Can There be an Emotionally Intelligent Society?

I found an intriguing answer to this question when I made a recent visit to the picturesque seaside city of San Sebastian, capital of Gipuskoako, one of three provinces that make up the Basque area of Spain. San Sebastian also happens to be a world-class center for the development of social and emotional intelligence, due to an ambitious initiative to upgrade these human aptitudes not just in schools, but also in families, communities, and businesses.

Thirty to forty percent of schools there have curricula in social/emotional learning, and more are being phased in. There are emotional intelligence programs for parents and families, even communities. And businesses in the region are incorporating emotional intelligence into their leadership training.

All this has come about largely through the efforts of a visionary leader, Jose Ramon Guridi Urrejola, the Minister for Technology and Innovation of the province.  At his behest local scholars, educators, business people and community organizers are setting out to create a socially and emotionally intelligent society.  I was impressed by the progress they are making.
The scope of this initiative can be seen in a series of publications issued by the Ministry:

• “Emociones y trabajo,” which focuses on emotional intelligence and work, and in organizations

Posted in Emotional intelligence, Social and emotional learning | 9 Comments »