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The mission of Global Dignity is to implement the universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life. We all have the ability to increase the dignity of others and thus we increase our own dignity.

The dignity approach works on all levels: it works for children and for adults, it works for men and for women, and it works on the micro and macro level.

Global Dignity is an autonomous non-profit, non-criticism and non-partisan initiative. We wish to be inspiration-based: commending and encouraging best practice and dignity-centered leadership.

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See Desmond Tutu and the Co-Founders speak on Dignity in Davos

2^NDANNUAL GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY Planned for

October20, 2009 around the World

Eventpoised to inspire universal respect, highlight what we all have in common, andheighten awareness on the importance of learning how to value yourself andothers

Amman, Jordan – May 18, 2009 – Global Dignity, a worldwide missionwhich aims to inspire and encourage dignity for every person today announcedplans to conduct the second Annual Global Dignity Day on October 20, 2009. In2008, on GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY, YGLs from more than 20 countries, and on everycontinent, taught youth “A Course in Dignity” around the world.  Inassociation with the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL), an auxiliary of theWorld Economic Forum (WEF), the international event promises to promoteself-esteem in teaching sessions scheduled to take place simultaneously aroundthe world.

Sinceits inception, the co-founders of Global Dignity, His Royal Highness CrownPrince Haakon of Norway, world renowned book author and Professor of PhilosophyPekka Himanen, and American silver rights entrepreneur John Hope Bryant, themselvesalso YGL members, have in conjunction with World Economic Forum, seededpositive change by conducting a series of Dignity Day teaching sessions tohundreds of students around the world.

“Thedignity approach works on all levels; it works for children and for adults, itworks for men and for women, and it works on the micro and macro level,”explained HRH Crown Prince Haakon. “We wish to be inspiration-based; commendingand encouraging best practice and dignity-centered leadership. UltimatelyGlobal Dignity transcends boundaries to bind us in a globally shared dream to undermine poverty and violence.”

TheDignity Principles are both heart and smart,” said Prof. Himanen.  “Global Dignity draws from and is based onboth ethics and enlightened self-interest. The main reason for defendingdignity is that it is a value in itself. People need dignity to lead a humanlife.”

Bryant,who is chairman, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, and also serves as vicechair of the U.S. President’s Council on Financial Literacy plans to hold hisGD sessions in Palestine this October, “In an environment where individualscannot seem to agree on anything, from religious differences to differences ofculture and forms of government, or even forms and definitions of freeenterprise, and the definition of capitalism itself, the one thing we can agreeon the world over is we all want and need more dignity. Operation HOPE supportsGlobal Dignity through HOPE Global Initiatives – HOPE’s international divisionwhich lends support to programs and projects globally. We are proud to promote,advocate, help advance Global Dignity,” said Bryant. “By formulating a globallyshared dream, Global Dignity and HOPE Global Initiatives are perfectly alignedin promoting opportunity around the world, to empower each individual tobelieve in his or her fundamental right to dignity, respect, and freedom, tomake their own decisions in life.”

Thisevent is a global demonstration of the inspirational and inclusive power ofdignity, and the mission of the Global Dignity is to implement globally theuniversal right of every human being to lead a dignified life though anunderstanding of the Five Dignity 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 andsecurity.

·        Dignity means having the freedom to make decisions on one’s lifeand 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 ofothers.

GlobalDignity Day is built on the success of a series of Dignity Day events. Since2006, Dignity Days have been conducted in South Africa, India, United States,Turkey, Norway, Finland, Jordan, Austria, Mexico, and Canada. Last year, GlobalDignity sessions were conducted in over twenty countries, including SouthAfrica, India, United States, Nigeria, Turkey, Norway, Finland, Jordan,Austria, Japan, Poland, Mozambique, Mexico, England, Canada, Venezuela, China,Belgium, and Singapore. 

Thegoal of GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY 2009 is to reach more than 50 countries, on everycontinent, on October 20^th, 2009. Those interested in moreinformation or how they can join in a GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY teaching sessions canvisit the website www.globaldignity.org. 

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About the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGLs)

Establishedin 2004 by Professor Klaus Schwab, The Forum of Young Global Leaders (www.younggloballeaders.org) is a unique,multi-stakeholder community of the world’s most extraordinary young leaders whodedicate a part of their time to jointly address global challenges and who arecommitted to devote part of their knowledge and energy to collectively worktowards a better future. Together, they engage in the 2030 Initiative, acomprehensive Endeavour, to understand current and future trends, risks andopportunities both at global and regional levels, formulate a positive visionfor the world in 2030 and put forward concrete strategies and workstreams totranslate their vision into action.

About Global Dignity (GD)

Co-foundedby Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Professor Pekka Himanen, University of Art& Design Helsinki and Visiting Professor at Oxford University, and JohnHope Bryant  Founder, Chairman and CEOfrom Operation HOPE, and the mission of the Dignity is to implement globallythe universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life. It is anautonomous, non-profit and non-partisan project linked to the 2020 process ofthe World Economic Forum’s Forum of Young Global Leaders, where young globalleaders from politics, business, academia, and civil society have joinedtogether to work for the improvement of the state of the world and people basedon five principles of dignity. For more information on about Global Dignity,see www.globaldignity.org. 

About World Economic Forum  (WEF)

TheWorld Economic Forum (WEF) is an independent international organizationcommitted to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders inpartnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as afoundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, , the World Economic Forum isimpartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or nationalinterests. The World Economic Forum is under the supervision of the SwissFederal Government. For more information, visit www.weforum.org

About HOPE GlobalInitiatives (HGI)

HOPEGlobal Initiatives was developed out of the Operation HOPE’s leadership role inhosting Ambassadors and Heads of State visiting Southern California, as well asthe founder’s former role with the United Nations Conference on Trade andDevelopment, Geneva, Switzerland, the first ever goodwill ambassador to theUnited States.  The role of HOPE GlobalInitiatives is to promote and advocate “silver rights”-- the benefits ofeducation, financial literacy, self-reliance, economic empowerment and dignityas tools for vastly improving the quality of life in developing countries, witha particular focus on developing countries on the African continent. The rolehas expanded to serve underserved communities throughout the world. For moreabout Operation HOPE go www.operationhope.org.