. With the support of the Atlantic Institute, the Fellows collectively hold real hope for the future as they act together to challenge and change policies and systems that hit the poorest and most vulnerable communities.”

They included Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at GBHI, who drew on their understanding of the brain science of hope and ways of improving brain health.?

Brian Lawlor , Site Director at the Global Brain Health Institute, said: “This is not an easy world and tackling inequity in all its shapes and forms is not for the faint-hearted. We’re here to explore the concept of hope and how hope helps us deal with adversity, conflict and uncertainty. While hope is experienced in the brain, it comes from somewhere outside ourselves.”

As part of these conversations, they looked at what the hopeful brain looks like and particularly why hope is so important to our brain health and for people living with dementia.

The speakers highlighted the history of Ireland as a reference point to explore how hope drives individual, systemic or societal change. Chuck Feeney, the founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies that funded the Atlantic Institute and seven Atlantic Fellows programs across the world including the Equity in Brain Health program at GBHI, supported many causes including the peace process in Ireland.

Brian Lawlor, Ian Robertson, who are both faculty at GBHI, and Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health, artist Dana Walrath and cultural producer Dominic Campbell , explored how the entwined realms of arts and science can provide a clearer understanding of self-care and the impact of social trauma on brain health and well-being. There was also a visit to the?Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation which works with individuals and groups on conflict resolution strategies. Artist and activist Brian Maguire, who works with the displaced and marginalized, showed how his art can help to explore hope. One of the themes of his paintings is the struggle against inequality and violence, and the pursuit of justice.