The thoughts behind

The Compassionate Systems Framework, which serves as the inspiration for the teaching materials, was developed at the Center for Systems Awareness. The founders of the center are doing research in Systems Awareness (Systems Awareness Lab) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The Compassionate Systems Framework is aimed at all ages and the school system provides a unique setting for reaching many children.

The teaching materials serve as a tool to create greater self-awareness and a better understanding of systemic problems in order to meet the challenges we currently face:

• We live in a world where everything is becoming increasingly individualized and superficial


• More and more people spend time in front of the screen where the development of social understanding easily becomes inadequate


• Social media promotes a culture of achievement that often leads to poor self-esteem and envy rather than to a greater sense of connectedness


• Too many young people suffer from anxiety and mental health problems


• The global community is facing immeasurable challenges – including war, migration and climate

Objective

• The goal, for the individual, is to cultivate 'compassion' (see definition under the paragraph 'Empathy and Compassion') as well as to develop an understanding of how other people may have different realities. Furthermore, to generate an insight into systemic patterns and to develop an appreciation for the fact that all actions have consequences

(without this appreciation, one can easily overlook one's own role in a problem – regardless of whether it is on a personal or global level)


• By creating open-mindedness, individuals are given the courage to put into play the unique abilities that each of us possesses – abilities that can all contribute to solving the world's problems
  
  
• At the same time, an appreciation is developed for the fact that nothing in nature or in the man-made world exists in isolation. We humans (as well as all parts of nature) are interdependent and thrive best/achieve the most positive outcomes when we are aware of this interrelatedness

Application

• The goal is to develop materials of varying complexity – some are ideally suited for younger children, for example on how to understand cyclic processes, while others require a higher level of abstraction
  
  
• Working with the teaching materials provides ample opportunity for subsequent in-depth discussions


• The materials can be included in general teaching and are also very useful for managing typical playground quarrels

Center for Systems Awareness

• Center for Systems Awareness regularly offers courses, of various durations, on the Compassionate Systems Framework


• The Compassionate Systems Framework was developed in 2017 by a wide range of educators and researchers from different learning environments – including the International Baccalaureate (IB), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Penn State University