Media Advisory and Photo Opportunity - "A Decade of Empathy" Baby Celebration
and Research Presentation

Guests - including dozens of babies - to gather to celebrate 10 years of Roots of Empathy in Vancouver & British Columbia

VANCOUVER, June 7 /CNW/ -

    
    WHAT   A celebration honouring 10 years of Roots of Empathy in Vancouver
           and British Columbia and celebrating past and current Roots of
           Empathy babies, Vancouver's youngest teachers. Since 2000, more
           than 675 volunteer babies and parents and numerous volunteer
           facilitators, educators, community agencies, and others have
           brought the Roots of Empathy program to 17,000 children in the
           Vancouver area.

           In addition to the Baby Celebration, media are also welcome to
           stay for a Research Presentation, which explores a decade of
           independent research into Roots of Empathy. British Columbia has
           been the epicentre for Roots of Empathy research for the last 10
           years.

    WHERE  Museum of Vancouver
           Joyce Walley Learning Centre
           1100 Chestnut Street

    WHEN   Thursday, June 10, 2010
           Baby Celebration: 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
           Research Presentation: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
           (xxx) Photo opportunity of Roots of Empathy babies at
                 approximately 3:00 p.m.

    WHO    - Dozens of babies, the "teachers" of the Roots of Empathy
             program, and their dedicated parents who volunteer their time.
           - Children (ranging in age from 2 to 11) and their parents who
             have volunteered over the past decade in the program.
           - The Honourable Linda Reid, MLA, Government of British Columbia
             (invited).
           - Hereditary Chief Ian Campbell, Squamish First Nation.
           - Educator, parenting expert, child advocate, social entrepreneur,
              and author Mary Gordon (Founder/President of Roots of Empathy).
           - Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl from the University of British
             Columbia.
           - Hal Wake, Artistic Director, Vancouver International Writers'
             Festival (Master of Ceremonies).
           - Lyle Virek, Board Member, Roots of Empathy, and Director,
             Aboriginal Relations & Negotiations, BC Hydro.
           - Guests will include Roots of Empathy instructors, classroom
             teachers, and other supporters.

    WHY    Since 2000, Roots of Empathy has reached 85,000 children in
           British Columbia. The ROE organization has also brought the power
           of empathy to more than 325,000 children worldwide. Today Roots of
           Empathy is widely acclaimed (including by His Holiness, the Dalai
           Lama) and has recently garnered unprecedented international media
           attention (TIME magazine, Fox News, etc.).
    

For further information: Julia Morgan, [phone] (mobile), [email protected], www.rootsofempathy.org