Early bird registration for Empathy and Compassion in Society 2013 is now open

Published on 10 May 2013

Find out more about the exciting programme of Empathy and Compassion in Society 2013: a one-day conference, followed by one and two-day workshops. Register now for reduced tickets.

The next Empathy and Compassion in Society Conference is on 24 October 2013

Published on 05 April 2013

“I'm going to recommend that you get my promotion, because that's the kind of guy I am.” Key & Peele, New York Times, March 2013

 Is there a place for compassion in professional and institutional settings? What makes a decision compassionate? What individual or institutional benefits can be gained from making decisions based on empathy and altruism? Empathy and Compassion in Society is a forum for professionals to explore what compassion is—and isn’t—and to find out whether it can be cultivated.

Empathy and Compassion in Society 2013 will take place at the London Southbank Centre on Thursday 24 October. It will be followed by post-conference workshops on 25-27 October.

Internationally renowned neuroscientists, psychologists, contemplatives and thinkers will share their insights and present research-based methods and training programmes for developing compassion. Innovators are also being invited to submit case studies of systems and institutions where compassion has become a guiding principle and a force for change.

Read more: The next Empathy and Compassion in Society Conference is on 24 October 2013

Today why not make a pledge for the well-being of human beings around the world, including yourself?

Published on 20 March 2013

 In Tolstoy's fable of The King and the Shirt, the king's physicians gather round their ailing ruler in an attempt to find a cure for his mystery illness. After much discussion, one of them suggests that they set out to find the shirt of a happy man. "If we can find a happy man on this earth, and offer his shirt to the king to wear," the physician says, "our king will be cured."

This time last year, the United Nations declared that 20 March 2013 would be the first International Day of Happiness, and would "promote happiness as a universal goal and aspiration in the lives of human beings around the world". The tiny nation of Bhutan played the role of the physician, suggesting that the search for genuine happiness might be the cure the international community so desperately needs.

Read more: Today why not make a pledge for the well-being of human beings around the world, including yourself?

Empathy: Film & Discussion on 27 Feb in London

Published on 25 January 2013

Join us for an exclusive screening of a new documentary film about empathy called Love, Hate and Everything In Between - plus a special discussion with the film's director, Alex Gabbay and award-winning empathy educator Mary Gordon who appears in the film. 

The screening is organised by Action for Happiness and raises funds to support their work.

It will take place at the Coronet Cinema in central London on Wednesday 27 February 2013. Doors will open at 18:00 and the event will start at 18:30. Reserve a ticket early.

« Don't you have to be ruthless to succeed in life? » - A new social and emotional learning resource for teens

Published on 22 January 2013

« Don't you have to be ruthless to succeed in life? » is a new social and emotional learning resource for KS3, KS4 and sixth form.

It consists of:
− Ten questions for young people to discuss, including: What is success? What is happiness? How can we face the suffering of others without being overwhelmed? How can we make our own choices in life?
− Ten short videos of scientists, thinkers and change makers, together with questions and feedback from young people.

Read more: « Don't you have to be ruthless to succeed in life? » - A new social and emotional learning...