Compassionate Seattle

The Compassionate Action Network launched the 10 Year Campaign for Compassionate Cities in 2010. The Seattle campaign includes 3 elements:

1. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and the City Council affirmed the Charter for Compassion and proclaimed that Seattle is a "Compassionate City."
2. Members of this group meet with citizens, non-profits, educators, youth, businesses, and others to decide how we will support the Charter for Compassion.
3. We share news, events, ideas, and resources with cities around the world in the Compassionate Cities group on this network. (This group focuses on Seattle.)

Our kick-off event was in April 2010 with 2008 TED Prize Winner Karen Armstrong who created the Charter for Compassion. Check out the photos or learn about the program, speakers, and panelists.

Here's what's next...

We will be in the Center House at the Seattle Center starting on Saturday 4/21 and Sunday/Earth Day for the kickoff of the Next 50.

Compassionate Seattle is building a “Stand for Compassion” with the community over the next six months and you are invited!

At the stand you’ll be able to:

• affirm the Charter for Compassion,
• use the Seattle Heart Map,
• learn about the 10 Year Campaign for Compassionate Cities,
• nominate others for the Compassionate Leadership Awards.

This year we gave the Compassionate Leadership Award to Rick Williams and those who helped bring about the John T. Williams Memorial Totem Pole Project. Come see the Totem Pole!

At the stand we will share solutions and stories of compassionate action in our community and engage with others in the movement here and beyond.   

How about volunteering to give some time (2 to 4 hour shifts) talking with your neighbors?   You can help spread the word about the work you are doing and what we are doing together. All of us can be smarter than any of us!   

We are collaborating to publish the Seattle Heart Map - a public information resource that visualizes the connections between individuals, groups and organizations committed to creating a culture of compassion in our region.  

See who's on it and who they are connected to!    We are networking hearts and minds to create a public good. 

What is a compassionate city?

A compassionate city recognizes compassion as an ethical imperative in its policy decisions.  A compassionate city deepens the quality and the extent to which its citizens embrace compassion in caring for its own neighbors. 

Come on down and tell us what you think about creating a culture of compassion in our region and the world!