Introduction:
In the ancient Greek myth of Pandora, hope is the consolation gift that is left when misery and evil fly out of her box to inflict suffering on mankind. Hope infuses us with a sense of possibility and inspires us to act, to keep going. But it is not optimism - expecting things to turn out as we would wish, or pretending that all will be well. Hope is realistic.
Hope motivates us to 'show up' - to do what aligns with our values and moral inclinations, to act with courageous discernment. Joan Halifax talks of hope as a form of resistance, of spaciousness in 'radical uncertainty'. Hope also involves community and trusting relationships.
In this webinar we shall hear from distinguished doctors who care for those who face deep existential challenges - persons at the end of life and vulnerable migrants who experience involuntary dislocation and are often bereft and homeless. How do they nurture and cultivate hope for those they care for and for themselves in these circumstances ?
Participants will also have the opportunity to explore and share their own experiences of discovering and fostering hope in adverse circumstances in the context of giving or receiving care.
Timetable:
1 -1.10pm Welcome and Introduction: Paquita de Zulueta and Frances da Cunha
1.10pm – 1.50pm – How do our two speakers foster and sustain hope for those they care for and for themselves?
Dr Libby Sallnow – Hope and care at the end of life.
Dr Shazia Munir – Hope and care of vulnerable migrants.
1.50 - 2.10 pm – small group conversations.
The opportunity to share stories of witnessing or experiencing hope in adversity and to consider the conditions and relationships that helped or hindered hope.
2.10 – 2.30pm. Plenary and final reflections.
