This session will highlight the celebration of community in university contexts. We have been interested in cultivating spaces that allow for the emergence of dialogue, where the transformation of collective consciousness might take place, and where conversations with social ramifications might happen. Bringing people together to relate in simple, new and appreciative ways is like embracing transgressive spaces where we can bring our true selves and trust others to do the same.
Some interventions towards wellbeing in academic settings do not integrate those in marginal settings and the powerless (for instance, administrative staff, security workers or workforce specialized on cleaning). Other approaches can result in repetitive positive psychology interventions without integration. What we have intended to do so far is to craft new types of relationships, while debating around the topics of wellbeing, happiness and peace. In this session we are inviting people to reflect on the “Smalls Acts of Living” (Wade, 1997) – from cooperation to compassion. The model is embedded in transformative systemic practices. We will share how our aim of relational co-construction of wellbeing allows us to uphold learning communities, and make space for unpredictable dialogues around the best of ourselves and our communities.