Abstract
Dr. Abdesalam Soudi and Dr. Jen Murtazashvili:
During these challenging times, our commitment to building community and fostering compassionate learning environments has never been more crucial. The art of living peacefully with those who hold different values or worldviews is a critical skill for the preservation and advancement of democracy. Universities have a unique opportunity and responsibility to foster environments where constructive conversations can flourish. Such environments not only benefit the individual learner but also contribute to the health of the broader community and the democratic process.
This session builds upon our "United in Compassion" framework, initiated in the fall of 2023, and will explore innovative teaching practices that not only establish robust academic communities but also promote civil discourse as a cornerstone of intellectual growth.
We will underscore the pivotal role of compassion in shaping inclusive spaces for diverse voices to be heard. The questions we will address include:
How can we ensure that students are not merely academically equipped but also culturally engaged to contribute to civil society? How can we foster a sense of community in the classroom? In what ways can we integrate compassion, empathy, and understanding into our teaching methodologies? How can we cultivate respectful dialogue in the face of differing views? Lastly, how do we promote compassion when confronted with tragedy and conflict?