A Letter from the Organizers
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is our distinct honor to welcome you to the 2nd Yonsei Salutogenesis Symposium, to be held on May 29–30, 2026 at Yonsei University in Seoul.
Health is not something we achieve alone. It is generated in the web of relationships that holds us — between body and mind, self and other, person and community, individual and system. To tend to health, then, is not only to reform individual habit but to heal the very structures that shape our daily lives.
This conviction is at the heart of our theme, "Perichoretic Salutogenesis: Healing the System That Heals Us." Drawing from the ancient image of mutual indwelling, perichoresis names the relational reality in which health is continually generated. It is in this spirit that we seek to re-ground salutogenic science in relational ontology — moving beyond individual-level interventions toward system-level transformation.
Building on our inaugural 2025 workshop and anchored in the newly established Institute of Salutogenesis at Yonsei University, this symposium gathers leading scholars from theology, medicine, nursing, psychology, nutrition, architecture, AI, and the sport and health sciences. Across six thematic sessions and twenty presentations — alongside international keynotes by Dr. Gabor Maté and Prof. Georg Bauer and a poster session for emerging researchers — we will ask together how our workplaces, classrooms, clinics, cities, and daily rhythms might be re-imagined to generate health rather than erode it. This question carries particular urgency amid Korea's compounding crises of suicide, declining fertility, and chronic disease.
Whether you join us as a presenter, a poster author, or an engaged participant, your presence will enrich this emerging community of inquiry and practice. We look forward, with great anticipation, to welcoming you to Seoul here at Yonsei University. Thank you so much.
Re-grounding Health in Relational Ontology
Building on the foundational explorations of the inaugural 2025 workshop, the 2nd Yonsei Salutogenesis Symposium advances the discourse to Perichoretic Salutogenesis — a novel theoretical framework that re-grounds health in relational ontology, moving beyond individual-level interventions to system-level transformation.
Perichoretic Salutogenesis as a New Paradigm
An ontological reframing of health as generated through mutual indwelling relationships, not merely individual capacities.
System-Level Health Generation
Transforming social systems — labor, education, design, lifestyle, healthcare — to enable health creation rather than placing the burden on individual willpower.
Transdisciplinary Research Integration
40 faculty members across 12 disciplines collaborate through six sub-projects spanning theology, psychology, medicine, nursing, nutrition, AI, and architecture.
From Theory to Practice
Bridging philosophical foundations with empirical interventions, clinical models, AI platforms, and urban design solutions addressing Korea's crises in suicide, low fertility, and chronic disease.
International & Next-Generation Scholarship
Strengthen the global Salutogenesis network and foster emerging researchers through thematic poster presentations.
Hosted by
- Global Humanities & Social Sciences Convergence Research
- BK21 Department of Sport Industry Studies, Yonsei University
- BK21 College of Human Ecology, Department of Child & Family Studies, Yonsei University
Supported by
- Institute of Salutogenesis, Yonsei University (est. March 2026)
- Colleges of Education & Sciences
- College of Human Ecology
- College of Nursing
- College of Medicine
Voices Shaping the Field
Dr. Gabor Maté, CM
Prof. Georg Bauer
International & Yonsei Scholars
Yonsei University
Yonsei University
DePaul University, USA
Yonsei University
Texas A&M University, USA
University of Alberta, Canada
Yonsei University
Yonsei University
Yonsei University
Yonsei University
Yonsei University
University of Alberta, Canada
University of Alberta, Canada
Yonsei University
Why Attend
World-Class Keynotes
Dr. Gabor Maté (Author of The Myth of Normal), Prof. Georg Bauer (University of Zurich), and Prof. Justin Jeon (Yonsei University).
Institute Launch
Public debut of the Institute of Salutogenesis — Korea's first inter-college research institute dedicated to salutogenesis.
12-Discipline Convergence
Six sessions led by PIs from theology, nursing, sport science, medicine, psychology, education, and architecture.
Perichoretic Salutogenesis
A world-first framework integrating relational ontology with Salutogenesis, advancing the field beyond individual-level approaches.
System Transformation
Addressing Korea's structural health crises — suicide, low fertility, chronic disease — through systemic, not just individual, solutions.
Two Days · Five Sessions
Five thematic sessions exploring Perichoretic Salutogenesis across theology, psychology, health, design, and sport — featuring keynotes by Prof. Georg Bauer and Dr. Gabor Maté.
Friday, May 29, 2026
Choi Yi-Soon Hall- Prof. Won-Yong Lee — Vice President, Yonsei University
- Prof. Yong Jin Yoon — Dean, College of Education & Sciences, Yonsei University
- Prof. Suk-Kyung Kim — Dean, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University
Perichoretic Salutogenesis: Origins, Theology & Workplace Perspectives
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WelcomeProf. Justin Y. Jeon · Dept. of Sport Industry, Yonsei University"From Salutogenesis to Perichoretic Salutogenesis: Happier and Healthier Society in a Toxic Wetiko Culture"
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Prof. Meehyun Chung · Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University"Choreography of Ecumenism"
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KeynoteProf. Georg Bauer · University of Zurich"Salutogenesis in the Perspective of Work"
- Discussion & QnA
Trauma, Resilience & Curiosity: Psychological Foundations of Salutogenesis
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KeynoteDr. Gabor Maté, CM"The Myth of Normal: Illness, Health and Healing in a Toxic Culture"
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Prof. Hyun-Joo Song · Dept. of Psychology, Yonsei University"Promoting Curiosity in Childhood: A Question-Generation Intervention from a Salutogenic Perspective"
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Prof. Ansuk Jeong · Dept. of Psychology, DePaul University"Salutogenesis in the Context of Community Resilience: Sense of Coherence, Meaning, and Growth after Traumatic Experience"
- Discussion & QnA
Salutogenesis in Action: Interventions Across Health, Sport, and Human-Centered Design
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Prof. Hyangkyu Lee · College of Nursing Science, Yonsei University"Psychosocial Changes and Biomarkers of Cancer Patients after Lifestyle Intervention"
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Prof. Minjung Kim · Texas A&M University"Shaping the Future of the Sport Industry: A Salutogenic Perspective"
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Prof. John C. Spence · University of Alberta"Active Living and Salutogenesis"
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Prof. Jean Young Song · Information & Interaction Design, Underwood International College, Yonsei University"Designing Intelligence Augmentation for Inclusive Health: A Human-Centered Approach"
- Discussion & QnA
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Choi Yi-Soon HallSalutogenic Environment, Design & Daily Life
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Prof. Sungmin Yu · Dept. of Interior Architecture, Yonsei University"Salutogenic Environment and Architectural Design"
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Prof. Soomi Lee · Dept. of Child & Family Studies, Yonsei University"Salutogenic Daily Activities and Sleep"
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Prof. Hyunjae Shin · Dept. of Integrated Design, Yonsei University"Design-led Intervention to Tackle Sedentary Behaviour of Youth"
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Discussants:
Prof. Jinkook Lee (Dept. of Interior Architecture, Vice Dean, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University)
Prof. Suyeon Byun (Dept. of Child & Family Studies, Yonsei University) - Discussion & QnA
Salutogenesis in Sport, Leisure & Tourism: International Perspectives
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Prof. Eun-Young Lee · Dept. of Sport Industry, Yonsei University"Toward a Salutogenic Paradigm for Physical Activity and Planetary Health"
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Prof. Elizabeth Halpenny · University of Alberta"Tourism and Salutogenesis: An unEASEy Partnership"
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Prof. Amber Mosewich · University of Alberta"Self-Compassion as a Resource in Sport: A Salutogenic Perspective"
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Prof. Dong Hoon Lee · Dept. of Sport Industry, Yonsei University"Beyond Lifestyle: Social and Psychological Determinants of Health and Survival"
- Discussion & QnA
- Looking Ahead: The Vision for the Institute of Salutogenesis — Prof. Suk Kyung Kim
- Poster Awards & Closing Remarks
- Group Photo
Reserve Your Seat
Join us at Yonsei University, May 29–30, 2026
Registration is free for the 2nd Yonsei Salutogenesis Symposium. Please register in advance using the form below — scan the QR code with your phone or click the button to complete registration.
Register via Google Form https://forms.gle/GN4J1tC15qwMzMHJ7Submission Guidelines
Graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and early-career faculty affiliated with the Institute of Salutogenesis or collaborating institutions are invited to present research aligned with the Institute's six sub-projects.
Abstract Deadline
May 15th, 2026
Submit your abstract via email:
YES1885040@gmail.com
Abstract Guidelines
- Written in English (max. 300 words)
- Excluding title, authors, and affiliations
- Include title, authors, affiliations, background, methods, results, and conclusion
Format
A0 portrait (841 mm × 1189 mm)
English preferred
Display Schedule
- Day 1 (May 29): 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Coffee breaks: 2:30, 3:20, 4:40 PM
- Poster session: 5:50 – 6:00 PM
Awards
- Best Poster Award (1)
- Excellence Awards (2)
- Selected by session chairs
Plan Your Visit
🏨 Accommodation
- Recommended: The Plaza Hotel, Seoul
- Centrally located with easy access to public transportation and Yonsei University
- Special symposium rates may be available — inquire for details
✈️ From Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul
- Airport Express Train (AREX) to Seoul Station (~1 hour)
- Airport Limousine Bus (~60–80 min)
- Taxi (~60 min, approx. 70,000 KRW)
🚇 From The Plaza Hotel to Yonsei
- Subway Line 2: City Hall → Sinchon (15 min) + 15 min walk
- Taxi: 20–30 min (~10,000 KRW)
- Campus shuttle available at main gate
- Tip: Get a T-money card for subway & bus
📍 Venue
- Choi Yi-Soon Hall, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University
- Registration opens Friday, May 29 at 12:30 PM
- Volunteers available throughout the venue