Global Circles Digest | Empathy: Overused or Misunderstood?

Global Circles Digest – a synthesis of the dialogue based on facilitator observation reports, reflecting on converging and diverging views and emotions expressed during the exchanges. The digests don’t make attributions to participants to preserve the private and safe nature of our dialogue spaces.

The October 2026 Global Circles round topic was “Empathy: Overused or Misunderstood?”

• What is empathy and what does it look like?

• Why, when and where does it matter? 

• Are there variations across cultures or in the ways we express it? 

• Is it just a matter of personality or can it be learned? 

• What should be its role at work or in geopolitics? 

• Is empathy enough or is there a need to take action in solidarity with those who suffer?