About Us

“How can we educate the hearts of children?” - Dalai Lama

Background

Established in 2005 in Vancouver, Canada, the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education is inspired by the Dalai Lama’s vision for 21st century education. His belief that a balance between educating the mind and educating the heart will help create a more compassionate and peaceful world is the cornerstone of the Center’s mission.

The Center is a non-religious, non-political charitable organization governed by a Board of Trustees. We work to inform, inspire and engage the adults who care for and teach children in homes, schools and community learning environments. By sharing current research, scientific knowledge, resources and best practices related to social and emotional learning, the Center is a leading advocate for change in how we educate our children.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education gratefully acknowledges that we work from the unceded, ancestral, traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw people, including the lands belonging to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ /Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Our long-standing and ongoing commitment to heart-mind well-being is at the core of everything we do and who we are. As an employer, the DLC is proud to be an equal opportunity organization, welcoming BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

We are grateful to receive the counsel of our Indigenous Advisory Board partners for our Heart-Mind in the North Project, as part of our commitment to decolonization. As well, our training sessions with Nahanee Creative, along with consultation with Fiona LaPorte, have helped to inform our staff members, Board members, and Consultants on ways we can better take an active role in decolonizing our work.

All of us at the Dalai Lama Center commit to:

  • Actively reviewing our Code of Conduct, processes, programs, and communications in order to uproot endemic biases within our systems.
  • Examining and uncovering any unconscious, implicit or other biases that exist within our Board, Team and network.
  • Educating ourselves and our extended team on racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, ableism and social justice.
  • Developing program content that is informed by anti-oppression principles and frameworks.
  • Sharing resources that will help our community counteract systemic racism and other forms of discrimination.
  • Finding opportunities to amplify the voices and experiences of Black & Indigenous and LGBTQ2+ people in our community.

As we do this work, all of the qualities of heart-mind well-being will guide us.

Vision 

Compassionate children in a peaceful world.

Mission 

Educate the hearts of children by informing, inspiring and engaging the communities around them.

Programs and Events

Our programs and events help create learning environments and supports that enable positive human qualities such as compassion and caring in children and youth.

  • Our website Heart-Mind Online was developed in partnership with the Province of BC and brings together the latest research, success stories, learning resources and best practices to promote Heart-Mind Learning in formal education, community learning environments and family services. The online resource was launched during the Dalai Lama’s visit in October 2014, and we are continually developing new evidence-informed learning resources to support parents and educators. 
  • Our popular webinar series and annual Heart-Mind Conference bring together world-renowned researchers, scientists, educators and change-agents to share the latest developments in social and emotional learning, neuroscience, child psychology, public health and education.

In addition to our ongoing programs, the Dalai Lama Center is a leading advocate for Social and Emotional Learning and we consult with all levels of government and international agencies to develop public policies that contribute to a more compassionate, inclusive and peaceful society. Our work over the last decade has attracted scholars, researchers and thought-leaders from around the world to share their expertise and contribute to our mission. Read more about the history of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education.

Stay Connected

Help the Dalai Lama Center be a global leader for change in the 21st Century. If you would like to support us in this important work promoting peace, compassion and Heart-Mind well-being in BC and around the world, please see how you can get involved.

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