If you would like to book Mary Gordon, Founder and President of Roots of Empathy for a virtual presentation now, or an in-person presentation at a later date, contact: Heather Sargeant, hsargeant@rootsofempathy.org.
You can follow Mary on Twitter @MaryGordonROE and on LinkedIn. And Roots of Empathy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn – @RootsofEmpathy
May 20th, 2023 – C20 (Civil 20 India) Panel
On Saturday May 20th, Mary Gordon spoke at a C20 panel (Civil 20, India 2023) virtual event called “Education to Support Mental Health”, part of the Education & Digital Transformation Summit.
The objective of the May 20, 2023 online discussion panel was to contribute to the preparation of G20 policy documents.
April 2-4, 2023 – University of Oxford World Summit on Literacy
The University of Oxford is holding a world summit on literacy on April 2-4th 2023 and has invited Mary Gordon to speak. The topic Mary will be speaking on is ‘Fostering Literacy through the Lens of Empathy: Connecting emotional literacy to traditional literacy for the success of the whole child.’,
Learn more: https://www.worldliteracysummit.org/
March 11, 2023 – C20 (Civil 20 India) Panel
On Saturday March 11th, Mary Gordon spoke as part of a C20 panel (Civil 20, India 20
23) virtual event called ” Education and Digital Transformation: Education for Life, Global Citizenship”. Find highlights of Mary Gordon’s contributions from this panel discussion here.
The objective of the March 11, 2023 online discussion panel was to contribute to the preparation of a G20 policy document with recommendations for the theme – “Education for Life & Global Citizenship”.
March 3, 2023 – HundrED Interview
Founder and President Mary Gordon was interviewed about: “Growing the garden of childhood: How Roots of Empathy nurtures connection for children and parents.” Article here.
HundrED is a Finnish non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping every child flourish by giving them access to quality education. HundrED recognizes Roots of Empathy as a top innovation in education by inducting Roots of Empathy into its Hall of Fame in 2023, after being selected in its top hundred for the previous 5 years in a row. Read about why Roots of Empathy is in the Hall of Fame here.
February 21, 2023 – Presentation to the Ontario Ministry of Education
Founder and President Mary Gordon spoke to Ontario Ministry of Education Staff about their impact as more than the Ministry of Education – they are the Ministry of Peace, Justice and Health for children. The Roots of Empathy program supports that development in children.
November 17, 2022 ”Fireside Chat: Parents and Educators are heroes”
Mary Gordon, Founder/President talks to parents and educators about why they are the heroes in developing Emotional Literacy in young children.
November 8, 2022 ”International Learning: My Teacher is a Baby”
Mary Gordon, Founder/President was a featured speaker at the New Longevity Summit, organized by Ashoka and BBK. For the first time in human history, there are more people over the age of 65 than children under the age of five. And by 2050 the number of people aged over 80 will triple. The statistics show a new reality. The Summit aims to learn from social entrepreneurs addressing longevity with systems-changing approaches, connect local and international changemakers, and generate alliances between social entrepreneurs, business/industry leaders, companies, and philanthropists.
November 3, 2022 ”Building a Culture of Empathy”
At the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting hosted by the Paediatric Society of New Zealand, Mary Gordon, Founder/President was a featured speaker.
October 24, 2022 – “Crisis of Connection”
The Early Childhood Community Development Centre was delighted to host Mary Gordon, internationally respected author, founder, and president of the acclaimed Roots of Empathy program on October 24th, alongside partners from the Niagara Catholic District School Board and the District School Board of Niagara. The professional collaboration took place at the ECCDC Conference Centre in Thorold and was a unique learning opportunity for Child and Youth Workers, Mental Health Leads, and administration from both boards to explore a variety of topics to support them in their important roles, offer opportunities to develop new strategies, and time to foster relationships with peers. See the release here.
October 21, 2022 – “Understanding Students Behaviours Through the Lens of Temperament Traits”
June 20-23, 2022
Collision Tech Conference
The panel will focus on a full range of topics around education – from childhood to adulthood, and the role of technology, speaking live to an audience of 800.
PANELISTS:
Mary Gordon Founder/President Roots of Empathy
Martin Basiri Co-Founder & CEO ApplyBoard
Zayn Patel, a student with The Knowledge Society who is developing a program to improve English literacy amongst children in Nigeria
May 6, 2022
Department of National Defence / Government of Canada Workforce Well Being
In recognizing Mental Health Week in the Department, a variety of speaking engagements, events and activities will be accessible to the whole National Defence Team. This year’s Mental Health Week theme is “This Is Empathy”. As such, they have invited Mary Gordon to speak on empathy. Mary’s presentation #GetReal about Empathy will explore the ways our program impacts mental health.
Mary Gordon will be speaking about empathy in relation to:
Attendees will consist of:
This will be a 1.5-hour webinar with live audio translation to French
May, 2022
Government of Canada’s (Policy Horizons Canada) is currently undertaking a project on the future of the life course in Canada.
A series of virtual workshops will take place during the first three weeks of May that will bring together representatives of community organizations, academia, government, and the private sector. Participants will collectively explore the possible implications of future changes in six key areas of the life course: care, reproduction, education, living arrangements, labour, and older adulthood. Mary Gordon was invited to share her expertise.
May 4, 2022
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education
Washington DC
Join Mary Gordon at the Forum for Children’s Well-Being with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Preventing the Next Mental Health Crisis through Partnerships with Families and Communities
The panel:
• Ready Ready Guilford – Christina Dobson (Director of Navigation Services)
• Maine Resilience Building Network – Kini-Ana Tinkham (Executive Director)
• Pierce County WA Collaborative Care Model – Mary Ann Woodruff, MD, FAAP (General Pediatrics)
• Roots of Empathy – Mary Gordon (Founder/President)
David W. Willis, MD, FAAP (Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Social Policy) will be moderating the panel.
To register click here
APRIL 14, 2022Natural Awakenings produces 50 publications connecting readers to a wealth of national and local resources mapping out alternate routes to a healthier, happier, longer life. Each magazine takes a practical look at the latest natural approaches to healing, nutrition, fitness, creative expression, personal growth and sustainable living. Carrie Jackson (Marketing & Communications Specialist) interviews Mary Gordon for an article about teaching kids about empathy.
April 14, 2022
People Fixing The World
BBC World Service
Radio/podcast program called People Fixing The World (formerly BBC World Hacks) followed up on Roots of Empathy and the story “Bully-busting babies” that they did on ROE in 2018. People Fixing The World is now producing an episode looking at innovative approaches to reduce violence in schools, and would like to include a “Where are they now” segment about Roots of Empathy. François Wibaux (Journalist, People Fixing The World) from BBC World Service discusses with Mary Gordon how the program has evolved and grown since they last saw it. Broadcast date to be announced.
MARCH 28, 2022 “The Perspective” TV Program with Mike Sherbino
Hear Mary Gordon speak on “The Perspective” TV Program with Mike Sherbino. Mary delves into the work Roots of Empathy does and discusses empathy on a global scale and its applicability at this point in time. To watch, CLICK HERE.
February 18, 2022Keynote Speaker: Mary Gordon
A Conversation on the Power of Relationships in Building Empathy and Resilience
Mary Gordon was invited to do a repeat of her October 2021 keynote presentation, as COTA had a much higher number of registrants than they could support in October and did not want their employees to miss out on the opportunity to hear Mary speak. This presentation celebrates the power of relationships in building empathy and resilience.
january 20th, 2022Hear social entrepreneur Mary Gordon, Founder/President of Roots of Empathy and neuroscientists Dr. Sara Konrath, on CBC’s Maritime Connection at 4 – 5pm AT with guest host Krissy Holmes. Listeners will learn about empathy and compassion in Canada. This broadcast asks the questions, two years into the pandemic, how are we doing? What can we do to build empathy? CLICK HERE to listen to this broadcast.
january 20th, 2022Mary Gordon was interviewed by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel journalist Mark Johnson.
Titled “Failure to understand and share feelings with each other runs counter to our nature. So why are we in a severe empathy crisis?”, the article explores how empathy is not taught, but caught. Read more about Roots of Empathy’s core values in this insightful article. Only available through a subscription to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
November 29, 2021The District School Board of Niagara, Niagara Catholic District School Board and the Early Childhood Community Development Centre in Niagara presented this special webinar: A Conversation on the Power of Relationships in Building Empathy and Resilience, with Internationally Acclaimed Mary Gordon.
This presentation will celebrate the power of relationships in building empathy and resilience. Video, story and children’s art will shine a light on children’s vulnerabilities and possibilities, identifying the roles of those adults who are the wind beneath their wings. A practical and joyful thread of hope will run throughout the session.
Target Audience: Child and Youth Workers, Youth Counsellors, Kindergarten Teams, Early Childhood Educators, Special Support Agency Staff, Ontario Early Years Staff, Students, Public Health Administrators for Healthy Babies/Healthy Children, FACS etc.
November 12, 2021The Human Climate: Conversations with Carol (Podcast) – We are experiencing a different kind of health crisis, where emotions drive our actions or inaction, our detachment or stubbornness, our hatred or fear or despair. And where our emotions drive us, especially when we haven’t learned to recognize, accept and integrate them. Carol explores with Mary Gordon, Mary’s input of above in a way that can open the pores of our curiosity, perhaps even of our hope, so that they might become a small part of getting to a tomorrow in ways not destined to be filled with destruction and denial. Podcast to be aired in the new year.
October 22, 2021Central Okanagan Teachers Association, Professional Development Day Keynote presentation – Mary Gordon spoke on empathy and its role in recovering from the pandemic. The one-hour session includes a live Q&A. The theme of the event will be Balance: Personal and Professional Equilibrium. The audience consisted of 300 attendees and all school employees (Teachers, Admin, Education Assistants, Guidance counsellors etc.).
September 3, 2021Conversation with Pluralism Thought Leaders – Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) consultants reached out to international thought leaders, like Mary Gordon, in the broad areas of pluralism, empathy, equity, diversity and inclusion, with the desire to discuss best practices and learnings on these important topics, so they can help the AFA’s Pluralism Policy implementation. These conversations will help AFA put their best foot forward to open more doors for all Alberta artists.
June 2021Human Touch Talks – Watch Roots of Empathy’s Founder/President Mary Gordon speak about the importance of human touch and the roles human touch can play in our lives with Ralph Zimmerer, Vice President Global NIVEA Brand Identity & Capability. How are you staying in touch?! CLICK to view Mary’s interview.
June 9, 2021For more than 25 years, Ashoka Fellow and Roots of Empathy Founder & President, Mary Gordon has been helping us see the power of empathy as a foundational skill for all children, and by extension all adults. On June 9th, at 1pm EDT, Ashoka Welcome Change (Ashoka News Hour) speaks with Mary about empathy in the pandemic, what we’re learning from and with children in this moment. To watch the full interview CLICK HERE and to see the highlights of the interview CLICK HERE.
May 11, 2021On May 12th, Mary Gordon appeared on the CBC radio program Here & Now, hosted by Gill Deacon. Mary’s storytelling captured the hearts and minds of the listeners. In terms of promoting our brand and increasing recognition of our organization, the interview was invaluable, providing millions of CBC listeners across Canada and beyond with relevant and interesting information about our organization. Listen Here
May 3-9, 2021THE MINDFUL PLAY SUMMIT is a conference for parents and educators who want to help children develop emotional resilience. Over 25 top experts, including Mary Gordon on May 6th will share their stories, struggles, and breakthroughs, emphasizing the benefits of play-based learning. Learn how to apply mindful practices to reduce stress and anxiety in children.
March 28th – April 3rd, 2021Swarthmore College and Ashoka Japan present the international Social Innovation Lab at the Lang Centre and Ashoka Japan Youth Venturer’s International Youth Social Innovator Symposium. Mary Gordon will be the keynote speaker for this virtual, three-day exchange event. Hosted by Dr. Denise Crossan (Social Innovation Lab at the Lang Centre, Swarthmore College Centre for Civic and Social Responsibility, Pennsylvania) and Nana Watanabe (Director, Ashoka Japan). Mary will address “Empathy: platform for social innovation.”
March 4, 2021The ANNUAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOR A DAY at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax is a collaborative event focused on providing student with knowledge of social enterprises. Guest Panelists with expertise in social enterprises will speak to their histories and views on how entrepreneurs can make a positive impact on people and society. Hear Mary Gordon, Founder/President ROE, Lori Barker of Ronald McDonald House Charities and Nick Sharpe of Big Brothers Big Sisters. REGISTER HERE
February 22-26, 2021Presenting at the 4th ANNUAL PRESCHOOL MINDFULLNESS SUMMIT, Founder/President Mary Gordon addresses social-emotional learning, and well-being strategies to use with students, teachers or parents. Past summits have attracted audiences from over 72 countries around the world and have featured speakers such as Dr. Daniel Siegel, Dr. Daniel Goleman and Dr. Rick Hanson. CLICK HERE to join this presentation for free.
February 19, 2021“BUILDING EMPATHY: The Missing Piece in Violence Prevention”
Presenting to school counsellors and mental health professionals at the Melissa Institute, Mary Gordon will focus on the role of empathy in the prevention of violence and aggression; executive functioning capacities; using the lens of Temperament to understand periods of child development, and ways to nurture empathy. Additionally, Mary Gordon will outline the differences between cognitive empathy and affective empathy and how these distinctions are important in the function of empathy development. Participants will be able to utilize this knowledge to assist children and families they work with to encourage empathy and prevent later incidences of violence. This presentation will be used to offer continuing education credits to participants.
January 18, 2021“WHERE PARENTS TALK” Interview with journalist Lianne Castelino. Mary Gordon presents to an award-winning digital community created to educate and empower parents. Click here to hear the podcast.
December 1, 2020UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Nurturing Empathy in Uncertain Times – Pluralism and Global Citizenship webinar series
The University of Calgary has made pluralism a university-wide banner initiative. As part of this initiative, the University is hosting a pluralism podcast/webinar. Moderated by highly regarded journalist, UCalgary Chancellor Deb Yedlin, Mary Gordon joins panelists Dr. Dianne Gereluk (PhD, Dean, Werklund School of Education, UCalgary) and Benedict Kojo Otoo (PhD Candidate, Werklund School of Education, UCalgary). Dr. Aleem Bharwani (MD, physician, Clinical Associate Professor, and Director of Public Policy and Partnerships for the Indigenous, Local, and Global Health Office in the Cumming School of Medicine and O’Brien Institute for Public Health) will introduce the panel, who will be speaking on the topic of helping parents and teachers understand how we can nurture and teach empathy in a digital sphere. How do we teach critical citizenship skills when more and more of our kids’ interactions are digital? Watch here
November 26, 2020BRITISH COLUMBIA NURSES’ UNION 2020 Human Rights & Equity Conference In the Wake: Pandemics and Public Health
Mary Gordon will discuss the many health, social and political issues that have arisen in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference will offer members an opportunity to engage in dialogue on these and other related issues and to reflect on how we can begin to shape our collective future as nurses, health care workers and union activists. Mary’s presentation “What Happened?” delves into the universal experience of the pandemic that hasn’t built solidarity, but loneliness and poor children’s mental health.
November 19, 2020Rediscovering Certainty Empathy & Deep Listening Session
Mary Gordon will explore the theme of empathy and the relationship between deep listening and empathy in this Ashoka Changemaker Summit. With a global audience, the panelists include Vuslat Dogan Sabancı, who recently established a global foundation to support initiatives using deep listening and Kinari Webb of Harmony for Health, who uses deep listening to save rainforests in Indonesia. The summit poses questions like how, at this moment are we trying to shift our perspectives? How do we rediscover certainty? What are the firm values that keep us going? To watch this summit, CLICK HERE
Date TBATHE DALAI LAMA Global Vision Summit
An online event hosted in acknowledgement of the Dalai Lama’s 85th birthday, The Dalai Lama Global Vision Summit will be a six-day virtual summit personally endorsed by His Holiness. The summit is a celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, bringing together teachers and speakers all illuminating the themes of the Dalai Lama’s life and work. Mary Gordon was invited to join the celebration where she will be sharing footage of her previous dialogues with his Holiness.
October 14-25, 2020EMBODIMENT CONFERENCE Mary Gordon presents “Creating an Empathic and Emotionally Literate World”.
Mary Gordon’s compelling presentation in the Leadership and Business channel, explores her empathy-based program, Roots of Empathy, which taps into the emotional lives of children, their creativity and imagination. Mary discusses the research confirming the program’s impact on three continents. Research on Roots of Empathy shows that as children’s empathy increases, aggression and bullying decrease, and prosocial behaviours increase. Over 400,000 people registered for the conference.
September 8, 2020ASHOKA INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER SERIES Geneva Switzerland “EMPATHY—The new essential skill”
Audience: registered participants from Switzerland, Japan, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. Mary Gordon joins Ashoka panellists to discuss questions such as: Does empathy help us when going through schools closures, lock down, and solidarity needs? We are on the cusp of a one-in-a-lifetime moment. After disruption and chaos, our society and economy are now being rebuilt. We have, therefore, an unique opportunity to design the world of tomorrow. What should its fundamentals be? How important will empathy be? How to foster such a skill in the next generation? Ashoka Switzerland hosted “outstanding Canadian Fellow, Mary Gordon, founder of the ground-breaking Roots of Empathy.”
August 31 – September 3, 2020Preschool Neuroscience Summit 2020 Keynote speaker Mary Gordon presents “Cultivating Empathy in Children”.
Mary will discuss why empathy is needed now more than ever in society and the pivotal role that Early Childhood Educators play in its cultivation. Understanding the brain and how it works is essential for preschool teachers and parents. Registrants will learn about how to help children and themselves develop self-regulation and well being. Host of the summit is Dr. Helen Maffini, researcher, co-author of Developing Children’s Emotional Intelligence and creator of Thriving Kids, has successfully run international summits over the last three years with over 30,000 registrants that were headlined by Dr. Daniel Siegel, Dr. Daniel Goleman, and Dr. Rick Hanson, Susan Kaiser Greenland, and many others. This is a 3-day long virtual conference where pre-recorded interviews with industry experts will be broadcast.
August 21, 2020FIRKI TEACH FOR INDIA “Why empathy is crucial in our post-covid world”.
Mary Gordon presents at Firki, the teacher education portal of Teach For India and a fellow winner of the HundrED educational innovator award. She will describe the history and research on the Roots of Empathy program. Narrative, video and children’s art will be used to explain how this school-based initiative has captured the attention of neuroscientists around the world. Emphasis will be placed on how the organization pivoted in the face of COVID-19 to design a new program adaptable to COVID-19 challenges.
August 6, 2020Mary Gordon is invited by the SAMUEL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS for a Roundtable Discussion to support its Social Connectedness Fellowship program. Topic: Domestic Violence The Social Connectedness Fellowship is supporting its fifth cohort of young leaders who are carrying out community-based research related to overcoming social isolation and building belonging. Part of their outputs last year was producing policy proposals to address the harmful impact of COVID-19 measures in relation to domestic violence. Mary Gordon was invited to contribute to this Roundtable Discussion as SCF believes her experience and knowledge would be of great value to the Fellows.
Publish Date TBCESPERANTO is the first English language magazine published in Japan. Mary Gordon, a Global Social Entrepreneur of influence has been invited to give her view of the future post-covid. In their first issue, world class photographer and journalist Nanako Watanabe will be highlighting writing from Mary Gordon along with three other renowned social entrepreneurs, Bart Weetjens, Hasina Kharbih and David Green. The magazine is looking for a global and humanistic view of the coming era as a common thread.
July 16, 2020TVO TEACH ONTARIO FEATURE, “In Conversation with Mary Gordon”
TVO TeachOntario is an award-winning online community that supports sharing, collaboration and knowledge exchange amongst educators across Ontario. A unique destination for teachers, TeachOntario’s purpose is to serve and celebrate Ontario educators for the broader benefit of Ontario’s students. Mary Gordon’s presentation explores the role of teachers in the success of the Roots of Empathy program and their leadership in nurturing empathy within the classroom. CLICK HERE TO READ THE CONVERSATION rb.gy/2sf7e8
July 17, 2020THE GRIT New York INTERVIEWS MARY GORDON Loralyn Mears, Journalist, from Grit Daily News asks “What’s at the Root of Empathy? We asked Mary Gordon” Grit Daily News is the top news source on Millennial and Gen Z brands — from fashion, tech, and influencers to entrepreneurship and life. Based in New York, their team is global and brings with it over 400 years of combined reporting experience. Grit Daily’s team includes all stars and media veterans from ABC, CBS, CNN, Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., Vice, and Vox — among others. Grit Daily embodies — and covers — the changes of our times. READ THE ARTICLE HERE https://gritdaily.com/collision-from-home-mary-gordon/
June 26, 2020“Towards a Bully Free World” by Mary Gordon Article for Principal Connections Magazine. Published in the Fall 2020 Vol 24 Issue 1 of Principal Connections, a magazine designed for principal and vice-principals of Ontario. This edition will be themed around “bullying”. Principal Connections is the only publication in Ontario that is sent to a wide range of Catholic education leaders, including Principals, Vice-Principals, Directors of Education and Superintendents
June 24, 2020COLLISION CONFERENCE PANEL “Decode Empathy Education”
In this cutting-edge podcast from North America’s fastest growing tech conference, renowned News Anchor at China Global Television Network, Rachelle Akuffo moderates panelists Mary Gordon and Tracey Welson-Rossman, Founder of Chariot Solutions/TechGirlz. With over 30,000 attendees from over 100 countries, Mary presents Decode Empathy Education – revealing the balance needed between relationships and technology and the crisis of connection that is affecting all of us due to COVID-19. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO https://cutt.ly/ChbXeJm
June 17, 2020PODCAST Cork, Ireland “How to talk policy and influence people”
Interviewer and global advocate Jane Mulcahy speaks with Mary Gordon about empathy, the importance of the attachment relationship between a baby and their primary carer, safety, and the fact that “love grows brains”. They also discuss inter-generational trauma and violence, and how the Adverse Childhood Experiences studies have clearly established a range of negative health, relational and behavioural consequences of relational poverty and an accumulation of adversity in childhood. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO https://youtu.be/JiRddeuXQ0g
June 16, 2020THIRD SPACE THOUGHTS TO POLICY, Virginia, USA “Episode 30 – How Empathy Can Break Cycles of Violence”
International podcast host Amina Derbi interviews experts and stakeholders in the field of education policy reform including policy advisors, governmental officials, academics, teachers, and parents. Mary Gordon’s interview discusses how it is not just about mastering arithmetic and literacy, but improving community mindedness, moral reasoning, forgiveness, and empathy so that learning is transformative. The podcast was top and trending multiple times on Messy. FM from 2019-2020. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO shorturl.at/dmyJY
May 18, 2020Romanian ONLINE PANEL “Empathy to tackle the New Inequality”
Mary Gordon speaks on well-being and mental health, the emotional literacy of children and the value of early learning in the family dynamic. Speakers include Ashoka Fellows Flavio Bassi – Latin America, Ole Kassow – Denmark and Dorica Dan – Romania. The host from Ashoka Romania indicated it was their most successful session that day with over 3.3K views.
May 14, 2020EMPATHY MUSEUM PANEL Cologne, Germany “A Mile in My Shoes”
Dorothea Marcus, cultural journalist and theatre critic from Cologne, moderates panelists Clare Patey (Director of the Empathy Museum) and Mary Gordon. Mary discusses empathy and the Roots of Empathy approach, including how the program impacts not just the students, but the participating mothers and babies. FOR MORE ON THE EMPATHY MUSEUM https://cutt.ly/uhbUUMJ
April 22, 2020THE WEEKLY ARTS SHOW on Drive 105, Northern Ireland
Radio interview by Writer and Creative Director Eileen Walsh with Mary Gordon, who will discuss the need for empathy, particularly relevant now. With a focus on the real world as opposed to its digital alternative, Mary discusses raising children in the digital era. CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE PODCAST shorturl.at/ewPZ7
April 16, 2020DISCOVERY MUSEUM, Massachusetts
Mary Gordon Presents “Childhood is the springtime of humanity”, a hopeful presentation discussing the impact of trauma on children and their resilience in dealing with grief and generalized adversity. We all have personal experiences with childhood but now we have neuroscience to inform us about how early experiences shape brain development. Audience Demographic: Early Years Educators, children’s organizations working with special needs kids, parents, grandparents, volunteers and all 30,000 constituents of the Discovery Museum database.
March 11, 2020INVESTITURE CEREMONY FOR THE ORDER OF ONTARIO at Queens Park
The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest honour for an Ontarian who has shown outstanding qualities of individual excellence and achievement. The Lieutenant Governor, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, inducted Mary Gordon with the Order of Ontario in the category of Education. Mary Gordon gave the response to the toast on behalf of all of the 21 inductees.
February 27, 2020LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE FOR ENGLISH EDUCATION (LCEE) in Laval, Quebec
Mary Gordon presents an exploration of teacher well-being and how it plays an important role in the development of positive teacher-student relationships and in creating a healthy learning environment. To Teach is to Reach is theme of the presentation which places emphasis on how teachers can develop an awareness of their own needs to positively influence their role in the classroom. The greatest learning occurs when children and teachers are equipped with experiences and skills that promote social emotional understanding and wellbeing. Mary Gordon will also present a 30-minute closing plenary for the conference.
February 11, 2020DIGITAL LIFE DESIGN CONFERENCE Munich, Germany “Teaching is Reaching”
Mary Gordon presents the keynote speech as well as a workshop and closing plenary at Europe’s biggest technology conference. Mary speaks alongside neuroscientist Susan Greenfield. More than 200 speakers and 1,300 attendees will touch base at #DLD20. For the sixteenth time, “Europe‘ s hottest conference” brings together the most influential opinion-makers, industry leaders, start-ups, and digital giants in Munich and around the world. The Digital Life Design Conference is an invitation-only conference.
January 18, 2020RESPONDING TO CANADA’S URGENT CHALLENGES “Is Human Touch at Risk in the Digital Age?” Mary Gordon’s presentation looks at how human beings are naturally social and thrive on human connections. Modern digital life gets in the way – we are connected, yet disconnected. The growing trend of Digital Detox shows how people are currently trying to solve this conflict. But are there solutions where technology can help us to enjoy meaningful human connections? How can we all together play a role to serve people’s most fundamental need for more human touch? Joining the discussion is Baroness Susan Greenfield, founder and CEO of Neuro-Bio Ltd and Ralph Zimmerer, VP Global Brand and Design NIVEA.
January 15, 2020MARS DISCOVERY DISTRICT Toronto Mary Gordon joins a panel of social entrepreneurs, moderated by Anna Maria Tremonti. Before an audience of people who are successfully engaged in reimagining and rebuilding society, Mary Gordon joins Ms Tremonti in demonstrating the value of the Ashoka network and its critical role in addressing urgent challenges facing the world today.
November 28, 2019
9th EDUCATION INNOVATION FORUM; Education to Save People, Korean Teachers’ Credit Union – Seoul, Republic of Korea
Mary Gordon is the keynote speaker at the 9th Education Innovation Forum in Korea and shares research on the success of her international bullying prevention program. Mary touches on the lifelong effects of adverse experiences, how inequality leads to large social problems later, and the growing sense of frustration and despair of the inequality between generations; rich and poor, educated and not educated, top schools and lower schools.
October 27-30, 2019
SAMUEL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS 2019 Global Symposium; Re-Imagining Community in the 21st Century – Evergreen Brickworks – Toronto, ON
Mary Gordon joins an international panel discussion alongside Ian Skelly, Mary Davis, Honourable Rehmah Kasule, Ramona Herdman, and Sabina Alkire, called: What do we value? Towards Human-Centered Policy Making. This symposium explores how leading organizations and individuals can work to strengthen human connections and build the resilient communities of the future—ones in which we all belong.
October 24, 2019
NURTURING EMPATHY IN YOUNG CHILDREN – Parent and Professional Resource Centre, Lambton College
This presentation by Mary Gordon using videos, art and narrative to show the power of early relationships in all domains of development, in particular, in the development of empathy. Of all the human attributes, empathy tops the scale. Yet empathy is endangered with rates of empathy declining, with loneliness and alienation increasing. This workshop will celebrate the power of Early Educators and the pivotal role of family in building the next generation of citizens and parents. The Parent & Professional Resource Centre (PPRC) offers professional learning opportunities to all Registered Early Childhood Educators, ECE students, home child care providers, parents, teachers and other community partners working with children and youth.
September 21, 2019
ART FOR CHANGE EXHIBITION; Nourishing the Roots of Empathy: Towards a Non-Violent Aotearoa/New Zealand – Auckland, New Zealand
Art for Change are a group of artists who donate time and art to help humanity. Based in Auckland they assist not-for-profit and community groups to raise awareness and funds for their causes via exhibitions.
This exhibition aims to highlight the critical need to help future generations develop empathy – to ‘place themselves in the shoes of the other’ – and so reduce the misunderstanding, prejudice and stereotyping that lead to anger and violence. Nourishing the Roots of Empathy: Towards a Non-Violent New Zealand has the theme of empathy/compassion/non-violence, and will raise awareness and funds for Roots of Empathy.
August 29, 2019
VIEWING THE CLASSROOM CLIMATE THROUGH THE LENS OF ATTACHMENT-AWARE AND TRAUMA INFORMED TEACHING, 90by30, 10:30 a.m. at Prairie Mountain School (5305 Royal Ave. Eugene, Oregon)
Mary is invited onto 90by30 to help celebrate the success of rural Lane County’s pilot year of her ground breaking program to teach children empathy and compassion through interactions with an infant. Next year, classrooms in all seven regions of the county, including Eugene and Springfield, will join the ROE pilot.
June 19, 2019
SCIENCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION PANEL– Project for the Advancement of our Common Humanity (PACH)
Mary Gordon, who contributed a chapter to the book by PACH (Project for the Advancement of our Common Humanity) called “The Crisis of Connection” – joins a panel discussion and reads an excerpt from her chapter of the book at the Carey Institute for Global Good in Rensselaerville, NY USA.
PACH is a think-and-do tank that draws from the science of human connection in order to create a more just and humane world.
Click here to listen to Mary Gordon read an excerpt from her Chapter of the book.
May 31, 2019
SPIRIT OF HUMANITY FORUM; Discovering Harmony in a World of Difference – Spiritual Resilience in Practice – Reykjavik, Iceland
In this panel, “Harmony in Ourselves and in Our Communities”,
Mary Gordon, Boris Cyrulnik, Imad Karam, Dina Shoman, and Caroline Casey share their personal stories and look at how inner harmony might contribute to peacefulness in our communities.
May 16 – 17, 2019
2019 ROOTS OF EMPATHY SYMPOSIUM – Toronto, Ont., Canada
Mary hosts the 8th annual Roots of Empathy Symposium at the Globe and Mail Centre – with thanks to our sponsor Nivea and our media sponsor The Globe and Mail. ROE’s goals are to mobilize new knowledge around relevant themes and create space for enhancing connections between researchers and research users and beneficiaries. Each evening includes a keynote presentation followed by a question and answer session with the audience to round out the discussion, incorporating perspectives from those in attendance.
April 25, 2019
METROWEST FOUNDATION’S 2019 SPRING INSPIRATION BREAKFAST – Wellesley, MA. E
Mary is the keynote speaker at the MetroWest Foundation’s Spring Inspiration Breakfast: a celebration of youth and family philanthropy. The Foundation for MetroWest’s mission is to connect philanthropic opportunity with demonstrated need. They promote philanthropy in the region, help donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serve as a resource for local non-profit organizations, and improve the quality of life for all citizens
April 13, 2019
INSPIRING EARLY LEARNING CONFERENCE ; Slowing Down to Connect, Organized by Investing in Quality Early Learning and Childcare Peterborough – Fleming College
Mary is the keynote speaker on “Slowing down to connect” and runs one of the workshops on Temperament called “Temperament Tells Us All”, at Fleming College. This interactive workshop will give educators an opportunity to understand the impact of the 9 temperament traits on how children participate, how they succeed and why they fail. Being attuned to a child’s temperament allows parents and educators to connect in ways that set the child up for success. Participants will have an opportunity to think of their own temperament traits and how they are a match or a mismatch in some key relationships including parenting and teaching.
March 28, 2019
VANIER INSTITUTE CONFERENCE; Little Data Through a Family Lens – Ottawa, ON.
Mary joins a panel titled “Little Data Through a Family Lens” and discusses the ways in which we measure empathy and love and their impact on our understanding of families
March 20, 2019
WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN 2019 CONFERENCE; What Price Infant Mental Health? – Park Place, London, UK.
Mary provides a keynote presentation on infant mental health and is joined by Dr Cheryll Adams CBE, Dr Pam Jarvis, Dr Aric Sigman and Dame Sarah Storey. The focus for the 2019 conference is infant mental health and what needs to change to reduce the growing number of children and young people with mental health problems.
February 22 – 23, 2019
ASHOKA U EXCHANGE 2019: BEYOND BOUNDARIES & BORDERS; Expanding Possibilities for the Future of Higher Education – University of California San Diego, CA. U.S
Mary Gordon, one of the Ashoka Fellows, will lead an immersive session called The Essential Element in Leading Positive Social Change, which shows you how to bring more empathy and humanity into your leadership roles and everyday practices.
The Ashoka U Exchange is a 3-day learning lab, testing ground, space for celebrating innovation, and spark for the collaboration of 700 of educators, students, and other higher education professionals from across the world. It’s a home for creative problem solvers, learners, listeners, and visionaries. Despite our diverse roles, experiences, and background we share the vision: We must rewire our colleges and universities to enable, empower, and catalyze changemakers across our institutions.
The 2019 Exchange is designed to reinvigorate your work as a changemaker educator and connect you with a community of others who share your same passion and vision for a changemaker world.
February 15 – 17, 2019
EDUCATING WITH EMPATHY CONFERENCE; Cultivating Kindness, Compassion,
Cooperation, and Good Behavior, Learning and the Brain – San Francisco, CA. U.S
Mary Gordon will be part of the workshop THE SCIENCE OF EMPATHY: TEACHING GRATITUDE & PROSOCIAL BEHAVIORS. Mary will speak on nurturing the Roots of Empathy in Education. Learning & the Brain is an internationally recognized education conference organizer that has been putting together pivotal education conferences per year since 1999. This year’s conference focuses on Empathy and explores the “Science of Human Goodness” and how empathy, compassion, and kindness are hardwired in the brain and are essential for human survival.
January 24 – 25, 2019
THE EDUCATION CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATION’S LARGEST REVOLUTION, Learnit – Central Hall Westminster, London, UK.
Mary Gordon will be part of a Panel on Impactful and Scalable Grassroots Innovations.This session will showcase some of the HundrED global education innovations that have successfully driven impactful and scalable change within education globally. This conference will drill down into how these projects achieved scale, how they were funded and the tangible outcomes that resulted from each project.
This two-day event is a great opportunity for educators, investors, corporates, EdTech start-ups, policy makers, and media to be part of intellectually honest conversations about the current state and future of learning. Learnit’s mission is to create a better world by catalysing change in education globally. They believe that by uniting the global learning community, and leading an intellectually honest conversation about the current state and future of learning, we can revolutionise education, and ultimately change the world.