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Science & Research

Scientific research has established compassion and social-emotional skills as critical factors for health, psychological resilience and social cohesion. These capacities have been shown to enhance brain neuroplasticity and are strongly linked to improved well-being and lasting benefits across childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Compassion

A powerful force for personal and 
collective transformation.

For centuries compassion was regarded as a noble moral virtue - an attitude primarily associated with kindness and sensitivity to human suffering. Today scientific research confirms that compassion is deeply embedded in our nature and biology, shaped through our long evolutionary journey.

It has strengthened human connection, supported psychological resilience in times of crisis and served as a source of courage and wisdom. Compassion has played a vital role in the survival and flourishing of human communities. It heals, builds trust, and strengthens the social fabric.
Neuroscience shows that cultivating compassion:
enhances brain function
lowers levels of stress and anxiety
boosts the immune system
is linked to greater psychological resilience, physical health, and long-term well-being

What Is Compassion?

As defined by the Compassionate Mind Foundation, compassion is a sensitivity to the suffering of oneself and others, combined with a commitment to alleviate and prevent it.

It is an active and dynamic process involving three core components:

1. Awareness — recognizing suffering in ourselves and others

2. A commitment to care — the intention to respond with kindness and support

3. Wise action — taking informed steps to ease suffering

A Mindset That Can Be Cultivated!

Although compassion is often regarded as a fixed trait - something a person either has or doesn’t have - science tells us otherwise: compassion can be taught and developed.
A growing body of research shows that structured compassion training programs, even short-term ones, can bring measurable changes in the brain, strengthening neural pathways linked to emotional regulation, empathy and cooperative behavior.

In school settings, students exposed to compassion-based educational practices develop:

• higher emotional intelligence
• greater resilience in the face of challenges
• enhanced social and emotional skills 
• reduced aggression and conflict behaviors
• increased engagement and intrinsic motivation
• a genuine love for learning and discovery

In the workplace, cultivating compassion leads to:

• increased productivity
• enhanced innovation and creativity
• greater job satisfaction
• improved team collaboration
• reduced stress and burnout

Social & Emotional Skills

Foundations for a thriving, mindful, and balanced life

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for:

developing a healthy sense of identity
managing emotions
achieving personal and collective goals
cultivating empathy
building and maintaining supportive relationships
making responsible decisions
SEL promotes educational equity and excellence through authentic partnerships between schools, families and communities. Its goal is to create learning environments and experiences grounded in trust and collaboration, with inspiring teaching that nurtures critical thinking and supports the growth of all students, alongside constructive assessment.

Social and Emotional Learning plays a vital role in addressing inequalities and empowering students and adults to co-create schools where everyone can thrive in safer, healthier and more just communities.
The SEL programs we design are based on the scientifically grounded framework of CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), the leading international organization in the field. With over three decades of research and educational work, CASEL partners with schools, universities, and global organizations to provide a scientific foundation that advances learning, well-being, and justice in education. Their research and initiatives serve as a key reference point for the development of SEL both locally and internationally.
CASEL has identified five core competencies that shape the framework of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL):


1. Self-Awareness
The ability to understand our own emotions, thoughts and values, and how they influence our behavior across different contexts. This includes recognizing our strengths and limitations while maintaining a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose.

2. Self-Management
The ability to regulate our emotions, thoughts and behaviors in various situations, as well as to achieve personal and collective goals. This involves skills for managing stress, controlling impulses, and sustaining intrinsic motivation and personal responsibility.

3. Social Awareness
The ability to understand others’ perspectives and demonstrate empathy, including for individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures and contexts. This includes showing compassion, understanding broader social and historical norms and recognizing available resources and support networks in family, school and community.

4. Relationship Skills
The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships through effective communication, cooperation and conflict resolution. This involves making ethical decisions and fostering positive interactions in a variety of social settings.

5. Responsible Decision-Making
The ability to make thoughtful, ethical, and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions. This includes evaluating the benefits and consequences of actions for personal well-being, others and the wider community.

Outcomes

Social and emotional skills are an integral part of education and human development, with their effectiveness supported by hundreds of independent scientific studies and data from over 1.000.000 students worldwide.

Students

improved academic performance with higher grades, fewer absences, and increased classroom engagement
development of emotional intelligence
enhanced mental resilience in facing challenges
reduction in aggression, conflicts, and anxiety
strengthened academic commitment and intrinsic motivation
long-term maintenance of positive outcomes comparable to interventions focused solely on academics

Educators

greater professional satisfaction
reduced burnout
improved classroom management and more effective relationships with students
lower stress levels and increased sense of efficacy

Parents

empathetic communication within the family
enhanced emotional regulation skills
stronger emotional connection and understanding
reduction of conflicts and development of mutual trust
increased mental resilience during times of change or pressure

Professionals

development of emotional self-regulation skills
reduced stress and fewer symptoms of depression
fewer conflicts and behavioral issues
cultivation of trusting relationships

Educational Neuroscience

Science in the Service of Well-being

Neuroscience is an exciting journey into the world of the brain - life’s most mysterious and fascinating laboratory. As a dynamic, interdisciplinary field, it explores the structure, function and evolution of our nervous system, combining insights from medicine, psychology, biology, linguistics and technology. By studying the brain’s complex processes, neuroscience reveals how our thoughts, emotions, decisions and behaviors arise — unlocking the limitless potential of the human mind and deepening our understanding of ourselves.
How does the brain learn? When is it most receptive to new knowledge? And what role do emotions play in shaping the learning experience?
Educational neuroscience bridges scientific knowledge about the brain with the art of teaching, opening new horizons in modern education. Based on developmental and cognitive research, it sheds light on how:
skills emerge
emotions influence learning
stress impacts the learning process
attention, emotional regulation, and empathy become key factors for educational success
teachers can form deeper connections with their students
Educational neuroscience provides teachers with profound insights into how children learn, why some teaching strategies work and others don’t, and inspires new approaches that support all learners — not just those who “fit” the traditional system.
Each brain is different and every child 
deserves the opportunity to thrive.
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