2010 NEWS FROM THE CENTER

December 2010

Dear Friends,

Season’s Greetings from the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT (“The Center”)!

Since it’s launch in April 2009, The Center has been instrumental in organizing more than 40 events and programs. Some of these programs include:

The Ethics Initiative–a series of interactive talks and panel discussions at MIT designed to address the most pressing issues such as climate change, geo-engineering, bio-ethics, and business ethics. Much of this effort includes creating actual curriculum and research relating to His Holiness’ call for developing “secular ethics and secular human values.” The most recent speakers include Hon. David Walker, Former Comptroller General of the United States; Don Morrison, COO of RIM-Blackberry; and The Reverend Mpho Tutu (co-author of “Made for Goodness” along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu). The full list of speakers may be found at http://thecenter.mit.edu/ethics-initiative/

Module & Curriculum Development–The Center has been actively developing and teaching modules on Principled Leadership at the MIT Sloan Schools of Management for MBA students and Sloan Fellows. We are now developing similar modules to be taught at Yale School of Management. Additionally, we are also developing undergraduate courses for engineering students on Ethics and Leadership.

The Dalai Lama Center Fellows Program–which supports individuals who are dedicated to extending the reach of science and technology to serve humanity’s greatest needs with sustainable, ethical commitment. Fellows will join multidisciplinary teams of innovative students and faculty united by the mission of the Center for Ethics and Transformative Values.

The Fellows Program is an opportunity for participants to cultivate leadership, policy, and management skills while developing specific projects. Applicants submit a proposal that describes the nature of their work and how it will further the goal of applying science and technology in an ethical manner with an awareness of global impact. The Center will provide guidance and will match Fellows with others working in related areas to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, so that involvement in projects will benefit as large a portion of the MIT Community as possible. Projects include, but are not limited to, the development and deployment of technology to meet a global need, teaching and cultivating ethical values and skills, and building stronger community relationships.

The Center currently has 4 Fellows for 2010-11 from diverse academic and research backgrounds. More information on them can be found at http://thecenter.mit.edu/home/fellows-the-center/

International Programs–while much of The Center’s work is conducted on the MIT Campus, it engages in conducting programs on ethics and leadership development beyond MIT as well. It is a natural progression given MIT’s global orientation. We have begun training 40 undergraduate students at Central University for Higher Tibetan Studies (CUTS) in India for the past year through the Transformative Leadership program. Faculty and student participation from MIT, Yale, and Cornell universities make this program truly collaborative. Programs at CUTS have resulted in several social entrepreneurship and community development programs in the neighboring areas as well in areas that are represented by the student demographics which include the Indian Himalayan region, Nepal, Bhutan, and Mustang.

In December 2010 The Center launched its satellite group and programs in Mexico and hopes to expand it to other countries in Latin America. In addition to corporate and governance sectors, 5 universities will host the programs including Universidad Iberoamericana, Universidad Technologica de Mexico and Instituto Technologica, Monterrey.

The Center is in conversation with elite universities in South Africa, Singapore and Italy to expand its programs through 2011 and beyond. More information on the International Programs may be found at: http://thecenter.mit.edu/beyond-mit/

Peace Makers Program–The Center, in partnership with the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation, is exploring ways to develop a holistic training program for youths who aspire to be peace-makers in capacities ranging from works at the United Nations and the World Bank to other Non-Governmental Organizations. This is another promising endeavor that would have tremendous impact across the world.

I am sure you share our enthusiasm for The Center’s programs and appreciate our efforts to extend The Center’s global reach. As always, we couldn’t achieve these goals without your kindness and support. Please renew your support or make a new commitment to The Center’s work. You can make a tax deductible gift online at http://thecenter.mit.edu/home/get-involved/

My sincere wishes for a transformative New Year,

Sincerely,

Tenzin Priyadarshi
Director
The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT