Roots of Empathy Event

Mary Gordon, Founder of the Roots of Empathy;  Marion Hancock, Director of the Peace Foundation;  My greetings to you all. Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni.

It is a particular pleasure to be invited to speak at this function because it is to thank the parents - and the babies - who have taken part in the Roots of Empathy programme in 2007.  I am here as one the Patrons of the Peace Foundation.

I first heard of the programme when I met Marion at an investiture dinner at Government House in Auckland earlier this year.  At its heart are monthly visits to the classroom by a baby, usually about three months' old when the year begins, and his or her parent.

The pupils not only get to see the infant develop, gaining a real understanding of the stages it goes through, but also they learn a lot about being a parent and how a parent understands the needs of a baby when the baby can't yet speak.

In our structured society, in the first ten years, a person learns to speak, read, write and understand concepts such as numbers.   A key emotional concept is empathy—the ability to understand how someone else feels.  Tenderness and the wish to nurture stems from empathy and it needs to be experienced.  By including it in the learning programme, this Roots of Empathy curriculum has shown that the classroom-learning environment can be improved and made emotionally and physically a safer place.  I predict that the long-term benefits for society will be significant.

First, especially if supported at home, the values that the school children learn in this environment will stay with them because it is meaningful and based on experience.

Secondly, for the babies, interaction with other people, especially older children, provides valuable additional interactive stimuli.

Thirdly, the programme reinforces values of compassion and humanity so important in our growing populations where housing breaks down interaction between ages and families.

I wish to acknowledge again Mary Gordon, who founded Roots of Empathy, and who flew from Canada to be part of today's celebration.

Roots of Empathy is a step forward for our schools because now they can include a programme that enables children to have an emotional learning experience.  Today marks the end of the beginning of the three-year trial run and I wish to commend the Peace Foundation and the participating schools.

A significant initiative such as this depends on all those whose zeal and commitment gives it 'legs'.  To the parents who give of their time voluntarily and are at the centre of the effort, your contribution means that the future for your babies is brighter.  Laurie O'Reilly said that 'every child needs an adult who is crazy about them'.  You are that person for your baby and it is challenging at times.  Can we give those parents a very big and sustained round of applause?

And, while they are unlikely to remember this event, we say thank you to the beautiful babies involved as well!

I wish you success for your sterling efforts for the children and the future of this beautiful and unique country of New Zealand.  We do so much so well here:  No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.