Over 400,000 people in 65 countries celebrated the ninth Global Dignity Day this year. It is observed on the third Wednesday of October each year.
In Bangladesh, a month-long observance across three upazilas that included human chains, rallies and a boat rally on the Jamuna River, culminated in the closing ceremony yesterday.
At the closing ceremony held in the Krishibid Institution, chief guest State Minister for Finance M A Mannan, said: “Self-respect is a path to dignity. It is through this concept of self-respect and respect for others that nations are built.”
The guest of honour, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq, said: “... it is the strength of individual dignity that goes on to build societies and nations. Individual dignity, personal dignity, collective dignity and national dignity are all linked.”
Runa Khan, country chair for Global Dignity Bangladesh and founder and executive director of Friendship, Henrik Width, chargé d’affaires of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka, Ambassador Sophie Aubert of France and many others attended the closing ceremony.
Runa said: “Never take more away from a person than what you are giving them. When you help the poor, give them your help in a manner that is not rude or disrespectful because otherwise you take away their dignity. And when you take that away you are leaving them worse than how they were in the first place. People can live with poverty but they cannot live without dignity and hope.”
Seventy-eight Friendship Schools, 78 adult educational centres, 21 government schools and a number of reputed private schools and organisations such as Scholastica, Leaping Boundaries and Jaago joined in the Global Dignity Day celebrations.
Global Dignity was established by His Royal Highness Prince Haakon of Norway, Pekka Himanen and John Hope Bryant of Operation HOPE – three global citizens who met as Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum.
It is an autonomous, non-profit, non-criticism and non-partisan group that works to help youth, adults and every individual become their best self and to help others achieve the same.
