2018 Global Dignity Day Celebration
Ushering in a wave of dignity
In 2006, three young leaders began a conversation at the World Economic Forum about polarization across the globe, what divides us and the challenges we all face. Haakon Magnus, crown prince of Norway; John Hope Bryant, CEO and founder of Operation HOPE; and Pekka Himanen, philosopher and professor, reflected as well on the universal desire of humanity to be understood and appreciated, to achieve dreams and develop collective potential.
From those thoughts surfaced the need to do something that would spread the values and principles comprising dignity. And so began Global Dignity Day, an initiative bringing people together to champion the belief that each and every person:
Principles 1
Principles 2
Principles 3
Principles 4
Principles 5
This month’s event marks EARTH University’s second consecutive year of celebrating, bringing together more than 400 participants – EARTH students, faculty and staff members, and youth from a nearby high school – to learn how dignity comes to life through lived experiences.
The event consisted of three parts:
1. Opening plenary session where the subject was presented.
2. Facilitated small-group discussion and activities.
3. Closing plenary session where participants’ dignity stories were shared.
Part One
Song About Dignity
The empowering chorus went “Llénate de amor, siente la buena energía, ¡acéptate!” (“Fill yourself with love, feel the good energy, accept yourself!”).
Later, EARTH President Arturo Condo encouraged reflective attitudes in all participants. “If we are to be leaders, we must learn that the duty of a leader is to respect and protect the dignity of many people,” he said. “The purpose of this celebration is to strengthen and commemorate our dignity and that of the people with whom we will work toward a common goal.”
Condo then introduced Natalia Vindas as the special guest and keynote speaker. Vindas – a wheelchair user since a transit accident damaged her spine a few years ago – was recently selected to represent Costa Rica in the World Adaptive Surfing Championship this December in La Jolla, California. When off the board, she is the director of accessibility for Plura, a social enterprise advocating for inclusivity along with more work and tourism opportunities for people with disabilities.
By sharing her story, she motivated participants to pursue their own purpose in life – insisting that sometimes we must reinvent ourselves in order to reach our maximum potential and to help others reach theirs.
Natalia Vindas, special guest
Also during the opening session,Cristian Ixcayau (’18, Guatemala) presented a story of dignity from his life. A well-respected EARTH student leader, Cristian told about a family situation that affected him at 9 years old and how this serves as one of his primary motivators. “I want to make changes in my country, to continue working hard, to build – as EARTH’s mission states – societies that are more prosperous but also dignified,” he said.
Part Two
Group
Each participant penned a letter to oneself – promising to put values of dignity into action – and sealed it in an envelope. They will receive their letter on Global Dignity Day 2019, where they will have time to reflect on the advancement of their goals and commitment.
Part Three
In the event’s closing session, a handful of participants volunteered their stories of dignity to inspire the congregation.
Luz Otálvaro (’21, Colombia)
To learn more about Global Dignity Day or to get involved – no matter where you are in the world – visit their official website.
