Institutes & Workshops

Institutes

Delve deep into learning and major in one topic over three sessions in November, December and January. An institute is a three-part session with the same workshop presenter. If you choose this option, you will participate in a deep-dive on one topic during the Compassion Summit and each session will deepen your learning about the topic. If you choose an Institute, choose ONE session from the offerings below.

A Place for Compassion

Presented by Sara Holbrook

Speaking for those who have no voice is activating empathy in a tumultuous world. Beginning with a world event, writers will gather details and evidence, examining multiple viewpoints before establishing an empathetic point of view from which to speak. Finally, writers will compose and present a poem or persuasive essay, speaking for others.

(ONLY 2 PART- please choose a workshop for the third session)

Podcasting to Make a Point: Responsible Social Media Activism

Presented by Lorelei Loveridge & Emma Ahmed

After a quick examination of the power and ramifications of social media communication and activism (ie. Greta Thunberg), students will work COLLABORATIVELY in groups to put a podcast (aka online radio broadcast or audio story/record of life) together (using the Anchor.fm app) for a specific audience in order to deliver a message on a matter of importance to them.

These will be linked to UN Sustainable Development Goals and thematically connect to something that will be of importance to the podcasters and of use or meaningful to others - ie. climate change, anti-racism theme, anti-corruption, future economic options for young people. Students will be encouraged to use these approaches to do this project: brainstorm or research a topic, select, dialogue/interview, record, edit sound effects using Anchor, and publish.

Sometimes a personal reflection on a topic is a potent way to make connections with others who cannot speak or who have not found their voices on a topic. No one has your voice but you.

Life Skills (Middle School Only)

Presented by Tina Bayouq

Life Skills is a program developed to help children learn the necessary tools to deal with everyday struggles they face in school. To follow are the topics covered: Dealing with Stress and Anxiety, Emotional Literacy & Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness.

Compassion in a Virtual World

Presented by Maha Sousak

This institute explores ways to show compassion related to technology usage first to oneself (Mindfulness and compassionate actions towards oneself), second to families & friends (mindfulness and compassion towards family members, friends, classmates), and third to the world (mindfulness and compassionate actions towards the online community).

Narrative Connections

Presented by Siobhan Buckman, Jay Kuhlmann, and Kalyl Kadri

This series of workshops will explore processes of Verbatim Theatre. Using the lens of theatre-makers, participants will explore ways of developing empathy through the performative retelling of others' stories.

A Social Justice Deep(er) Dive (this Institute is now FULL)

Presented by Laurence Myers

Three sessions focusing on social justice and utilizing three different systems thinking tools for analysis and decision making:

Session 1: Using The Sustainability Compass to identify the wider consequences and cause-effect relationship between social justice and other elements of sustainability (i.e. economy, nature, society, wellbeing)

Session 2: Using The Iceberg to analyze the deeply rooted elements involved in social justice from the participant perspective, and

Session 3: Using the The Power of Six activity to identify leverage points for addressing social justice issues in your context.

Workshop Webinars

If you choose the Workshop option, you will take part in three different workshops during the Compassion Summit. If you choose to attend workshops, you will choose THREE of the offerings below.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Not all workshops are offered in every session; as you plan your choices, please check which session offerings are available.

Understanding Emotional Intelligence

Presented by Uzma Ahmed

Offered in Sessions 1, 2 & 3 (Session 1 now FULL)

Increase your self awareness and ability to manage personal & professional relationships by examining the 5 components of emotional intelligence. Discuss the importance of recognizing and understanding your emotions & the emotions of others. Develop & apply techniques to increase empathy, social awareness, and motivation. Understand how both IQ & EQ contribute to your personal & professional success.

Adopting Personal Responsibility (High School Only)

Presented by Waleed Nueirat

Offered in Sessions 1, 2 & 3

You have always been told about your rights as individuals. Certainly, the world isn’t perfect but there are indeed changes to be done to make it better. Potentially, each person is capable of creating such changes. The fact that so many of us are anxious about the state of the world is arguably evidence that many of us feel that we are not doing all we can, that our actions are deficient. Certainly, in times like these being responsible for one’s actions makes much difference.

Outcomes: you will be asked to make a list of specific measurable objectives. These objectives are to be designed in a way that maximizes your control of and responsibility for outcomes. Do not include goals such as raising awareness about environmental issues; choose to plant a tree instead. Remember; it isn’t always someone else’s fault.

My Own Mandala- Interconnected and Kind

Presented by Luke Davis

Offered in Sessions 1, 2 & 3

I live in Nepal, the land of Mandalas. A Mandala is a symbolic representation of the infinite universe that defines interconnection, unity and change. In this worksop, you will learn and understand the origin and symbolism of Mandalas before creating your own. When creating your unique mandalas, each individual will place themselves at the center of their Mandalas and list the people and places that have the greatest impact on them and vice-versa, leading outwards to those they have less of an impact on. The main objectives of this workshop is that through this creative and reflective process, you will develop a greater awareness of your interdependence and how each choice you make has an impact on those around you. We will then apply the value of compassion and its importance to this concept. Some key questions during the workshop would be:

-If I was the centre of the mandala, who would I choose to go in the circle around me?

-Who is part of my mandala even if they are not so close to me (colleagues, acquaintances, neighbors)

-Choose a place or a group that is special to me. How is this a part of my mandala?

-Who do I impact? Who impacts me? Where does it end? How does it change?

-How does/could the value of compassion influence my mandala?

-Whose mandalas are you a part of?

Leading with Compassion- Engaging in Community & Social Responsibility Work meaningfully & authentically

Presented by Seema Kamble

Offered in Sessions 1, 2 & 3 (session 1 is now FULL)

In this workshop students will understand and explore the ways in which they can engage in Community And Social Responsibility (CSR) / Service work within and outside of their school. Over the course of the workshop you will:

  • Understand the steps of initiating CSR work/Service work

  • Hear from some of the High School students about their personal journey of leading with Compassion (Student panel)

  • Leave with an action steps to Plan for Compassionate Action/ Service Project

Making Your Voice Heard to Make a Difference (this Workshop is now FULL)

Presented by Michael Salinger

Offered in Session 1 ONLY (November)

To spread compassion and create change we must confront personal doubts. The number one fear of mankind – as cited in many surveys – is speaking in front of an audience. In order to be an advocate, one must be able to look another in the eye and speak with conviction. This workshop does not promise to make that fear disappear completely, but it will share strategies to help one present their case with confidence and compassion.

Boosting Kindness- ‘Train Your Brain To Be Kinder’ (Middle School Only)

Presented by Samira Jamil

Offered in Session 1 ONLY (November)

Participants will understand ways to boost kindness by sending kind thoughts to someone you love and to someone you don't get along with, I plan to have them do hands on activities, share short videos and have them share their views and opinions on this topic. I will be also discussing some other topics like 'Questions that Can Help You Connect (Even When You’re Apart)', 'How Taking Photos Can Help You Find Meaning in Life' and 'What Makes Us Happier Than Money?'

Words as a Tool for Empathy

Presented by Michael Salinger

Offered in Session 2 ONLY (December)

Understanding others requires that we learn to listen with a compassionate ear. This workshop explores the subjectivity of language and how interpreting the written and spoken word is a personal exercise. Using surrealist inspired word games and touching on linguistic theory we will investigate how incredible it is that we can communicate at all. A TOK type of seminar that is as fun as it is thought provoking.

Media & Communication (High School Only)

Presented by Rawan Jayousi

Offered in Session 2 ONLY (December)

This workshop will offer a great insight into how the modern world works through a range of different mediums. Major outcome: Students will be able to understand and apply knowledge of human communication and language processes as they occur across various contexts, e.g., interpersonal, interpersonal, small group, organizational, media, gender, family, intercultural communication, technologically mediated communication, etc. from multiple perspectives.

Tuning In: Listening Better to Each Other

Presented by Nicole Furlonge

Offered in Session 2 ONLY (December)

How can we be better listeners to ourselves and for each other? How can we listen especially in moments when we don't agree with each other? This workshop will give us the chance to think about these questions. We'll practice listening by listening to music. We'll explore how listening to music -- something we do often -- can help us better listen to each other, even in moments of disagreement and difficult conversations.

Nicole Brittingham Furlonge is Professor and Director of the Klingenstein Center and co-founder of LEARNS Collaborative, a catalyzer for learning-centered change in organizations. Her research examines the intersections between listening, cognitive neuroscience, social justice, and leadership. Prior to joining the Klingenstein Center, Dr. Furlonge served as Director of Teaching and Learning at the Holderness School, where she facilitated professional learning for faculty on a framework for formative professional learning. She has taught English and served as English Department Chair and Director of Diversity at several independent schools, including St. Andrew's School (Delaware), The Lawrenceville School, and Princeton Day School.

klingensteincenter.org | @nicolefurlonge | @LEARNSCollab

Amplifying Young People's Voices to Create Cultures of Dignity

Presented by Rosalind Wiseman & Charlie Kuhn

Offered in Session 2 ONLY (December)

This school year gives us an opportunity to raise up and integrate young people’s voices and leadership in a school as never before. How can student leaders be a part of that? How can they most effectively advocate and work with the adults at school? Young people are taking leadership roles in our communities in ways we have never seen before. From climate action to educational reforms, how do student leaders lead in this new and changing landscape? How do they support other students? This interactive presentation will discuss the common challenges student leaders face and strategies to affect positive change within school communities.

From where we learn to where we work, Rosalind Wiseman fosters civil dialogue and inspires communities to build strength, courage and purpose. She is the founder of Cultures of Dignity, an organization that shifts the way communities think about our physical and emotional wellbeing by working in close partnership with the experts of those communities--young people, educators, policy makers, and business and political leaders.

Charlie Kuhn is the Co-Founder & CEO of Cultures of Dignity. He is a social educator, facilitator, and education consultant. After leaving the financial sector, Mr Kuhn began his work with young people by editing Masterminds & Wingmen, a groundbreaking NYT best-selling book on boys’ social lives for adults, and The Guide, a book specifically written for high school-aged boys.

culturesofdignity.com | @cultureodignity | IG: culturesofdignity

Social Cohesion (Middle School Only)

Presented by Israa Barakat

Offered in Session 3 ONLY (January)

The theories and importance of social cohesion will be explained, and examples will be given. Key outcomes: Create a sense of belonging and promote trust.

Social cohesion: what does it mean?

  • Shared interests and purpose, across social groups and sectors – Collective mechanisms for helping and protecting each other – Resources pooled to address shared risks and those beyond individual control.

Social cohesion: who is it for?

  • Society as a whole .

  • Present and future generations.

importance of social cohesion?

  • Well-being for all

  • A more robust society with greater adaptive capacity

Key outcomes; how can it be made to work?students will be able to;

  • Create the conditions for equal opportunity

  • Build a supportive culture

  • Promote sustainable social justice

  • And they will be able to apply these outcomes through practical activities in their societies , families , schools.


Storytelling through the lens of Compassion with Questions and Answers (this Workshop is now FULL)

Presented by Cord Jefferson

Offered in Session 3 ONLY (January)

Cord Jefferson @cordjefferson is a veteran TV writer who's worked on Watchmen, The Good Place, and Master Of None.