What does VOYCE do?
- Content for public health and social change to create impact.
- Work with the arts to create positive behaviour change campaigns.
- Films, advocacy videos, animation videos, musicals and ad films.
- Production of publications – including conceptualising, researching, writing, editing, designing, and printing.
- Primary and secondary level research.
- Events and festivals give an extra edge by leveraging the performing and visual arts to create impact. The company specialises in developing both online and offline events.
- Facilitating training on values in action, authentic leadership, 1-Ness consciousness, and behaviour change communication for health promotion, gender equality, and social change messaging.
- Organising staff engagement and team-building activities.
- Conceptualising and implementing campaigns to promote the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically for positive behaviour change related to health
With guest speaker Anika Singh, discuss oneness, love, and art for social change and reflect on gratitude and human connections.
Key Takeaways
- Oneness involves feeling connected to all living beings and the environment, transcending separateness.
- Art can be a powerful medium for social change, public health messaging, and expressing complex ideas.
- Gratitude emerges from recognising positive experiences caused by others; animals may exhibit gratitude-like behaviour.
- My Good School will evolve to focus on the "Joy Of Giving" in 2025, with upcoming events celebrating poetry, art, and music.
Topics
Anika Singh's Background and Work
Started social work at age 14 and represented India at international conferences.
Worked with WHO and UN agencies for 10+ years on public health campaigns
Founded organisation VOYCE (Vision and Opportunities for Youth and Community Empowerment)
Uses art for public health messaging and social change
Oneness and Love - 1Ness (the way VOYCE says it)
Oneness is feeling connected to all beings and nature, with no separation.
Love emerges naturally from oneness and creates a sense of belonging everywhere.
Contrasted with artificial intelligence - oneness intelligence about higher purpose and connection
Art for Social Change
An art competition was used to explain depression through various mediums (dance, sand art, music videos, etc.).
More impactful than traditional messaging for sensitive topics
Upcoming "Returning to Love" event on Jan 12, 2025, to showcase art on oneness, love, UN SDGs
Inviting submissions of visual art with 300-350 word impact stories
Behaviour Change Approaches
Changing the environment is more effective than targeting individuals
Using "nudges" - subtle environmental cues to inspire positive habits
Consistency in messaging is key
Leveraging platforms like social media, games bookmarks to reach youth
Gratitude in Animals
Difficult to definitively prove, but anecdotes suggest the possibility
Examples: Rescued whale's acrobatic display, crows bringing gifts to girl who fed them
Gratitude is defined as positive emotion from an enjoyable experience caused by others
My Good School Updates
Website upgraded for 2025 at schooleducation.com
Four focus areas: the joy of learning, happy teachers, the joy of giving, youth engaging society
Upcoming New Year's Eve reflection session
Three retreats planned for 2025 (April, November, December)
Next Steps
Submit art entries for the "Returning to Love" event by Dec 30, 2024
Prepare reflections on 2024 My Good School experiences for next Sunday's session
Consider participating in upcoming My Good School retreats and community learning initiatives
Teachers invited to volunteer for the monthly professional learning program at Arthur Foot Academy
Inner Life of Animals and the Theme of Gratitude as presented by Peter Wohlleben:
Reflective Questions
Understanding Gratitude:
- How does Peter Wohlleben describe gratitude in animals? Do you think animals experience gratitude in the same way humans do? Why or why not?
Examples of Animal Behavior:
- Can you recall an example from the chapter where an animal showed gratitude? How did this behaviour reflect the concept of gratitude?
Human vs. Animal Emotions:
- Do you think human emotions, such as gratitude, fundamentally differ from animals? What examples support your view?
Personal Reflection:
- Have you ever experienced a moment when an animal seemed grateful to you? How did that make you feel?
Critical Thinking Questions
Interpreting Animal Actions:
- Some scientists argue that behaviours we interpret as gratitude are simply survival instincts. What is your opinion on this perspective?
Role of Environment:
- How might the environment or upbringing of an animal affect its ability to express emotions like gratitude?
Ethics and Empathy:
- If animals can feel gratitude, what implications does this have for how humans treat them?
Creative Thinking Questions
Imagining a Conversation:
- Imagine you could talk to an animal. What questions would you ask to understand how they perceive emotions like gratitude?
Animal Perspective:
- Write a short story or poem from the perspective of an animal experiencing gratitude. What event triggered this feeling? How do they express it?
Cross-Species Relationships:
- Design a fictional scenario where an animal and a human share a moment of gratitude. How does this moment bridge the gap between species?
These questions will encourage you to connect the scientific observations in the chapter with your own experiences, fostering critical and empathetic understanding.
Next week -
Chapter 13: The Bathroom Outside from My Name is Cinnamon
Chapter 7: Lies and Deception from The Inner Life of Animals
These are some suggestions you can choose from. I'm looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!
You can email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in or post them as comments below!
