Daniel Bassill is founder of Tutor/Mentor Connection and CEO of
Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
Sympathy = random acts of kindness. The philanthropic systems of support
for charity are built more on sympathy than empathy, thus they are not
consistent streams of support that are required to solve complex
problems in many places. How to build a culture of empathy?
a) information collection. b) advertising/public awareness to increase
number looking at info. c) facilitation/building understanding = like what
happens in faith groups every week. d) action – people using ideas in many
places, where they provide time, talent, dollars, leadership, advocacy,
etc. to help kids to careers.
Sub Conference: Education
(Video
Transcriptions: If you would like to take empathic action
and create a transcription of this video, check
the volunteers page. The transcriptions will make it easier for
other viewers to quickly see the content of this video.)
What is the opposite of empathy and what is your metaphor for that?
Sympathy = random acts of kindness. The philanthropic systems of support
for charity are built more on sympathy than empathy, thus they are not
consistent streams of support that are required to solve complex
problems in many places.
How
to build a culture of empathy?
a) information collection
b) advertising/public awareness to increase number looking at info
c) facilitation/building understanding = like what happens in faith
groups every week
d) action – people using ideas in many places, where they provide
time, talent, dollars, leadership, advocacy, etc. to help kids to
careers
What are the obstacles to deepening empathy?
Most people are not personally connected to poverty or
other issues which require empathetic people to be involved in solving
problems. Thus, strategies that build and support on-going and
long-term personal connections so they grow into empathetic
connections would be needed. This animation illustrates how volunteers
who are well supported in tutor/mentor programs become leaders. It was
not created to demonstrate “empathy”
yet that is what is happening as bonds are formed and volunteers stay
involved longer.
