“When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.” —His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama

Are young people more interested in Snapchat than actually talking to each other? Is the local mall the first place families think of to go when they want to be happy? Too often we get caught up in acquiring more things instead of engaging in meaningful experiences with others. This can create distance between people which makes it more difficult to resolve disputes or respond compassionately when someone is in need. We can better understand what another person is thinking or feeling if we can imagine being in their shoes and experience a moment in life as they see it. It makes it easier to bully someone who is perceived to be different on the outside when, in fact, on the inside, we all basically need the same things to be happy – kindness, acceptance, purpose. Through engaging classroom activities, thoughtful homework assignments, relevant videos, and suggested projects, young people are introduced to some of our most pressing global challenges. As they work together on proposed solutions, they begin to create for themselves a meaningful life.