| Fetzer Institute Sponsors Charter for Compassion - November 12, 2009 |
|
Fetzer Institute Sponsors Charter for Compassion KALAMAZOO, Michigan, November 12, 2009—The Fetzer Institute has joined with Ted.com and Karen Armstrong as the primary sponsor of the Charter for Compassion, a TED Prize project that launches globally today. Endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, among others, the charter was crafted by people from all walks of life, nationalities, beliefs, and backgrounds with the intent to unify, inspire, and bring compassion back into the heart of society.Endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, among others, the charter was crafted by people from all walks of life, nationalities, beliefs, and backgrounds with the intent to unify, inspire, and bring compassion back into the heart of society. Compassion, the principled determination to put ourselves in the shoes of the other, is often referred to as the Golden Rule, a tenet that is central to all major religions. One of the most provocative and original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world, Karen Armstrong used the “wish” that came with her TED Prize to develop a charter that would address the violence attributed to religion around the world and to remind people of the core similarity at the heart of all religions, the Golden Rule. At the unveiling of the Charter, Armstrong and religious leaders called upon the world to make a commitment to living a life of compassion. “Compassion, the ability to ‘feel with’ the other, is now essential—not only for the integrity of the religious enterprise, but for a healthy economy and the survival of our species,” Armstrong contends. Tom Beech, president and CEO of the Fetzer Institute (www.fetzer.org), the charter’s primary sponsor, said, “We are excited about working with Karen Armstrong, TED, and all the many partners to support and advance this amazing effort. Fetzer is committed to the long-term vision of the Charter and finds the opportunity to support a worldwide conversation about the need for greater compassion compelling. We encourage everyone to read, affirm, share, and act on the Charter for Compassion.” The Charter of Compassion’s Call to Action The final text of the charter calls upon us all to:
TED is a nonprofit devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It is an annual conference which brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). TED.com makes the best talks and performances, the ideas worth spreading, from TED available to the public, free. The TED Prize is awarded annually to three exceptional individuals, each of whom receive s$100,000 and the granting of “One Wish to Change the World.” A private operating foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Fetzer Institute engages with people and projects around the world to help bring the power of love, forgiveness and compassion to the center of individual and community life. Founded by broadcast pioneer John E. Fetzer, the Institute carries out its mission in a number of ways: by sharing compelling stories of love and forgiveness at work in the world; by convening conversations to help community leaders explore the practical application of love and compassion in their work; and by supporting scientific research to understand how to increase the human capacity for love, compassion and forgiveness. While the Fetzer Institute is not a religious organization, it honors and learns from a variety of spiritual traditions. |