His Holiness to take part in Conference on Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century  Educators, scientists and contemplative Dialogue on Cultivating a Healthy Mind, Brain and Heart [Tuesday, 25 August 2009, 10:46 a.m.]

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama will participate in the 19th Mind and Life conference
on the theme of ‘Educating World Citizens in the 21st Century’, in
Washington, DC, from 8 to 9 October 2009, the organisers said. The
conference aims to explore the value of integrating emotional,
intellectual and social learning into today’s educational programs with
the intention to promote education research into these areas.  Leading
educators, scientists and policy makers will discuss the importance of
researching what effects the inclusion of mindfulness-based curriculums
and programs can have in educational environments, especially for
students exposed to risk factors such as poverty, violence and divorce.
 Research indicates that school-based programs may be the best
way for children to develop the non-academic but equally important
skills necessary to be successful in our society. Programs across the
country that teach mindfulness of the self and others have
significantly improved academic performance, work habits and
self-esteem.  “We hope to draw more attention to expanding
research into mindfulness-based educational approaches, such as social
and emotional learning, and how such reforms can improve attention,
self-motivation, self-esteem, and healthy decision-making skills among
school-aged children and teenagers,” said Adam Engle, Chairman of The
Mind and Life Institute.  “Our goal is not to promote any
particular educational approach, but to generate dialogue and new ideas
from experts in this field,” said Laura Baun, Operations Director of
The Mind and Life Institute. “Ultimately, we want to know what the
value of contemplative practice is to students, teachers and parents.
Our dialogue with the Dalai Lama will look at what students need, and
what we can learn by promoting research in these areas.”  Participants
in education, neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy will participate
in four sessions during the conference.  His Holiness the Dalai Lama
will be active in each session, which include “Attention, Emotional
Regulation and Learning,” “Compassion and Empathy,” and “Envisioning
the World Citizen.”  The 18th Mind and Life dialogue held in
April this year in Dharamsala focussed on understanding the nature of
reality and promoting human well-being.