Pondstone

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

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

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

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