An Introduction to the Compassionate Systems Framework

A pedagogical route to developing Global Citizens and support community wellbeing

Dates - Thursday 16 March – Saturday 18 March (only the morning on the 18th)

Meals provided

Cost - 200USD

During times of global crises, we often find that the apprehension, fear and worry of individuals can build to groups blaming other groups and even countries blaming other countries; arguments and acrimony build in the Global community and other very human responses. These elements can also be seen in our own student communities in our own schools. The Compassionate Systems Framework developed at M.I.T directly addresses these issues and helps to develop ‘compassionate integrity’ in our students which is a cognitive and affective skills foundation for global citizenship. This workshop will introduce you to the classroom practices and approaches which build compassion, deep thinking (for example around the UNSDGs) and develop well-being for students.

The compassionate systems framework was developed by academics at M.I.T. - Peter Senge and Mette Böll

Workshop: An introduction to the Compassionate Systems Framework

We would like to invite you to participate in this workshop we are offering in Singapore. This workshop is available to all FOBISIA based educational professionals and will take place at the British Club in their conference facilities. There will be the opportunity to tour the Dulwich College (Singapore) campus on the Saturday after the workshop. This workshop is offered in association with the Centre of Systems Awareness at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The workshop will be facilitated by Jacob Martin (Deputy Head of College) and Charlotte Ruddy (Assistant Head of Junior School), two experienced Compassionate Systems Practioners.

The workshop is highly interactive and is focused on the classroom tools and the development of compassionate systems leadership. It includes contemplative practice, group work and reflection time.

Details of the framework

The framework combines two key components: the first, a series of systems thinking tools that can be used in any curriculum context to help students to understand the deep interconnectedness of the complex issues we discuss in the classrooms. These tools also structure their learning and encourage a conceptual understanding of the issue being studied; they are used in particular to explore complex issues like the UNSDGs which are the focus of many areas of our curriculum.

The second component is a set of practices and approaches which work to develop emotional literacy with the students. Students gain a deep understanding of some of the World’s most challenging issues, at the same time they gain the compassion and empathy to appreciate the human connectedness in these issues whilst not becoming overwhelmed by the challenges they bring psychologically and emotionally.

If you are interested, please complete the registration form by scanning the QR code.