Teaching Dignity
Teaching Tools
Here you’ll find a variety of curriculum ideas, toolkits and additional resources to better understand what dignity is and why it matters. Use these free resources to organize Dignity Workshops in classrooms, community and youth groups, refugee communities – or anywhere in between.
Teaching Tools
Learning Experiences
* For those teaching and learning virtually, you'll find numerous Learning Experiences marked as a "Virtual Option." * These Learning Experiences work in a variety of settings with learners of all ages. Each experience ranges from fifteen minutes to two hours to allow for maximum flexibility and customization, and can be used as stand-alone activities or combined to form a Dignity Workshop. We recommend everyone start with the common experience: “What is Dignity.” The remaining experiences are organized into three categories: Understand, Explore and Share.
Ages 5-9 Learning Experience
View and download individual lessons for this age group below, or download the entire set of Ages 5-9 experiences by using the download button.
Download 5-9 ExperienceAges 5-9 | Objective One
Understand
Participants consider Global Dignity’s definition of dignity, as well as its 5 principles. Participants then delve deeper into dignity’s meaning and its connection to their lives.
Ages 5-9 | Objective Two
Explore
Participants develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for dignity by exploring a variety of examples of dignity role models and dignity stories.
Ages 5-9 | Objective Three
Share
Participants identify examples of dignity in their own lives, describe them in writing or in a visual format, and share them with others.
Ages 10+ Learning Experience
View and download individual lessons below, or download the entire set of Ages 10+ experiences by using the download button.
Download 10+ ExperienceAges 10+ | Objective One
Understand
Participants consider Global Dignity’s definition of dignity, as well as its 5 principles. They then delve deeper into dignity’s meaning and its connection to their lives.
Ages 10+ | Objective Two
Explore
Participants develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for dignity by exploring a variety of examples of dignity role models and dignity stories.
Ages 10+ | Objective Three
Share
Participants identify examples of dignity in their own lives, describe them in writing or in a visual format, and share them with others.
Teaching Tools
Toolkits + Resources
The following resources were created to help anyone, anywhere learn more about dignity or organize Global Dignity activities for participants of all ages. Included in the toolkits are ideas and resources for leading small to large-scale events and experiences on Global Dignity Day or throughout the year.
Teaching Tools
Teaching Resources
Want to explore the values and principles behind dignity even more? You'll find additional videos, links to curriculum and other organizations here.
Exploring Dignity
Exploring Dignity
Dignity as Development
In this chapter, Global Dignity co-founder Pekka Himanen makes the case for why the principles and values behind dignity form such a powerful foundation for efforts to protect the environment and create sustainable economies, tackle inequality and create vibrant, safe communities.
Suggested Use
Use this chapter during the What is Dignity Learning Experience as a means of further exploring the meaning of dignity. Best for ages 14 and up. Also a great resource for nonprofit, civil society and community leaders, and Global Dignity leaders and facilitators.
Exploring Dignity
International Humanistic Management Association video on dignity
This animated video provides an overview of what it means to treat others with dignity.
Suggested Use
This video can be used as an introduction to dignity, especially for younger ages, 6 - 12.
Exploring Dignity
Dignity | Ajit George | TEDx College of William & Mary
Beyond money and education, dignity is the intangible key to living a better life. Watch as Ajit George, Director of Operations for the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, gives a TEDx talk about the importance of dignity. This TEDx Talk is a great intro for anyone interested in the meaning of dignity as a concept.
Suggested Use
Educators and Facilitators can use resources to design classroom lessons and activities that can be used in conjunction with Dignity Day activities or throughout the school year.
Exploring Dignity
Jacqueline Novogratz on Dignity
Jacqueline Novogratz is the founder and CEO of Acumen Fund, a nonprofit venture capital fund using entrepreneurial approaches to help solve global poverty. Novogratz discusses the importance of building solutions based on dignity to tackle poverty, through choice and opportunity.
Suggested Use
Use this video to start a discussion around dignity and have young people reflect on what they think the word means.
Exploring Dignity
Dignity Song
The song was written and composed by evolutionary musician Dave Stewart and performed by up-and-coming lyrical hip-hop artist Nadirah X in support of Global Dignity. "Dignity" captures the great spectrum of ways in which people can express dignity and have a positive impact on the world.
Suggested Use
Use this song to start your discussions around dignity and have students reflect on what they think the word means. Or, use the song to inspire young people to write a song or a poem.
Exploring Dignity
What is the Real Meaning of Dignity? By Donna Hicks
This brief article explores the meaning and impact of dignity in people’s lives, workplaces, and nations. It is appropriate for ages 10+
Suggested Use
Use this video during the What is Dignity Learning Experience as a means of further exploring the meaning of dignity.
Exploring Dignity
TED Talk by His Holiness Pope Francis
In this TED Talk “Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone,” His Holiness Pope Francis, provides “commentary on the world as we currently find it and calls for equality, solidarity and tenderness to prevail.
Suggested Use
Use this video, at any time, as a resource for exploring what dignity means. This is a message for all faiths. In Italian, with subtitles.
Exploring Dignity
Use Art to Change the World
In 2011, French street artist JR won the $1Million TEDPrize. In this video he explains how at can change the way we see the world by allowing for an exchange of ideas and discussions.
Suggested Use
Use this video, at any time, to show students/participants how they can use their own creativity to make positive changes in the world.
Exploring Dignity
TED Talk by Ingrid Betancourt
In 2002, the Colombian guerrilla movement known as the FARC kidnapped Ingrid Betancourt in the middle of her presidential campaign. For the next six years, Betancourt was held hostage in jungle prison camps. In this deeply personal talk, the politician-turned-writer explains what it's like to live in a perpetual state of fear--and how her faith sustained her.
Suggested Use
Use this video, at any time, as a means of further exploring the meaning of dignity.
Exploring Dignity
Respect vs Dignity
The difference between respect and dignity is explained in this short animated film by Cultures of Dignity and Cognitive.
Suggested Use
Use this video to explore the difference between dignity and respect with participants of any age.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Curriculum Resources And Tools
World’s Largest Lesson
World’s Largest Lesson introduces students to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and unites them in action.
Suggested Use
Educators and Facilitators can use resources to design classroom lessons and activities that can be used in conjunction with Dignity Day activities or throughout the year. Students and young people can visit the “Take Action” section of the site in order to design their own projects and learn about the goals.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Facing History Educator Resource
Facing History provides educators with resources geared towards increasing students’ and young peoples’ awareness and understanding of issues such as racism, religious intolerance, and prejudice.
Suggested Use
Educators and Facilitators can use resources to design classroom lessons and activities that can be used in conjunction with Dignity Day activities or throughout the year.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Teaching Tolerance
Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, is a site full of resources (such as curriculum, professional development, and a blog) to help educators guide discussions and activities on diversity, equity, and justice.
Suggested Use
Educators and Facilitators can use resources to design classroom lessons and activities that can be used in conjunction with Dignity Day activities or throughout the year.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
The Wonderment
The Wonderment is an online platform that allows students to form global connections to creatively collaborate and solve problems on a global level.
Suggested Use
Educators can sign their class up for global connections and will receive resources and tools to support the collaborative projects. These connections can be a part of Dignity Day activities and can also be a part of the school year. Parents can sign their child up to participate in global collaborations with students from around the world.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
PenPal Schools
PenPal Schools connects students around the world to collaboratively work on projects focused on language, culture, and global issues.
Suggested Use
Educators can sign their class up to participate in the collaborative projects. These connections can be a part of Dignity Day activities and can also be a part of the school year.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Youth Voices
Youth Voices is a social network powered by young people (originally started by teachers from National Writing Project sites) that provides a platform for students to express their thoughts, passions, questions, and understandings on a wide array of topics in various mediums.
Suggested Use
Share with students and encourage them to join a conversation or start a conversation on issues that matter most to them. This may be a great place for students to capture their Dignity Stories and start a dialogue with students around the world.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Global Oneness Project
The Global Oneness Project contains a wide collection of multimedia stories (films, photo essays, and articles) focused on cultural, environmental, and social issues; each story is accompanied by companion curriculum for teachers.
Suggested Use
Educators and Facilitators can use resources to design classroom lessons and activities that can be used in conjunction with Dignity Day activities or throughout the school year.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Write the World
Write the World is an international platform where high school students can develop their voices, refine their editing skills and publish their work.
Suggested Use
Share with students and encourage them to join a conversation or start a conversation on issues that matter most to them. This may be a great place for students to capture their Dignity Stories and start a dialogue with students around the world.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future (UNESCO)
This professional development curriculum “ will enable teachers to plan Learning Experiences that empower their students to develop and evaluate alternative visions of a sustainable future and to work creatively with others to help bring their visions of a better world into effect.
Suggested Use
Educators use this professional development curriculum to better understand the complexities of global issues that directly relate to dignity, such as world hunger and sustainable development
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Love Has No Labels
Many of us unintentionally make snap judgments about people based on what we see—whether it’s race, age, gender, religion, sexuality, or disability. The Love Has No Labels campaign challenges us to open our eyes to our bias and prejudice and work to stop it in ourselves, our friends, our families, and our colleagues
Suggested Use
Use this video with dignity initiatives focused on acceptance, the elimination of prejudice and bias, and the freedom to express one’s true self.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
Fans of Love: Love Has No Labels
For years, kiss cams have been a big part of American sports culture. This year, Love Has No Labels puts a twist on the kiss cam by turning it into a symbol for unbiased love. In the stadium, fans cheered for love in all its forms - regardless of race, gender, disability, age or religion.
Suggested Use
Use this video with dignity initiatives focused on acceptance, the elimination of prejudice and bias, and the freedom to express one’s true self.
Curriculum Resources And Tools
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Child friendly version
A convention with 54 Articles that articulate the rights of all children in the world.
Suggested Use
Use this with the Human Rights and Your Dignity Story Learning Experience either in tandem with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or in lieu of it.
Resources To Stop Bullying
Resources To Stop Bullying
UNESCO’s Global Status Report on School Violence and Bullying
This report outlines the prevalence of school bullying around the world, highlights how countries are responding to bullying, and what the key priorities should be to address bullying worldwide.
Suggested Use
Use this report to better understand the prevalence of bullying around the world as well as learn about ways different countries are responding.
Resources To Stop Bullying
Olweus Program
Backed by thirty-five years of research and successful, worldwide implementation, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a long-term, system-wide program for change involving program components at four levels: school-level components, classroom-level components, individual-level components, and community-level components
Suggested Use
Learn about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at this link and learn about ways you can implement the program within your own community.
Resources To Stop Bullying
KiVA International
KiVa is a research-based antibullying program that has been developed in the University of Turku, Finland, with funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture. The effectiveness of KiVa has been shown in a large randomized controlled trial. In Finland, KiVa is a sought-after program: most of all comprehensive schools in the country are registered KiVa schools implementing the program.
Suggested Use
Learn about the KiVa anti-bullying program in Finland at this link and consider ways you might be able to implement in your own school.
Resources To Stop Bullying
PBIS - Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It offers many bully prevention resources, including a 52-page handbook, in English, French, and Spanish.
Suggested Use
The purpose of this handbook is to improve the success of schools as effective learning environments. Aggression, violence, threats, intimidation, and isolation compromise the ability of students to learn and perform in school. Establishing a school-wide expectation for common respect, teaching what that means, and ensuring that all students and faculty and staff members share in the responsibility of making schools respectful settings can make a difference
Resources To Stop Bullying
PeaceBuilders
PeaceBuilders is a science-based, research-validated violence prevention curriculum and professional development program for grades pre-K to 12. Its essence is a common language - six principles, taught, modeled and practiced. These same principles set behavioral expectations, reduce aggression, and transform the climate and culture of any environment to one which is cooperative, productive, and academically successful.
Suggested Use
Visit this link to learn about the PeaceBuilders violence prevention curriculum.
Resources To Stop Bullying
Stopbullying.gov
A federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Suggested Use
StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying
Resources To Stop Bullying
International Bullying Prevention Association
The International Bullying Prevention Association (IBPA) was founded in 2003 when grassroots practitioners and researchers came together to convene the first conference in the US entirely focused on bullying prevention. Since then, it has grown to be the premier global membership organization dedicated to advancing bullying prevention best practices by: convening research-based forums, advocating best practices, promoting positive school climate, and collaborating across disciplines/sectors/fields
Suggested Use
Learn about best practices in promoting a positive climate within your school or organization.
