Global Dignity

Posted Jan 12th, 2010 in the Feature, Values pillar

Global Dignity

Finding

For real progress to be made in this world we need to strengthen what unites us in stead of constantly focusing on what sets us apart. One thing that all human beings have in common is that we all want our dignity to be recognized. We want to strengthen the fabric of our common humanity so that we realize that we are interconnected, that we are all in this together and that the hardships that is experienced by another person also affects us.

YGL Response

We have developed a concept called Dignity Day which is a leadership course, an ethics course, a motivational seminar and an anti bullying effort for youth in a two hour package. We have done Dignity Days in more than thirty countries the last three years as a result of YGLs taking the lead around the world.

Since 2008 we have organized Global Dignity Day on October 20.  This day we go into schools around the world to focus on the fundementals of dignity in society as well as in our daily life.
In addition to Dignity Day we want to spur a global conversatoin focused on dignity and we promote dignity centred leadership and decition making.

Background

Global Dignity is an autonomous non-profit, non-criticism and non-partisan project. We wish to be inspiration-based; commending and encouraging best practice and dignity centered leadership rather than criticizing shortcomings.

The mission of the Dignity Project is to implement globally the universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life. This is a paradigm shift in thinking about our global challenges, a new language and a mindset to approach issues of poverty, peace, and progress.
We all have the ability to increase the dignity of others and thus we increase our own dignity.  The dignity approach works on all levels: it works for children and for adults, it works for men and for women, and it works on the micro and macro level. Our aspiration is to eventually make every day of every year a day of dignity for men and women around the world, especially those without a voice to raise for themselves.
This idea depends on seeing dignity in action, and   in all walks of life, based on 5 dignity principles.

Leaders

Co-Founders: Prince Haakon of Norway, Pekka Himanen, John Hope Bryant

Board Members: Prince Haakon of Norway, Pekka Himanen, John Hope Bryant, Hilde Schwab, Irene Woo Chu

Supported by Young Global Leaders

Looking For

We have a concept that is proven and works. We need scaling. For that we need funding. We are currently looking at how we can reach as many children through our Dignity Day concept as possible. We would like to set up a Global Dignity office with one or two people employed that can coordinate the activities around the world.

Get Involved

  • Educate yourself on Dignity and learn the Dignity curriculum here.
  • Sign the Dignity Principles and make them instrumental in your daily lives
  • You can host the next Global Dignity Day in your local– next global event to be held in October 2010, but you can make this happen any day of the week!
  • to learn more.

To learn more please go to our website and feel free to contact us!

4 Comments

Josh Spear

Posted January 15th

Incredible idea and wonderful execution. I’d love to see more videos from Dignity Day’s around the world.

Bjarte Reve

Posted January 22nd

We all have the ability to increase the dignity of others and thus we increase our own dignity. You give and you get! Let’s have more schools participate in 2010.

David Aikman

Posted January 22nd

I have taken part in Dignity Days around the world – it is amazing to hear the profound wisdom that comes from the children. Although feedback has always been incredibly positive from the children, I cannot help but feel that we somehow get the most out of it… “I am a part of all that I have met” (from “Ulysses” by Alfred Lord Tennyson)

Mina Al-Oraibi

Posted January 22nd

Nothing beats the face-to-face interaction that Global Dignity Day events provide. The whole concept of Global Dignity as an inalienable right is one that really needs support and awareness. Striving for education or health or shelter is surely all part of the strive to live life with dignity.

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