October 18, 2023 – Today, the annual Global Dignity Day Canada Dignity Dialogue created waves of positive change by fostering dignity, kindness, and inclusive well-being in our diverse world. With over one million students participating in Global Dignity Day around the world and eight million students engaging in related activities each year, the impact is profound.
The event was opened with a prayer, land acknowledgement and dignity story by Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg youth leader and Global Dignity Canada Champion, Odeshkun Thusky. It was followed by a guided meditation session led by Dzongsar Khenpo Khyenrab Wangchuck, President and Founder of the Bodhi Kindness Foundation.
This remarkable event involved additional distinguished contributors, including:
- Giovanna Mingarelli, Chair, Global Dignity Canada
- Olivia Bechthold, Executive Vice Chair, Global Dignity Canada
- Tara Baswani, Co-Founder & Executive Creative Director Lembas Works, and Global Dignity Canada Board Member
- Meagan Commonda, Anishinabe Leader from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg
- Global Dignity Canada National Role Model, Jaden Lake and Mike Lake, a celebrated student who raises awareness about autism, alongside his father, Mike Lake, Canadian Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Wetaskiwin
- Peggy Taillon, Vice-President of the Bruyere Foundation
- Jamie Bell, Co-Founder, @1860 Winnipeg Arts and Winnipeg Chair, Global Dignity Canada
The Dignity Dialogue was closed with a captivating multimedia creation, “The Ripple Effect,” showcasing Global Dignity Day’s transformative impact over the years, crafted by the young emerging Indigenous artist, Global Dignity National Role Model and a founding member of the @1860 Winnipeg Arts collective, Tony Eetak.
As part of Global Dignity Canada’s ongoing #UniteKindness campaign, which is committed to empowering people to be kind to themselves, to others and to the planet, the Dignity Dialogue experience included ethical digital impact measures designed and measured by Lembasworks to ensure environmental responsibility.
To this effect, the event had a remarkably low carbon footprint in comparison to the average Canadian virtual event of 1.6 kgs of carbon. This is the equivalent of a car driving on the highway for 5 kilometers. These calculations include the panelists, the guests as well as the people streaming the event.
Global Dignity aims to empower individuals with the belief that every human being has the inherent right to live a life marked by dignity and respect.
The work of Global Dignity is guided by a simple set of principles, that every person:
- Has the right to pursue their purpose and meaning in life, and to reach their full potential.
- Deserves to live in societies that provide humane access to education, health, income and security.
- Has their life, identity and beliefs respected by others.
- Has the responsibility to create the conditions for others to fulfill their potential, acting to strengthen the dignity of others, building a foundation of freedom, justice and peace for this, and future generations.
- Believes that dignity in action means standing up against injustice, intolerance and inequality.
Established in 2005 by HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Operation HOPE Founder John Hope Bryant, and respected Finnish professor Pekka Himanen, Global Dignity is an independent, non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to empowering young people with dignity.
It seeks to inspire respect, self-esteem, and tolerance for diversity while promoting the notion that every human being possesses the universal right to lead a dignified life. For more information, please visit our website at www.globaldignity.ca.
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Media Contact:
Olivia Bechthold
Executive Vice Chair, Global Dignity Canada
Email: olivia@globaldignity.ca
Phone: 613-539-5489
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