View The Summit Recording

EMPATHY SUMMIT: Saturday, November 4
TOPIC: Why is Empathy Important for Conflict Resolution?

DETAILS

DESCRIPTION: Speakers talk about the role and importance of empathy in conflict resolution, mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
TIME: 8 am PT to 11am PT  (3 hours) 

WORLD TIMES:  https://bit.ly/3PdNLPb  
LOCATION:  Zoom https://zoom.us/j/9896109339  
RECORDING: Part of the event will be recorded and posted to social media for educational and promotional purposes. You have an option of being in a non recorded breakout group.

HOSTED BY THE EMPATHY CENTER

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS LIST

SPEAKERS AND HOSTING TEAM

SUMMIT TEAM

• • Summit Series Host: Edwin Rutsch

  • Day Host:  Kathleen Oweegon  

  • Hour 1 Host:  Linda Bass and  BJ Brenda Guiden 

  • Empathy Circle Host: Linda Bass and  BJ Brenda Guiden  
    
    

PROGRAM 

8 am PT  

Speaker: DeAnna Guerrero

Speaker: Irene Zucker

Speaker: Sonal Kharbanda  Rectitude ADR India

Speaker: Chijoke Ibeux, 3C’s Mediation West Africa

Speaker: Lisa Singh 

9 am PT:  Empathy Circle
A 2 hour participatory dialogue using the Empathy Circle process.

How to Empathy Circle   (6 min)

Empathy Circle (1:30 hr) 

Debrief (15 min)

Next Steps: (2 min)

EMPATHY SUMMIT LINKS

Website:    http://EmpathySummit.com
Summit Details:       https://empathysummit.com/dates/november-4-2023
World Times:           https://bit.ly/3PdNLPb  
Registration Form:  https://bit.ly/44E86mg
Partners    http://EmpathySummit.com/sponsors 
Volunteers:              http://EmpathySummit.com/volunteers
LinkedIn Event:     https://bit.ly/3PwjRqw
Facebook Event:    https://Facebook.com/events/6909122669118146/
Feedback Form: https://bit.ly/3Zaj2qE
Final Report:    https://empathysummit.com/dates/november-4-2023 

FEEDBACK

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

1. I'm interested in learning how to be more empathetic. I study perspective-taking.

2. To be a better mediator, neighbor, friend and parent

3. I participated in one before and it was a great experience

4. Its all i work on every day :)

5. I am a strong proponent of the use of empathy in communications, and as a mediator, supervisor, and trainer, I can always get a refresher on how to incorporate empathy into my work and share it with others. This agenda looks to be very uplifting and informative to my work.

6. I am a mediator …

7. To continue giving and receiving empathy

8. Essential

9. Conflict transformation work

10. I'm a psychotherapist and this is exactly what I do. I'd like to be part of organizations that are doing this more widely… It's necessary for survival.

11. I want to learn to be peace mediator/negotiator.

12. In a conflicting and Human rights violence countries needs Empathy since our continent is full of conflicts and violention of human rights I believe taking part in empathy summit is opportunity to learn and apply it in Africa.

13. Expanding my skills and capacity. Also building relationships

14. I teach and coach people about empathy and am passionately committed to the collective work of this much needed area. So happy you are doing this and excited to be attending!

15. To engage in dialogue about Empathy, part of my professional and personal practice

16. I work in peacebuilding & conflict resolution

17. Empathic communication relaxes conflict

18. To assist our ADHOC Council with trauma-informed practices! (acting decisively heals our communities)

19. Being a part of an Empathy Movement is spectacular. I appreciate being a part of this Community. Conflict Resolution: What/where would we be without a method of resolving conflict?

20. Because I use empathy and teaching others how to develop it, in my peacebuilding workshops

21. Conflict resolution world wide

22. Empathy Is Emportant !

23. To learn how empathy skills work for conflict resolution

24. Learning

25. It’s absolutely necessary to learn/teach how to be Empathetic to all sufferings.

26. Looking for tools to encourage nonviolent communication.

27. Empathy is at the heart of my work so I enjoy hearing what others have to say about it. I also like to go some graphic recording work of the sessions.

28. Yes

29. Still looking for a way to participate

30. strengthening our network

31. To learn how it works in Mediation

32. Develop skills in conflict resolution

33. I agree with the premise of the summit and want to learn more

34. Empathy is key

What topics would you suggest for future Summits? 

1. Mirroring. How watching someone or being in their physical presence influences empathy.

2. Empathy for Teachers/Coaches

3. Neuroscience and conflict

4. How to start practicing empathy with one's close family?

5. Self Empathy

6. Empathy across the red/blue divide in America; Empathy with white supremacists, anti-Semites, misogynistic male supremacists, etc.

7. Empathy in human rights violence

8. we'd like to put our purple people movement practices in a workshop- "it's not red and blue it's me and you" promising navigation tool to steer dialog away from toxic places and into safe spaces where people connect on a basic human level.

9. How do we maintain an inner calmness through empathy?

10. Uncovering your own bias as part of developing empathy, psychodramatic tools for building empathy (I can help with that)

11. In depth conflict resolution projects in war zone (a learning project).

12. Accepting differences

13. Meeting facilitation

14. Trauma and Empathy

15. Family, Divorce, Juvenile

16. Compassion for everybody’s Individual journey

Do You Have Any Comments or Questions? 

1. Empathy separates humans from other forms of life yet special interests continue stripping it from our daily lives in support of materialism, commercialism, consumerism, and corporatism. Currently undergoing a crisis of identity the state of Texas needs a clear path back to decent human interaction- not likely coming from those who created the system working so well to their own benefit. Asking all faith communities to rise to occasion together!

2. Thank you

3. So glad to have come across your summit! I really support the work you're doing.

4. Grateful to be part of this.

5. Pl keep up your good work!

6. My hope for this approach was shaken by the corporate presence at the last summit or two

Share any feedback about your experience in todays Summit? 

1. Absolutely wonderful

2. Very insightul and amazing experience

3. I loved it and I loved sharing so many great experiences with mediators and everyone with different walks of life.

4. Great to hear and meet the mediators along with the Empathy Circle

5. Amazing

6. Great mission

7. I really appreciate the format of one speaker, one listener, and a 4min. limit.

8. It was great!

9. I noticed that several people said they felt nervous or anxious about getting it right and I wondered we might like an opportunity to talk about that as a group. Also, I was happy that people appreciated my contributions and presence, so as someone who prefers process over protocol I came to the end of the Summit feeling like I do belong--I had questioned this during the last summit.

10. I enjoyed it although I would have liked some content that touched on the bigger global conflicts that we're facing and discussion on how empathy can play a role in that level of conflict mediation and resolution.

11. Enlightenment.

Do You Have Any Comments or Questions about the Summit? 

1. It was lovely and co host were amazing

2. Keep up the good work! Thanks for inviting me!

3. I do not

4. Grateful for all the time dedicated to organizing this. Super Topic

5. no

6. I would like a break between the speakers and groups sections and maybe more time for each speaker and for each person speaking in the group--to relax and think deeply.

7. No.

What topics would you suggest for future Summits? 

1. open

2. None!

3. How to find that inner calm through Empathy

4. Indigenous / environmental activism

5. It takes a village to raise a child. Being allies when it comes to racism

6. Empathy and Politics / Empathy and Activism

7. Trauma as both cause and effect of war, oppression, abuse, bullying, domestic violence... and what is needed to heal trauma in these situations with empathy, if that can be done.

8. empathy in politics would probably be interesting given the Presidential elections next year.

9. Nonviolent Communication

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

1. to learn

2. Awesome learning experience/sharing perspectives, ideas

3. Insightful knowledge

4. It expands my mind & heart

5. To learn

6. Good

7. Always great to practice, and to connect with others

8. Love being with people in the rooms, every time, and practicing and seeing results of practice. Curious about speakers' offerings and whether I will work in anything related.

9. enjoy learning about empathy in other roles and aspects of life, the empathy circles are always interesting

10. Peacemaker engagement.

REFERENCES

ChatGPT: Why is Empathy Essential In Conflict Mediation?

Empathy is essential in conflict mediation for several reasons:

1. Understanding Perspectives: Conflict often arises from different perspectives, needs, and interests of the parties involved. Empathy allows the mediator to truly understand and appreciate the emotions, concerns, and experiences of each person. By empathizing with their feelings and viewpoints, the mediator can create an atmosphere of trust and openness, fostering effective communication and problem-solving.

2. Building Rapport: Empathy helps build rapport and establish a positive relationship between the mediator and the parties in conflict. When people feel understood and heard, they are more likely to be open to the mediation process and willing to engage in constructive dialogue. Empathy conveys respect, validates emotions, and creates a safe space for participants to express themselves without fear of judgment.

3. Encouraging Emotional Expression: Conflict often generates strong emotions, such as anger, frustration, or sadness. Empathy allows the mediator to acknowledge and validate these emotions, providing an outlet for individuals to express themselves. By actively listening and empathizing with the emotions behind the conflict, the mediator helps parties feel heard and understood, reducing the intensity of negative emotions and facilitating a more productive discussion.

4. Facilitating Perspective-Taking: Empathy enables the mediator to encourage perspective-taking among the parties involved. By understanding and empathizing with each person's point of view, the mediator can help individuals recognize the validity of different perspectives. This understanding promotes empathy between the conflicting parties themselves, fostering a greater willingness to find mutually acceptable solutions and reach a resolution.

5. Generating Creative Solutions: Empathy opens the door to creative problem-solving by exploring the underlying needs and interests of all parties. When the mediator understands the emotions and concerns of each person, they can help generate options that address those underlying needs. Empathy allows the mediator to facilitate brainstorming and encourage collaborative decision-making, leading to more innovative and mutually satisfying solutions.

Overall, empathy in conflict mediation helps create an environment of understanding, trust, and emotional support. It promotes effective communication, encourages perspective-taking, and facilitates the exploration of creative solutions. By empathizing with the parties involved, the mediator can guide them toward resolution and foster a sense of satisfaction and reconciliation.