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Dalai Lama Comes to Seattle for Compassion
Nearly 30 years ago, cultural anthropologist Jennifer James and her research team planted the seeds that became Committee for Children. Since then, the Seattle-based nonprofit has grown to reach 9 million children around the world annually, with award-winning programs that teach social and emotional skills that help children to be safe and successful.
This April, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, will headline Seeds of Compassion, a five-day event in Seattle, designed to bring international attention to the vision, science, and programs of early social, emotional, and cognitive learning. James will be one of the speakers on the program, as will Joan Duffell, executive director of Committee for Children, which is a founding sponsor of the April 11–15 event.
“It’s really gratifying that the work we have been doing from right here in Seattle for 30 years is being recognized as important and beneficial, not only for children, but for our world,” said Duffell, who will speak on Monday, April 15. “This event affirms the importance of our mission to foster the social and emotional development, safety, and well-being of children through education and advocacy.”
Committee for Children was among the first organizations in the world to recognize and promote social and emotional learning through educational programs for children, parents, and educators. Its programs include SECOND STEP, a violence prevention program that has been recognized for its effectiveness by numerous research studies and federal agencies.
“The SECOND STEP program teaches compassion by giving children the skills of empathy, emotion management, and problem solving,” Duffell said. “We are excited to be able to join with Seeds of Compassion to help more people understand how learning these skills can produce a kinder, safer world.”
Seeds of Compassion will provide opportunities for teachers, principals, and superintendents to learn how education and guidance in compassion and empathy can have a real impact on children’s academic performance and social and emotional skills. It will also give parents and caretakers advice and guidance on how to cultivate compassion and empathy in their children, as well as how to address the issues that all children face in today’s world.
“We’ve been partnering with experts at leading universities and institutes to explore healthy child development and the link between academic achievement and social and emotional competency for nearly 30 years,” Duffell said, adding:
“We are proud to be involved in spreading the message through Seeds of Compassion that programs and tools that nurture and empower children, families, and communities to be compassionate members of society are essential and effective. We’ve always known this to be true, and are gratified that the Kirlin Foundation and numerous leaders from government, education, and business are now highlighting this vital message to our community.”