Global Dignity 2008 – Norway
Global Dignity Day 2008
Today is October 20 and Global Dignity Day. On all continents around the world Young Global Leaders and friends of Global Dignity are conducting Dignity Days in junior high schools and high schools. In Mexico, China, Indonesia, South Africa, Great Britain, Finland and Norway young students are becoming part of this effort to focus on what we have in common rather than what divides us. If you have participated in a Dignity Day, or just simply want to partake in GDD please place a comment on our blog. Help inspire others and tell us what you think. Maybe you have a story you would like to share about how someone were lifted, how their dignity was respected and increased. It would be great if you would share it with us.
In Norway we had a great Dignity Day at Ruselokka school this morning. Several organizations helped conduct a dignity day. A big thank you to the United Nations Association of Norway, the Norwegian Red Cross, MOT, Kirkens SOS and the Development Fund. Also fellow YGLs Henrik Syse (philosopher) and Jon S. von Tetzchner (Opera Software) participated with their wisdom and experience in the Norwegian Dignity Day.
We started out with a general assembly introducing GD before we split into classes. We had a great discussion in our class. The best exchanges followed student’s comments.
Jenny had one day walked to school and saw a heap of scruffy clothes lying on the side walk. Or so she thought. At closer examination she realized it was a human being lying there in the street. Some young kids were throwing pebbles at him and laughing, while others were hurrying past. This grim example of how unforgiving and ruthless the world can be for those that are already in a weak position spurred a great conversation in our classroom about what type of society we want and what we could do in a situation like this.
The strongest part of the day was probably the assembly with all the students (around 130) after the class room sessions. Some of the students shared their own stories of dignity with us all. Here were the stories of how a boy’s eyes had shone with a different glow after Haktan had offered to be his friend and how a girl had travelled to the Dominican Republic and had met friendliness and generosity that far presides what we normally offer in Norway even though we are said to be richer.
I would like to thank the students at Ruselokka school for a great learning experience and hope that all the Dignity Days around the world will be a great success.
Haakon
October 21st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Hello everybody,
Just want to thank HRH Haakon for his great enthusiasm, input, and dedication during our day at Ruselokka skole in Oslo, and for his tireless work concentrating on human dignity for years. It is heartening to see the reactions of young students as he helps them formulate what dignity is all about. For me as a philosopher — and a YGL — it is simply wonderful to reflect on and probe these issues from both a philosophical and a practical standpoint. Thanks, Haakon, Jon, Ruselokka, and all of you.
Congratulations on Global Dignity Day, to all who made it happen.
Cheers,
Henrik (Syse),
Oslo, Norway
October 21st, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Hello!
I work for one of the organisations which were so lucky to be picked for helping out during Global Dignity Day at Ruseløkka skole yesterday. It was a magnificent experience! I was inspired by the enthusiasm HRH Haakon showed for the pupils at the school and of course for the issue digity. But just as astonishing was all the reflections the pupils in “my” class showed. They made it sound so easy to give other people dignity, they also stressed the need for own dignity to be able to act with dignity towards others. These are 14/15 year olds!!! I am amazed!
Thank you to both HRH Haakon and the class 9c at Ruseløkka skole for letting us be a part of this day!
Ragna
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
To all Global Dignity Day participants around the world, (including my very cool husband…)
I am so proud of what you all have achieved!!!
A special thanx to all the young people who have participated in Global Dignity Day in Norway!
All the best ,
Mette-Marit
January 6th, 2010 at 3:45 am
Hell yeah!