THE HISTORY OF CEN
Prior Contemplative Educational efforts associated with Mind and Life Institute, Mind and Life Europe, the Garrison Institute, and Contemplative Mind in Society all had previously afforded venues for those interested in education to meet. However, those efforts are now dormant and the need for a consistent meeting place to gather and share ideas, scholarship and research was a primary reason for germinating the idea of a new Contemplative Education Network.
It began in seed form at the in Padua, Italy, in June 2024. At that meeting, a pre-conference headed by Chiara Mascarello, Josipa Mihić, Robert W. Roeser, and Harold D. Roth brought together practitioners, scholars and scientists from across the world and across the developmental spectrum of education (e.g., pre-primary, primary, secondary, post-secondary education) to discuss issues at the intersection of contemplation and education. A post conference on contemplative education was also held, and it was at that meeting that it was decided a new international forum would be created in the coming month.
Beginning in July of 2024, the four members of the pre/post-conference events at Padua, and Gábor Karsai, began to meet to outline the aims of such a network, to form a preliminary steering committee, and to setup a website. Surveying of participant interest has occurred several times to begin to think about how and what the network should focus on.
BUILDING THE NETWORK: OUR ACTIVITIES
January 2025
After the launch of the CEN at the 2024 Conference in Padua, the Inaugural Contemplative Education Network Virtual Workshop, titled: “What Shall Contemplative Education and Our Network Become?” took place on January 31, 2025. The workshop explored key themes in contemplative education and strategies for collaboration, addressing questions such as what’s “contemplative” about contemplative education and how a network of mutual support can be formed. This gathering serves as the first step in building a strong and connected community.
April 2025
On April 4, 2025, a virtual Consolidation Workshop was held to share and consolidate the ideas developed during the first workshop, and to outline a more specific set of plans for continuing to build our grassroots network. We further discussed and refined a possible definition of Contemplative Education, and began group work on the four priority areas for the network that had emerged during the previous workshop. This marked the launch of four Working Groups, which will continue their activities and remain open to anyone who wishes to join along the way: 1) Further Developing the Network; 2) Curriculum Development and Resource Sharing; 3) Mentorship and Support Systems; 4) Advocacy and Awareness. For more information, feel free to contact us!
June 2025
On June 27, 2025, the CEN virtual Workshop “Co-Creating the Path Forward: Next Steps for the Contemplative Education Network” was held to present the work of the four Working Groups and take the next steps toward putting the network into action. This event has been an opportunity to also gather feedback on the new proposed description of Contemplative Education.
September 2025
SAVE THE DATE! On September 19, 9am-11.30am EST / 3pm-5.30pm CEST, we will hold our next virtual workshop to share progress, gather feedback, and shape the practical directions for the future of the Contemplative Education Network. We warmly encourage all participants — past, present, and new — to join us in this collaborative moment. Write to us to be added to the list of CEN members and to stay informed about CEN activities!
