Overcoming life challenges and developing Mental Resilience in a Volatile World

The world of work — and the broader global environment — is experiencing profound disruption driven by geopolitical shifts, rapid labour market changes, growing uncertainty, and increasing pressures on multilateral institutions. In this context, the ability to manage one’s thoughts and emotions, maintain inner stability, and respond with resilience and purpose has become more important than ever. Yet these social and emotional competencies remain insufficiently developed across many workplaces and communities.

Self‑empowerment — the capacity to take ownership of one’s thoughts, emotions, and responses — is increasingly recognised as a foundational life skill for the 21st century. The ILO’s Global Framework for Core Skills for Work and Life identifies self‑management, adaptability and emotional intelligence as critical competencies for navigating complexity and change. When these capacities are underdeveloped, the consequences often include stress, burnout, disengagement, and strained interpersonal relationships.

Against this backdrop, Episode 14 of the SKILLS Bridge Masterclass Series will feature an internationally renowned speaker BK Shivani.

In March 2019, BK Shivani was awarded the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskaar (Woman Power Award), the highest civilian honour for women in India, for her role in transforming human behaviours. The award was conferred by the then President of India, His Excellency Mr. Ram Nath Kovind.

Since 2017 she has been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador by the World Psychiatric Association. She was the recipient of the Happiness Ambassador Award at the British Parliament in London in 2019, in presence of the Queen’s representatives. She is also an Amazon best‑selling author.

With more than three decades of experience, BK Shivani has delivered over 5,000 talks across 35 countries, reaching millions of people through her workshops, widely followed television programmes, and best‑selling books. Her work focuses on helping individuals overcome stress, strengthen mental resilience, and transform their inner world through self‑awareness and meditation.

This session offers ILO and UN personnel and others a unique opportunity to engage directly with BK Shivani in an interactive dialogue aligned with the ILO’s Mental Health and Well‑Being Action Plan.

Main objectives

• Highlight self‑empowerment as a key resource for managing stress and navigating life’s challenges in a rapidly changing world.
• Introduce practical approaches, including Raja Yoga meditation, for strengthening mental resilience and emotional balance.

Agenda