Dr. Olga Klimecki, a neuroscientist and psychologist, discusses her research on mindfulness, neuroplasticity, and compassion in this interview. She explores how mindfulness and compassionate practices can enrich lives, improve brain health, and even foster conflict resolution on both individual and societal levels.

Dr. Lynn Reeder from the Charter for Compassion discusses her work promoting compassion-driven initiatives from local community projects to global research collaborations. She highlights the Charter's impact across 470 cities worldwide and shares insights on innovative projects like "Seeds of Compassion" in Ballarat, Australia. Dr. Reeder also explains her role in advancing compassion science through research initiatives and networks, emphasizing the need for evidence-based approaches and action at all levels to create a more compassionate world.

Across the world, democracy is in retreat. In many nations, far-right populist leaders are gaining ground while everywhere elections are becoming increasingly susceptible to interference by rogue states. The result is increased distrust in politics and divisions in society. In this panel, we will explore the guiding role that compassion can play in helping us not only reinvigorate support for democratic ideals but also create political systems that are inclusive, cooperative, and effective in improving the lives of citizens.

With the avalanche of information coming at us every day, closing down our minds and hearts seems to be the only way to survive. In this climate of distraction and division, Nate Klemp, PhD, will talk about the new science and age-old practices we can use to experience more moments of openness.

On 7 July 2017 – following a decade of advocacy by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and its partners – an overwhelming majority of the world’s nations adopted a landmark global agreement to ban nuclear weapons. It entered into force on 22 January 2021. In this talk with Claire Yorke, expert on empathy and international security and convenor of the GCC's working group on International Relations, Daniel Hogsta - Interim Director of ICAN - will talk about how the treaty was won, the lessons he learned, and why peace is always possible.

10,000 children die every day from hunger-related illnesses and globally more than 1 billion children live in poverty. This despite the fact we have the resources and the wealthy to alleviate poverty and end hunger. To build a compassionate world today and have it last into the future, we must start to invest properly in the care, nurturance, and wellbeing of the youngest among us.

This panel explored how we can do that.

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird and GCC President Rick Hanson discuss the topic of decolonizing mindfulness and using neuroscience research to examine how mindfulness approaches and traditional Indigenous contemplative practices can train the mind and positively change the structure and function of the brain. They discuss the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization, including neurodecolonization, which involves combining mindfulness approaches with traditional and contemporary secular and sacred contemplative practices to replace negative patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior with healthy, productive ones.

Join best-selling author Gretchen Rubin and GCC President Rick Hanson in conversation about how we can tap into our five senses as a path to a happier, more mindful life. Gretchen Rubin has been studying happiness and human nature for over a decade, and will be sharing about her latest book Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World.

Dr. Jud Brewer, New York Times best-selling author and thought leader in the field of habit change, shares the practice of cultivating curiosity for others. If we are to overcome the sense of division that grips many societies today, we have to generate a sense of real understanding with each other. That starts with curiosity: asking questions, developing empathy, and walking in one another’s shoes. This practice will help you to harness your curiosity to gain a deeper appreciation and greater knowledge of the world and the people around you.

This meditation features a loving-kindness practice aimed at fostering feelings of goodwill and kindness towards oneself and others. It guides listeners through various stages, including focusing on breath, visualizing loved ones and acquaintances, and extending kindness to oneself and the broader community, all while maintaining a centered and calm mindset.