When you're 5 everyone asks "What do you want to be when you grown up?". When you're in high school everyone asks "Where are you going to college?". When you're in college everyone asks "So, do you have a job yet?". When you do have a job and live in DC everyone asks "So, what do you do?". And, now I've learned that no matter the location, in grad school everyone wants to know "What are you studying?". And those who take interest may even dare to ask "So, what is your thesis focusing on?".
First, I love answering these questions, as each conversation gives me new insights into the questions that I, too ask myself. Second, thank you for asking. Though, I should caution, only ask if you truly want to understand, as my stomach may growl and my knees may quiver, as the answers are rarely as simple are we expect.
What am I studying? In May I will finish the coursework for my Masters in Peace Education Masters. Peace Education in a holistic approach to teaching a culture of peace. What each student does with that is up to us, hopefully I will have a change to blog (and brag) about some of my fellow classmates and dear friends. Some examples include, University Professors, a few teachers, some going into the non-formal sphere of training and continuing education, but all of us will continue to focus on teaching a holistic approach to peace.
What does that mean, you ask? The National Peace Academy teaches the 5 spheres of Peace (as illustrated below). Similarly, at UPeace we focus on 6 areas which impact the Culture of Peace (as taught by S.H. Toh), which include:
As I entered my studies here, I knew I wanted my thesis work to focus on children or youth, but as with most experiences, I left myself open to the experiences. The logical solution arrived as I listened to the experiences of classmates, worked with friends to apply theory to practice and even contemplated personal situations.
What every child needs (after their basic needs have been met) is an environment which cultivates empathy.
With a stack of books which could be used as a third dining room chair, I have immersed myself in the biological, psychological, anthropological, evolutionary, psychiatric, political, cultural and educational (say that 10 times fast) views on empathy. Their is more to empathy than I ever expected, for example the first signs of empathy may be when one baby hears another cry and responds. We are born with empathy - what a gift!
Even more fascinating than the stack of books (no, I have not turned it into a dining room chair) is watching the older sister pick her younger sister up after she feel down on the playground. Or watching the husband ensure his wife is comfortable on the bus. And better yet, watching strangers as they interact with one another in culture of empathy.
In the next few months I will be exploring the ways in which empathy is cultivated, sustained and how, through empathy, children are better able to resolve conflicts. In my research I've come across some brilliant projects and some revolutionary minds.
Empathy is part of all of our lives, everyday. If you come across any works with regard to empathy education I would love to hear about it.
Better yet, if you see empathy, I'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment.
First, I love answering these questions, as each conversation gives me new insights into the questions that I, too ask myself. Second, thank you for asking. Though, I should caution, only ask if you truly want to understand, as my stomach may growl and my knees may quiver, as the answers are rarely as simple are we expect.
What am I studying? In May I will finish the coursework for my Masters in Peace Education Masters. Peace Education in a holistic approach to teaching a culture of peace. What each student does with that is up to us, hopefully I will have a change to blog (and brag) about some of my fellow classmates and dear friends. Some examples include, University Professors, a few teachers, some going into the non-formal sphere of training and continuing education, but all of us will continue to focus on teaching a holistic approach to peace.
What does that mean, you ask? The National Peace Academy teaches the 5 spheres of Peace (as illustrated below). Similarly, at UPeace we focus on 6 areas which impact the Culture of Peace (as taught by S.H. Toh), which include:
- Dismantling a Culture of War
- Promoting Intercultural Respect, Reconciliation and Solidarity
- Promoting Human Rights and Responsibilities
- Living with Compassion and Justice
- Cultivating Inner Peace
- Living in Harmony with the Earth
As I entered my studies here, I knew I wanted my thesis work to focus on children or youth, but as with most experiences, I left myself open to the experiences. The logical solution arrived as I listened to the experiences of classmates, worked with friends to apply theory to practice and even contemplated personal situations.
What every child needs (after their basic needs have been met) is an environment which cultivates empathy.
With a stack of books which could be used as a third dining room chair, I have immersed myself in the biological, psychological, anthropological, evolutionary, psychiatric, political, cultural and educational (say that 10 times fast) views on empathy. Their is more to empathy than I ever expected, for example the first signs of empathy may be when one baby hears another cry and responds. We are born with empathy - what a gift!
Even more fascinating than the stack of books (no, I have not turned it into a dining room chair) is watching the older sister pick her younger sister up after she feel down on the playground. Or watching the husband ensure his wife is comfortable on the bus. And better yet, watching strangers as they interact with one another in culture of empathy.
In the next few months I will be exploring the ways in which empathy is cultivated, sustained and how, through empathy, children are better able to resolve conflicts. In my research I've come across some brilliant projects and some revolutionary minds.
Empathy is part of all of our lives, everyday. If you come across any works with regard to empathy education I would love to hear about it.
Better yet, if you see empathy, I'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment.
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Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?
- Henry David Thoreau
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