Michele Borba,
is an internationally renowned educational psychologist and an expert in
parenting, bullying, and character development. She is an award-winning
author of twenty-two books translated into fourteen languages. One of the
foremost authorities on childhood development in the country, she is a
regular NBC contributor who appears regularly on Today and has been
featured as an expert on Dateline, The View, Dr. Phil, NBC Nightly News,
Fox & Friends, Dr. Oz, and The Early Show, among many others.
She is author of, UnSelfie: Why
Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World.
"Empathy is the root of
humanity and the foundation that helps
our children become good, caring people. But the Empathy Advantage
also
gives them a huge edge at happiness and success."
For over 4 decades New Dimensions has been gleaning experience and
inspiration from some of the world's most
innovative, enlightened, and trustworthy wisdom leaders as it sows the
seeds of encouragement and confidence that, together, we can meet the
challenges of the 21st Century.
Topics Explored in This Dialogue
What is the history of the concept of empathy
What is the difference between empathy and sympathy
What are some physical traits we can cultivate to
establish empathy with another
What is an example of connecting with a neighbor of a
different political persuasion
How developing empathy is a gateway practice like
developing a muscle
What is the process used in the Empathy Cafes both
on-line and in person
How Rutsch set up an Empathy Tent at a Berkeley political
rally
Why it is important to repeat back to the person what
they have said without having to agree with them...
Eija Raatikainen (PhD / University of Helsinki) is a
Principal lecturer in University of Applied Sciences of Metropolia in
Social Service programme. Her academic focus is "Trust”, as phenomena in
different field, as like in social work and educational practice.
Eija is coauthor of the study,
Qualified Empathy: A key element for an empowerment professional.
"In this paper, we will describe how teaching and
learning to use empathy has been a part of studies for Social Services
students. We argue that professional empathy can be approached in
multisensory
ways when studying empathy.
In our case, we have used traditional learning and
teaching methods alongside creative methods such as visual arts and drama
as ways to learn
and teach empathy."
Empathy
may be not be a cure-all, but just a little effort can transform a child
into a more sensitive, caring human being. The good news is that empathy -
the ability to "walk in someone
else's
shoes"
- can be taught. This book is all about teaching adults to teach empathy
to kids. The payoff will last a lifetime.
James Doty
is Stanford Clinical Professor of
Neurosurgery andfounding director of the Center for the Study of Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). CCARE is strivingto
create a community of scholars and researchers, includingneuroscientists,
psychologists, educators and philosophical andcontemplative thinkers around
the study of compassion.
Edwin Rutsch is director of the
Center for Building a Culture of Empathy. The center has many
projects to help raise the level of empathy in our global society and
culture.
A discussion about the current state of the empathy
and compassion movements and where they might be headed. We discuss the
Empathy Circle process as a
way to hold constructive dialogues. CCARE becomes a cosponsor of the
project to hold Empathy Circles between Congressional Representatives
from the
political left, right and center.
Rasha Kutty is the
founder of the Empathy
University. Rasha is an advocate for empathy and firmly believes in
the power of the individual to effect change in their surroundings, one
step at a time. The Empathy University's goal is to provide empathy
training to educators and corporate organizations to help grow a culture
of empathy in the world. The Empathy University journey began with the
realization that empathy is a revolutionary skill that can solve almost
all unsettling issues facing humanity today.
Q. Why the focus on empathy?
A. Empathy;
improves the quality of your interpersonal
relationships.
boosts your happiness and creativity levels.
based work cultures
are more productive, have higher employee satisfaction and retention
rates.
fights inequality and racism.
lowers incidences of domestic violence and sexual
assault
Amy
J. Wilson is a change leader, community builder, movement maker, and an
empathy advocate. Amy specializes in building and sustaining cultures of
innovation with a social good mission
and is the author of
Empathy for Change.
"If our bodies are wired for human connection,
empathy is our beating heart. Often thought of as a "soft skill," empathy
is a superpower that I've learned to wield for good and accept that it's
my biggest strength.
I think of empathy as more than just "stepping into another's shoes" it's
about feeling with each other to act, if needed. Empathy is responding to
the thoughts and emotions of others with the purpose of meeting each
other's needs."
From the book, "Empathy is the basic practice that brings me to compassion. It is
ultimately quite simple, and quite challenging....
Empathy is the exploration of our human experience
- our feelings, our needs - our life-energy trying to emerge and guide us.
It is the mindful question, the wondering and the genuine curiosity about
what we or some else is going through."
Elif Gokcigdem is a thought leader, historian of Islamic art, and a museum
scholar who is committed to creating fertile grounds of empathy through
informal learning platforms to inspire positive behavior change, caring
mindsets, and compassionate worldviews that value all of humanity and the
planet.
It's time to harness the power of empathy
by creating shared terminology, vision, and values across disciplines and
sectors. As leaders of cross-industry dialogue and innovation, we are
positioned to develop the standards and best practices of the
empathy-building movement.
A series of Empathy Circles with empathy activists. Most participants
have written books or head programs on the topic. This is a way to
explore the different facets of empathy together and for people in the
field to get to know each other and exchange ideas and insights.
Participants Edwin Rutsch:
Director, Center for Building a Culture of Empathy
Jackie Acho:
Author, Empathy Deficit Disorder: Healing from Our Mix-ups About Work,
Home, and Sex
Peter Lytton Bazalgette
is a British television executive and creative figure. He is a television
producer who helped to create the independent TV production sector in the
United Kingdom, and went on to be the leading creative figure in the
global TV. He was Chair of Arts Council England from 2012 until
2016. He is the author of:
The Empathy Instinct: How to Create a More Civil Society.
Empathy is the power of understanding
others, imaginatively entering into their feelings.
It is a fundamental human attribute, without
This the first of a series of Empathy Circles with empathy
activists. Most participants have written books or head programs on the
topic. This is a way to explore the different facets of empathy together
and for people in the field to get to know each other and exchange ideas
and insights.
Participants
Edwin Rutsch
Director, Center for Building a Culture of Empathy "The Empathy Circle is the most effective
gateway practice for
nurturing and practicing empathy that I know of."
Jackie Acho Author, Empathy Deficit Disorder: Healing from Our Mix-ups About
Work, Home, and Sex "The empathy deficit disorder is the
result of an economic
system built on the separation of work and home."
Minter Dial Author, Heartificial Empathy, Putting Heart into Business and
Artificial Intelligence
"Here are five of the best ways to strengthen your
empathy muscle
and abilities: 1. Listen. Practice active listening, by
reformulating what you hear out loud..."
Jackie
Acho is President of The Acho Group, a strategy and leadership
consulting firm. Prior to founding The Acho Group in 2005, she was a
Partner in the Midwest Complex of McKinsey & Company. She has worked for
technology, industrial, academic, nonprofit, and economic development
clients on a variety of issues, with particular focus on growth and
innovation, strategy, and leadership development for more than 25
years. Jackie is co-author or
Empathy Deficit Disorder: Healing from Our Mix-ups About Work, Home, and
Sex.
The empathy deficit disorder is the result of an
economic system built on the separation of work and home. This
separation has devalued the most foundational form of empathy - the
emotional, embodied, so-called affective empathy that is our birthright.
As a result we have forgotten who we are...
(Source:
Wikipedia Dance)
By aligning our new external reality with our innermost humanity,
co-creation offers a solution to our empathy deficit disorder and an
opportunity to unite our divided world. Empathy is that powerful.
Minter Dial
is a thought-leader, author, consultant and professional speaker. He is
president and founder of Digitalproof Consultancy, a strategic firm
providing digital and brand consulting to clients including Kering Group,
Samsung, Google and L'Oreial. Minter is author of, Heartificial
Empathy, Putting Heart into Business and Artificial Intelligence.
The objective of this book is to explore ways to increase empathy in
business and machines.
For business, empathy may be the biggest untapped lever
for productivity, customer fidelity and long-term profitability!
Susan Lanzoni
is a historian of psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience and teaches at
Harvard's School of Continuing Education. Her work has been featured in
the Atlantic and American Scientist and on Cognoscenti on WBUR, Boston's
NPR station. She is author of Empathy: A History. The book tells
the fascinating and largely unknown story of the first appearance of "empathy"
in 1908 and tracks its shifting meanings over the following
century.
History tells us that empathy comprises a complex,
artful but also effortful practice that enrolls
feelings, intellect, and imagination.
Empathy, in it's many varieties, offers an oblique and
sometimes direct challenge to the idea that we are
Helen Riess,
M.D. is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
and Director of the Empathy and Relational Science Program at
Massachusetts General Hospital.
The mission of the
Program is to enhance empathy and interpersonal relationships in
healthcare. She is also Chief Technology Officer of
Empatheticswhich
offers scientifically based empathy training proven to optimize
interpersonal engagement.
Teachers connect with students in ways that help learners discover and
expand there talents. Businesses are more likely to thrive because they
invest in the people working for them. Politicians start to represent the
needs of their constituencies.
The arts have always been a connector for people of all
walks of life to learn more about one another, find common ground, inspire
curiosity rather than judgment, and provide shared mind empathic
experiences that remind us that all people are part of the fabric of
humanity. "
L'aura Joy is a Certified Trainer in Nonviolent
Communication, and since 2007 she has been working in the fields of
communication, conflict resolution, peace and justice, healing, and
decision-making and leadership.
Having grown up in Auroville, an international intentional community in
Tamil Nadu, India, L'aura is passionate about exploring how we can live
our lives in empowered and co-creative ways. Nonviolent Communication
(NVC) offers such a clear, yet deeply powerful and transformative
framework within which to explore both our inner realities as well as
outer relationships. L'aura is also trained in Restorative Circles and
Sociocracy, and she applies these approaches to her work with justice
and governance in Auroville.
Chad Woodruff is a Cognitive Neuroscientist who uses neuroimaging
techniques to investigate social and cognitive processes. Chad has had
extensive experience as a graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, and an
assistant professor with neuroimaging and has mentored undergraduate
students in the use of these techniques for 10 years.
It informs current research, stimulates further research
endeavors, and encourages continued and creative philosophical and
scientific inquiry into the critical societal constructs of empathy and
compassion.
Hosted by:
Empathy Tent
building a culture of empathy
As part of the Empathy Tent and National Week of Conversations Project we
hold a Democracy Circle (Empathy Circle) on How might we bridge the
Political Divides in the USA? We invite participants from all points on
the political spectrum to take part. Take
Part in Left-Right Empathy Circle.
For
National Week of Conversation Project
Mending the frayed fabric of America by bridging divides one conversation
at a time. Americans of all stripes are stepping up to address the growing
cultural crisis of hyper-polarization and animosity across divides.
Together we can turn the tide of rising rancor and deepening division with
widespread conversations.
The Empathy
Initiative
to change lives and improve the
quality of care
Tracy Levett-Jones
Tracy
Levett-Jones is the Professor of Nursing Education and Discipline Lead
at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Her research
interests include: empathy, belongingness, clinical reasoning,
interprofessional education, cultural competence, simulation and patient
safety. Tracy has authored ten books, the most recent being 'Clinical
Reasoning: Learning to think like a nurse' and
'Critical Conversations for Patient Safety';
as well as nearly 200 book chapters, reports and peer reviewed journal
articles.
The Empathy Initiative is a group of like-minded
academics and practitioners with a strong belief in the power and
potential of empathy to change lives and improve the quality of care
provided to patients/clients/residents.
Our group
shares a commitment to undertaking collaborative empathy research that
has the capacity to transform education and practice. The purpose of the
Empathy Initiative is to generate high quality, rigorous
empathy/compassion research that informs and influences student learning
and patient care, either directly or indirectly.
Sub Conference: Health Care
Karleen Gardner is Director of Learning at the Minneapolis Institute of
Art. She also heads up the Center for Empathy and Visual Arts.
Mia envisions taking a leading role in collaborating with
museum colleagues as well as researchers, scholars, content experts, and
other influencers to research and explore practices for fostering
empathy and global awareness through the power of art and to share these
findings with the field.
In our increasingly divisive world, polarized by issues regarding
politics, racial inequities, marriage equality, global warming, income
disparities, and immigration policies, it becomes clear that our
failures to understand other people's feelings are
exacerbating prejudice, conflict, and inequality.
If we wish to develop not only a more equal society
but a happier and more creative one, we will need to look outside
ourselves and attempt to identify with the experiences of others. This
critical skill is called empathy, which "has the power to
transform relationships, from the personal to the political, and create
fundamental social change".
Alissa Stover is new gradate in Psychology from UC Berkeley. She along
with other students, designed and facilitated a series of empathy
classes there over a several year period. The
Empathy Tent Team worked with
the classes to facilitate the empathy circle practice and set up the
empathy tent in Sproul plaza. We dialogue with Alissa
about her experience facilitating the classes.
We believe that empathy is not only fascinating as a
concept, but important as a skill on an individual and societal level.
By the end of this course we aim to have a better understanding of
empathy and to feel more able to use it in our daily lives.
"Empathy isn't the
solution to our political crisis.....
In practice, unfortunately, empathy is an imperfect tool for political or
moral change, one that can exacerbate divisions rather than healing them.
Trump himself leverages empathy to enable his administration's bigotry and
cruelty and to justify eroding political norms."
Edwin,
"Empathy is the solution to our political crisis and here is
why...."
Matthew Delaney is an editor and reporter for a local newspaper in the
Washington, D.C. metro area. He wrote an article in the magazine
Quillette, titled
The Misuse of Empathy Is Devaluing Pain. He had a
wide range of criticism of empathy, saying it is;
divisive, self-centered, and unhelpful. It makes
people take sides in a conflict, supports
cancel culture, it leads to tribalism, and temps us into immediacy. Matt feels hopeless that
society will change for the better or overcome it's polarization and that
it will have to hit a rock bottom before it can change.
Edwin listens to and empathizes with Matt and shows how he is
misunderstanding the nature of empathy. He explains how the
qualities
he is criticizing are not empathy, but the blocks to empathy.
Ed
Kirwan is a filmmaker, teacher, coach and founder of
Empathy Week, which runs Feb 24 through Feb 28th 2021. Empathy Week is an invitation for young people across
the world to put empathy into action, developing the skills of leadership
and resilience along the way.
Alexandra Smith is a licensed professional clinical counselor and writer
based in Minneapolis. She wrote the article,
5 Tips to Cultivate Empathy. In this dialogue we discuss the
article and her tips. She writes,
Practicing empathy is an essential step to resolving
conflict and developing meaningful relationships. Here are five ways to
activate empathy.
.JPG)
