So as to facilitate a conversation - both online and in-person, certain assumptions have been made:

1. A sense meaning purpose, identity and spirituality (MPIS) are core/essential/critical requirements for an individual and society to function effectively and healthily, and contributes to longevity, wellbeing and happiness. MPIS are at the heart of our functioning and wellbeing as human beings. We are a 'meaning making' species (Frankl, 2006). Therefore, attention needs to be given to this in all areas/sectors of society, in both the developed and developing parts of the world. MPIS therefore needs to be treated/seen as inherent, salient, inclusive, relevant and explicit in all aspects and sectors of society, globally, across cultures and across the lifespan. MPIS can be developed anywhere, at any moment in time in society, such as in a school, the playground, at home, in business, technology, across the lifespan, but it requires awareness. Schools, home life, local communities, relationships are all contexts in which MPIS are developed and forged, and therefore make a difference. Our sense of MPIS will change, develop and be expressed differently across the lifespan- our needs and understanding may be different at different life stages, and may depend on the people we connect with, who influences our thinking and who we forge relationships with during our life journey.
2. The significance of developing MPIS has been lost in society. This therefore requires the awareness, recognition and respect of the public in all domains, contexts and cultures across the world. Quite often, meaning, purpose and identity in particular (or lack of them) "just happen". We rarely apply deliberate focus upon their significance, and rarely cultivate explicit awareness of the importance of them to our own wellbeing.
3. The 'thread' that weaves through individual, collective and global meaning, purpose and identity is our implicit and inherent sense of spirituality. Whilst this may be expressed differently in different parts of the world and in different faiths, cultures or religions, what links us globally, is that we are inherently spiritual beings. In this, we are 'one'. It is a universal aspect of our being-something of ourselves that we can identify in every other person everywhere. It can motivate us and enable us to link in many ways to others and do something for the rest of the world in places that require our contributions. Spirituality is an aspect of our being that we may not be consciously aware of, or able to make sense of, until we turn our attention to it. For some individuals this may not happen until later life, or until facing death.
4. All people in all sectors and organizations across the world should be enabled/encouraged to develop a healthy sense of MPIS, across the lifespan, in a culturally relevant and appropriate way. Space and time needs to be devoted to this. This should be a major driver for public policy in every country and culture with respect to health and wellbeing. While there are many non-profit and for-profit organizations dedicated to this work, systematic investment and focused action on reducing loneliness, expanding compassion and creating opportunities for all to engage in the exploration of meaning need to be created.
5. Different people from different backgrounds and cultures across the globe and lifespan require different supports to develop a sense of MPIS at different stages in their lives. People with special needs, from different cultures and backgrounds with different histories, the young, adolescents, those in mid-life, the elderly…all require different kinds of support to enable them to develop and renew a healthy sense of MPIS appropriate to their different context, stage and culture.

These are some "big" assumptions and are clearly open to challenge. They are not meant to be exhaustive. They are meant to be indicative of where I'm coming from as we get together to create ambitious actions to address the MPIS challenge. And they are meant to help you react and clarify where you're coming from, as we get together to tackle this challenge together.