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Click here to download the brochure
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Pre Conference Workshop:
Wednesday 19th November,
Time: 9am - 5pm
Conference Day 1:
Thursday 20th Novemebr
Time: 8am - 5:30pm
Conference Day 2:
Friday 21st November
Time: 8am - 5:30pm
Post Conference Workshops:
Saturday 22nd November
Morning Workshops 9am - 12pm
Afternoon Workshops 2pm - 5pm
› Full conference programme
› Add this to my calendar
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Venue: Suntec Singapore
International Convention & Exhibition Centre
1 Raffles Boulevard, Suntec City,
Singapore 039593
Accomodation:
There is a large range of hotels in the surrounding area. A full listing can be obtained from
www.visitsingapore.com
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Programme
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One: Thursday 20 November 2008
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9am | Welcome
| 9.05am | Opening remarks from the Chairperson
Lillian Too, International Best-Selling Author, Malaysia
| | THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS |
| 9.15am | The ESSENCE of Health & Happiness
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What does the medical research show are the essential ingredients for health, wellbeing and happiness?
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Can we educate ourselves to make choices that lead to healthier & happier lives?
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How can we manage stress in today’s busy, modern world?
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Is finding meaning in life essential for happiness?
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The mind/body connection – the role of nutrition & exercise
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The importance of connection to others in relationships, families, communities and the wider society
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How can we improve our environment to be more conducive to health and happiness?
Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Australia
| 9.45am | Happiness: developing life’s most important skill
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Is happiness the purpose of life?
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Is true, lasting happiness possible?
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Happiness and altruism: does happiness make us kind or does being kind make us happy?
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Towards a science of happiness
Matthieu Ricard, Best-Selling Author: Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, France
| 10.15am | Happier: using the new science of positive psychology to realise your potential for lasting fulfillment
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Can you make yourself lastingly happier?
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Can we learn to be optimistic?
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Discover and renew your signature strengths and virtues
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The new science of Positive Psychology
Dr Titus Foo, Consultant Psychologist/CBT Psychotherapist, Positive Psychology Centre, Singapore; Lecturer, James Cook University,
Singapore
| 10.45am | Morning Coffee
| 11.15am | The art and science of skillfully reading and understanding emotions in yourself and others
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Recognising emotion in others – a cross-cultural perspective
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What do our faces reveal about our emotional states?
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Is happiness different across cultures?
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Twelve different happy emotions
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Is it possible to recognize emotions, truth and lies from facial expressions and body language? What does the research say?
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What are the implications for areas such as business, law enforcement, health care and national security?
Dr David Matsumoto, Professor of Psychology, Director Culture and Emotion Research Laboratory, San Francisco State University, USA; Director and CEO, The Ekman Group – Research Division; Author: Culture & Psychology
| 11.45am | Panel: Learning to be happy
There is now general consensus that the brain can be changed by actively developing new ways of thinking.This is an exciting conjunction of Western neuroscience, psychology and Eastern philosophy.
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How can science help us in the quest for happiness?
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Nature or nurture – how far can we go in changing our brain to be happier?
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Can the mind be trained to enhance the positive and diminish the negative?
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What evidence exists that mind training works?
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Is there any consensus on the techniques that are most effective?
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Is the search for happiness self-indulgent?
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Case studies on the power of action and thought to increase well-being
Panellists
Matthieu Ricard, Best-Selling Author Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, France
Dr David Matsumoto, Professor of Psychology, Director Culture and Emotion Research Laboratory, San Francisco State University, USA; Director and CEO, The Ekman Group – Research Division; Author: Culture & Psychology
Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Australia
Dr Titus Foo, Consultant Psychologist/CBT Psychotherapist, Positive Psychology Centre, Singapore; Lecturer, James Cook University,
Singapore
| 12.30pm | Lunch break
| | FLOURISHING, AGEING & HAPPINESS |
| 2pm | The mind/body connection – living a longer, healthier
and happier life
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What makes some people seem so youthful?
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How can I maximize my nutrition for a healthier, happier life?
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Regaining well-being and vigor after illness
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Managing chronic illness and pain – can my mind help my body heal?
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The mind/body connection – using the mind to boost the immune system.
Petrea King, Founding Director, Quest for Life Foundation, Australia, Author: Your Life Matters
| 2.30pm | Flourishing and positive ageing
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How can we be happier in later life?
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What factors influence a successful transition into retirement?
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Developing practical tools to increase wellbeing for the elderly
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Facing the challenges of an ageing population – an holistic approach
Dr Mary Ann Tsao, President, Tsao Foundation
| 3pm | Afternoon coffee
| | EMOTIONAL WELLBEING, RESILIENCE & HAPPINESS |
| 3.30pm | Emotional resilience and subjective wellbeing – the Asian context
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Can we learn to respond better to stress?
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What does positive psychology have to say about coping in difficult situations?
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The importance of cultural conditioning in developing resilience models
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Individual and collective resilience – the Asian context
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How health professionals coped with the SARS epidemic
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Resilience in the individual and the family
Associate Professor Weining Chang, Head of the Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University
| 3.55pm | Dealing with unhappiness and difficult emotions
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When does unhappiness become a medical problem?
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When do I need to seek help?
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“Talking therapies” – the best prescription for depression and anxiety?
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Antidepressants – friend or foe?
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What are the most successful strategies for coping with mild depression and general unhappiness at home and in the workplace?
Dr Chua Hong Choon, Consultant and Chief of the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health and Woodbridge Hospital; President, Singapore Psychiatric Association
| 4.20pm | Panel: Strategies for dealing with life’s challenges
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Why do some people deal with tragedy better than others?
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How can we bounce back from life’s knocks?
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Is it possible to be happy when seriously ill?
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What makes some people flourish in later life?
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How important is our family and community in helping us deal with problems?
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Cultivating happiness and wellbeing in difficult times
Moderator:
Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Australia
Panellists:
Dr Mary Ann Tsao, President, Tsao Foundation
Petrea King, Founding Director, Quest for Life Foundation, Australia, Author: Your Life Matters
Associate Professor Weining Chang, Head of the Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University
Dr Chua Hong Choon, Consultant and Chief of the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health and Woodbridge Hospital; President, Singapore Psychiatric Association
| | Close of Day 1 |
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Two - Friday 21 November 2008
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9am | Opening remarks from the Chairperson
Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Australia
| | PRACTICAL TOOLS & TECHNIQUES |
| 9.10am | Mindfulness – a practical tool for a happier life
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What is “mindfulness” and why has it attracted so much interest in science and psychology?
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The inter-relationship between mindfulness and psychotherapy
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Managing stress in the workplace and at home
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Leading a happier life through mindfulness
Dr Belinda Khong, Consulting Psychologist and Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia
| 9.40am | Feeling happy: a guide to living a happier life using cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
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What are the tools of CBT?
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How successful is CBT in enhancing positive thinking?
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What evidence is there that CBT helps in managing negative moods?
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How can I use CBT to be more effective and happier at work?
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Can I use CBT to improve my relationships with friends, family and colleagues?
Dr Ross Menzies, Associate Professor of Psychology and Head, Anxiety Disorders Clinic The University of Sydney, Australia, International expert trainer in CBT, National University of Singapore
| | PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE – HAPPINESS IN DAY TO DAY LIFE |
| 10.10am | Personal Story: Barista Express Café – a social enterprise
Barista Express Café was set up by social enterprise company Dignity Links to help people recovering from a mental illness find jobs. Director (Operations), Kala Karkal, will talk about the enterprise and what it has meant to patients and family members.
Kala Karkal, Director (Operations), Dignity Links and Barista Express Café
| 10.25am | Morning coffee
| 10.55am | Personal Story: Off Centre – a play exploring mental illness
Acclaimed Singaporean playwright, Haresh Sharma, talks about The Necessary Stage’s production Off Centre which deals with mental illness. The production process involved research with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and patients. The play brings mental illness and the plight of its sufferers to the attention of the general public and deals with marginalisation, stigma, friendship, societal and familial pressures.
Haresh Sharma, Resident Playwright, The Necessary Stage
| 11.10am | Panel: positive actions for creating a happier society
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Can we promote kindness and hope in communities?
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Is it possible for me to really make a positive difference in the lives of others?
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Forgiveness and letting go through mindfulnes
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In what way can neighbours encourage and help those who care for others on a full-time basis?
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Who are the everyday heroes in our communities?
Panellists
Kala Karkal, Director (Operations), Dignity Links and Barista Express Café
Haresh Sharma, Resident Playwright, The Necessary Stage
Dr Belinda Khong, Consulting Psychologist and Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia
Matthieu Ricard, Best-Selling Author: Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, France
| | HAPPINESS, MONEY & WORK |
| 11.50am | How much is enough?
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Why are lottery winners no happier than the rest of us?
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Why are the world’s two richest people giving away their fortunes?
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Are we choosing what makes us happy?
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What is the link between money and happiness?
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Teaching children about money
Arun Abey, Executive Chairman, ipac Securities Group, Singapore & Australia, Author: How Much Is Enough?
Bernadette Bolger, General Manager, A & B Publishers; Managing Director, Vitality Plus Pharmacies, Australia
| 12.15pm | Do I laugh or cry? – managing stress and distress at work
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Is stress a natural and necessary part of the workplace?
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How do I recognise and manage early signs of distress and not coping in the workplace – in myself and others?
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Dealing with the spectrum of emotions in the workplace
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Caring for the carers – how to manage emotional burnout
Clare Yeo, Principal Clinical Psychologist & Consultant, Corporate Consulting Services, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| 12.40pm | Lunch
| 2pm | Panel: happiness, career success and work/life balance
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Is career success an essential ingredient for a happy life?
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Is work always a source of happiness?
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When does it become a source of suffering?
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Is it possible to have a successful career and still have time for family, friends and relaxation?
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How can we maintain a healthy work/life balance given the demands of the modern workplace?
Panellists
Lillian Too, International Best-Selling Author, Malaysia
Tara Melwani, Director, Jay Gee Enterprises
Lynette Yeo Balota, Executive Director, Singapore Association of Social Workers
Arun Abey, Executive Chairman,ipac Securities Group, Singapore & Australia, Author: How Much Is Enough?
Clare Yeo, Principal Clinical Psychologist & Consultant, Corporate Consulting Services, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | HAPPINESS & YOUNG PEOPLE |
| 2.40pm | Bringing Up Happy Children
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Every parent wants a "happy childhood" for their children. What best supports this?
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What will most effectively help children to flourish, whatever their temperament?
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How can children understand and survive sadness, anger and other challenging emotions?
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How do parents' values and expectations affect their children's emotional wellbeing?
Dr Daniel Fung, Consultant Psychiatrist, Child Guidance Clinic and Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| 3pm | Afternoon coffee
| 3.30pm | Panel: happiness=youth?
In this session we will hear the voices of inspirational young leaders in the community and of those working closely with young people.
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Are today’s teenagers more vulnerable?
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Is being a happy hedonist enough?
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Is there a loss of meaning in life for young people?
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Developing relationships and connectedness in the new information age
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How to maintain hope in the face of global challenges
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Young people’s values in the search for happiness
Panellists:
Bernise Ang, Founder, Syinc
Melissa Kwee, Chairperson, Halogen Foundation Singapore, awarded Singapore Youth Award 2007
Farid Hamid, Principal Trainer, Ithaca, Academic Associate, Republic Polytechnic
Dr Daniel Fung, Consultant Psychiatrist, Child Guidance Clinic and Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | HAPPINESS & RELATIONSHIPS |
| 4.05pm | And they all lived happily ever after (... is romantic
love the key to happiness?)
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What are the successful ingredients of happy relationships?
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What if my needs are different to my partners needs?
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What are the warning signs of relationship mismatch?
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Balancing work, family and intimate relationships
Fiona O’Shaughnessy, Principal Consultant, Emerge, Singapore
| 4.25pm | Relationships as the key to happiness and wellbeing
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How can I build happier and healthier relationships – at work and play?
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What are your relationships for?
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Are virtual relationships affecting our connectedness?
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Making lifestyle choices to nurture your relationships
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The bigger picture – nurturing national and international relationships as the basis for achieving happiness, peace and social harmony.
Panellists:
Dr Ross Menzies, Associate Professor of Psychology and Head, Anxiety Disorders Clinic, The University of Sydney, Australia, International expert trainer in CBT, National University of Singapore
Fiona O’Shaughnessy, Principal Consultant, Emerge, Singapore
Dr Jonathan Marshall, Assistant Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
Sulynn Choong, Founder and CEO, Asian Center for Applied Positive Psychology
| 5pm | Close Day 2
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