Activating Empathy and Perspective-Taking for Enhanced Cross-Cultural Understanding

Description

Research has consistently demonstrated that two of the most essential practices to develop cross-cultural understanding and increase individuals’ stakes in DEI topics are perspective-taking and the subsequent development of empathy. While most of us feel we understand the concept of empathy, there is more to empathizing effectively than we may recognize.

This session will take a deep dive into this concept to ask: What does empathy look and feel like? What barriers exist to developing empathy with our cultural others? What common challenges arise in the practice of empathy, and how can we address them? Facilitators will supplement content and conversation with models to inform our thinking, videos, case studies, and activities that challenge participants to adopt the perspectives of their cultural others, considering their learning in the process.

Learning Outcomes

• Deepen definitional and practical understandings of empathy
• Practice strategies for expressing empathy to support others
• Engage in perspective-taking and reflect on the learning associated and the potential for such learning to bring about transformative change