Finding hope in community
Hearth Summit Kuwait 2026
We all need somewhere to come back to. We hosted the region’s first Hearth Summit in December 2025 where more than 200 people came together for three days of reflection, creativity and connection. Beyond the conversations and experiences, the gathering strengthened relationships that continued to provide support, care and a sense of belonging long after we left the room. Hearth Summit 2026 is an invitation to continue that journey...
Community Praxis - Modeling healthy community through experiential practices
This year, we will deepen our exploration of the practices and approaches that strengthen community resilience—particularly relevant at a time when the world feels increasingly uncertain and unsafe, and when divisive narratives threaten to fracture community ties. We want to draw upon the cultural practices, creativity and collective wisdom within our communities to explore how, together, we can continue to build a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient Kuwait.
We believe resilience grows when people come together in intentional and purposeful spaces that create opportunities for people with different lived experiences to connect and build relationships—through sharing food, meaningful conversations, workshops, games, and the simple joy of being with one another.
Activities will take place over one and a half days and will be co-designed with diverse partners, who will bring their own practices and knowledge in the areas of the environment, arts, heritage, communication, wellbeing and community building into the space.
Stay tuned as we will go live with the “express your interest to attend” form in the coming days!
Our Collaborators & Facilitators (updating…)
-
Assistant Professor of English Literature at GUST
Dr. Nour Dakkak is interested in how literature shapes and reflects our understanding of landscapes and the more-than-human world. Her work on environmental humanities draws on neo-materialist and ecological perspectives to ask how writing, places, and matter intertwine.
-
Visual artist, curator and educator
Through painting, drawing, video and sound, she reflects on the interactions of people with land and landscape. She received an MFA in Art from the California Institute of the Arts and a BFA in Fine Arts with honors from the School of Visual Arts in New York.
-
Operations Manager & Community Host
Operations Manager at en.v, Khadija creates spaces where food, stories, and traditions bring people closer together and spark social change. At the Hearth Summit Kuwait 2026, she will host Namak, a communal eating experience exploring how breaking bread together can become an act of connection and reflection.
-
Facilitator, storyteller, and community builder
Fatemah Ashkanani is a facilitator, storyteller, and community builder dedicated to fostering connection through culture, dialogue, and creative expression. She facilitates youth programs with en.v, LOYAC, and Enbat—KIPCO’s flagship career readiness program—where she guides emerging changemakers in social entrepreneurship, leadership, and purpose-driven impact. Drawing from her background in media, PR, and social impact, Fatemah’s work bridges storytelling and community building to create spaces where empathy, collaboration, and creativity can thrive.
-
Artist and educator
Fatema (founder of Arttt Addiction) is an artist and educator. Her approach to education emphasizes integrative learning, inspiring creativity, fostering holistic development and empowering communities.
-
Nudge Club Facilitator & Coordinator
Maryam is a homemaker passionate about education reform. She is a key member of the Nudge Club, and helps create safe and empowering spaces for teachers and students.
-
Nudge Club Facilitator & Coordinator
Alongside her full-time role as an Executive Assistant at Warba Insurance, she volunteers with Nudge Club, where she helps with outreach and facilitates wellbeing-centered sessions for students and teachers.
-
Holistic Wellness Facilitator
Hamad is a movement and wellness educator integrating ancient and modern theories in health, Qigong, music and contemplative practices. Through his teaching, he invites participants into embodied presence, mindfulness and open heartedness.
-
ARTSCENE founder
Areej is a poet, writer and founder of ARTSCENE, where she curates spaces for creativity, conversation, and community. Her work weaves together literature, art, music, and collective expression.
-
They will facilitate the Creative Diwanyia as part of their creative studio that offers services, creative solutions, and creative direction for businesses and individuals.
-
Jaber runs FlavourLink, a Kuwait-based speciality coffee reseller that champions locally roasted beans and makes brewing approachable for everyone.
-
Ghadeer engages in cultural production and event curation rooted in social, cultural, and creative contexts. Her passion for community stems from a deep understanding of its critical role in sustaining artistic practice, public engagement, and long-term cultural impact. In response, Ghadeer founded Waha—a platform dedicated to fostering creative exchange, collective learning, and visibility for emerging and mid-career artists.
About the Hearth Summit
A global gathering for collective action.
The Global Hearth Summit is an award-winning global convening that gathers over 1,000 leaders from more than 80 countries across social impact, government, philanthropy, the arts, and business sectors, rooted in the conviction that the wellbeing of those who drive change is fundamental to the wellbeing of societies and of our shared planet.
The Regional Hearth Summits are regional versions of the global event. Hosted by local communities who want to explore and embrace the wellbeing for social impact movement in their own countries, they offer deep conversations, immersive arts experiences, hands-on workshops, cultural activities, and much more. 30 summits have been hosted over 76 days with 10k+ changemakers of 80 nationalities to date.
Our Partners
