HKU Moodle

"A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential."

This course explores the multifaceted concept of ‘wellness’, integrating the roles of nature, compassion and solidarity in everyday life. Students will explore how these themes interconnect and contribute to a holistic understanding of wellness for themselves and for broader communities of living beings on our planet. As articulated by Friends of the Earth: “health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and ecological well-being”, emphasizing that personal health is intrinsically linked to planetary health”.

When it comes to facing challenges to our own mental and physical health, nature can be a huge source of inspiration, comfort, and connection to other living beings. Our scholarship and activism surrounding climate change and sustainability can also tend to be anthropocentric, placing the flora and fauna of our world second to human concerns. How can we be in better harmony with our natural world? And effectively direct our good intentions and eco-friendly sentiments into practical solutions for both humans and non-
humans? How do we do so with kindness towards ourselves, while expanding our hearts to the plants and animals we co-exist with? What are the best ways to draw strength and insights from diverse communities to tackle our personal and planetary crises?

Through critical analysis and engagement with all three ‘wellnesses’—human, animal and planetary—students will embrace the interrelationships between themselves, other folks around the world, and nature.