#ShareHumanity - Empathy Action

Stitching together messages of peace from around the world

To mark World Peace Day 2018, Empathy Action partnered with humanitarian relief supplier NRS International to run a #PeaceDoves campaign to give wings to a message of hope, peace and reconciliation that went across the world.

The project connected local schools and businesses in Kent with NRS International’s factory workers in Pakistan and Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh. Some even made it to the United Nations for Global Goals week in New York.

Small doves, big messages

Six women stitchers in Pakistan crafted 650 handcrafted dove toys made from upcycled offcuts of refugee blankets and tarpaulins. Speaking about the #PeaceDoves concept, Sandy Glanfield, Innovations Manager at Empathy Action, says:

The doves carry a reminder that for the 65 million refugees around the world, a blanket or tarpaulin is basic necessity to survive. The passionate and skillful women who made the doves, add the love into this story.”

It’s more than just a dove

Empathy Action worked with children at local schools as part of the initiative, including Tonbridge Grammar School, Hilden Grange School in Tonbridge and Lady Boswell’s Primary School in Sevenoaks. The children reflected on the meaning of peace and what peace means to them. They also had the opportunity to buy their very own #PeaceDove.

Local businesses and community groups also backed our campaign, including Juliet’s Café, independent retailer Anna Poulsen, local yoga teacher Helen Bishop and Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club. Peaceful messages about ethical business practices, community, self-care and peace were shared on social media under the #PeaceDoves banner.

Messages of hope

Meanwhile in Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, an art exhibition organised by the Danish Refugee Council to highlight peace and hope in conflict settings, involved over 300 displaced Rohingya children. 150 of our #PeaceDoves were presented to the children as prizes, bringing joy and hope.

I am very happy with this dove. I like it so much” Anjuman (age 8)

Through the #PeaceDoves project, Empathy Action and NRS International hope to raise social awareness, ignite empathy and encourage private businesses and individuals to contribute to a more peaceful society by spreading messages of peace.

Please get in touch if you would like to learn more about how to bring a messages of peace activity to your group.

Students at share their messages of peace

Students trying to sell the Peace Doves at Hilden Grange School

Taking a Dove made by Fozia to the UN during Global Goals week

Messages from Peace from local businesses including Lili from Pinq Creative

The #PeaceDove at the Global People’s Summit in New York

Tonbridge Grammar School craft their messages of Peace

The Peace Doves in Bangladesh

Empathy Action Gifts partner (Annie Makoni) in Zimbabwe helps prepare the dove for its journey

#PeaceDoves made from the scraps of aid items

Lahore #PeaceDove maker Haleema

Lahore #PeaceDove maker Sana

Lahore #PeaceDove maker Nazia

Lahore #PeaceDove maker Fozia

Lahore #PeaceDove maker Shagufta

Empathy Action wearing white at a Peace Assembly on Peace Day

Peace Doves in Sevenoaks

“Desperate Journeys”, understanding the global refugee crisis through empathy

Empathy Action’s new Refugee immersive experience launches this week to help build understanding and action for the biggest humanitarian crisis since the second world war.

The UNHCR reports “we are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record. An unprecedented 65.6 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 22.5 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18”.

As the saying goes, “to begin to really understand another human being, you first need to walk a mile in their shoes.” Empathy Action invites participants to do just that in this new live interactive experience.

“Desperate Journeys” explores the global refugee crisis by tracking the journey of a family forced from their home in a war torn country. It is a challenging piece based firmly on facts, first hand accounts and case studies to bring home to those taking part the human stories behind the headlines.

The experience is delivered within a maze-like set which we can assemble in a large hall or large marquee (at least 12×18 metres). It runs for 70 minutes as part of a 2 hour package delivered by the Empathy Action team, including briefing and a reflective feedback and discussion session. The experience is designed for up to 25 participants at a time, who will be guided through it by our cast members.

By running such simulations we aim to deepen understanding of the greatest refugee crisis since the Second World War and give rise to a heartfelt desire to take action.

To speak to us about “Desperate Journeys” or to book please contact us.

More on Desperate Journeys

Developing Desperate Journeys: Acknowledgements & credits

Journey’s End: getting involved after taking part in Desperate Journeys

Simulation FAQS

Desperate Journeys Launch (Jan 2018) Press Release

From Cambodia With Love

The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) kicks off this weekend in Istanbul. Its purpose is to stand up for common humanity and take action to prevent and reduce human suffering around the world.

In 2012, UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, announced his five-year action plan, commenting that, ‘waves of change are surging around us. If we navigate wisely, we can create a more secure and sustainable future for all.’ The Summit’s aim is to help steer that process, especially with regards to issues such as conflict prevention, respect of international law, and protecting and investing in the most vulnerable members of our global community.

Empathy Action is at the World Humanitarian Summit to support these goals as well as to highlight our work in building empathy, raising awareness and encouraging compassionate action.

This year we have worked with the World Humanitarian Summit and a group of artisans in Cambodia to provide all 6000 participants of the Summit with a special gift which they will find in their welcome packs – a keyring.

The keyrings are made from recycled artillery shells. Still emerging from the dark shadow cast by the Khmer Rouge, who ruled ruthlessly from 1975 to 1979, Cambodia is a country in great need of financial and social recovery. The sale of these bespoke keyrings and other such items helps provide employment and skills-training in a country whose economy still lags well behind some of its Asian neighbours.

We believe that compassionate, community action lies at the heart of many solutions that help alleviate human suffering. It has been a great privilege to work with our Cambodian partners and the WHS to bring these fairly traded crafts to the summit and, in so doing, to promote the work of social enterprise in development.

Investing in the skills of local producers working in marginalised communities is a central aim of Empathy Action, and one which we encourage all who we come into contact with to engage in.

To find out more about the communities we partner with and to see how we can work with your organisation to provide bespoke, ethically sourced crafts, please do contact us.