Australian Newsletter November 1, 2016

AUSTRALIAN ORGANIZING GROUP: NOVEMBER 2016

WELCOME

• Welcome to the newsletter of the Australian Organising Group of the Charter for Compassion.
• In these newsletters we will provide you with information on the activities and the work of the Charter unfolding within Australia.
• We will also encourage you to get involved!

HISTORY OF THE CHARTER OF COMPASSION IN AUSTRALIA

• Did you know that the Australian Parliament was the first parliament in the world to sign the Charter of Compassion? Danielle Lauren organised a historic recognition ceremony of the Charter for Compassion at Parliament House in 2010. The ceremony included representatives from the Government and Opposition, Indigenous community, diplomats, NGOs, religious and youth leaders. During the signing Danielle noted that the event was a wonderful opportunity to spread the principle of compassion to our leaders and help make Australia a more compassionate society for all.
• The Australian Organising Group continues to support the Charter for Compassion and its networks. These global networks connect organisers and partners from around the world in providing educational resources and avenues of communication for sharing lessons, stories, and inspiration. As the Australian group linking to the Charter for Compassion we support collaborations, conversations, and initiatives to create and connect compassionate communities and institutions across Australia.

COMPASSION ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA

1. The UQ Compassion Symposium held on 9-10 October 2016, was a great success, bringing together clinicians and others wanting to learn more about the application of compassion in health, welfare and policy areas. The Symposium was preceded by a keynote address given by Dr Emiliana Simon-Thomas from the Greater Good Science centre at UC Berkley in the US. Over 400 people attended her lecture in which she spoke about her research examining the biological underpinnings of prosociality and how connecting with others benefits health, well-being, social and work life - https://www.psy.uq.edu.au/compassion/;
2. A number of the members of the Australian Organising group sent a video message of congratulations to the mayors of Nuevo León who have signed their cities on as Compassionate cities. Nuevo León, is one of the 31 states which, with Mexico City, compose the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Watch the message of congratulations here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSIdsUCy-Ak;
3. Compassion Cultivation Training in Melbourne Oct/Nov 2016 - Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) developed at Stanford University is a program designed to develop the qualities of compassion, empathy, and kindness for others and for oneself. CCT integrates traditional contemplative practices with contemporary psychology and scientific research on compassion is run by Petrina Barson MD - http://compassionatemind.org.au/events/upcomingevents.html;
4. Last month a number of Australians took part in the Global Compassion Games – these Games adapt creatively to any community who wants to embrace and play them. Over the past four years, the Games have mobilized over 400,000 volunteers serving over 1,500,000 people in 34 countries. The 2016 Global Unity Games have been, without a doubt, the most outstanding Compassion Games to date – here’s an overview of the outcomes.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Currently, there are discussions underway within at least two Australian cities planning to become compassionate cities – we’ll keep you updated!

If you would like to work with your Australian city in making it a compassionate city – all the information and resources you’ll need are available here: http://www.charterforcompassion.org/communities/overview

MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN GROUP

• Dr Lynne Reeder is a Director of Australia21, a public-interest Think Tank, and trained as a meditation teacher with Deepak Chopra in the US. She is currently researching in compassion and empathy within policy making settings;
  
• Dr Stan Steindl is a clinical psychologist in private practice at Psychology Consultants Pty Ltd and also Adjunct Associate Professor at School of Psychology, University of Queensland;
  
• Dr David Roland is a writer, speaker, filmmaker and musician with a PhD in clinical psychology. He is one of the founders of Compassionate Mind Australia and is an Honorary Associate with the School of Medicine, University of Sydney;
• Debbie Ling is a social worker, meditation and mindfulness teacher and PhD candidate researching compassion;
  
• Dr Petrina Barson is a general practitioner, a certified teacher of Stanford CCARE’s Compassion Cultivation Training program, and is involved in research into compassion;
  
• Em Prof Bob Douglas is a Director of Australia21 and a retired epidemiologist from ANU;
  
• Kellie Edwards is a psychologist, mindfulness teacher and creator of the online program mindfulness4mothers.com. She facilitates individual and group mindfulness and compassion based programs online in her home city of Melbourne;
  
• Terry Ayling is a spiritual entrepreneur, consultant, carer and compassion advocate. He is Facilitator of the 'Compassionate Cities Gold Coast' Initiative; Coordinator of Gold Coast Health's Spiritual Care Service and Creative Director of Spirited Communities. A Uniting Church Minister and spiritual carer-chaplain for 25 years, Terry is committed to the creation and animation of spirited and compassionate communities.
  
• David Laczko is a Family Relationship Advisor at Relationships Australia, and a volunteer at West End Community House. He completed his honours thesis in self-compassion in 2015;
• Michelle Brenner is a Conflict Resolution Consultant, from Macquarie Univesity, Post Graduate Diploma and has written 2 books, Conscious Connectivity and Conversations on Compassion. She teaches Assertive Communication and Intercultural Communication in Sydney and over the internet with an international Mediation Academy;

AN AUSTRALIAN PROFILE

Remarkable Australians enact compassion in many different ways – this is a story and YouTube about Simon Lewis – nominee for the 2017 Australian of the Year. SIMON LEWIS is a St Kilda Surf Lifesaver and recently spoke at Elwood Primary school, Melbourne, Australia about his humanitarian work overseas. He volunteered in Greece in January 2016 helping Syrian refugees who were arriving by boat and is an inspiration regarding compassionate action. He says, "I have the skills to save lives and I go where the need is". He is a wonderful role model for school children to see someone making a difference. His actions highlight that people everywhere are basically the same and it’s important that we make efforts to help and care for one another. Learn more about Simon’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKDbJmBdF-0

COMPASSION NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

• The DARE to CARE Youth Gathering - on Thursday 13 October 2016 200 young people aged 16 to 25 meet in Oslo to explore together the science of empathy and compassion, how these qualities can be cultivated, and what benefits such qualities bring to the modern world. This year for the first time, the Youth Gathering will be streamed internationally to English-speakers. This 4th Youth Gathering, which previously took place in London and San Francisco, precedes the professional conference Empathy and Compassion in Society. If you feel inspired, please get in touch and we can explore the possibilities together to organize a similar youth event, in your school/university or in a different context - contact:
• The Charter International’s 2105 Annual report outlines the amazing impact the Charter has had around the world in cultivating compassion - here is a link to the full report: http://www.charterforcompassion.org/about1/2015-annual-report

GET INVOLVED FOR AUSTRALIA

Contribute - if you are taking part in Charter activities please send information to http://www.charterforcompassion.com.au/contact-us/
Volunteer – your support at - http://www.charterforcompassion.com.au/contact-us/
Learn more - visit our website at - www.charterforcompassion.com.au

International Charter for Compassion webpage at - www.charterforcompassion.org