Tutorial: Empathy in practice

Empathy and SBC

Empathy plays a crucial role in Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) because it helps create deeper connections, fosters trust, and promotes meaningful engagement with individuals and communities.

When applied in SBC efforts, empathy can improve the effectiveness of interventions and make behaviour change initiatives more relevant, sustainable, and impactful.

People are at the heart of working with migrants and vulnerable persons; hence, empathy is a crucial principle that allows implementers to build trust, foster mutual understanding, and prioritize cultural sensitivities when working with their communities.

Empathy ensures that interventions are respectful and relevant to the community’s needs, allowing the co-creation of sustainable solutions that empower the community and effectively address their unique challenges.

The Elephant, The Rider and the Path - A Tale of Behaviour Change

Reflect:

What did you take away from this video about how change happens?
How would you explain empathy?
What role does empathy play in supporting positive change?

Empathy in practice

During the SBC Academy by COMPASS, participants practiced using empathy through the Community Action Challenge activity.

This challenge focused on irregular migration in the fictional community of Happyland. IOM wants to design a community action plan that prevents irregular migration and supports the reintegration of returning migrants. However, there is a twist – there is a smuggler in disguise among you, aiming to sway the plan’s direction. Your mission is to collaboratively spot the smuggler and craft an effective action plan that stands strong against their influence.

Give this activity a try with your own group!

Afterwards, reflect on these questions: