Introduction to the Compassionate Systems Framework
About
Young people throughout different cultures and circumstances are confronted with the complex contradictions of the interconnected, interdependent systems in our world (e.g. climate change, human migration, terrorism, substance use, Covid-19, etc.). An essential question for the future of education is how we help students to reflect on, deeply understand and respond mindfully and compassionately rather than just feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of these systems. With the growing interest in education in social and emotional learning (SEL) and mindfulness today, we feel it is especially timely to show how these can combine with skills in understanding systems and complexity to establish a cognitive and affective foundation for global citizenship.
This hands-on workshop is an introduction to the tools and approaches that have been developed for implementing what we call a “Compassionate Systems” framework, a framework that is being used at both the level of classroom innovations and collective leadership in shaping a more generative school culture. We conceptualise compassion as an essentially systemic property of mind: to cultivate compassion is to be able to appreciate the systemic forces that influence people’s actions. It is the capacity to hold paradoxes - to see and sense the larger system with all its interdependence and interconnectedness and all the unintended consequences of human behaviour - without judgment but with real care for the system and everyone involved in it.
Duration
4-day workshop
Dates
Monday 11 - Thursday 14 November 2024
Location
The workshop will be held in Melbourne and use a hybrid format to support in-person and virtual participation.
Carey Baptist Grammar School, Kew, Victoria, Australia.
Facilitators
Dr Mette Boell and Dr Peter Senge
Registration
Register via link below.
Scholarships
The organising committee for the workshop believe that a diversity of perspectives, experiences, and capabilities are required to support innovation and systems change in education. To help support the participation of disadvantaged and underrepresented groups at the conference, a limited number of scholarships are available to support attendance.
Criteria
Scholarships are open to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
A person of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage
A person who resides in a regional, rural or remote location
A high school/university student undertaking full-time study
A person who works with an organisation dedicated to serving disadvantaged, vulnerable or marginalised communities
Process
Write a 200 word statement stating why you would like to attend, what you want to learn, and how the community, organisation or group you serve or represent will benefit from you attending. All scholarship applications should be sent to institute@woodleigh.vic.edu.au. The decision of the organisers in relation to the awarding of scholarships will be final.
Scholarship
Successful applicants will receive free virtual or in person registration for the workshop. Scholarship recipients looking to attend in person are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.
The introductory workshop is being offered by The Center for Systems Awareness. To register, click on the button.
