The Time is Now for Whole Student Education:A Critical Dialogue with The Dalai Lama and Leading Scientists and Education Experts
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (PRWEB) March 08, 2018 -- From March 12-16, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will engage in an in-depth dialogue with leading scientists, humanities scholars, education researchers, and practitioners on the topic of education and how to best prepare young people for their roles in a rapidly-changing world. New models for integrating the teaching of compassion and ethics in schools will be explored, along with developing students’ social and emotional skills through focused attention and mindfulness training.
Sponsored by the Mind & Life Institute, the five-day event, entitled “Reimagining Human Flourishing,” will take place at the Tsuglagkhang, the main temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. More than 150 invited guests will be in attendance, with the proceedings livestreamed to a broad international audience.
“In the face of sweeping changes in today’s world, it’s critical that young people develop the skills to be active citizens and bridge builders,” said Mind & Life President Susan Bauer-Wu, Ph.D. “Building on the tremendous strides made in the area of social and emotional learning over the past decade, we seek to explore holistic educational models aimed at nurturing compassion and ethical understanding among students, parents, and educators.”
Presenters at the event include: Michel Boivin, Ph.D., Research Unit on Children’s Psychosocial Maladjustment, Université Laval; Richard Davidson, Ph.D., Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Sona Dimidjian, Ph.D., Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder; Patricia Jennings, Ph.D., Curry School of Education, University of Virginia; Amishi Jha, Ph.D., UMindfulness Initiative, University of Miami; Jennifer Knox, Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning team, Emory University; Sonia Lupien, Centre for Studies on Human Stress; Matthieu Ricard, Ph.D., Buddhist monk at Shechen Monastery; Robert Roeser, Ph.D., College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University; Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, Ph.D., Human Early Learning Partnership, University of British Columbia; and Tara Wilkie, Ph.D. and Sophie Langri, Institute of Social and Emotional Education.
The Dialogue will feature morning presentations by these scientists and education practitioners in conversation with the Dalai Lama. Key themes to be explored include:
● DAY ONE: Early Childhood Development and Social Emotional Learning
● DAY TWO: Social and Emotional Learning and Education in the Classroom
● DAY THREE: Meta-Awareness and Attention Training in Education Research
● DAY FOUR: Ethics and Compassion in Education Research
● DAY FIVE: Evaluation and Implementation: Challenges and Opportunities for Human Flourishing
Moderating the proceedings will be Daniel Goleman, author of the bestseller “Emotional Intelligence;” Anthony Phillips, Ph.D., Professor and Senior Investigator with the University of British Columbia Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health; and Aaron Stern, Founder of the Academy for the Love of Learning, among others.
“The event reflects His Holiness’ longstanding prioritization of secular ethics and the ‘education of the heart,’ including the teaching of compassion, justice, mindfulness, and peace in schools,” said Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D., interpreter to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mind & Life Board Chair. “The Dialogue offers a unique platform for synthesizing scientific and practical perspectives.”
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and is an internationally revered proponent of secular ethics, inter-religious harmony, and human happiness. He is co-author with Archbishop Desmond Tutu of the best-selling “Book of Joy.” He is also the recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his message of nonviolence, reconciliation, and reverence for all living beings.
Mind & Life Dialogues with the Dalai Lama began in 1987 as intimate conversations with leading scientists and scholars to develop an understanding of the mind in relation to human behavior. These conversations have since grown to include large public and private events addressing critical issues of modern life at the intersection of scientific and contemplative understanding.
To view the 2018 Dialogue via livestream, visit: http://www.mindandlife.org
Note: Proceedings begin on March 11 at 11:30 PM EDT.
About the Mind & Life Institute
Since its founding in 1991, the Mind & Life Institute has been the driving force in creating and growing the contemplative sciences. Beginning as a series of Dialogues between his Holiness the Dalai Lama and leading Western scientists and scholars, Mind & Life has since expanded to become the leading convener, catalyst, and community builder in supporting contemplative research and bridging practice and real-world applications. Our ultimate goal is to alleviate suffering and promote human flourishing.
Contact:
Kristin Keimu Adolfson
Tel: 434-338-7380
Email: kadolfson(at)mindandlife(dot)org
Kristin Adolfson, Mind & Life Institute, http://www.mindandlife.org, +1 4343387380, [email protected]
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