Emory University hosted the Compassion Shift Launch from September 30 to October 1, celebrating the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as part of the university’s Year of Compassion initiative, drawing participants from approximately 25 countries worldwide. The program concluded with the closing session of Emory-Tibet Week on October 3 at Drepung Loseling Monastery, Inc., Atlanta.
The Year of Compassion at Emory University highlights the remarkable work of Emory’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics in integrating the science and philosophy of compassion into teaching, research, and practice. Since its establishment in 1998, the Center continues to bring together science and contemplative wisdom to foster a more compassionate world through three signature programs: Emory-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI), CBCT® (Cognitively-Based Compassion Training), and SEE Learning® (Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning).
Hannah Smith, Chairperson of Emory University’s Compassion Shift Organizing Committee, moderated the inaugural session. Professor Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi, the Center’s Executive Director, delivered opening remarks highlighting Emory University’s nearly three-decade academic collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Eminence Professor Samdhong Rinpoche joined virtually and delivered a special message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the occasion, following which he gave his keynote address. The session featured special remarks from Dean Barbara Krauthamer and Dean Emeritus Robert Paul and Dr. Gary Hauk.
Dean Krauthamer reflected on the event’s significance: “As we launch the Year of Compassion, I invite you to join us in realizing His Holiness’s vision for a compassion revolution that transcends borders and connects communities worldwide. Together, we can help create a more just, humane, and compassionate future.”
The four-day program featured expert presentations on diverse topics including:
- Compassion as the engine of service, leadership, and global change
- The future of leadership is compassion
- Bridging science and spirituality
- Cultivating a community of compassion and wellbeing at Emory
- Compassion, purpose, and the pursuit of human flourishing
- Compassion as medicine: unlocking the science of health and wellbeing
- SEE Learning and CBCT impact stories
Distinguished speakers included Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, Dr. Daniel Goleman, Dr. Tim Cunningham, Kirstie Papworth, Jeff Rosenweig, His Eminence Khensur Geshe Lobsang Samten, Dr. Nicole Gerardo, Dr. Robin Nusslock, Dr. Robert Roeser, Dr. Arthur C. Brooks, Dr. John Lysaker, Dr. Lisa Miller, Maureen Shelton, Elaine Miller-Karas, Richard Gere, Dr. Tsetan Dolkar, Dr. Brendan Ozawa-de Silva, and Timothy Harrison, among many others.
The department’s Additional Secretary Tenzin Pema participated in the SEE Learning Poster Presentation and joined the CBCT and SEE Learning Panel for “Advancing a Global Culture of Compassion: Impact Stories from SEE Learning and CBCT Affiliates” at Emory-Tibet Week 2025. Following the conclusion of programs at Emory University, she met with teachers and parents from Tibetan Language and Culture Schools based in Atlanta and California to discuss implementation and outcomes.
The department is grateful to the Atlanta-based Drepung Loseling Monastery, Inc. for its generous commitment to fund the SEE Learning coordinator’s salary for a three-year period.
