Contemplative-Based ResilienceTraining for Humanitarian Aid Workers

The CBR Project was developed for both national and international humanitarian and human rights workers, based in the field and the office. If you seek to use your annual leave, break between contracts or R&R in a way which ensures deep rejuvenation and reconnection to yourself and to the work, then this training retreat is for you.

The four-day training retreat provides humanitarians an opportunity to rest, reflect and restore alongside a transformative learning process. In addition to meditation, mindful movement and other activities, the curriculum incorporates periods of free time allowing you to walk, socialise or enjoy some reflection time to yourself.

Contemplative-Based Resilience (CBR) Training is an experiential skills-building programme, grounded in cutting-edge research on human resilience. Through its integrated approach incorporating Psychosocial education, Mindful Movement and Meditation, the training supports humanitarians to develop the practices and habits to enhance personal resilience and thrive within their work.

At the end of the programme, you will have learned effective resilience skills you can immediately implement, which will continue to benefit you in the long term. The course fee also includes 12 months of ongoing remote support which can be accessed via the CBR Mobile App and by dialling into monthly support calls along with other humanitarian aid workers, facilitated by our experienced Faculty.

About the facilitators

HUGH BYRNE, PhD, is a guiding teacher with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). Having worked in the field of human rights, Hugh is deeply committed to using contemplative science to alleviate suffering in the world.

GAYLA MARIE STILES is an expert in yoga and other movement modalities. She is passionate about teaching therapeutic and transformative elements of movement, and played a leading role in developing the CBR Mindful Movement curriculum.
OLA WITKOWSKA, is a Gestalt therapist working internationally to provide psychosocial support for MSF humanitarian staff. She has also led mental health interventions with international aid organisations in Kosovo, Serbia and Iraq, and has a keen interest in meditation.