Want to Live in a Compassionate City?

By Michael Ferguson

Many may think they live in a compassionate city.  Their neighbors are polite and look out for them.  But, chances are you do not live in an official registered compassionate city.

You probably did not know, but the organization, Compassionate Action Network, creates “official” compassionate cities.  In April 2010, Seattle became the first city to achieve this status. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said this might be a great idea. However, currently there are no proposals put forth for Danbury to try for this status.

There are no financial strings attached to becoming a compassionate city.  Instead, it just requires that the city’s mayor and council draft and pass a proclamation which declares the city’s support for the organization’s Charter for Compassion and 10 year campaign.  The city then has to continue to support the network’s mission.

Currently, there are eight confirmed compassionate cities throughout the world.  Six of them are in the United States.  Along with Seattle, Washington these cities include Appleton, Wisconsin; Basalt, Colorado; Lake County and Millbrae, California; and Louisville, Kentucky.  There are also 78 cities and regions throughout the world seeking to become a compassionate city.  Check out www.compassion.is to see if your city is on the list!

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will speak on Oct. 18 and 19 at Western Connecticut State University, and the public is invited to a free showing (video simulcast) in the Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St. To help promote this opportunity, WCSU students in the Writing, Linguistics and Creative Process Department's Advertising, Copywriting and Promotions class created a blog and a Twitter page.