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Third Annual National Kindness Week Celebrated with Multi-Partisan Press Conference

February 13, 2024 – Today, Canada kicked off its third annual National Kindness Week (February 11 – 17) with a press conference hosted by Global Dignity Canada. The early morning event, held virtually, aimed to celebrate the transformative power of kindness and to highlight the significance of this national initiative.

National Kindness Week, initiated in memory of the late Rabbi Dr. Reuven Bulka, established through the “Kindness Week Act” (Bill S-223), is a testament to Canada’s commitment to fostering a culture of kindness, volunteerism, and charitable giving. This legislative effort, spearheaded by former Senator Jim Munson, received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021.

Global Dignity Canada Vice-Chair Olivia Bechthold emphasized that kindness lies at the heart of dignity, echoing the mission of Global Dignity Canada, a non-profit organization empowering young people worldwide. This was reinforced by Anishinabe Leader from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Meagan Commonda and youth leader, Odeshkun Thusky, also from Kitigan Zibi, who both emphasized the need to be kind to oneself, others and the land.

“We should continue to honour and mentor our youth, professionally and personally,” said Ms. Commonda, who shared the impacts of kindness on her journey to recovery as a breast cancer survivor. “I always say that we cannot pour from an empty cup, and this is especially true when practicing kindness … I now try to help and support others who are battling the same disease that I’ve survived.”

Giovanna Mingarelli, national chair for Global Dignity Canada, underscored the role of partnerships and initiatives such as UNESCO’s #KindnessMatters and the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation in driving kindness campaigns. She urged Canadians to participate in the #UniteKindness campaign, emphasizing the potential to create a kinder world through collective action.

Elected officials Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent and Michael Barrett, Member of Parliament for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, co-sponsors of the Kindness Week Act legislation, shared their perspectives on the importance of kindness in policy-making and community development, echoing the sentiment that kindness should be at the forefront of societal progress.

“When we experience kindness, and the more that we experience kindness, the happier we become and and the more likely we are to pass that on to others,” said Ms. Lambropoulos. “You never know who needs it.”

“It was a wonderful way to have the 338 members of Parliament, as an act of kindness, initiate Kindness Week,” said Mr. Barrett. “As the saying goes, ‘None of us is better than all of us’ and that couldn’t be more true here. We have opportunities at different times in our lives to give back to our communities.”

The event also featured Jamie Bell, Manitoba Chair for Global Dignity Canada, who emphasized the evolution of National Kindness Week and its impact on communities, particularly through arts-oriented projects and youth engagement.

“Through our programming, we’ve witnessed firsthand how kindness, empathy, and collaboration can empower individuals and communities to overcome challenges and thrive. We’re seeing the next generation of young leaders stepping up,” said Mr. Bell.

“One of the most interesting changes I’ve seen over these last three years is that foundational concepts like kindness and dignity are not just “outcomes or impacts.” We’re starting to see those values woven directly into our planning processes, right from the beginning.”

Today’s session and special guest speakers reiterated the call for collaboration and commitment to kindness, urging Canadians to seize opportunities to create a more compassionate and inclusive society.

As National Kindness Week unfolds, Canadians from coast, to coast, to coast are encouraged to embrace kindness as a guiding principle, recognizing its potential to bring about positive change in their communities and beyond.

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.

Media Contact:

Olivia Bechthold
Executive Vice Chair
Global Dignity Canada
Email: olivia@globaldignity.ca
Phone: 613-539-5489

Press Conference to Celebrate Canada’s Third Annual National Kindness Week

Ottawa, February 10, 2024 – From February 11-17, 2024, Canada will observe its third annual National Kindness Week.

The annual, week-long celebration encourages Canadians from coast to coast to coast to celebrate acts of kindness, volunteerism and charitable giving to the benefit of all Canadians, and will connect individuals and organizations to share resources, information and tools to foster more acts of kindness.

Global Dignity Canada will once again host a multi-partisan press conference to facilitate a conversation with Canadian kindness champions.

What: Press Conference to Celebrate Canada’s Third Annual National Kindness Week.

When: February 13, 2024 – 8 am – 8:40 am ET

Where: Zoom

Dial-in details: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84492230549?pwd=hw9bb4A8g8B26abqqcg2EONdMYXeZZ.1

Who: The press conference will be moderated by Olivia Bechthold, Executive Vice Chair of Global Dignity Canada. The following representatives will participate:

  • Odeshkun Thusky, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Youth Leader
  • Meagan Commonda, Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Indigenous Community Liaison for Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada
  • Giovanna Mingarelli, Chair of Global Dignity Canada
  • Michael Barrett, Member of Parliament, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes
  • Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent
  • Jamie Bell from the @1860 Winnipeg Arts program with Niriqatiginnga; and Winnipeg Chair for Global Dignity Canada

Introduced as a private members bill by Senator Jim Munson, Bill S-223, the Kindness Week Act, received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021 to become law in Canada, designating the third week in February as National Kindness Week.

Media Contact: Olivia Bechthold, Executive Vice Chair, Global Dignity Canada
Email: olivia@globaldignity.ca | Phone: 613-539-5489

Global Dignity Day Canada Dignity Dialogue Promotes Kindness and Inclusive Well-Being

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 Co-Founder of @1860 Winnipeg Arts, 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.

Media Contact:

Olivia Bechthold
Executive Vice Chair, Global Dignity Canada
Email: olivia@globaldignity.ca
Phone: 613-539-5489

Press Conference to Celebrate Canada’s Second Annual National Kindness Week

Ottawa, February 14, 2023 – From February 12-19, 2023, Canada will observe its second annual National Kindness Week.

The annual, week-long celebration encourages Canadians from coast to coast to coast to celebrate acts of kindness, volunteerism and charitable giving to the benefit of all Canadians, and will connect individuals and organizations to share resources, information and tools to foster more acts of kindness.

Global Dignity Canada’s theme this year is being kind to the planet. From the smallest microaction (like recycling) to nation-wide efforts, we’re inviting everyone to take action for a healthy, clean and green Canada.

What: Press Conference to Celebrate Canada’s Second Annual National Kindness Week.

When: February 15, 2023 – 8 am ET

Where: Zoom

Dial-in details: https://takingitglobal.zoom.us/j/98206321741

Who: The press conference will be moderated by Giovanna Mingarelli, Chair of Global Dignity Canada and Olivia Bechthold, Executive Director of Global Dignity Canada. The following representatives will participate:

  • Michael Barrett, Member of Parliament, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes
  • Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent
  • Blake Desjarlais, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach
  • Jamie Bell, founding member of the @1860 Winnipeg Arts Program and the Our People Our Climate collective; Global Dignity Canada, Winnipeg Chair
  • Rev. Dr. Paul Luftenegger, Interfaith Minister and acclaimed singer/songwriter of conscious music to inspire global love, dignity and kindness

Introduced as a private members bill by Senator Jim Munson, Bill S-223, the Kindness Week Act, received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021 to become law in Canada, designating the third week in February as National Kindness Week.

Media Contact:
Olivia Bechthold,
Executive Director
Global Dignity Canada
globaldignitycanada@yahoo.ca
613-539-5489

Global Dignity Day Celebrated With UNESCO Kindness Campaign Collaboration

October 19, 2022 – Today, students and young leaders across Canada gathered to celebrate Global Dignity Day alongside more than 1 million of their peers in 80 countries.

This year’s global event, hosted by Global Dignity Canada, TakingITGlobal and the Center for Global Education, connected participants from 18 sites in 11 countries through a video-conference, while thousands of others participate in the celebration via live-stream.

The theme for this year’s Global Dignity Day celebration, Unique & Connected in Kindness, will focus on building inclusive global communities rooted in kindness. Students heard from Global Dignity Role Models, Amy Mapara, Senior Manager for Youth Engagement Strategy at the Canadian Red Cross, and Jon Collins, Chief Development Officer of HopeAir, who will share stories of dignity and kindness in action.

Students enjoyed a musical performance from Tara Baswani, internationally acclaimed creator, UN SDG’s accelerator, environmentalist, Co-Founder of LembasWorks and member of Global Dignity’s International Council of Advisors, who will share her song HUM. HUM, which means “Us” in Hindi, was specially created to align to the Global Dignity mission to #UniteKindness and inclusively connect our unique actions to create planetary care and wellbeing for all life.

“Kindness is the cultural fabric that enables greater dignity,” said Global Dignity Board Chair and Canadian Country Chair, Giovanna Mingarelli. “It is our hope that by acknowledging existing inequalities, students will see that they have the ability to impact and enrich the lives of others through their own actions and choices.”

This year’s theme built on Global Dignity’s ongoing #UniteKindness campaign, which aggregates and showcases kindness campaigns around the world. Since the launch of the #UniteKindness campaign in 2020, over 3.5 million acts of kindness have been aggregated across 40 kindness campaigns.

In order to scale the #UniteKindness movement even further, UNESCO’s Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Education and Peace (MGIEP) is collaborating with Global Dignity to spread kindness through their #KindnessMatters initiative, which was formally announced during the video conference event.

“It’s important to put love and kindness into action: that’s what building inclusive communities is all about!” said Olivia Bechthold, the Executive Director of Global Dignity in Canada. “This campaign shows us how easy it is to love oneself, others and the world in really simple ways, from helping a stranger to donating food”.

Generous sponsors of this year’s Global Dignity Day event include: TakingItGlobal, the Centre for Global Education, Global Groove for Peace, LembasWorks, Pondstone Digital Marketing, M&C Consulting, Hello Friday Marketing and Communications, and MC2, Inc.

Co-founded at the World Economic Forum by HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant and author and philosopher Pekka Himanen, Global Dignity teaches the concept of dignity—every person’s equal and inherent value—to promote inclusion, equality and a greater sense of our shared humanity. In 2021, the organization reached over 8 million people directly and 50 people indirectly around the world.

More information and details of the international celebration live stream can be found at: www.globaldignity.ca.

Global Dignity Canada Celebrates Inaugural National Kindness Week With Students Across Canada

February 17, 2022 – Yesterday, Global Dignity Canada continued their celebrations of Canada’s inaugural National Kindness Week with a Canada-wide videoconference, connecting students and classrooms from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.

In partnership with the Center for Global Education, the event was attended by over 100 students in 10 classrooms from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and live streamed to hundreds of others across Canada and around the world.

“Kindness is the cultural fabric that enables greater dignity,” said Olivia Bechthold, Executive Director of Global Dignity Canada. “Experts have determined that showing kindness changes the brain, and that selfless acts of giving provide physical and emotional benefits needed for a well-rounded individual. This is why it is essential for children to learn kindness early on.”

Students who participated in yesterday’s event ranged in age from 6 to 12, and shared their definition of kindness and visions for a kinder world. Students offered their suggestions for acts of kindness which included everything from sharing a smile or hug, to anti-bully and anti-discrimination.

The event also included a keynote address from Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Center, who has been a champion of Kindness Week in Ottawa, and Canada, for more than a decade. Mr. Yaqvi shared many stories of kindness, including speaking about Rabbi Reuven Bulka, the inspiration for Canada’s National Kindness Week, and telling students about the first friend he made when immigrating to Canada as a child.

“I can’t stop smiling seeing all these beautiful children from across the country”, Mr. Naqvi said, telling students “you are taking part in something so exciting, something so unique.”

Bill S-223, the Kindness Week Act, received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021 to become law in Canada, designating the third week in February as National Kindness Week. The inspiration for this bill, the late Rabbi Reuven Bulka, founder of Kind Canada, started the first Kindness Week in Ottawa 14 years ago, and with the passing of this bill, Canada is now the first country in the world to observe a National Kindness Week.

Co-founded at the World Economic Forum by HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant and author and philosopher Pekka Himanen, Global Dignity teaches the concept of dignity—every person’s equal and inherent value—to promote inclusion, equality, kindness and a greater sense of our shared humanity. Since 2006, the organization has reached over 4 million young people around the globe.

A full recording of the videoconference event is available here.