{"id":71,"date":"2019-07-17T18:17:50","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/2013compassionconference\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:17:50","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:17:50","slug":"2013compassionconference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/2013compassionconference\/","title":{"rendered":"2013 WCSU to bring community together at two-day conference"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 On Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, 2013<\/strong>, Western Connecticut State University<\/a> will hold a two-day symposium \u201cCompassion and Creativity in the Community.\u201d The event will focus on how community leaders and organizations, including those in education, health, government, spiritual and business, can develop an understanding of people\u2019s need for compassion and kindness in today\u2019s busy world.<\/p>\n

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The conference will be open to the public and will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days at the Portuguese Cultural Center<\/a>, 65 Sandpit Road in Danbury. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. on both days. Pre-registration will be available at the www.wcsu.edu prior to the event.<\/p>\n

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Since one of the catalysts for such a community discussion is the tragic school shooting that took place in Sandy Hook, Newtown, on Dec. 14, the conference will also discuss the role of community in healing in the wake of tragedy.<\/p>\n

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Former Connecticut State\u2019s Attorney, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal<\/a> will be the keynote speaker on April 12. Dr. Bernie Siegel<\/a> \u2014 physician, speaker and author of many books on holistic healing \u2014 will be the keynote speaker on April 13. Siegel\u2019s belief is that \u201cwe are here to contribute love to the planet \u2013 each of us in our own way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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WCSU Professor of Political Science Dr. Christopher Kukk, who is helping to organize the conference, said that reaching out to members of governmental, educational, business, health and spiritual communities is a way to promote healing and strengthen the community.<\/p>\n

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The symposium will look at how being compassionate will aid the healing process that people in this area and beyond need in order to tackle today\u2019s issues in a healthy, positive manner.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIn other words, how can we turn something destructive into something constructive?\u201d Kukk posed, adding that compassion means showing respect for the dignity of every individual.<\/p>\n

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Western is one of two universities in the country recognized by Compassion Action Network<\/a> as a compassionate university. This is WCSU\u2019s second compassion conference<\/a>. Kukk says the activities and efforts of the WCSU Compassion and Creativity Club stem from its being a university of compassion. The club is a grassroots effort in that \u201cwe were started from the ground up \u2014 we started with students.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Some of the issues that will be raised at the conference include how to handle major issues with a sense of compassion \u2014 being mindful that these issues involve people and are not just about politics and business.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe want people to think differently about compassion and hope that compassion will eventually extend to matters of homelessness, immigration policy, gun control, health, mental health and public safety,\u201d Kukk said.<\/p>\n

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The two keynote speakers will address the conference, followed by panel discussions comprised of national and local leaders, including Danbury\u2019s mayor, Mark Boughton, and Newtown\u2019s first selectwoman, Pat Llodra. The conference will culminate with an interactive panel discussion with the community audience and will focus on three main questions: How can we turn something destructive into something constructive? How can we shift from \u201cme\u201d to \u201cwe\u201d? and How does compassion affect the dynamics of a community?<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe may live and work in one community, but we are part of a whole,\u201d Kukk said.<\/p>\n

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For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England\u2019s best small private universities<\/em><\/p>\n

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