10 Things You Need to Know about Global Dignity Day
Imagine a world where compassion, understanding, and love triumph. Imagine a world where everyone is equal, and where intolerance, inequality, and injustice are eschewed.
This is the aim of Global Dignity Day, an international initiative implemented in more than 80 countries worldwide. Here’s what you need to know about the history of Global Dignity Day and its impact today.
1. The Idea for Global Dignity Day took form at the World Economic Forum.
Three young global leaders came together at World Economic Forum in 2005, discussing the issues that commonly divide humankind: religion, politics, borders, and race. These issues fuel intolerance, injustice, hatred, conflict, and war.
Nevertheless, as individuals, we all share the same yearning to be understood, recognized and valued; to be able to fulfill our dreams and realize our true potential in close tab life. This is a universal truth shared by everyone.
2. Global Dignity Day recognizes that each of us deserves to live with dignity.
Global Dignity Day was established by Crown Prince Haakon of Norway; author and philosopher Pekka Himanen; and founder and CEO of Operation HOPE John Bryant. The first person to sign up to Global Dignity Day was the former boxing world champion, philanthropist, and activist, Muhammad Ali.
As Pekka Himanen explains, each of the creators of Global Dignity Day came from vastly different circumstances and backgrounds. Despite these differences, as the three looked back at their youths, they shared the same desire. Each wished they had been given access to a powerful ethical compass at a much earlier point in their lives.
3. The first Global Dignity Day took place in 2009.
The inaugural event consisted of a dignity workshop which took place in a single classroom in a school in Switzerland. Archbishop Desmond Tutu left the World Economic Forum to attend the first Global Dignity Day. When musician Peter Gabriel and Sir Richard Branson found out about the event, they decided to join, too.
Today, Global Dignity operates in more than 80 countries worldwide. In 2019 alone, Global Dignity events welcomed more than 1.1 million young people, teachers, parents, volunteer facilitators, and civil society leaders. The organization stages events, initiatives, workshops, and forums all over the world.
4. Global Dignity instills a deeper understanding of the values behind dignity.
Through its comprehensive calendar of international events, the organization helps young people all over the world to understand the true meaning of dignity. It trains and supports dignity-centered leaders who are active in their communities.
5. Muhammad Ali signed Global Dignity’s “Dignity Principles.”
Following the inaugural Global Dignity Day in 2009, Sir Richard Branson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Ambassador Andrew Young joined Global Dignity’s Honorary Board. Peter Gabriel performed for the 120 students at the first Global Dignity Day in Davos, Switzerland, sparking the organization’s interest in engaging artists at local and global levels.
6. Global Dignity expanded its reach to 6,000 people in 30 countries by 2010.
In 2010, the event in Finland was attended by 1,000 participants who listened to keynote speeches by Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari and Bishop Desmond Tutu. The Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart wrote “Dignity Song” for the event, performing it live on stage.
By 2014, Global Dignity was reaching more than 300,000 young people around the world through its five NGO partner organizations and 46 country chairs. Local chapters extended their reach beyond Global Dignity Day, working with schools and communities as well as individuals in refugee camps and young people in prison.
7. The Angelica Fuentes Foundation pledged $300,000 to Global Dignity in 2015.
This enabled the organization to increase its impact even further. By the end of 2015, Global Dignity had reached more than 480,000 young people in over 70 countries. It was working with educational leaders to provide workshops and learning experiences.
8. Teaching Dignity was launched in 2018.
As Nelson Mandela points out in his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, no one is born hating others because of their skin color, background, or religion. People are taught to hate. If people can be taught to hate, they can also be inspired to love.
Teaching Dignity provides a curriculum incorporating over 50 different learning experiences. It helps children, young people, and adults to understand the power and principles of dignity.
9. Global Dignity provides a variety of teaching tools on its website.
Community and youth groups, refugee communities, and schools are welcome to utilize these free resources. The website provides toolkits to organize Dignity Workshops and Global Dignity Days. It also provides ideas for learning experiences and various instructional resources. Topics include United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and strategies to address bullying.
10. Global Dignity invites volunteers to get involved in a variety of ways.
The organization aims to be active in at least 100 countries by the end of 2020. To this end, Global Dignity welcomes volunteers from all over the world to support its initiatives and make a real difference to young people all over the world.
