Mission: We help youth and adults to become their best self and help others to achieve the same
Vision: We empower people with dignity
The concept of global dignity includes the following five principles:
Every human being has a right to lead a dignified life.
A dignified life means an opportunity to fulfill one’s potential, which is based on having a human level of health care, education, income and security.
Dignity means having the freedom to make decisions on one’s life and to be met with respect for this right.
Dignity should be the basic guiding principle for all actions.
Ultimately, our own dignity is interdependent with the dignity of others.
Global Dignity is the brainchild of three friends, concerned global citizens who met as Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum: HRH Crown Prince Haakon (Norway), Professor Pekka Himanen (Finland) and founder of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant (United States).
The three friends realized that the one thing that everyone in the world could agree on, irrespective of their differences is: We all want our Dignity to be recognized. Dignity is the very foundation of our humanity. Dignity is universal. Dignity is also the source of human rights.
The co-founders created Global Dignity in 2006. Since then they have worked with many Young Global Leaders and other partners in over 40 countries, hosting what are known as Dignity Days. This involves visiting local schools and communities around the world and teaching a "course in dignity" to youth.
What is Global Dignity Day?
On this day, Young Global Leaders and other role models join thousands of volunteers to do Dignity Days. They speak to youth in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Their aim is to instill a new, positive, inclusive and interconnected sense of value in young people that will guide them as they grow.
At a Dignity Day session, facilitators – people who make the Dignity Principles their own – go into schools and talk with the pupils about dignity. Facilitators can be plumbers, health workers, bankers… in short, anyone that want to see young people become their best self can be a role model.
A typical Dignity Day session lasts about two hours. The facilitator usually starts by telling his or her own story about dignity. Then, the children are asked to define dignity in their own words. After discussing the Dignity Principles, the children tell their own stories in front of the class. Finally, they typically write a letter to themselves stating what they want to achieve for themselves and others through dignity. A year later, these letters are sent back to the students.