Young Global Leaders Launch GLOBAL DIGNITY Public Awareness Campaign
Three international leaders initiate five dignity principles aimed at encouraging people worldwide to lead an empowered and dignified life
Davos, Switzerland, 23 February 2006 - World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (YGL) today announced “Global Dignity”—a global campaign to defend the right of all human beings to lead a dignified and empowered life through five main principles. A new website with a set of online teaching tools dedicated to the same was also introduced.
The five Global Dignity principles are:
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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 and security.
- Dignity means having the freedom to make decisions on one’s life and 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 of others.
“It is not enough to merely acknowledge that all human beings have inherent dignity. Our actions must reflect the dignity of others,” said HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway
The principles were introduced during the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2006 where more than over 150 participants quickly signed on to the project including former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari, actor Michael Douglas, musician Peter Gabriel, author of best selling novel A Purpose Driven Life Reverend Rick Warren, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leading economic advisor Joseph Stiglitz, and Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter.
Her Majesty Rania Al-Abdullah Queen of
“HOPE Global Initiatives is proud to promote, advocate, help advance and to partner with Global Dignity”, said Bryant. “By formulating a globally shared dream, Global Dignity and HOPE Global Initiatives are perfectly aligned in promoting opportunity around the world, to empower each individual to believe in his or her fundamental right to dignity, respect, and freedom, to make their own decisions in life. I have always said that there is a difference between being broke and being poor. That being broke is an economic condition, but being poor is a depressed condition of the spirit and a disabling frame of mind, and we must vow to never, ever be poor again. This is fundamental to the process of giving oneself dignity.” When signing onto the principles, world renowned activist and honorary board member of Global Dignity Ambassador Andrew Young added, “I am, I think, I care, I do! This is the basic principle of human dignity, which I must share and assure for others, if I am to survive myself.”
Global Dignity will continue to develop online teaching tools as well as a series of powerful video interviews with various world leaders as an inspiration for action. To view the five dignity principles set forth by Global Dignity or more information about the Young Global Leaders, please visit the new website at www.globaldignity.org