Media Advisory and Photo Opportunity - Roots of Empathy Baby Celebration: 100
babies and other guests to gather to celebrate a year of Roots of Empathy in
Toronto

TORONTO, June 7 /CNW/ -

    
    WHAT   A celebration honouring Roots of Empathy babies, the world's
           youngest teachers, from across Toronto. For the past 10 months,
           these infants - and their parents - have taught 2,600 children in
           Toronto about empathy.

    WHERE  St. Lawrence Hall - Great Hall
           157 King St. East (at Jarvis)

    WHEN   Wednesday, June 9, 2010
           1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
           (xxx) Photo opportunity of Roots of Empathy babies at
                 approximately 1:50 p.m.

    WHO    - One hundred babies: the "teachers" of the Roots of Empathy
             program, and their dedicated parents who volunteer their time.
           - The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Education
           - Educator, parenting expert, child advocate, social entrepreneur,
             and author Mary Gordon (Founder/President of Roots of Empathy).
           - Jeff Sprang, Director of Communications, Ontario Public School
             Board Association (Master of Ceremonies).
           - Scott Rutherford, Chair, Board of Directors, Roots of Empathy
           - Guests will include Roots of Empathy instructors, classroom
             teachers, and students in the Roots of Empathy program.

    WHY    Because more and more, thought leaders and neuroscientists are
           recognizing that empathy matters, acting as a break against
           cruelty, exclusion and bullying and an accelerator for learning,
           positive social behaviour, and a civil society. In 1996, Roots of
           Empathy began as a small pilot project bringing the power of
           empathy to 150 children in Toronto using the model of a baby and
           parent. Today the organization is widely acclaimed (including by
           His Holiness, the Dalai Lama), has reached 325,000 children in
           four countries, 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