Media ResourcesPress ReleasesNaropa Hosts Keynote Event “Reconnecting to Soil, Self and Society” to Celebrate its 7th Annual Earth Justice Week

Naropa Hosts Keynote Event "Reconnecting to Soil, Self and Society" to Celebrate its 7th Annual Earth Justice Week

BOULDER, COLORADO, UNITED STATES, April 13, 2022—Panelists present their work in eco-art, poetics, and indigenous wisdom and how it relates to what we can do to reconnect to self, society, soil, or all three. “Now is emerging a fundamental change, like green shoots coming through the rubble of a dysfunctional civilization, the greatest largest social movements in human history, as people acting in defense of life wake up to the grandeur of who they really are.”—Joanna Macy On Wednesday, April 20, Naropa University will present its 7th annual Earth Justice Day keynote event with panelists Ruth Wallen, Ian Sanderson, and graduate student Ana Wysmann. The conversation will be on the topic of “Reconnecting to Soil, Self and Society—An exploration through poetry, photography, and witnessing.”

The event is open to the public and will begin with a welcome message from Joanna Macy, PhD, the scholar whose pioneering work has informed Naropa’s sustainability approach. Panelists will share their individual work in eco-art, poetics, and indigenous wisdom and discuss how it relates to what we can do to reconnect to self, society, soil, or all three. The other two panelists will ask questions and share their perspectives after each presentation, and the broader circle is invited to share as well. Sherry Ellms, faculty lead of the Joanna Macy Center, will guide attendees in an embodied practice to close the event.

The event will be held  April 20 from 12–1:30PM in-person or via Zoom.

Join in person:  Naropa University Performing Arts Center , 2130 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302

Join virtually: Zoom link: https://naropa.zoom.us/j/98586429588#success

The Wednesday of Earth Justice Week, Earth Justice Day is an action-based social event where Naropa and the wider Boulder community come together to root into the inextricable connections between critical environmental justice and social justice objectives.

Previous presenters include:

  • Carl Anthony, a visionary architect, urban planner, author, and founder of Breakthrough Communities
  • DJ Cavem, eco-hip hop artist
  • Mark Bekoff, PhD, professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado
  • Vandana Shiva, PhD, Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, and ecofeminist

Join Naropa in taking action to build a more socially inclusive and ecologically aware community and world.

About Naropa University (Naropa.edu): Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a private liberal arts institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. As the “birthplace of the modern mindfulness movement,” Naropa University is a leader in contemplative education, an approach to learning and teaching that integrates Eastern wisdom studies with traditional Western scholarship. Naropa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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Naropa Campuses Closed on Friday, March 15, 2024

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.