Empathy and Compassion in Society A Conference for the Public Sector including Professionals in Education, Health and Social Care London, 23-24 November 2012 Preceded by a Youth Conference on 22 November 2012 A groundbreaking conference and a day of professional workshops on the role of empathy and compassion in society with internationally-acclaimed scientists, leaders and change makers in the fields of policy, education, health and social care.
Keynote Speakers Conference Keynote Speakers Tania Singer is a neuroscientist recognised internationally for her work on empathy. She is the director of the Department of Social Neuroscience at the Max Plank Institute in Leipzig which studies social and moral emotions and their role in decision making and communication. Yotam Heineberg is a clinical psychologist working with and studying former gang members who are now active as peacemakers in the community for the Centre for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. Paul Ekman is a leading clinical psychologist and pioneer in the study of emotions and compassion. He worked for forty years at the Department of Psychiatry of the University of California. In recent years, he co-authored Emotional Awareness with the Dalai Lama. Christine Longaker has trained healthcare professionals and social workers in Europe and the United States in compassion and presence for thirty years. Former director and staff trainer of the Hospice of Santa Cruz County in California, she established the Spiritual Care Programme in 1993. Paul Gilbert OBE is head of the Mental Health Research Unit at the University of Derby, where he developed Compassionate Mind Training and Compassion Focused Therapy. His publications include the best selling Overcoming Depression, and The Compassionate Mind. Mary Gordon is an award-winning empathy educator, author and the founder of the charity Roots of Empathy that offers empathy programmes in primary schools internationally. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and an Ashoka Fellow. Patrick Gaffney is a writer, editor and meditation teacher, specialising in the compassion practices from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He is the President of the Tenzin Gyatso Institute, a foundation named after the 14th Dalai Lama to put into action his values of compassion and universal responsibility. James R. Doty M.D. is a clinical professor in neurosurgery, and the founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. He works with scientists from a variety of disciplines to understand the neural underpinnings of compassion, and to develop validated techniques to potentiate one s compassion. Richard Layard is the director of the Well- Being Research Programme at the London School of Economics, and the co-founder of Action for Happiness. His recent publications include co-editing the first World Happiness Report for the United Nations. His main current interest is how better mental health could improve our social and economic life. Karen Armstrong is the author of numerous books on religious affairs, including most recently, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. Her work has been translated into over fifty languages. In 2008, she was awarded the TED Prize for her work in creating the Charter for Compassion movement. Speakers are listed in the order in which they will speak. 2
Why attend? A Groundbreaking Professional Conference Join the world s leading scientists, leaders and change makers on empathy and compassion at this groundbreaking professional conference on the role of empathy and compassion in society. Research and practical experience are changing our understanding of the role and value of empathy and compassion in health and social care, education, well being and society. From a scientific point of view, can you cultivate compassion towards yourself and others? What are examples of good practice in applying empathy and compassion in education, healthcare, and social action? Practical Tools A choice of twelve 90-minute workshops and roundtables will give professionals a fresh understanding and experience of methods to develop empathy and compassion. It will highlight how cultivating such skills can enhance professional satisfaction and personal well-being, and present concrete case studies in public health, education and social services. Who is this conference for? The conference is aimed at managers and policy makers in the public sector, and professionals in education, health and social care. This includes doctors, nurses, psychologists, teachers, youth workers, social workers, academics, trainers, human resources managers, lawyers, policy makers and senior managers. Youth Gathering Don t you have to be ruthless to succeed in life? Isn t compassion for wimps? Does caring for others really make you less stressed? Is everyone capable of feeling empathy? How do gang members become peacemakers? Over 300 teenagers will get the chance to put these questions to some of the conference s keynote speakers on Thursday 22nd November at the London Southbank Centre, near Westminster. The Youth Gathering is free of charge. Secondary schools and youth clubs are invited to register their interest early with info@compassioninsociety.org Are modern life and management culture creating the conditions for a compassionate society? What is the place of empathy in policy and governance? What are the skills of compassionate leadership? What is best practice in empathy education? Can we improve both the quality of care and self care for health and social care professionals by training in empathy and compassion? Is research in empathy and compassion a factor for change? 3
Programme Friday 23 rd November 2012 13.30 to 18.30 A dynamic afternoon with the world s leading experts on empathy and compassion. 13.30 Welcome and introduction by the Tenzin Gyatso Institute 14.00 Empathy and compassion from a scientific perspective The neuroscience of empathy - Tania Singer The definitions of compassion - Paul Ekman 14.45 Cultivating compassion: benefits and methods Compassion: the benefits and the conditions - Paul Gilbert Cultivating compassion - Patrick Gaffney 15.30 Networking break with refreshments 16.00 Compassion in action and social cohesion The applications of compassion training in social action - James Doty and Yotam Heineberg The benefits of integrating compassion in health care - Christine Longaker Empathy education in primary schools: research and effectiveness - Mary Gordon 17.10 Networking break with refreshments 17.30 Political and ethical perspectives on the role of empathy and compassion The government s role in increasing happiness and reducing misery - Richard Layard Towards a society rooted in the principle of compassion - Karen Armstrong 18.15 Conclusion Teacher welcome session at 19.00 Optional film screening from 20.00 to 21.30. Saturday 24th November 2012 9.00 to 17.00 A practical day of workshops, roundtables and networking. 9.30 Workshops and roundtables Do empathy and compassion have a place in policy and governance? Roundtable Training health and social care professionals in compassion - Workshop with Christine Longaker Compassion and youth at risk - Workshop with Yotam Heineberg and Rony Berger Roots of empathy - Workshop with Mary Gordon 11.00 Networking break with refreshments 11.30 Workshops and roundtables Research in empathy and compassion as a factor for change - Roundtable with James Doty Deep Listening: A training in compassionate relationship - Workshop with Rosamund Oliver Creating compassionate cultures in primary education - Workshop with Pam Cayton 16 guidelines for a happy and compassionate life: a cross-sector toolkit - Workshop with Alison Murdoch 13.00 Networking lunch 14.30 Workshops and roundtables Compassion in the workplace - Workshop with Maureen Cooper Compassion focused therapy - Workshop with Paul Gilbert Cultivating mindfulness and empathy in teaching - Workshop with Mind with Heart Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life - Workshop based on Karen Armstrong s book, for all settings including universities 16.00 Cultivating Compassionate Leadership Roundtable with the Keynote Speakers and leadership consultant Nelisha Wickremasinghe 4
Register Registration Registration takes place online on The workshops are booked online at registration. Places are limited. Individual payments are made by credit card. Organisations can request an electronic invoice. The conference is a not-for-profit event organised by a partnership of charities. Conference Fees Conference Pass Friday Only * Conference Public service & organisations 290 95 NGOs & individuals 150 45 * Friday Only Tickets are available also to the public. No VAT is charged. Check the website for: Workshops Only and Teacher Tickets (Friday evening & Saturday) A 20% reduction for members of supporting organisations Student tickets (70% reduction; proof will be required) Early bird reductions Venue & Access The venue is the Friends House, right in the centre of London, opposite Euston Station. The full address is: Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. Euston Station has easy access to railway, tube lines and buses. It is also only a ten-minute walk from King s Cross Station and from the Eurostar at St Pancras Station, for European travel. All international airports are within easy reach from these three stations. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and guide and assistance dogs are welcome. The conference is not residential. A wide range of hotels and accommodation can be found within walking distance. Terms & Conditions Cancellations and Amendements We regret that the tickets are not refundable, although substitutions can be made at any time. Please note that we are not able to offer refunds for cancellations arising from events outside of our control, and we reserve the right to alter the programme or venue without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Reminder E-mail A reminder e-mail with details of the event will be sent within 14 days of the event date. We cannot be held responsible for non-arrival of this information. If you have not received the e-mail within 7 days of the event date, please contact info@compassioninsociety.org Liability We do not accept responsibility for anyone acting as a result of information or views expressed during the conference. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organisers. Data Protection We will not use your contact details for any other purpose than sending you information about your registration. If you would like to receive other news and updates, please visit to join our social networks and subscribe to our e-newsletter 5
Partners The Tenzin Gyatso Institute, named after the 14th Dalai Lama, has been established to put into action his principles and ideals, including the values of compassion, religious harmony and universal responsibility. www.tenzingyatsoinstitute.org The Charter for Compassion is a cooperative effort to restore not only compassionate thinking but, more importantly, compassionate action to the centre of religious, moral and political life. www.charterforcompassion.org Action for Happiness is a movement of people who are taking action in their personal lives, homes, workplaces and communities, to help create a happier society for everyone. www.actionforhappiness.org The Spiritual Care Programme trains health and social care professionals in compassionate presence and supports people facing difficulties, illness and death. www.spcare.org The Compassionate Mind Foundation promotes wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion. www.compassionatemind.co.uk The Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom is an international nongovernmental organisation that promotes peace in the world by offering tools to lead a happy and meaningful life. www.universalwisdomeducation.org Mind with Heart is an international charity dedicated to giving the space to young people and their educators to investigate and experience empathy, altruism and compassion. Mind with Heart also initiated and coordinates the Empathy and Compassion in Society Partnership. www.mindwithheart.org.uk Supporting Partners Major Sponsors 6