Our Story

Empathy for Peace is a Canadian registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of empathy through scientific research and education, with specific applications to evidence based conflict resolution, peace and reconciliation processes.
Empathy for Peace was born out of a new conference initiative - Empathy Neuroscience: Translational Relevance to Conflict Resolution, sponsored by the British Academy and about to take place in London, England. The conference conveners reflected on the ways empathy research could advance evidence-based, empathy-grounded conflict resolution, peace-building and reconciliation processes. The applications were obvious, wide ranging and far-reaching. They concluded that, of the many worthwhile initiatives to advance the human condition, the application of empathy research to conflict resolution, education and the very principles of human rights may perhaps be the most effective way to build a capacity where we are able to share our common humanity. Thus evolved our mission to establish empathy as a vital catalyst of creating fair, just and peaceful communities.
Our Vision
Empathy for Peace operates on the premise that the practice of empathy is the foundation of fair, just and peaceful communities.
Our Mission
Empathy for Peace advances empathy research and education with a specific focus on the translation of empathy research to evidence-based conflict resolution, peace and reconciliation processes.
Our Goals
  1. Advance empathy research and studies by providing grants and scholarships to scientists and scholars studying empathy and its applications to conflict resolution, peace and reconciliation processes.
  2. Promote the translation and dissemination of empathy research by making the results publicly available and accessible.
  3. Support the application of empathy research and serve as a resource for educators, policymakers, organizations and communities interested in translating empathy research into organizational and community-based practice.
  4. Support programs that foster and advance the development of empathy and emotional literacy at home, in schools, in the workplace and within and among communities.