Teaching empathy: A blueprint for social change?

教授同理心:社会变革的蓝图?

The Conversation

社会与文化

2024-07-22

26 分钟
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The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is a fundamental part of what makes us human. But is our ability to empathise with others at risk? If so, what could the consequences be for the next generation? Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two women from the UK and Denmark who see empathy as a crucial skill for children to have for their wellbeing and in order for society to function. Leslee Udwin is a Bafta winning film-maker turned activist. She is the founder of Think Equal, a global education initiative that integrates social and emotional learning into early childhood education to promote empathy and equality. Her work has received international recognition, including endorsements from global leaders and the United Nations. Iben Sandahl is a psychotherapist and author specializing in Danish parenting principles. She developed a methodology for teaching empathy in classrooms as part of an Erasmus+ project and has created a toolkit used by hundreds of teachers in four countries over three years. Producer: Emily Naylor (Image: (L) Leslee Udwin. Credit: Claus Boesen. (R) Iben Sandahl. Credit: Signe Bay)
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  • Hello and welcome to the conversation, the program that brings together two extraordinary women from around the world and allows them to share their personal stories and experiences with each other and us.

  • I'm Dashyani Navanayagam.

  • Today, empathy, it's an easy enough word to say, but perhaps more difficult to understand and even harder to genuinely put into practice.

  • Put simply, we're talking about the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

  • So how do we train ourselves, and more importantly, children, to develop empathy?

  • And what happens to us as adults if we don't have it?

  • Well, my two guests today are passionate advocates for the transformative power of empathy.

  • Leslie Odwin is a BafTa winning british filmmaker turned activist.

  • She's the founder of Think Equal, a global education initiative that integrates social and emotional learning into early childhood education to promote empathy and equality.

  • And Eben Sandale, a psychotherapist, educator and author specializing in danish parenting principles.

  • Her work includes creating a methodology for teaching empathy in classrooms as part of a european project to support education.

  • Leslie, Eben, welcome.

  • Thank you so much.

  • Thank you.

  • Happy to be here.

  • Look, I've given a very broad definition of empathy.

  • But even when we talk about empathy, what.

  • What does it mean to you?

  • What do you take from it?

  • For me, I think that empathy is the bridge between people.