Inner Wisdom in Governance and Leadership - Acting with Courage and Compassion
The next International Spirit of Humanity Forum will be held in Reykjavik & Hveragerði, Iceland, from 8th to 11th May 2025, under the theme “Inner Wisdom in Governance and Leadership - Acting with Courage and Compassion.”
The Forum programme will include:
Additionally, guided walks in the beautiful natural surroundings and cultural activities will enrich the experience.
The SoH Forum is a global movement that brings together leaders from various fields to explore the potential of personal transformation and core human values such as love and compassion in driving systemic change. Since its inception in 2012, the Forum has focused on spirituality in leadership and explored new forms of governance underpinned by love, care, respect, trust, dialogue and relationships. The Forum’s essential question is ‘How shall we be?’ rather than the conventional ‘What shall we do?’
We therefore invite our contributors and participants to share, from the heart, their inner journey of inspiration, challenge and deeper meaning and purpose. The Forum provides a safe space for dialogue, sharing, and co-authoring a new and compelling narrative about who we are, how we could be and what we can each do to create a promising future for all.
6th Spirit of Humanity Forum, 1-3 June 2023
A retreat for leaders exploring healing from within
The 6th Spirit of Humanity Forum, held from May 31st to June 3rd, 2023, in Reykjavik and Hveragerði, Iceland, brought together 120 leaders from 27 countries and various fields to explore the theme of "Healing a World in Crisis - leading with authenticity and love." In its 6th edition, the Forum provided a transformative retreat format, offering participants a unique and life-changing experience. Read More
A powerful Interview with the Prime Minister of Iceland and reflections of participants at the 6th Forum
Reflections from the 6th Forum
Linda Leogah Forkwa – Reflection
"As an African working on conflict and governance, I was struck by the President’s grace and humility. In his very informal, convivial speech, he stated; “Iceland is one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Genuine care for one another would restore the peace the world longs for.” This was echoed throughout the Forum, which had a strong emphasis on the importance of love and compassion in creating a better world."
Linda Leogah Forkwa
Earth Fellow, Home For Humanity, Cameroon
Axel Gegenschatz – Reflection
“Link ‘Leading with authenticity of love’ to yourself and learn how you can continue to develop your will to change and break your limitations in order to act like a multiplier in many aspects where we need to change as a society. From the Forum I bring confidence, responsibility, inner work that can work outside and a sense of belonging to a network of support.”
Axel Gegenschatz
Board Director, Advisor & Investor Former CEO of Natura & Co Argentina
Einat Bronstein
"My time in Iceland and especially in the gathering of the Forum, was absolutely magical and transformative. I am deeply grateful for being included in the retreat and for the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful people. The experience was characterised by grace, humility and an incredible commitment to do good, whatever that means. I will be happy to contribute to the Forum in the future, in any way that I can."
Einat Bronstein
International Lead Trainer of IFS (Internal Family Systems), Co-founder and co-director of the Israeli Institute of IFS, Israel
James Steward
"Hosted in extraordinary Iceland, the Forum was one of superb introspection, focusing on skills that enhance one’s ability to lead effectively during challenging times. The international flavour of the participants was outstanding, while blending together unique leaders from around the world. The exploration, experiential atmosphere, and subsequent transformation was astounding and life changing. I would not hesitate to return if invited again."
James Steward
Head of School, Hiroshima International School, Japan
Noor Balfaqeeh
"The Noor that stepped into this space is totally different. Now I am more open, more present and I have very high hopes that we together can do something about humanity. The title 'Spirit of Humanity' is very profound. I experience that we are all one. It is just a matter of choice to feel the other, to be close to others and by doing so we will create a positive change."
Noor Balfaqeeh
Corporate Affairs and Communications senior manager, Unilever, Saudi Arabia
Martin Frick
"It was an extraordinary experience, heartwarming and heart opening in a way I did not expect. There were many special moments like when I found myself in a conversation with a person from the other side of the globe and her story sounded so very much like my own story that at one point we just cracked up laughing and hugged because it was so unbelievable. You go away with more compassion, more understanding, less fear and with courage just to do what you know is right and needs to be done."
Martin Frick
Director, United Nations World Food Programme, Global Office, Germany
Stewart Wallis
"On top of connecting to some wonderful people and starting both new friendships and work partnerships, the Forum was transformational for me in several ways. For the first time in my 75 years, I discovered I had a sixth sense - my body! It was a total revelation to start to learn how to listen to my body. It gave me critical new insights into my relationship with my amazing wife and I also gained new clarity on how to promote the shift to a Wellbeing Economic System. It was a joyful, inspiring and crucially important event for me."
Stewart Wallis
Chair, Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll), United Kingdom
Miriam Coleman
"The Forum asked us to contemplate how leading with Authenticity and Love can be the conduit towards peace. Over three days evolved a deep and meaningful connection to self and others. Our inner contemplation drawing on the mind, body and spirit, brought forth a realisation that to move from crisis to peace requires a higher consciousness than what currently exists globally. The Forum illuminated the path to a place of higher consciousness, for it is in this place peace can be found, that is the legacy and gift of this wonderful global gathering."
Miriam Coleman
Founder, Mountain View Consulting, Australia
Henri van Eeghen
"It was an absolute pleasure. The whole setup was excellent and very interactive. It gave me a great opportunity to connect deeper to self and I had the opportunity to meet a whole number of new people. Grateful, I am looking forward to participate further in the events."
Henri van Eeghen
CEO ,KIT Royal Tropical Institute, The Netherlands
Peggy Dulany
“One of the most wonderful things is the diversity of people who are brought together. Peoples background, peoples level of doing inner work, the type of work that they have done, what they are doing out there in the world. Many people were activists, trying to manifest change in the world, others were in a more reflective place. It is that combination, the inner work for outer change that appeals to me the most. I had a fantastic experience. I now want reflect on: How can we together take this out into the world to many more people?”
Peggy Dulany
Board Chair and Founder, The Synergos Institute, USA
Ila Malhotra Gregory
"What has been so powerful is how embodied the experience has been. To move past the language of ‘spirit’, ‘love’, ‘crisis or ‘healing’, into the wisdom that is held in our collective body, or ’social body’ which is a word I learned. My thoughts are now how I integrate this outside a container like this. How we bring the essence of an experience like this into the world. That felt really powerful, to move beyond, to dissolve that barrier, and let something new grow."
Ila Malhotra Gregory
Speaker, facilitator, weaver, YouthxYouth, United Kingdom
Diego Galafassi
"A passage, a portal, a profound gathering beyond appearances. I am thankful to have been part of the Forum this year and full of joy and reverence for what is emerging with it."
Diego Galafassi
Founder & Film director, Hum Interactive Studios, Sweden/BrazilArticles
Voices from Language of Peace
How Authentic Leadership Can Heal a World in Crisis
A sustainable mindset
The value of Calm
Calm and confident – universal leadership qualities
A different take on the two wolves
Spirituality in Practice
Fridays for Silence
Meditation recordings from our simple spiritual practice online
Build a subtle network of pure thoughts, spiritually empower yourself together with others and help shift human consciousness towards core human values, 15 minutes every Friday. Welcome to JOIN US
Reflections
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir – Reflection
"We rarely use the words happiness and love in politics... but why are we in politics? What do we want to achieve in politics if not love and happiness."
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir
fr. Foreign Minister of Iceland
Yves Daccord – Reflection
"We have to be curious. It opens our hearts to others. Anger doesn't allow us to be curious. Curiosity helps us establish a common language rather than an attitude where we don't want to know."
Yves Daccord
Executive Chairman Edgelands Institute @ Harvard, former CEO of the International Red Cross
Sister Jayanti – Reflection
"Spirituality says that everything begins inside, and then it begins to manifest outside…Learning to love myself is not a sign of ego, but a sign of spiritual development. And when I can begin to love myself, I can start loving others unconditionally also."
Sister Jayanti
Additional Administrative Head and European Director, Brahma Kumaris
Peggy Dulany – Reflection
"How does love support our differences? Building trust through open listening. I do need to be authentic to what I believe, but also be able to listen deeply to where others are coming from. It is critical (when our views are challenged) to be able to step back and listen and not fall into reaction. To be able to meet as human beings, to develop a sense of appreciation for the other person and then build on that.”
Peggy Dulany
Founder and Chair, Synergos
John, Lord Alderdice – Reflection
"A scientific way of thinking can help me understand how the world is made up and what has happened in life, but it cannot tell me how I ought to relate with my fellows."
John, Lord Alderdice
House of Lords, UK
Gabriela Michetti – Reflection
"We must be aware when we do our work and carry out the responsibilities that it is very important to take care of ourselves. You may nourish your soul, but if you do not look after your body it will create a problem. Lack of well-being will have an impact on others. Looking after the self is fundamental.”
Gabriela Michetti
Former Vice President of Argentina, President, Ser Consultancy
Madeleine von Holzen – Reflection
"I was very impressed with what Gabriela was saying. I think it is a big issue... When working with high ambition and wanting to provide quality, one can end up working a lot and get people to work a lot. I think it is a big discussion."
Madeleine von Holzen
Chief editor, 'Le Temps'; Editorial director, 'Heidi.news'
The Most Revd Dr Thabo C. Makgoba – Reflection
"Indeed, the world needs to hear about well-being and how we can participate, through our love, to create that well-being."
The Most Revd Dr Thabo C. Makgoba
the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
Kamlesh Patel – Reflection
“We are not fully aware of what we are not doing. We are not fully aware of the consequences of not playing our part. When this awareness comes, then the world will change.”
Kamlesh Patel
Founder, Heartfulness
Prof Tania Singer – Reflection
"Being a social neuroscientist and psychologist also working cross-disciplinary together with economists, educators, politicians and health-care providers, I am repeatedly astonished by the fact that in all these large-scale systems we have created, LOVE is somehow a taboo. We do not do research and do not like to speak about it publicly neither. However, it is the basis for humanity."
Prof Tania Singer
scientific head of the Max Planck Social Neuroscience Research Group
Mohammed Mohammed – Reflection
"Our world needs love more than anything else. Love that is transcendent, love that is inclusive, love that is accompanied by forgiveness, love that is unconditional."
Mohammed Mohammed
Senior Programme Officer, the Fetzer InstituteCollaborations
One Home Journey
A Narrative of Love
A series of conversations with leaders about their understanding of the significance of love in our personal and public lives.
You can also listen to the conversations as podcast.
Partners
