Compassion in Action
Across Tibetan communities in exile and Indian communities, young people have been coming together to explore what compassion means in practice — through creativity, dialogue and shared learning.
Inspired by the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, these spaces have invited reflection on empathy, responsibility, and how compassion can be lived in everyday life.
This year-long journey has brought together Tibetan and Indian volunteers, educators and facilitators working with schools and youth groups across different settings.
Rather than a single experience, it has unfolded as a series of encounters — shaped by creativity, conversation and shared exploration.
I will, after this session, be more mindful about hope that is hidden in every act.”
Workshop participant
Programme Highlights
Through workshops and sessions with children and young people, participants have engaged in theatre, art, poetry, music, storytelling and dialogue.
These activities created space to:
- reflect on personal values
- explore empathy and responsibility
- think about conflict, identity and emotional wellbeing
- connect individual experience with wider social understanding
What emerged most strongly was the openness of young people to engage deeply when given space to reflect and create together.
“I learned that compassion is also about the self, not just others. If we can’t give to ourselves, or if our cup is empty, how can we give to others?”
Student participant
Inter-school / community sessions
In different school and community settings, young people worked together in mixed groups, exploring real-life situations through interactive activities and creative expression.
Themes such as inclusion, conflict, and understanding others were explored not as abstract ideas, but through lived scenarios and shared discussion.
Reflections
Many participants spoke about how the experience gave them space to slow down, express themselves, and think differently about how they relate to others.
Across sessions, a common thread emerged — the importance of having safe, creative spaces where young people can speak openly, listen deeply, and be heard.
What stays with us
Created as part of the Year of Compassion marking the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Compassion in Action brought young people together through creativity, dialogue and shared experience.
What remains are the conversations, reflections and connections that continued beyond each session — and the reminder that compassion is something lived, practiced and shared with others.
"When we are compassionate, we understand other people's perspectives better and that helps us stay together in peace, [in a] safe environment."
Student participant
About the Programme
Compassion in Action is part of a wider initiative, Empowering the Vision, supported by Tibet Relief Fund to encourage dialogue, creativity and emotional wellbeing among young people through community-led activities inspired by the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
