Ayya Medhanandi, a native of Montreal, is a Theravada bhikkhuni and the abbess of Sati Saraniya Hermitage in near Perth, Ontario. 

A Compassionate City recognizes compassion as an ethical imperative in its policies affecting human services. A Compassionate City deepens the quality and the extent to which its citizens embrace compassionate action in caring for its own neighbors.

 

The short-term objective is to have the  Mayor and City Council declare Vancouver a City of Compassion when we have 1,000 residents committed to the campaign.

 

The Charter for Compassion is the result of Karen Armstrong’s 2008 TED Prize wish. The final Charter is a single document crafted by people from all walks of life, nationalities, beliefs and backgrounds with the intent to unify, inspire and bring compassion back into the hearts of society. Karen Armstrong's work to create and inspire the Charter for Compassion was endorsed by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Vancouver Peace Summit on September 27, 2009. 

 

The Metta Medical Clinic was founded by Sayadaw U Indaka (Abbot, Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre) and BCIMS's own Judy Witheford. The Clinic provides provides free medical and dental care to needy villagers in Burma, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.