The Consortium for Human Flourishing at Saint Louis University, in collaboration with the Flourishing Network hosted by the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, and the Brookings Institution, will host the Fourth Annual Education for Flourishing conference on Friday, April 19.

"Humanizing Education: Technology, Cognition, and Spirituality at Saint Louis University" will provide the opportunity for various disciplines to come together and explore education's role in a technological society and how it can promote individual and community flourishing.

The Consortium for Human Flourishing (CHF) believes there is an art, science, and practice to how individuals and communities flourish and do well,” said Amrita Chaturvedi, Ph.D., assistant professor of educational studies and the chair of CHF. The consortium came into existence in 2018 as a result of receiving seed funding from SLU’s first round of Big Ideas initiative, and since then, CHF has organized and hosted three annual conferences. 

“This year’s conference will examine the role of K-12 and Higher Education in an increasingly technologized and polarized society,” Chaturvedi added. “Education is at a crossroads - given the technological advancements, the fast emerging world of AI, and the ongoing wellbeing crisis among youth, it is time for us educators to do some soul-searching, take a deep look at what our role ought to be moving forward. It is our ethical responsibility to intentionally teach the younger generation how to do well and be well in a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable.” 

Topics at this year’s Education for Flourishing conference include: “Technology, Education, and Flourishing,” a panel on cognition, technology, education, and spirituality, and “The Power of Hope.” Among others, this year’s speakers include Carol Graham, Ph.D., a Senior Fellow in Economics Studies at the Brookings Institution, and Maria Martha Barreneche, Ph.D., the Executive Director for Scholas International (USA), an initiative created by Pope Francis to unite and promote the wellbeing of youth.

“To flourish is an act of courage, it is a skill, it is something we can learn, and become good at with practice,” Chaturvedi said. “Throughout the event, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss and learn how individuals and communities can flourish in an increasingly technologized society that presents us with unprecedented challenges and opportunities.” 

This event is free and open to the public. However, seats are limited and registration is required. More information about the 4th Annual Education for Flourishing conference can be found online.