Empathy Movement: Cultivating an Empathy-Based Society for Personal and Systemic Change
Speaker: Maša Blaznik (15 min)
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Bio: Masha is a psychologist, independent researcher, and founder of the Empathy-Based Society Institute, an initiative dedicated to promoting the purposeful development of empathy at both individual and systemic levels for people, animals, and the planet. (LinkedIn) (Facebook) (Website)
Topic: Empathy Movement: Cultivating an Empathy-Based Society for Personal and Systemic Change
Abstract: Neuroscience shows empathy and violence are neurologically linked and suppress one another. We have normalized violence towards people, animals, nature, and the planet, and built an economic system on this foundation. Saving the planet and creating a better future for all beings requires more than innovation and investment in sustainable solutions; it demands a fundamental shift in how we relate to all living beings and the planet.
This is where the Empathy Movement steps in: by teaching empathic connection to people, animals, and nature, we directly address the problem of normalized violence at individual, community, and systemic levels. The movement also provides a unifying framework for sectors that often operate in parallel but disconnected efforts, such as social justice, animal advocacy, and environmental action. By reconnecting these sectors through a shared foundation of empathy, the Empathy Movement amplifies their collective impact and builds the foundation for lasting societal transformation.
https://otter.ai/u/10BNrLRQ68cOIlETdIxpuxu7yYw?view=summary
Maša Blaznik, a psychologist and founder of the Empathy Based Society Institute, discussed the need for an empathy movement to address societal issues like violence, consumerism, and disconnection. She emphasized the importance of empathy as an evolutionary trait that combats violence and highlighted a 4,000% increase in Google searches for compassionate inquiry. Blaznik proposed a decentralized global movement focusing on bottom-up and top-down changes, network building, and education in AI and media. She advocated for empathy circles, self-empathy, and empowering individuals as agents of change to foster empathy at individual, community, and systemic levels.
[ ] Develop empathy circles for self-empathy and empathy towards others, animals, and nature.
[ ] Create a resource library with tools and information for people interested in the empathy movement.
[ ] Host empathy events in different contexts within the community.
[ ] Explore the concept of "human libraries" where people can share their stories.
[ ] Train empathy ambassadors to help spread the movement.
[ ] Build networks and partnerships to connect organizations, NGOs, businesses, and individuals aligned with the movement's values.
Speaker 1 introduces Maša Blaznik, highlighting her background as a psychologist, independent researcher, and founder of the Empathy Based Society Institute.
Maša Blaznik begins her presentation by outlining the five key questions she will address: why build the movement, what do we want to address, how do we envision doing it, what do we plan to do, and what are the core values.
Maša emphasizes the current empathy crisis, noting that society has normalized violence towards people, animals, nature, and the planet, and that empathy is crucial for survival and thriving.
She argues that empathy is an evolutionary trait that can switch off violence in the brain, and she founded her organization to intentionally cultivate empathy and empathic practices.
Maša discusses the increase in Google searches for compassionate inquiry, indicating a growing need for empathy and compassion.
She identifies key issues to address with the movement, including disconnection from self, others, animals, nature, and the planet, as well as consumerism and the normalization of violence.
Edwin Rutsch provides technical assistance to ensure the presentation slides are visible to the audience.
Maša continues to outline the importance of addressing silence and compliance with current systems, emphasizing the need for clarity and direction in the movement's goals.
Maša describes the movement as a decentralized global initiative pursuing both bottom-up and top-down changes, promoting empathy at individual, community, and systemic levels.
She highlights the importance of network building, connecting organizations, NGOs, businesses, individuals, and influencers to create a shared identity and collective power.
Maša discusses the role of education, art, tech, and media in shaping narratives and discourse, and mentions Dr. Geoffrey Hinton's view on the need for AI to have more inbuilt maternal instincts and care for humanity.
She emphasizes the need for individuals to be empowered as agents of change, spreading empathy through their personal and professional lives.
Maša outlines specific plans for the movement, including individual-level activities like empathy circles, self-empathy development, and identifying empathy ambassadors.
At the community level, she suggests creating resource libraries, hosting empathy events, and establishing human libraries for personal connections.
For systemic changes, she proposes policy advocacy, governance, and aligning on core values to avoid misconceptions and negative spins on empathy.
Maša concludes by reiterating the importance of self-empathy and empathy for others as a synergy for growth, and thanks the audience for their attention.
Speaker 1 summarizes Maša's presentation, highlighting the five key questions and the conclusion that the movement aims to shift from individual benefits to collective benefits by empowering individual agency and networks of impact.
The movement seeks to address the empathy crisis by promoting empathy at all levels, from individual practices to systemic changes, and by connecting various organizations and individuals with shared values.
The core values of the movement are emphasized, including self-empathy, empathy for others, and the synergy between the two for growth and thriving.
The presentation concludes with a call to action for the audience to join and support the empathy movement, contributing to personal and systemic change.