Kinga TSERING
Founder of the Institute of Happiness in Bhutan & Former Member of Parliament, Bhutan

Kinga is a change leader for making compelling impacts on the society at the intersection of politics and happiness. A former Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Bhutan and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the banking and the financial sector. Played lead role in reforming the energy and the corporate sectors in Bhutan.

Kinga is also the founder of the Institute of Happiness (IOH), a think and do tank inspired by Bhutan’s development of Gross National Happiness (GNH). IOH focuses on research, training and collaboration for curating ideas and knowledge on happiness, wellbeing and mindfulness for promoting a happy humanity. Bhutan’s King has recently announced the initiative of a bold and a visionary project on the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).

TOPIC : Kinga will be sharing inputs on the facinating project – Gelephu Mindfulness City and his Institute of Happiness in Bhutan

Theresa ROACH
Director of the Mindfulness Initiative, Crim Fitness Foundation, USA

Theresa Roach is the Director of the Mindfulness Initiative at the Crim Fitness Foundation in Flint, Michigan. She is dedicated to increasing access to trauma-informed, mindfulness-based programming that supports the mental well-being of Flint and Genesee County residents. Theresa believes that mindfulness can help individuals navigate the challenges of daily life and foster deep engagement in community building. Her work aims to create resilient communities through the integration of mindfulness practices, ensuring that mental health support is both accessible and impactful.

TOPIC : Theresa will be sharing on how mindfulness can play a role in transforming systems and cultures, especially within the civic and criminal justice field.

Manish BEHL
Founder of India Mindfulness Summit

Manish Behl is a globally recognized mindfulness expert and a pioneer in India’s mindfulness movement. He committed to mindfulness full-time in 2014, establishing the Beyond Mind Institute in 2016 and the Mindful Science Centre in 2019. Manish is the founder of the Mindfulness India Summit, Asia’s largest mindfulness gathering, supported by global institutions like Harvard Medical School and the Mindfulness Initiative – UK. He has trained over 10,000 individuals across sectors, influencing government policies, education, law enforcement, and political discourse.

TOPIC: Manish will present how he is integrating mindfulness across multiple sectors in India – from law enforcement to education, fostering positive chanbe and nurturing a more conscious and empathertic society.

Katharina MULLEN
President of eamba – European Associations for Mindfulness

Katharina Müllen is a dedicated advocate for mindfulness practices across Europe and beyond. Through her leadership, eamba provides a platform for mindfulness teachers’ associations to connect, inspire, and support each other. Katharina has been instrumental in promoting the quality of teaching evidence-based mindfulness programs and ensuring the integrity of the mindfulness profession. She actively participates in organising retreats and conferences to nourish and connect mindfulness teachers, She is especially interested in inspiring innovation in the delivery of teaching, and in liberating teachers from non-teaching tasks by integrating digital assistance into their daily tools.

 TOPIC: EAMBA Connecting Across Borders.
The eamba community of MBP Teachers, connected in local associations, has been steadily growing to the current 34 members. As association it offers an umbrella for local developments to inspire across borders, to support and to collaborate. The outcome of being part of eamba is that MBP Teachers can connect and find inspiration in a community that cherishes continuous learning and generosity.

Iva Mia KRUŠLIN
President of the Association Mindfulness Initiative Croatia – eamba

Iva Mia is a dedicated advocate for mindfulness and mental well-being, serving as the President of the Association Mindfulness Initiative Croatia – eamba. With extensive experience in promoting mindfulness practices, Iva Mia has been instrumental in integrating these techniques within various sectors, including public administration and education. She has led numerous initiatives aimed at fostering mental health and resilience, and is the driving force behind the “Cities and Municipalities That Care” project in Croatia.

TOPIC: Iva Mia will present the “Caring Cities and Municipalities” project, which has been successfully implemented in the Croatian local governments of Viškovo and the city of Nova Gradiška. This initiative highlights the integration of mindfulness practices to enhance the well-being and resilience of public servants supporting sustainability and improved citizen services.

Sanja Udović
Mayor of Viškovo

Sanja Udović, the Mayor of Viškovo, has been a dynamic leader dedicated to the development and well-being of her community. Under her guidance, Viškovo became the first Croatian municipality to join the “Cities and Municipalities That Care” project. Her commitment to integrating mindfulness practices into local government initiatives has significantly contributed to the enhanced well-being and resilience of public servants and local communities. Sanja’s vision and leadership continue to pave the way for innovative community-focused projects.

TOPIC: Sanja will discuss the experience of implementing the „Cities and Minicipalities that Care” project in her municipality, Viškovo. She will share insights on how the initiative has impacted local civil servants, increasing their resilience and improving the services provided to citizens.

Vinko GRGIĆ
Mayor of Nova Gradiška

Vinko Grgić, has been serving as the Mayor of Nova Gradiška since 2016. Under his leadership, the city has embarked on numerous development projects aimed at improving the quality of life for its residents. One notable initiative is the “Caring Cities and Municipalities” project, which integrates mindfulness practices to enhance the well-being and resilience of public servants and local communities. Mayor Grgić’s commitment to innovation and community welfare continues to drive positive changes in Nova Gradiška.

TOPIC: Vinko will discuss the experience of implementing the „Cities and Minicipalities that Care” project in his city, Nova Gradiška. He will share insights on how the initiative has impacted local civil servants, increasing their resilience and improving the services provided to citizens.

Chris RUANE
Mindfulness/ wellness in politics practitioner. United Kingdom. Former Member of Parliament, UK

Chris Ruane, a former British Member of Parliament, is renowned for his pioneering efforts to integrate mindfulness into public policy. Serving as an MP for Clwyd North West until 2019, he founded the Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in 2014 and was instrumental in promoting mindfulness practices within the UK Parliament. His work has inspired similar initiatives in over 14 national parliaments worldwide. Chris continues to advocate for mindfulness, emphasizing its potential to address pressing societal issues through greater awareness and compassion.

TOPIC: Chris will explore how mindfulness practices have been integrated into various national parliaments and public institutions worldwide, promoting mental well-being and inclusive policies. Chris will discuss the milestones achieved in adopting mindfulness to address societal challenges, enhance diversity, and foster compassionate leadership. His insights will provide a comprehensive overview of the transformative impact of mindfulness on global governance and community development.

Ines GRUBIŠIĆ
Vice – President Mindfulness Initiative Croatia – eamba

Ines Grubišić is the founder of Center for Mindfulness LAR, operating in Rijeka, Croatia, and the vice-president of MIH-eamba association. She is a MBSR teacher with legal background, she worked within Croatian Judiciary as a prosecutor for 10 years. She is passionate about bringing mindfulness to people’s workplaces, especially to her former colleagues, as she intimately knows the nuances of stress within legal profession.

TOPIC: In 2024 mindfulness trainings became a part of professional development for judges and prosecutors. Ines will be speaking about the groundbreaking journey that led to mindfulness training becoming an integral part of professional development for judges and prosecutors.

Filip P. JOVANOVSKI
Teaching assistant at the University of Donja Gorica in Montenegro

Filip holds a Master’s degree in Political Science with a specialization in Media and Communication. Jovanovski has served as a professional consultant in the Parliament of Montenegro and is a member of the Coalition for Media Literacy and Mensa Montenegro. He was also the chairman of the Founding Board of the first official Buddhist community in Montenegro and serves as the communication director of the AKTER Foundation, where he has been involved in various humanitarian and cultural initiatives.

TOPIC: Towards a mindful future: Serving the 21st century

Filip’s presentation, titled “Towards a Mindful Future: Surviving the 21st Century”, is rooted in his ongoing academic PhD research. This talk will explore the essential skills required to navigate the global challenges of the 21st century.