“Think Empathy” is a youth “think and do tank” on empathy that supports young people to work together in person and across borders using online platforms to reflect, share and innovate to generate ideas, lessons and create new strategies (from the local to the global) about how to foster empathy within ourselves and others. Existing and new models – including those that have not yet been thought of – will be developed, adapted, piloted and evaluated. These will include creative, play-based strategies. Based at an international, tuition-free, merit-based high school with students from 100 countries, the thinktank will also be comprised of strong online networks and communities of learning, including youth in other countries, using online technology and multi-media tools. Young people's experiences and strategies will be shared and disseminated widely to contribute to global knowledge and learning. The project is designed to be a replicable model, with the goal of one day having multiple hubs in multiple countries all networked together.

Problem

As we head deeper into the 21st century, we face unprecedented challenges and potential conflicts. Empathy – for one another, for other species and for the planet – is the most important capacity we will need to face these challenges. Research suggests that empathy makes for more effective leaders and is critical to the promotion and securement of all human rights and a more peaceful society. Yet recent studies suggest that amongst some populations – particularly young people – empathy is actually dramatically declining. More needs to be done to ensure we are on the right track. As a society, we need to strategically prioritize, promote and fund activities and projects explicitly focused on building empathy within our communities – especially amongst our youngest generations. We believe that the solutions to these challenges lie within young people. There are many examples that show us that youth hold within them the solutions to the most daunting challenges that they face – now and in the future. We need to engage and support young people to both come up with the solutions and share with others how to make this world a more empathetic place.

Solution

Think Empathy will be a “think and do tank” in which young people from around the globe are supported and engaged to tell their stories, share their experience and turn their ideas into action. This project aims to foster and increase empathy within our communities – in Canada and abroad – by supporting youth to come up with the solutions. By putting youth at the heart of this project, young people will be the drivers and leaders of change. Through “Think Empathy”, young people will work together in person and across borders using online platforms to reflect, share and innovate to generate ideas, lessons and create new strategies (from the local to the global) about how to foster empathy within ourselves and others. Existing and new models – including those that have not yet been thought of – will be developed, adapted, piloted and evaluated. These will include creative, play-based strategies. Based at an international, tuition-free, merit-based high school with students from 100 countries, the thinktank will also be comprised of strong online networks and communities of learning, including youth in other countries, using online technology and multi-media tools. Young people's experiences and strategies will be shared and disseminated widely to contribute to global knowledge and learning. The project is designed to be a replicable model, with the goal of one day having multiple hubs in multiple countries all networked together.

Example

As part of their curriculum, students at the school meet regularly to discuss ideas and develop specific projects for how to foster empathy. A portion of this time focuses on learning from the wisdom, experiences and lessons learned of individuals and organizations working on this issue around the globe, as well as reflecting on what empathy means in different contexts – cultural or otherwise. Specific links will be made using technology with groups of young people with whom IICRD is working in Thailand, Brazil and Colombia. With this network, as well as the fact that the students at this tuition-free, international baccleaureate high school represent 100 countries, the project offers young people a strong cross-cultural lens. Ongoing curriculum throughout the year supports reflection and students will receive small amounts of financial support to implement projects either in Canada or their home countries. They are also provided with project planning and evaluation tools to support their project development and implementation. After running their project, students return to discuss lessons learned, experiences and refine strategies, focusing on disseminating and sharing their experience widely, using social platforms and multi-media. Online technology will be instrumental in getting the word out and initiating an international online community of youth worldwide working together to foster greater empathy in their communities.

Marketplace

We do not know of any other organization proposing a project similar to this. We know of a number of organizations who are pursuing projects with shared goals – for example, Roots of Empathy, the Greater Good Science Center, RandomKid – however, we do not view them as “competitors” but as key allies with whom we will network, exchange ideas and learn together through this project, in pursuit of what we perceive to be our common goals.