Creative Expression and Positive Psychology: Maria Brodskaya and Dr Gabriele Sauberer Discuss New Ways to Empower Migrants and Refugees
“Now I understand it as my mission to share this ability with people, that ability of creative expression. In order to help people to survive, to express themselves”. — Maria Brodskaya
“Positive psychology is the science of well-being, of what enables individuals and communities to flourish to be successful”. — Dr Gabriele Sauberer
At 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 we invite guests to talk with us about migration. On the 18th of April, Project Phoenix’s 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 welcomed 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘀𝗸𝗮𝘆𝗮 and 𝗗𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿 to talk about their respective approaches and experiences using art therapy and positive psychology when coaching or mentoring.
𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘀𝗸𝗮𝘆𝗮 𝗮𝗸𝗮 Å𝗠𝗕𝗘
Based in New York City, Maria is a Grammy-recognised recording artist, composer, producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist, educator, and Virtual Reality Music pioneer. She is the founder of an online school of the future GENESIS, and also a co-founder of ADIM group — a music & audio production studio. Maria has been building a VR music education app and is working on a music and neuroscience project. She has recently launched a project, Global Creative Initiative — Artists & Educators to Heal & Empower, — where creators, performers, and educators come together through technology. They seek to bring the power of positive motivation and creative expression to hospitals, care centres, refugees, and orphans through live music, art, entertainment, and education.
𝗗𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿 is the Director of the Vienna International Positive Psychology School (VIPPS). She is an expert in Positive Leadership and Positive-Provocative Communication. Gabriele holds a PhD in linguistics and communication science, and an MBA in Diversity and Innovation Management. She is a EUPPA Certified Master Trainer in Positive Psychology and the Head of Certification of the European Positive Psychology Academy (EUPPA).
Get Involved:
If you want to be a guest of one of our Phoenix Talks or have ideas and suggestions, please get in touch via contact@project-phoenix.eu. We look forward to your contribution.
Project Phoenix is a young European NGO and social enterprise working to empower migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in an urban setting, using the best of a social innovation playbook. Premised on the pillars of sustainability, economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, socio-cultural integration through professional-skills training and mentorship, we leverage our global networks and fill gaps that legacy institutions and international organisations are often unable to. We are limber, agile and use a systems-thinking, non-prescriptive approach to present feasible solutions.
Project Phoenix is currently running a Pilot Project on the ground in Cyprus. Motivated individuals apply to join as fellows to receive assistance through skills training and entrepreneurial support. Fellows contribute to their local community through the establishment of their own social enterprise which allows them to pay it forward. This innovative approach encourages the sustainable empowerment of refugees and migrants and the development of a circular and sustainable economic and social movement on the island.
