Roots of Empathy

Established in 1996, Roots of Empathy (ROE) is an award winning evidence-based classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasingly empathy. Working in partnership, the ROE program reaches elementary children from Kindergarten to Grade 8. In Canada, the program is delivered in English and French and reaches rural, urban, and remote communities including Aboriginal communities. Roots of Empathy is also delivered internationally in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Research results from National and International evaluations of ROE indicate significant reductions in aggression and increases in pro-social behavior.

Our mission is to build caring, peaceful and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. The focus of ROE in the long term is to build the capacity of the next generation for responsible citizenship and responsive parenting. In the short term, ROE focuses on raising levels of empathy, resulting in more respectful and caring relationships and reduced levels of bullying and aggression.