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An Encounter: Positive Psychology, Culture, and Heritage in Times of Crisis as a Pathway to Peace and Reconciliation

To be held at the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM) Center in Jerusalem, in collaboration with Tel-Hai University, Israel, from June 1–4, 2026.

This event involves members of the COST Action Cultural Heritage in Crisis. Transdisciplinary Assessment of Legal and Regulatory Frameworks (CRICULT) supported by supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)

This project aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, activists, and others in an attempt to address a core issue in positive psychology: How can the accumulated knowledge and ongoing cutting-edge research contribute to the pursuit of peace and reconciliation by individuals and groups?

The proposed encounter will include the presentation of both new and relevant research, along with lectures and workshops aimed at promoting skill sets for peace and reconciliation.

Across all disciplines and workplace organizations, applications of the concept of positive psychology are today seen as critical for workplaces, educational organizations, and learning centres (Walters, Fitzsimmons, Kasler and Rooutray 2024). While arguably these areas commenced with the work of Martin Selligman and his concept of ‘learned helplessness and the happiness quotient’, and Czichzenmiahlyi and his development of ‘flow and human happiness’, as a whole, the concept of Positive Psychology has generated serious research in numerous disciplines and the development of numerous methodologies. Areas such as spirituality, aeronautics, space travel design, religious studies, cognitive science, digital gaming, architecture, philosophy, business, business leadership and management, educational leadership and management, outdoor education, adventure therapy, school-based education, and childhood growth and development are now benefiting from an increase in theoretical awareness and practical applications.

In light of the profound physiological, psychological, and socio-emotional challenges that humanity faces in this era of uncertainty and crisis, this encounter invites scholars and practitioners to explore how positive psychology can catalyze peace and reconciliation. It aims to illuminate pathways through which cultural and heritage-based perspectives, grounded in human strengths and resilience, can foster dialogue, empathy, and mutual understanding rather than division and confrontation

Papers could deal with, but are not limited to, focal areas and questions such as:

  • How does the understanding of Positive Psychology as a whole, or within each strand, find expression in diverse areas such as literature, popular culture, cinema, dance, drama, or art as a means to promote harmony and societal health?
  • How the diverse nature of positive psychology might be expressed within specific cultures, or across cultures, and relate to the creation of societal health, peace, and reconciliation?
  • How have the older forms of ‘well-being’ narratives, understanding, and practices migrated into the new digital age, and how can they be employed in the service of a forward-looking, dynamic society striving for peaceful cooperation?
  • What role might compassion in all its forms provide safe spaces for the promotion of peace and reconciliation?

CONFERENCE FORMAT

In this conference all who attend will present and all who attend will be present for the entire conference. This will facilitate a genuine dialogue between participants and foster cooperation in the future.

SUBMISSION

We are therefore pleased to announce a call for active participation in this encounter. We welcome abstracts of around 350 words that present research papers, workshops and other activities that will contribute to a rich and intensive three-and-a-half-day program.

 

Abstracts should be submitted to: Kasler.Jon@gmail.com. should be submitted by January 19. 2026  

Abstracts may be in Word, WordPerfect, or RTF formats with the following information and in this order:

  1. a) author(s), b) affiliation, c) email address, d) title of abstract, e) body of abstract,
  2. f) up to 10 keywords

Please use plain text (Times Roman 12) and abstain from using footnotes and any special formatting, characters, or emphasis (such as bold, italics, or underline). Please note that a Book of Abstracts is planned for this encounter. All relevant accepted abstracts will be included in this publication. We acknowledge receipt and answer to all paper proposals submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a week, you should assume we did not receive your submission; it might be lost in cyberspace! We suggest, then, to look for an alternative electronic route or resend.

 

REGISTRATION & ACCOMMODATION:

Ofra Waters – ofraw60@gmail.com

Jon Kasler – kasler.jon@gmail.com

Maria Leppakari – maria.leppakari@felm.org

Amani Saba – amani.saba@felmglobal.org

 

An Encounter June 2026