Start young. Early childhood education. Children are the future. Those are sayings that helped develop generations of children to become active members in society. Activating Empathy is the latest competition by Ashoka Changemakers based on the idea that empathy can be taught and that it is the essential element for changing the world.
The competition is calling for ideas for integrating empathy as a core component of the student learning experience. Participants have until March 30, 2012 to submit their ideas. One winner will be selected from online voting and two overall winners will be selected by a panel of judges.
An early entry prize for ideas submitted before February 23, 2012 will include one of five consultation sessions with an Ashoka fellow. Mattel will offer two $10,000 prizes and one $5,000 prize for ideas embracing empathy through play to the best eligible entrants. DonorsChoose.org is offering a Townsend Press Prize for the top five solutions by a U.S. public-school teacher, student, or administrator that advance the mastery of empathy in a way that addresses bullying.
The purpose of this competition is to find solutions from around the world that encourage social and emotional development, unlock new ways to view problems, open a door to new solutions, address bullying, promote diversity and respect for differences, and champion children to become real-world problem solvers as opposed to bystanders.