Capacity Building and Social Justice Education: Engaging Vulnerable Populations through Mindfulness-Based Adult Education
Ahmad Ezzeddine, HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario
Khalil Issa, YSMENA Program, Western University
This symposium brings together two community members and a researcher to discuss diverse perspectives on the use of mindfulness training as an adult education tool to engage with vulnerable populations. We will share diverse experiences with mindfulness training for promoting mental health, self-compassion, and resilience as well as perceived barriers and challenges when using mindfulness training to address stigma faced by racialized, sexual and gender minorities. Implications for teaching and learning mindfulness in specific contexts will be discussed along with reflections on the significance of lifelong learning and well-being as important parts of adult education.