July's Summit Features Topics Exploring How Mutual Empathy, Listening and Dialogue Can Decrease Polarization, Improve Relationships, Constructively Approach Conflict and Build Stronger Communities

Video of the Empathy Summit

Merveille Gakuba and Jeremy Solomons will co-lead a session on: Empathy in the Peace and Reconciliation Process from a Rwandan Perspective. Merveille is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsis and a mental health counseling student. She will be interviewed by Jeremy who is a UK/US leadership consultant and peace activist. Merveille and Jeremy are married and raising a baby peacemaker, Max, in Kigali. 

B.J. Guiden Credentialed Distinguished Mediator has twenty years of experience as an innovative, transformative mediator. She is a Certified Legal Assistant and is certified with the U.S. Post Office as a Senior Federal Mediator. B.J. is certified in Human Resource Management and Training and Development. She has hosted a radio show called Ask the Mediator. (A.T.M.) B.J. is also an Empathy Circle Facilitator. B.J. will share her view on The Role of Empathy in Equity.

Courtney Breese NCDD Executive Director: The value of dialogue in our lives. Courtney Breese of the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) will share what dialogue really is, and how practicing dialogue in our lives can benefit us and our world. She will share the resources of NCDD and ways to get started in this practice.  

Liz Gannon Graydon Peace Alliance Board Chair and Co-Founder and President of What BETTER Looks Like, a nonprofit organization that taps into the creative potential of people to help solve problems in their local communities. Liz taught middle school Social Studies and English for 16 years. It was during her years as a teacher that she gained the inspiration and the tools for the work of What BETTER Looks Like, the core work of which is to foster the development of Beloved Community. Liz will speak to The Roles of Listening, Empathy and Dialogue in Fostering the Beloved Community.

Lou Zweier Managing Partner and Coach at Authentic Leadership Center, Co-Creator of the Empathy Circle Facilitation Training, and Co-Chair of the Sonoma County Braver Angels Alliance, will present on the role of “connection before education” in depolarizing dialogue, and the relational dynamics and skills that contribute to or block connection.

Victoria Coleman: FDCW Executive Director LinkedIn  

Niv Agam: Clinical Psychologist and Social Activist, Niv shares his experience founding Dreamers Home, a non-profit in Israel, dedicated to sharing the 16 Guidelines and other programs to promote peace and to promote social harmony based on universal values. He shares what he has learned on this journey about respect, patience and perseverance in sharing tools for peace in areas of conflict and suspicion. He proposes that empathy, when applied wisely, can become the glue for a cohesive self, a cohesive community, a harmonious society and a peaceful world.

Mabel Odessey: 16 Guidelines for Life Teacher Mabel Odessey will share how the power of the 16 Guidelines and mindfulness training has improved her listening skills, mutual understanding and perspective taking. She explores the value of empathy in guiding our behaviour for a happier, more fulfilling life. Mabel will share a short reflective practice on mindfulness and empathy. LinkedIn

The final 90 minutes of the Empathy Summit will offer an opportunity to participate in an empathy circle. No experience needed. Please Note: Some sessions could run longer. 

We have factored that in to allow for ending on time at 

12:00 PM PT/ 3 PM ET/8 PM BST/9 PM CET. 

Edwin Rutsch: Founded the Center for Building a Culture of Empathy to promote and foster the value and experience of empathy. Edwin states, “I'm working to build a movement to support building a global culture of empathy. I'm looking at nurturing societal transformation, where empathy becomes the primary social and cultural value in world culture.” Edwin and his brother Charles Rutsch are establishing an Empathy Based Educational Retreat Center in Santa Barbara CA. A major aspect of the retreat center will be working to bridge personal, social and political divides with mutual listening, empathy, constructive dialogue and education. Edwin was also a candidate in the Democratic primary for California’s 8th congressional district in 2022. Find Edwin on LinkedIn or email at EdwinRutsch@gmail.com.

Linda Bass is an Empathy Circle Facilitator Trainer. She has an MA in Psychology and has over thirty (30) years professional experience property and casualty insurance, and litigation management. Her passion is alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Ms. Bass currently contracts with the TX Dept of Insurance Surprise Billing Department and Texas Better Business Bureau as a mediator and as an arbitrator. She has supported mediators through the development and training of quality mediation and conflict resolution techniques. She continues to actively support ADR initiatives as a Credential Mediator, a member of the Texas Association of Mediator (TAM) and as past VP of Tarrant County Association of Mediators (TCAM). 

Kathy Kidd: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Peace Alliance National Program Coordinator, Empathy Circle Facilitation Trainer and part of the Empathy Center Volunteer Team. LinkedIn

Empathy Center Building the movement for a more empathic culture. 

Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom   FDCW supports people in developing a warm  heart and a wise mind.  

Peace Alliance   Educate, advocate, and mobilize people into action to transform systems and public policy toward a culture of peace.  

Listen First Project  A network of 500+ bridging organizations, leads the collaborative movement to heal America by bridging divides. 

Conflict Transformation, Peacebuilding and Security (CoPeSe) A leading network on peacebuilding and conflict transformation, counting more than 60k members. Shares and retrieves the newest information on peacebuilding and conflict transformation. 

National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation  NCDD is a network of innovators who bring people together across divides to discuss, decide, and take action together, on today’s toughest issues.  

International Listening Association  ILA is a global family with a common bond – advancing listening practice, teaching, and research worldwide.

Become a Summit Partner or Sponsor Email EdwinRutsch@gmail.com

EMPATHY SUMMIT SERIES LINKS TO SHARE

Empathy Summit Website: https://EmpathySummit.com 

Empathy Summit Jul 1:  https://EmpathySummit.com/dates/july-1-2023 

Empathy Summit Sep 1: https://www.empathysummit.com/dates/september-2-2023

Empathy Summit Registration Form: https://bit.ly/ESRegister7-1 

Empathy Summit Partners: https://EmpathySummit.com/sponsors

Empathy Summit Volunteers: https://EmpathySummit.com/volunteers 

Empathy Summit LinkedIn Event: https://bit.ly/LinkedInEmpathySummit

Empathy Summit Facebook Event: https://bit.ly/3o1S46o

Empathy Summit Citizen Connect:  https://bit.ly/ESJul1CC 

Empathy Summit Feedback Form: https://bit.ly/ESFeedback4-1 

Feedback

Share any feedback about your experience in todays Summit? 

1. OUTSTANDING

2. Wonderful experience

3. very inspiring

4. Thanks for the openness of the event.

5. Very fruitful meeting. Thank you for organizing the educational part and the Empathy Circle practice.

6. So grateful for the Empathy Movement.

7. I did not think I would be able to attend the whole summit, however I am delighted that I could.

Do You Have Any Comments or Questions? 

1. 1. 1. I think there needs more of a break between segments 

      2. I would like to get training to be a facilitator.

      3. A privilege to be a facilitator and receive kind words about that.

      4. The separation and connection built with the breakout group was significant. What I mean by separation is the ability to restrain from expressing compassion whilst actively listening.

What topics would you suggest for future Summits? 

1. Difficult conversations

2. I think it is something that could be on a wide variety of topics

3. self empathy/ self compassion

4. Not sure if this is the type of topic you are looking for, however here goes "Truth or lies?"

5. Self-Empathy as the foundation for Empathy

6. Not sure

7. Empathic listening; braver angels; “empathy is not endorsement”; the neuroscience of empathy

8. Empathy, Compassion, and Altruism or just: Empathy and Altruism; Relational Empathy (In this question, Empathy Cafe should probably be replaced with: Empathy Summit)

9. I would be interested to see how an Empathy Cafe could be applied in the context of climate conflict and peacebuilding: i.e., how the concept of empathy links to the environment and climate.

10. Use in schools to prevent bullying

11. understanding our differences especially disability and neurosiversity

12. Trauma-Informed Empathy & Compassion ; Empathy, Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

13. Transformation to an Ecological Civilisation

14. None just now, thanks

15. I am new to this.

16. How to be an anti-racist - being an ally

17. Any topic really

18. Negotiating a truce between Ukraine and Russia; reforming poiicing/public safety/community wellness

19. How to decrease violence, hatred and create a more unified world.

20. Fostering community dialog

21. Bringing empathy circles in schools (K-12)

22. Digital in Children's and Teen's mental health

23. Restorative practices

24. Yes

25. Recovery, Global events, Grief (not iust through death.. but relationships, goals or transitional shifts) and cultural or hereditary exchanges.

26. Self-Forgiveness, Conflict Resolution strategies across racial differences, and learning practical steps for effective communication to amplify peaceful dialogues to prevent conflict in the workplace and in communities.

27. Customer Service

28. Psychodrama

29. community building

30. Youth Empowerment. Educational Peace & Justice. Civics workshops. NueroRegulation Training. Advocates Energetic Empathy & How to Build upon

31. Power over/ With

32. How does empathy differ from other types of conflict resolution?

33. I am new to this....let me understand first

34. Let Not Bias Beget Bias: Identifying & transcending our unrecognized biases, forgiving others theirs

35. Learn and practice the Empathy Circle dialogue process

36. Preparing for conflicts

37. How to release built up anger with empathy

38. Building trust

39. In complex meetings with difficult poor listeners.

40. Collapse; Degrowth; Ecocivilisation; Hospicing Modernity

41. Transitional Justice

42. Maybe: Acceptance of what people do that is harmful, without judging.

43. Mediation and difficult conversations in empathy circles

44. Peacebuilding

45. In Turkey we are polarized, I would like to learn more how to overcome conflict in communities.

46. Health Care/Spiritual Care/Nutritional Education

47. Nonviolent Communication

48. 1) Respectfulness. 2) how to ask questions empathetically

49. Working on Prejudices, Provocation and and the Misuse of Power by Governmental Bodies and Representatives.

50. Peace building community

51. Forgiveness

(A1) If Yes, what is the reason you will attend again? 

1. 1. 1. Learning new things can be exciting

      2. Empathy is a great community

      3. learn and connect

      4. Practicing the skill of empathy.

      5. Learning from speakers and getting practice in empathy circle.

      6. So grateful to be part of this community

      7. This is a valuable skill to practice maintaining that neutral position

      8. an enjoyable experience, great to listen to a variety of speakers and connect with others that are involved/interested in empathy

Why are you interested in taking part in this Empathy Summit? 

1. to learn more

2. Yes

3. I’d a scholar practitioner who works in empathy research and education at High Point University

4. This is going to be really great. The beginning of a really fruitful and beneficial collaboration for the benefit of countless beings.

5. I am working on a peacebuilder careers project (yet unpublished) that helps provide training and opportunities for young adults to enter into the peacebuilding field. I would like to attend this summit to learn more about the concept of empathy and how we can advocate for empathy training and principles to be adopted by young peacebuilders.

6. To be a better listener and observer

7. Learn more about empathic communication

8. I am an academic researcher and run immersive empathy workshops

9. To support development of cultures of empathy

10. I did empathy circles with XR in the past, and found them most effective. I'd like to participate and learn more.

11. To learn more about the summit, understanding how empathy and compassion can help me cope with negative self beliefs.

12. Who doesn't need more empathy and understanding

13. I will be volunteering at the Maitreya School for 5 months. This school uses the 16 Guidelines.

14. Very interested in bridging divides

15. Always interested in practicing empathy

16. To increase my ability to support others and myself.

17. Just qualified as a counsellor and I am manager of a mental health self-management and peer support project. Would like to start an empathy circle.

18. Empathy is the essential ingredient in civilization. We need lots more.

19. We need to open communication and break down barriers.

20. To learn more about empathy.

21. To help bring more empathy into my community.

22. To facilitate my professional and civic work

23. I am NVC practitioner and always interested in what I can learn more on empathy and specifically empathy circles. I am also the incoming head of mindfulness at UWC Thailand and have the vision of bringing empathy circles as part of the mindfulness activities there.

24. Generate more empathy across my organisation/team and work with Children and Teens via Empathy programs

25. Peacebuilding non-profit ideas

26. already part of Empathy Movement

27. I would like to listen how the host talk about empathy.

28. For professional and personal reasons

29. I work with children and teens

30. I have attended similar functions and always love ways to grow and create a peaceful empowering environment as a person to others. Developing deeper understanding and skills to offer both support and open dialog to both share information, stories, ideas or even as a place for one to just lay ideas or thoughts to get it off their minds.

31. Because I want to learn more about a good communication with everybody

32. to learn

33. I will be joining the volunteers group in July and I am also planning to be a speaker for the Nov Empathy Summit. My work is surrounded by peacebuilding, restorative, and empathy-based principles. I have worked with schools and community organizations for about 30 + years in both Southern and Northern California. I would love to remain engaged with the Santa Barbara Empathy Center work as a volunteer and a future partner & collaborator.

34. personal development

35. I'd like to observe the process/dialogue and develop some of the skills involved, as well as all the reasons listed in the "why attend" list of the form.

36. As a people leader, I'm always interested in developing my people skills

37. I believe it will help me tremendously in my relationship with people I come in contact with every where.

38. To unlearn & relearn on social media issues

39. Learning

40. To learn more professional skills for my community peacebuilding efforts

41. Connection between empathy and peace.

42. Always interested in advancing peace in humanity

43. Empathy Energizer w/in Peace & Justice Community

44. My vision

45. self growth

46. I believe everything presents itself for a reason and my draw to this means there is something valuable that I need to discover

47. Build stronger and better relationship

48. To learn and grow

49. YES

50. To build and participate in a culture of empathy

51. Because I want to learn more about empathy

52. As a mindfulness coach, attending this summit will provide me deeper insight into bringing and cultivating empathy with my audience

53. Studying this concept.

54. I love empathy circles

55. I would like to learn more

56. To learn from other

57. To broaden my knowledge on different tools to understand our world, and introduce it to the people that have not practiced it before.

58. Improve listening skills

59. Interested to know how to be a better communicator

60. I am a regular participant of the weekly Empathy Circles and would like to learn more about the process.

61. I am new, in future I would like to…

62. Registered Nurse, Ordained Minister

63. To be inspired and to learn from others and to share.

64. We promote empathic listening

65. To hear the speakers and meet new people

66. to learn how to effectively LISTEN, which when these letters are rearranged, spell S-I-L-E-N-T ;-) and how to have genuine empathy

67. gain knowledge and improve skills

68. Enduring Confilictual Behaviour by the German Military (and Police) against Peace Facilitators / Working On Conflict Workers.

69. Interested in sharing empathy

70. To hear Niv Agam

71. I'm faced with many conflicts around and am longing for more knowledge on empathic connection

72. I want to learn more about empathizing

73. Used to be part of some.

74. To learn more about what you do and how I can contribute

75. To gain different insight

76. Help facilitate

77. Engage more out of empathy

Listening is the First Step to Empathy

Listening can have a significant positive impact on your life in variety of ways:

Better relationships: Listening is essential to building strong and meaningful relationships. When you truly listen to someone, you demonstrate that you value and respect their perspective. This can foster trust, empathy, and intimacy, which are critical to developing healthy relationships.

Improved communication: Listening is a crucial aspect of effective communication. By listening carefully to others, you can better understand their needs, desires, and concerns. This, in turn, can help you respond more appropriately, clarify misunderstandings, and avoid conflicts.

Learning and growth: Listening can also help you learn and grow. When you listen to others, you expose yourself to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. This can broaden your horizons, challenge your assumptions, and help you develop a more nuanced understanding of the world around you.

Reduced stress: Listening can also help reduce stress and anxiety. When you listen to others, you show that you care, which can help alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness. Additionally, active listening can help you better manage your own emotions and respond more effectively to challenging situations.

Listening can improve your life by enhancing your relationships and your communication skills. You are more open to learning when you are open to listening and this leads to emotional well-being.