History
“Just as we take for granted the need to acquire proficiency in the basic academic subjects, I am hopeful that a time will come when we can take it for granted that children will learn, as part of their school curriculum, the indispensability of inner values such as love, compassion, justice and forgiveness.”
– Dalai Lama
Background
During the Dalai Lama’s visit to Vancouver, Canada in 2004, we began a dialogue about the future of education in the 21st Century. The Dalai Lama stated his unequivocal belief that formal education must balance educating the mind with educating the heart. By doing so, we can foster the conditions for a more compassionate and peaceful future.
Following the 2004 visit, His Holiness endorsed the founding of the The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education (DLC) in Vancouver. He specifically requested that the Center gather scientific research and develop evidence-informed programs to show the world that educating the heart is beneficial to both the individual and the communities we live in.
As one of only a few organizations worldwide that has been personally endorsed by the Dalai Lama, we are inspired by his belief in the importance of balancing the education of children’s minds with that of their hearts. While we are guided by the Dalai Lama’s vision for education in a more compassionate world, the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education is a non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit our about us page.
History
2015
The Dalai Lama Center launched the Heart-Mind Parenting Project and began delivering Heart-Mind Professional Development Workshops across Metro Vancouver. In October, we produced the third annual Heart-Mind Conference at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The theme of the conference was Human Connection in a Digital World.
2014
The Dalai Lama Center held its second annual Heart-Mind Conference at UBC Point Grey in May. The theme of the conference was The Science of Kindness. In October, The Dalai Lama Center welcomed back to Vancouver His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who participated in two days of dialogues and events during Be the Village: Heart-Mind Summit. During the Summit, we launched Heart-Mind Online, a web resource to support educators, parents and community members.
2013
The Dalai Lama Center held its inaugural Heart-Mind Conference at UBC Point Grey. The theme of this sold-out event was How Mindfulness Helps Children Thrive. After several years of research and development, the Heart-Mind Index was piloted in seven diverse communities in British Columbia.
2012
The Dalai Lama Center unveiled a Bold Vision for BC's Children and Youth. The plan sets out to answer the Dalai Lama's question: "How can we educate the hearts of children?"
2011
Sir Ken Robinson, world renowned educational expert, spoke to a sold out Vancouver Playhouse for Educating the Heart and Mind.
2010
The DLC named Lynn Green, formerly Associate Superintendent with the Vancouver Board of Education, as President and CEO.
2009
The DLC hosted the Vancouver Peace Summit: Nobel Laureates in Dialogue in Vancouver in September 2009.
2008
The DLC sponsored several events in 2008, including a weekend with Daniel Goleman, author of the New York Times bestsellers Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence.
2007
The Dalai Lama Center presented a number of events, including several 'Connecting for Change' dialogues.
2006
At the invitation of the Center, the Dalai Lama agreed to host the first Vancouver Dialogues in September 2006 and committed to regularly visit Vancouver to further the work of the Dalai Lama Center, including participating in a series of lectures with Nobel Laureates, educators, scientists, business leaders and visionary thinkers.
An Open Space Dialogue with interested members of the public was held in April to examine the role of the Center in the local community.
2005
The Dalai Lama Peace and Education Center was established as a Charitable Trust on September 21, 2005.
A board of International Advisors was established. The Dalai Lama articulated his vision for the Center in meetings with Victor Chan and others in Gothenburg, Sweden; Wiesbaden, Germany; Tucson, Arizona; and Dharamsala, India.
Initial funding was secured to proceed with the establishment of the Center.
2004
The Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, visited Vancouver to give two public talks and to participate in a roundtable dialogue with other visionary thinkers and Nobel Laureates. He also received honorary degrees from both UBC and SFU.
As a result of the overwhelming public response to the visit, the vision of a Dalai Lama Center committed to educating the heart was conceived by Victor Chan and endorsed by the Dalai Lama.