In a groundbreaking initiative, the Jameel Arts & Health Lab unveiled the intricate connection between art, health, and the climate crisis during the COP28 Healing Arts Week, held from December 1 to 3. Established in February, the Jameel Arts & Health Lab focuses on demonstrating the transformative power of the arts in addressing global challenges such as climate change and the health crisis.
The highlight of the COP28 Healing Arts Week was a high-level panel titled “Arts, Health, and Climate,” held in the COP28 Green Zone. Moderated by Princess Mashael Saud Al-Shalan, co-founder of Aeon Collective, the panel brought together influential figures, including Prince Sultan bin Fahad, Princess Hala bint Khaled, Raquel Peixoto, Richard Bush, Christopher Bailey, and Catherine Cone. The dialogue delved into the crucial intersection of arts, health, and climate, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative approaches to tackle the ongoing global challenges.
As part of the week’s activities, a panel on “Safeguarding Our Planet: Biodiversity, Climate, and One Health” convened at the Saudi Pavilion in the Blue Zone. The panel explored the role of arts in safeguarding the environment and biodiversity, featuring insightful contributions from diverse experts.
“The climate crisis is a health crisis,” emphasized Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. He highlighted the arts as a potent ally in the pursuit of improved global health, expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab. The lab’s unique position as the first major arts and health initiative in the WHO’s history underscores the significance of this intersectional approach.
Clea Daridan, Senior Curator and Culture Lead at Community Jameel, explained, “We are interested in connecting the arts and health with climate change because obviously the climate crisis is a health crisis.” She emphasized the exploration of whether the arts could offer solutions to these crises and the importance of understanding the science behind the arts’ impact on health and climate.
The Jameel Arts & Health Lab focuses on overlooked and underserved communities, a commitment reflected in its establishment through collaborations between the WHO, the Steinhardt School at New York University, Community Jameel, and Culturunners. The lab aims to coordinate scientific research into the effectiveness of the arts in improving health and well-being globally.
Stephen Stapleton, Co-Director of the lab and CEO of Culturunners, highlighted the lab’s advocacy for the arts in conveying the urgency of the climate crisis as a health crisis. Through arts therapies and self-expression, the lab seeks to inspire behavioral change on personal and societal levels.
The COP28 Healing Arts Week included various events at the Jameel Art Center, the Saudi Pavilion, and in the Green Zone, culminating in an evening with Ghebreyesus hosted by Community Jameel and the WHO Foundation.
Recent research has demonstrated the positive impact of the arts on health and well-being, providing evidence for the lab’s mission. The Jameel Arts & Health Lab, in collaboration with the Lancet, is leading a global series on the health benefits of the arts, focusing on non-communicable diseases, with outcomes expected to be published in early 2025. Additionally, the lab is preparing a report, slated for the first quarter of 2024, to showcase evidence of the relationship between arts, health, and climate change, particularly concerning displaced populations. As the lab continues its pioneering work, the world eagerly anticipates the transformative insights that will emerge at the intersection of art, health, and climate.