In response to worrying mental health issues such as anxiety, depressions, panic attacks, or phobias that mar the lives of thousands, this project focuses upon young people's well-being in an educational setting through a metamodern lens where the metamodern is a paradigm of care, self-transformation, and interconnections (Nirmala Devi 1996 (1), Dumitrescu 2016 (2).
The driving questions of this project are the recurring issues: in multicultural Aotearoa New Zealand and the world, where many inhabit at least two cultures – for example, the western post-colonial “Pākehā” culture and the indigenous Māori one – what stresses young people these days and how can we address those stressors?
As educators and mothers, creators and innovators born and raised at the edges and in the shadows of empires, we are writing to you from a migrant position, which, some might say, affords a fresh view. We write with open hearts, and with the deepest respect for the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our letter is being submitted in the form of a poster presentation in response to evident issues of stress and anxiety at the societal level impacting student health and well-being. We are asking for your views concerning a proposition for (pedagogical) change, informed by multicultural values of spiritual health, well-being and values of "nowness", ("living in the moment"). In practice, this means considering learning spaces as "moving parts", explored through responsive story-making, song, sound, movement, and acts of walking.
Completing the questionnaire may take 5 minutes, or it may take time to think through the questions raised?
Thank you for your kind participation. We look forward to receiving your reply.
