Archewell Will "Put Compassion in Action"

In a New Year's Eve surprise, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex closed 2020 with the release of their official website for Archewell, sharing their vision for the foundation to "put compassion in action" and "build a better world". The website shared just two photos of Harry and Meghan - childhood images of them with their mothers. The photos are poignant ones, accompanying their letter for 2021. "I am my mother’s son. And I am our son’s mother. Together we bring you Archewell."

The full letter outlines the vision for Archewell.

We've all been looking forward to hearing about Archewell's first projects and the areas of focus Harry and Meghan would choose for their fledgling non-profit. In late December, it was revealed the couple joined forces with World Central Kitchen to build a series of community relief centres -- permanent structures which will serve as kitchens during and after crises. Afterwards, they will be deployed as hubs, schools and clinics. The first centre is already being built on the Caribbean island nation of Dominica. It will open in early 2021 and was chosen as it was severely hit by hurricanes Maria and Irma in recent years. It's very much envisaged Harry and Meghan will have the opportunity to visit the centres and see the impact on the ground, dependent on COVID-19 restrictions. I watched WCK's 202 Year in Review featuring José Andrés and other members of the team. Given their tireless commitment to helping as many as they possibly can - it's easy to see why Harry and Meghan chose World Central Kitchen.

More from the foundation's website:

'Archewell Foundation is an impact-driven non-profit created by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Our core purpose is to uplift and unite communities—local and global, online and offline—one act of compassion at a time. We believe that compassion is the defining cultural force of the 21st century, and through the work of our 501(c)(3), we support a growing community of partner organizations fueling systemic cultural change. At Archewell Foundation, we listen to people and their communities, help them tell their stories, put real action behind our words, and spotlight a new generation of leadership.'

Other projects and partnerships include the Loveland Foundation. The organisation was established in 2018 by Rachel Cargle (Rachel appeared on Archewell Audio's holiday special) in response to her hugely successful fundraiser 'Therapy for Black Women and Girls'. The Foundation focuses on providing accessible and affordable mental health resources. Together with Archewell, the Loveland Foundation "will continue their shared alignment of supporting marginalized communities". I'm very excited to see the fruits of their collaboration in 2021.

Much of Harry and Meghan's work took place behind the scenes this year as they assembled their team and met with leading figures in areas they are passionate about. They both believe strongly in creating kinder, safer online communities. Through their own experiences, they know first hand how destructive and damaging social media can be. It came as no coincidence the launch of the website was not accompanied by an Instagram or Twitter account. Perhaps these will come in time. It is safe to assume they will not rejoin social media lightly. In the Google 2020 trends, the Sussexes feature prominently. It's a similar picture across other online platforms. It's very much a question of harnessing that interest while taking cautious steps -- hence the decision not to return to platforms other than their official website yet.

The couple also confirmed they are establishing the "Archewell Foundation Fund for the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry, under the shared leadership of acclaimed researchers, professors, and authors Dr. Safiya Noble and Dr. Sarah T. Roberts". The research center focuses on "addressing the role of the internet in undermining democracy, civil and human rights. The Center advocates for more equitable and socially-just internet policies and practices". There were clues about the collaboration in October when Harry and Meghan led Time's talk 'Engineering A Better Digital World' and invited Safiya to join. Meghan said, "I was reading this book called Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Noble and it talks about how the digital space really shapes our thinking about race. For example, it wasn’t that long ago that when you’d start to type in a search engine ‘why are white women…’ it would start to autofill with words like ‘so pretty’ or ‘so beautiful.’ And then when you would type ‘why are black women…’ it would autofill with words like ‘so angry’ or ‘so loud.’ You get to see how our minds are being shaped by something so much bigger than what we’re actually feeling or putting out there."

The Center for Critical Internet Inquiry and the Duke and Duchess shared the following statement:

'In response to the new initiative, C2i2 Co-Director Dr. Safiya U. Noble said, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are deeply committed to using their light to illuminate the problems of inequality and structural racism. We have a shared commitment and sense of urgency in making a more compassionate world, much of which is undermined by internet platforms. I know what they stand for and share in their mission. We look forward to lending our research expertise and networks to our mutual work on the most pressing issues of internet policy and culture that are accelerating racial, gender, and economic inequity.”

“From the moment we started reading ‘Algorithms of Oppression,’ we had a deep appreciation and respect for Dr. Safiya Noble and her critical work. That respect has only grown throughout the year as we collaborated. We have a common mission—rooted in justice, compassion, and improving the state of the digital world—and we’re proud to call the Center for Critical Internet Inquiry an Archewell Foundation partner,” said The Duke and Duchess of Sussex of the effort.

C2i2 Executive Director Vanessa Wrenn Rhinesmith will be appointed to develop the new Archewell Foundation initiative, along with Center Co-Directors, Dr. Safiya Umoja Noble and Dr. Sarah T. Roberts. “We are thrilled about this partnership with the Archewell Foundation, which strengthens the much needed research we need on the role of the internet in society. The cutting-edge research of Professors Noble and Roberts is reflective of our mission to develop knowledge in service to the public,” said Dean Tina Christie, Interim Wasserman Dean of the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies.

This new collaboration between C2i2 and the Archewell Foundation will build on the Center’s existing network of scholars, practitioners, activists, and artists working on racial justice and community impact through research, culture making, and public policy.'

Archewell is working closely with the Center for Humane Technology. "Led by former Google Design Ethicist Tristan Harris, the Center for Humane Technology is dedicated to radically reimagining our digital infrastructure. Throughout the past year, Archewell Foundation has actively partnered with Tristan and his team to create the conditions for safer, more compassionate online communities. As we increasingly understand the direct link between technology and its effect on each of us—online and off—Archewell Foundation will continue to prioritize this critical work." Tristan also featured in the Time talk.

If interested in hearing more from Tristan Harris and learning about the impact of social media, the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma is a must watch. Indiewire described the film, which has been viewed by over 100 million people, as "perhaps the single most lucid, succinct, and profoundly terrifying analysis of social media ever created for mass consumption". It delves into the effects and consequences of 'Like' and 'Share'.

With a focus on compassion, both online and in our communities, the Duke and Duchess are working with the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford Medicine. Founder Dr James Doty is a world-renowned expert on the neuroscience of compassion.

'While science has made great strides in treating pathologies of the human mind, far less research exists to date on positive qualities of the human mind including compassion, altruism and empathy. Yet these prosocial traits are innate to us and lie at the very centerpiece of our common humanity. Our capacity to feel compassion has ensured the survival and thriving of our species over millennia. For this reason, the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University School of Medicine was founded in 2008 with the explicit goal of promoting, supporting, and conducting rigorous scientific studies of compassion and altruistic behavior. Founded and directed by Dr. James Doty, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery, CCARE is established within the Department of Neurosurgery. To date, CCARE has collaborated with a number of prominent neuroscientists, behavioral scientists, geneticists and biomedical researchers to closely examine the physiological and psychological correlates of compassion and altruism.'

In addition to the above, Harry and Meghan want to hear from YOU. Share your stories of showing compassion and connecting with friends and loved ones throughout the year via their website.

 Archewell press secretary Toya Holness told Harper's Bazaar:

"Archewell uplifts communities through non-profit partnerships and creative activations. It’s a place where compassion matters, communities gather, and storytelling is the engine. The website has been updated to reflect the work Archewell has undertaken throughout 2020 and to create a place for people and communities around the world to share their stories."

In addition to Archewell Foundation, Archewell Audio will see a full series with Spotify in 2021 hosted and produced by the couple with a focus on "driving systemic cultural change across all communities". The holiday special is the top trending podcast in the US, UK and a number of other countries. If you haven't heard it (or want to hear Archie's giggle again :)) you can listen below.

Additionally, Archewell Productions will see the fruits of the Sussexes' partnership with Netflix in 2021. We can look forward to animated series celebrating inspiring women and an innovative nature documentary series.

The website was created by Toronto-based company Article. The team created the Tig for Meghan and last year Sussex Royal. Take a look at the new logo.

2021 is certainly looking bright for Harry and Meghan. One feels everything has fallen into place and the year ahead will be filled with exciting projects and their first full year in their new home.

A very Happy New Year to you all! :)