All our workshops are invitations to explore how we can best deepen, grow, and practice the global message of dignity — now and far into the future.

If you wish to participate in our workshops, please send an email to workshops@humiliationstudies.org. Please kindly include your contact information and any other details you would like to share with our community (such as CV, papers, articles, presentations, video links, etc.).

Please know that you are always invited to spend the entire workshop with us, so that true dignity-family building can emerge. All our events are part of an ongoing effort to nurture a global community of people who wish to nurture more dignity in the world. The workshop series follows a format of organic growth, and is thus different from mainstream conferences. In all our events, our aim is to create a community — rather than having an "audience" listen to "speakers" or "presenters." All participants are warmly invited to fill out our Appreciative Introduction form (Word | PDF) and send it to us or bring it with them.

There is no registration fee, we share minimal cost according to ability. To cover our expenses, we always summarise the costs during the conference and invite participants to contribute according to their ability. This collaborative approach to financing allows us to keep the conference affordable for all. Our work is a labor of love and maintained entirely by those who give their time and energy as a gift. All our efforts are pro bono and not-for-profit endeavors. Everyone who participates does so because of dignity, because of their appreciation for our work for dignity. Nobody is there "for the money," nobody is being paid, there is no "paid staff." This is our way of walking our talk of "being the change we want to see in the world." We welcome all donations to this workshop, be it your time, your creativity, or, if you wish, your economic support (please see this secure link). We thank all participants in our conferences for being fully responsible for bearing the cost of their own travel, transportation, and accommodation arrangements. We also strive to organize our conferences as Green Conferences. Thank you for your loving support!

This page is part of our larger website that serves as a "virtual field journal" and an open resource, documenting all of our events and initiatives over time, always remaining available to our global dignity community. Our members regularly consider a variety of electronic options for sharing our efforts on social media (see, for instance, the Digniworld initiative), and we have found it beneficial to keep the main HumanDHS website organized by posting the contents of events on extended pages, with links to additional information both on other pages of our website and on external places. The entire website resembles a large "organism," a large web of content that weaves together our entire work since 2001.

During our conferences, we always ask all participants for their permission to have their pictures or videos posted on our website, however, if you change your mind later, either in total or for specific pictures/videos, please let us know! Thank you! Since we wish to walk the talk of dignity, it is very important for us to do our utmost in respecting everybody's privacy. We refrain from gathering written permissions from you during our conferences, since we value the building of mutual trust in relationships, and we also would like to refrain from contributing to an ever more bureaucratic and legalistic society.

• See the program of this workshop further down on this site or as Pdf
• See the post-workshop gratitude letter sent out on February 7, 2022, "Celebrating Everyone's Contribution to Our December Workshop!"

Please see here the invitations that were sent out prior to this workshop:
• Final Reminder and Confirmation, sent out on December 1, 2021
• Final Friendly Reminder, sent out on November 2, 2021
• A Special Invitation to Share a "Message to the World" sent out on October 11, 2021
• A Personal Invitation, sent out on October 5, 2021
• Invitation sent our on September 13, 2021
• Dignity Letter July 2021 — Dignity Through Solidarity! sent out on July 13, 2021
• Dignity Letter March 2021 — Good News in Hard Times, sent out on March 23, 2021
• See also your general invitation letter for this workshop as Pdf

• For previous workshops, see a compilation of all NY workshops and the newsletters written after these conferences. See in particular newsletter 36, written subsequent to the 2021 workshop by Evelin Lindner, who also updated this webpage.

• This workshop was the eighteenth workshop in a series that began in 2003. See an overview over all our previous conferences and see the workshops of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

Pre-Workshop Meeting of the Planning Team, the Digni-Planners

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Prior to the workshop, Linda Hartling welcomed the Digni-Planners, thanked them, and invited David Yamada to offer a song (Video)

Please note that the work of the Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies network is a labor of love, maintained entirely by volunteers who give their time and energy as a gift. All efforts are pro bono and not-for-profit endeavors.

Thank you so much, dear Janet Gerson, Elaine Meis, Mara Alagic, David Yamada, Chipamong Chowdhury, and Phil Brown for gifting your time, energy, and loving creativity for the past six months in preparation for this workshop!

Particular gratitude goes to Fatma Tufan for recording this workshop!



Since 2012, each year in December, Anna Strout offers her extraordinary talent, her time and energy, to document in this workshop series in photograpy. Thank you, dear Anna! Thank you also to your son Banner for his help!



The workshop Zoom room opened with musical meditations from Lasse Moer
Humler og lavendel (bumblebees and lavender)
(Video Day One | Video Day Three | original Video September 7, 2021, with the cat Molly passing through)
See more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below




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Linda Hartling Opened the Workshop

• Linda Hartling, Director of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, welcomed all workshop participants (Video)

• Linda Hartling acknowledged the Digni-Planners of this workshop (Video | See also the Digni-Planners gathering prior to the workshop Video)

• Linda Hartling explained the use of the camera and microphone during this workshop (Video on Day Three)

• Participants welcomed each other in the chat (see also the entire chat of Day One)

Danielle Coon Welcomed All Participants to the Workshop

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• Danielle Coon welcomed all participants (Video)
Danielle Coon is the Associate Director of the Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR), Columbia University, Teachers College (TC)

• Our profound gratitude goes to Danielle Coon and Peter Coleman for hosting this workshop also this year.
What a worthy way to honor Morton Deutsch, and what a gift to all those who wish to bring more dignity into this world. We celebrate Morton Deutsch and the MC-ICCCR!

Thank you, dear Danielle, for announcing the new book by Peter Coleman, The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization (New York: Columbia University Press, 2021).
The book's website offers practical exercises that answer the call for dialogue that another core member of our HumanDHS fellowship, professor Inga Bostad, had issued in 2011, after the terror attacks in Norway.

• As a gift to the MD-ICCCR, Anna Strout gathered the participants for group photos with Danielle Coon
(Video recording 1 | Video recording 2 | Video recording 3)

Evelin Lindner Welcomed All Participants to the Workshop

Evelin Lindner, Founding President of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, welcomed all participants
(Video | Video recorded on December 6, 2021 | Pdf)

Linda Hartling Introduced the Appreciative Frame

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• Linda Hartling introduced the Appreciative Frame for this workshop (Video 2021 | Video 2020)

Please note that we use the perspective of Appreciative Enquiry as a frame for our work.
See introductions shared in previous workshops:
2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014 (see also Pdf), 2012, 2011,
and see An Appreciative Frame, written by Linda Hartling in 2005

• Linda Hartling gave an overview over the program of the workshop (Video)

Meeting and Greeting
Connection-Reflection Groups

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• Janet Gerson explained the Connection-Reflection Groups and invited the "Digni-Gardeners" of each group to share thoughts and reflections from their groups upon returning to the main room in the chat
(Video 2021 | Video 2020)





• Evelin Lindner briefly visited one of the Connection-Reflection groups — with Anna Strout, Peter Barus, Joanie Calem, Gershon Mitchel, and Qin Shao
Qin Shao presented her book:
Shanghai Gone: Domicide and Defiance in a Chinese Megacity (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2013)

Don Klein Celebration Lecture — Michael Britton
Gathering of Voices: The Don Klein Invitation to Reflect Together (Video)

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• Michael Britton's Don Klein Celebration Lecture of 2021 (Video)
See the original video that was recorded on December 5, 2021, and edited by Linda Hartling on December 6, 2021, and a longer presentation with PowerPoint recorded on November 30, 2021, and edited by Linda Hartling on December 1, 2021

• In the annual Workshop on Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict that takes place at Columbia University each year since 2003, Michael Britton holds the Don Klein Celebration Lecture in honor of the lecture titled The Humiliation Dynamic: Looking Back... Looking Forward that Don Klein held until he passed away in 2007

• Please see all of Michael Britton's Don Klein Celebration Lectures since 2007 here

• Michael uses Don Klein's metaphor of a scrim, a transparent stage curtain, where one believes that what one sees is reality only as long as the light shines on it in a certain way — see Don's explanation

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

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Bonnie Selterman recited Dignity Through Solidarity — A Spoken Essay and Poem
(Video | Pdf | Spoken recording on November 21, 2021)

"…shall we see the light of possibility through ingenuity, through human dignity, respecting ecology, the life-sustaining strategy of solidarity?"
Thank you so much, dear Bonnie!
Each year, you offer us your immensely dignifying creativity!

Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Connection-Reflection Groups

Linda Hartling read some of the highlights posted in the chat by the "dignigardeners" of each of the small "Connection-Reflection" groups that gathered for 15 minutes in separate break-through rooms (Video)

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #1: Dignity Through Solidarity: What Can We Do Make This Future Possible?
• Digni-Host — Janet Gerson
• Digni-Contributors — Emmanual Ndahimana, Carol Smaldino, Lyndon Harris, and Joy Ndwandwe

• Digni-Host
Janet Gerson(Video)

Dr. Janet C. Gerson is the recipient of the 2018 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award. She is a pillar of the dignity work since 2001. She came to a talk titled Humiliation and the Roots of Violence that Evelin Lindner gave at Teachers College, Columbia University, on December 17, 2001, upon the invitation of Betty Reardon, attended also by Morton Deutsch.

Thank you so much, dear Janet, for being a pillar of our work since 2001!

• Emmanuel Ndahimana
(Video)

Emmanuel Ndahimana hosted the 2015 Dignity Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, June 2–5, 2015. This conference was held in the spirit of the United Nations Agenda Towards "A Life of Dignity for All," in the spirit of umuganda, "coming together in common purpose" (the traditional practice of communities self-solving their problems), and as a tribute to Felicitas Niyitegeka.

Thank you, dear Emmanuel Ndahimana, for contributing to this Dignilogue with your most valuable reflections (Video | Video recorded on November 13, 2021 | Pdf prepared on December 9, 2021 | Pdf prepared on November 19, 2021)

Thank you so much also for your "Message to the World"!

We are deeply grateful to both Emmanuel Ndahimana and late Bishop Desmond Tutu for their wonderful support to our dignity work. Thank you, dear Emmanuel, for always explaining to us the African ubuntu philosophy that says "I am because of you, we are because of each other," "Umunthu ngamunthu ngabantu," "a person is a person through other people." Bishop Desmond Tutu offered a wonderful explanation of ubuntu. Bishop Tutu kindly contributed with the Foreword to Evelin's book on "big love" in 2010.

• Carol Smaldino
(Video)

Solidarity with Our Emotions in the Human Climate (Video)

Your wisdom enriches us, dear Carol Smaldino, since you first found our work in 2009! We so much appreciate your way of throwing light on our dark sides, on our shadows! Thank you for your brilliant contribution to this Dignilogue! Thank you also for bringing Chris Marcantel to us!

We are proud of having your book published in Dignity Press:
The Human Climate: Facing the Divisions Inside Us and Between Us (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Please see here some examples of Carol's texts on platforms such as Huffington Post and Medium :
• The Human Climate Facing the Divisions Inside Us and Between Us, published in January 2019 in Dignity Press
• "If They Had Only Known: If We had Only Known, and Now that we Do," by Carol Smaldino, Medium, December 1, 2021
• "Mental Health Awareness Month in a Climate of Denial," by Carol Smaldino, Huffington Post, May 11, 2016
• "In Every Generation: What Independence Day Means to Me," by Carol Smaldino, Huffington Post, June 29, 2017
• "Addressing the 'Toxins in Our Hearts': A Conversation with Mary Gordon, Founder of Roots of Empathy," by Carol Smaldino, Huffington Post, December 21, 2017

• Lyndon Harris
(Video)

There Can Be No Future Without Forgiveness (Quote from Late Archbishop Desmond Tutu) (Video)

Dear Lyndon Harris, thank you so much for your ongoing loving support of our dignity work! Thank you for your brilliant contribution to this Dignilogue!

Lyndon Harris is a forgiveness coach, writer, inspiration and motivational speaker. Lyndon served at a pastor at St. Paul’s Chapel near Wall Street across from the World Trade Center. After 9/11 he worked at Ground Zero, which affected his health, his sense of purpose, and prompted his transition to the work on forgiveness that he spoke about here.

Thank you also for your "Message to the World" last year (Video | Video pre-recorded on December 10, 2020), and for your Dignilogue on Forgiveness (Video | Video of Announcement | Video of Afterthoughts)

• Joy Ndwandwe
(Video)

Abantu Eswatini Dignity InstituteIndigenous Knowledge Hub: Dignity Through Solidarity: Towards a New Global Normal, presentation by Joy Ndwandwe, Founding President (Video | Video recorded on November 17, 2021 | PowerPoint).

How wonderful it is to have you with us, dear Joy Ndwandwe! Congratulations on founding your own Indigenous Knowledge Hub in Eswatini (former Swaziland), in partnership with the World Dignity University initiative. We so much admire your strength and dedication, dear Joy! Welcome also to Dignilogue 4, hosted by David Yamada on the World Dignity University initiative!

Thank you so much for your great contribution to this Dignilogue where you presented your Indigenous Knowledge Hub! Thank you also for sharing the 2019 podcast of your story!

Thank you so much for explaining the ubuntu philosophy so well in 2013, at the 21st Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, 24th–27th April 2013, in Stellenbosch, South Africa:
• Video Ubuntu Open Space Dignilogue session, 25th April 2013 (unfortunately, reduced video quality)
• Video Ubuntu, summary by Joy Ndwandwe, 26th April 2013

• Thanking Dignilogue 1
(Video)

Rick Slaven — Director of Dignifunding

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Rick Slaven, Director of Dignifunding
(Video | Video 1 + 2, recorded on December 7, 2021, in Portland, Oregon)

Connection-Reflection Groups

• Coming back from the small "Connection-Reflection" groups into the main room with musical meditations from Lasse Moer
Cornfields (with music from Enya)
(Video | see also Lasse Moer's original Video)
Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below



• Thank you, dear Judit Révész, for being a pillar of our dignity work since its inception in 2001!

• Linda Hartling read some of the highlights posted in the chat by the "dignigardeners" of each of the small "Connection-Reflection" groups that gathered for 15 minutes in separate break-through rooms (Video)

 

• Digni-Break/Bio-Break/Coffee Break — Chat Open

• Moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry Shared Throughout the Workshop,
see Contributors Below

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #2: Creating Courage Through Action in the Age of Cogitocide, Sociocide, and Ecocide
• Digni-Host — Linda Hartling
• Digni-Contributors — His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Rebecca (Becky) Tabaczynski, Victoria Fontan, Evelin Lindner, Femke Wijdekop, Jojo Mehta (background information), and Rosario Galvan (comment)

• Digni-Host
Linda Hartling

Announcing

(Video)

Introducing
(Video)

Linda M. Hartling, Ph.D., is a social psychologist and the Director of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (HumanDHS).
Until 2008, she was the Associate Director of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute (JBMTI) at the Stone Center, part of the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She holds a doctoral degree in clinical/community psychology and advances the practice of the Relational-Cultural Theory, a new model of psychological development. She has published papers on resilience, substance abuse prevention, shame and humiliation, relational practice in the workplace, and Relational-Cultural Theory. [read more]

We have no words to thank you, dear Linda, for your selfless service to our dignity work since 2003!
Thank you for nurturing this workshop into being!

• Linda Hartling announced this dignilogue (Video)
• Linda Hartling introduced this dignilogue (Video)

• HRH Hassan bin Talal
(Video)

His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal has served as the president of the Club of Rome from 1999 to 2007. He is on the board of directors for the Center for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the University of Oklahoma, the Parliament of Cultures, and the International Tolerance Foundation for Humanities and Social Studies. He is the honorary president of the Euro-Mediterranean Association for Cooperation and Development since 2012.
Prince El Hassan bin Talal is a member of the Jordanian royal family, he is the brother of King Hussein, who was King of Jordan until his death in 1999, and he is the uncle of King Abdullah II, the present King of Jordan, who reigns since February 7, 1999.


• Prince El Hassan bin Talal explained the notion of the Cogitosphere (Video | Video recorded on October 25, 2021, and edited by Linda Hartling).
• Prince El Hassan bin Talal explained the notion of the Cogitosphere also in his remarks at the Stop Ecocide International Criminal Court side event on December 7, 2021 (see minute 1:05 in Video)
• See also his "Message to the World" 2020 (Video edited by Linda Hartling on January 3, 2021)

• Rebecca (Becky) Tabaczynski
(Video)

The Threat of Conspiracy Theories (Video | Video recorded on November 29, 2021)

Rebecca (Becky) Tabaczynski shared her research on the degradation of the cogitosphere, among others, its degradation through conspiracy entrepreneurship.

Rebecca (Becky) Tabaczynski holds a certificate in Global Post-Disaster Studies from the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters, under the Direction of Adenrele Awotona, at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. In 2017, Becky became connected to HumanDHS as a student in the course: Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Post-Disaster Reconstruction. Over the last year she has been donating her research skills as a gift to HumanDHS by studying conspiracy theories. She has a bachelors degree in nursing and masters degrees in counseling and business administration. After extensively researching conspiracy theories, she will be exploring what may encourage or prevent involvement for witnesses of humiliation.

• Victoria Fontan
(Video)

Dignity Through Solidarity During the Fall of Kabul and Its Aftermath (Video)

Through her work, Victoria Fontan aims at healing the cogitosphere through education. See a full overview over her fascinating and courageous career stages here. Professor Victoria Fontan is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), a university currently in exile on three continents. Speaking from the airport, she shared her experience during the fall of Kabul and its aftermath and reflected on the success of Dignity through Solidarity. She described how her university has navigated its exile through the ecosystem of other liberal arts higher education in emergency-settings and how it has grown into a dignity-bound institution through the dialogues of its faculty, staff and students. As AUAF’s exile takes shape, this part of the dignilogue is intended to help make sense of the path ahead, and envision other areas for shared growth. (Video)

See also:
• French Citizen Recounts 'Frantic' Trip to Kabul Airport for Evacuation (Video), Euronews, August 25, 2021.
• Almost 150 from the American University of Afghanistan Were Evacuated, but Thousands Still Want to Leave, by Paulina Smolinski, CBSN Live, September 22, 2021.

Comment by Linda Hartling and Evelin Lindner: Thank you so much, dear Victoria, for sharing your experience! We are in awe at your courage and ethical clearsightedness! Thank you for your great courage and radical dedication to dignity!
Dear Victoria, we are so happy to have you with us since 2002! You were with us in our foundational conference in 2003 in Paris, you hosted our 2006 conference in Costa Rica, and you published your 2012 book Decolonizing Peace in our World Dignity University Press. And these are just a few small examples of your gifts of dignity!
You are a living example of creating courage through action in all your endeavors, working for the substance of dignity rather than the illusion of dignity.

• Thanking Victoria Fontan
for her courage

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• Evelin Lindner
(Video)

Stop Sociocide! Stop the Wearing Down of Our Sociosphere! (Video | Video recorded on December 7, 2021 | Text)

What is sociocide? Ecocide is the killing of our ecosphere, of our ecological world, of which we only are a small part, despite our belief to be its masters. Sociocide is the killing of our sociosphere, of the cohesion in our human communities, local and global. In other words, while ecocide is the wearing down and destruction of the ecological fabric of our planet, sociocide is the wearing down and destruction of the quality of our human relations on Earth, of the social fabric of our societies and communities.
Throughout history, competition for domination as a mindset and as a social and societal order has always been limited in its usefulness, but by now, it fully outlives this usefulness. This mindset drives systemic cogitocide and sociocide, it divides the global community just when it needs to come together, and by doing so, it hastens global ecocide.

Useful quote from Aristotle/Aristoteles (384–322 BCE): ...any one can get angry — that is easy... but to do this to the right person, to the right extent, at the right time, with the right motive, and in the right way, that is not for every one, nor is it easy; wherefore goodness is both rare and laudable and noble.
― Nicomachean Ethics, Book II, 9. Translated by Sir William David Ross. Kichener, ON: Batoche, 1999.

The promise of dignity through solidarity, the promise of dignism:
Dignism describes a world where every newborn finds space and is nurtured to unfold their highest and best, embedded in a social context of loving appreciation and connection, where the carrying capacity of the planet guides the ways in which basic needs are met. It is a world where unity in diversity reigns, where we unite in respecting human dignity and celebrating diversity, where we prevent unity from devolving into oppressive uniformity, and where we keep diversity from sliding into hostile division. It is a world where we protect diversity from being levelled out through uniformity and prevent unity from being broken down through division. Dignism means avoiding ‘uniformity without diversity’ as much as ‘division without unity’. It means transforming everything into loving global unity in diversity.

• Femke Wijdekop
(Video)

Protecting the Dignity of Our Earth Community Through Ecocide Law (Video | Video recorded on November 19, 2021)

Dutch lawyer Femke Wijdekop speaks about the potential of ecocide law to contribute to a culture of harmonious coexistence between humans and the non-human inhabitants of our planet. Ecocide law is an expression of a growing awareness of our interconnectedness with the natural world and steers us away from the right to exploit the Earth towards a duty of care.

Message from Linda Hartling and Evelin Lindner: Hartelijk welkom, a very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Femke! Thank you so much for your important contribution to this Dignilogue that you recorded on November 19, 2021. Thank you for saying, "I love the therapeutic and healing possibilities of law and justice."

In the summer of 2013, Femke Wijdekop organised an Earth Guardian workshop with Polly Higgins in Amsterdam.

• Jojo Mehta on Polly Higgins
(Video)

Thank you, dear Jojo Mehta, for your wonderful tribute to our dear Polly Higgins!
Stop Ecocide: The legacy of Polly Higgins, by Jojo Mehta, August 1, 2019 (Video).

Thank you for your kind message from November 30, 2021, explaining that your work is in a very different place now as compared to 2019. You write, "...of course we always love having new Earth Protectors! but we are also briefing parliamentarians, lawyers, faith leaders, NGOs, government agencies... we're at the heart of a growing global movement. Feel free to choose something from our YouTube channel if you wish..."

Comment by Evelin Lindner: I was in touch with late Polly Higgins when she held the Arne Næss Professorial Chair (non-academic) in Global Justice and the Environment at the University of Oslo from 2012 – 2014, invited, among others, by Inga Bostad. Inga Bostad was the one who also kindly hosted the launch of the World Dignity University initiative at the University of Oslo in 2011, and Arne Næss attended one of the foundational conferences for the HumanDHS movement, namely, the one in 2003 in Paris, where also Victoria Fontan participated. Linda and I are immensely proud of the large web of loving dignity connections that grow through our work!

• Rosario Galvan

Thank you so much for offering your gift of reflections to this dignilogue, dear Rosario! The suffix –cide in words such as genocide, sociocide, ecocide, suicide, or pesticide comes from caedere in Latin and means "cutting down," while the Latin word cedere means "giving up." Giving up "winning" and "dominating" would be so much better than killing, yes!

Thank you for kindly writing on 15th November 2021:

I thought of resemblance of caedere with verb "ceder" in Spanish, with several meanings, but one very important for social wellbeing is "to grant, to yield, to concede." Actually, the Latin etymological root of "ceder" is cedere, so there's an obvious resemblance with caedere but a clear distinctive significance. The meaning of "ceder" can also be used when retiring in a war. Even in this scenario, when a loss is involved, avoidance of suffering is implied through the choice. If we were to shift this overreliance on caedere in favor of cedere, we could perhaps make the cognitive shift too from killing and erasing nature to granting and yielding an honoured position that we need to respect.

• Thanks to Dignilogue 2

Connection-Reflection Groups

• Concluding Connections for Day 1 and Welcoming to Day 2

• Moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry Shared Throughout the Workshop, see contributors below

• Photo Session with Anna Strout

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

George Wolfe kindly offered his music and poetry
Mourning Dove Call (Video | Video recorded on November 15, 2020)

Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Photo Session with Anna Strout

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Anna Strout: End of Day One Photo Session (Video recording 1 | Video recording 2)



Anna Strout with her son Banner!



Anna Strout: End of Day One Photo Session (Video recording 1 | Video recording 2)

Bonus Session 3:45 – 4:30 pm: Deepening the Dialogue/Co-Creativity Group

Welcome to HumanDHS: New and Returning Friends, Students, and Mentors

David Yamada and Janet Gerson

HumanDHS Board Directors David Yamada and Janet Gerson invited new participants and returning friends to join them. A wonderful conversation unfolded, about the HumanDHS community and its uniquely collaborative and relational approach to working as a global community.

During the meeting, David Yamada recommended this article to Ella Nygård Autti:
Linda M. Hartling and Elizabeth Sparks, E., Relational-Cultural Practice: Working in a Nonrelational World, Work in Progress, No. #97. Wellesley, MA: Stone Center Working Papers Series, 2002.

In 2007, several members of our HumanDHS network felt that it was difficult for newcomers to find their way into the workings of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies. They therefore suggested to make a special page for newcomers and they contributed with their texts. See Welcome to newcomers!

Bonus Session 3:45 – 4:30 pm: Deepening the Dialogue/Co-Creativity Group

Warm-up Activities for Engaging & Connecting Your Groups on Zoom (Video)

Beth Boynton

Would you like some online tools you can use to promote everyone’s participation in virtual meetings? We will have fun playing and debriefing 3–4 experiential activities that will help bring all voices to the table.

Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP, is the author of several books on communication and leadership in healthcare and a pioneer in developing medical improv as a teaching modality. She publishes the award-winning blog, www.confidentvoices.com and is honored to be a member of the HumanDHS Education Team. Learn more about her at bethboynton.com and reach her at Beth@bethboynton.com.

A few samples noting that the learning context can vary:
• Building-situational-awareness
• Hello-goodbye-ease-into-improv-activities
• Dignity Exchange: An Experiential Activity for Promoting Dignity Everywhere

Beth and her colleague Liz Korabek-Emerson piloted a virtual field trip with Creative Mornings where they did an hour of mindfulness and improv.

Anna Strout's little son Banner enjoyed the movement!

Linda Hartling Welcomed All Participants

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• Linda Hartling welcomed the planning team — the Digni-Planners!

• See the chat of Day Two

Linda Hartling welcomed everone to Day Two with musical meditations titled Purple Fjords that are part of the Dragvoll Music collection (Video)

See more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Evelin Lindner welcomed everyone to Day Two (Video)

See more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Linda Hartling introduced the program of Day Two (Video)

Photo Session (Video)

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Photo Session (Video)

Connection-Reflection Groups

Meeting and Greeting: Connection-Reflection Groups — explained by Janet Gerson (Video 2021 | Video 2020)
Janet Gerson invited the "Digni-Gardeners" of each group to share thoughts and reflections from their groups upon returning to the main room in the chat

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

A Poem — Inner Dignity for Daily Meditation and Reflection (Video)
offered by
Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury, or Bhante Revata Dhamma (monk's name, known in the monastic communities)
Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #3: Generating Dignity Through Compassionate Justice?
• Digni-Host — Philip Brown
• Digni-Contributors — Michael Perlin, Janet Gerson, David Yamada, Tony Gaskew, and Ginger Lerner-Wren (guest)

• Digni-Host
Phil Brown
(Video)

Dr. Philip Brown opened this dignilogue and introduced its participants (Video). Philip Brown is a Coach for the National School Climate Center and President of the newly reorganized International Center for Assault Prevention. Thank you, dear Phil, for being a pillar of our dignity work since 2004, and for acceepting the 2016 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award!

• Michael Perlin(Video)

"In These Times of Compassion When Conformity's in Fashion": How Therapeutic Jurisprudence Can Root out Bias, Limit Polarization and Support Vulnerable Persons in the Legal Process (Video).

Michael L. Perlin is professor emeritus at New York Law School and an adjunct professor at Emory University Law School, specializing in all aspects of mental disability law. He is also the co-founder of Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates.

Dear Michael! What a pillar of our dignity work you have been since George Woods brought you to us in 2006. Thank you so much for kindly accepting that we honored you with our 2012 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award!

You wrote about dignity: "I have been writing about this for years. See my articles, among others, my chapter "Dignity and Therapeutic Jurisprudence: How We Can Best End Shame and Humiliation," in Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations 113 (Chipamong Chowdhury and Michael Britton eds. 2019) (Dignity Press); See more here."

Thank you so much for your important contribution to this book:
"Dignity and Therapeutic Jurisprudence: How We Can Best End Shame and Humiliation." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael F. Britton, and Linda M. Hartling. Chapter 6. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

• David Yamada(Video)

Reframing Global Leadership in a Dignitarian Context (Video)
See also:
Yamada, David C. (2021). "Therapeutic Jurisprudence: Foundations, Expansion, and Assessment." In University of Miami Law Review, 75 (3), p. 660 (Pdf)

David Yamada is the recipient of the 2015 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award. He is a professor of law and director of the New Workplace Institute at Suffolk University Law School in Boston. David is a globally recognized scholar and authority on workplace bullying and worker dignity. At our annual workshops, he has frequently shared topics such as workplace bullying and abuse, dignity at work, and therapeutic jurisprudence.

Thank you, dear David, for being a beacon of dignity in the world, a pillar of our global dignity work, and a pillar of this workshop series since 2007! In 2020, you were a pillar of Dignilogue 1 and Dignilogue 2 in particular! And again we had the privilege of enjoying your wonderful musical voice (Text | Video)!

Congratulations with this great article in the journal of the American Bar Association! "David Yamada is fighting to end workplace bullying," by Amanda Robert, ABA Journal, December 1, 2021.

• Janet Gerson(Video)

The Interrelatedness of Dignity, Justice, Democracy, and Peace (Video)

Janet presented on justice and civil society from her recent book that she co-authored with Dale T. Snauwaert, titled Reclaimative post-conflict justice: Democratizing justice in the World Tribunal on Iraq (Cham, Switzerland: Springer International, 2021)

Dr. Janet C. Gerson is the recipient of the 2018 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award. She is a political theorist, writer, artist, and activist educator who has taught peace education, conflict processes, transformative learning, and futures envisioning. She is the Education Director of the International Institute on Peace Education (IIPE), and former Co-Director of the Peace Education Center at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City (2001- 2010). She has collaborated with the Morton Deutsch International Center on Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR) at at Teachers College since 1996. Her research and writing focus on the interrelatedness of dignity, justice, democracy and peace.

Thank you so much, dearest Janet, for being a pillar of our work every year since 2001! You came to the talk titled Humiliation and the Roots of Violence that Evelin gave at Teachers College, Columbia University, on December 17, 2001, 3.30 pm, upon the invitation of our dear Betty Reardon, and attended by Morton Deutsch, among others.

• Tony Gaskew(Video)

Where Have All the Black Revolutionaries Gone in Steel City? An Interview with Sala Udin (Video)
Tony Gaskew's discussion focused on his forthcoming publication of the same title in the journal Kalfou: A Journal of Comparative and Relational Ethnic Studies, 2022. See also his recent book, Stop Trying to Fix Policing: Lessons Learned from the Front Lines of Black Liberation (Lanham, MD: Lexington., 2020)

Dr. Tony Gaskew was awarded the Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (DHS) Beacon of Dignity Award in 2015 for his outstanding dedication to equality and human rights.
Tony Gaskew is Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor of Criminal Justice, Affiliate Faculty in Africana Studies, and Director of the Prison Education Program at the University of Pittsburgh, Bradford. He is a Fulbright Hays Scholar, who has conducted ethnographic field work throughout Africa. His research and publications focus on revolutionary violence within the Black Radical Tradition. His book, Stop Trying to Fix Policing: Lessons Learned from the Front Lines of Black Liberation (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021), examines the Pan-Afrikan rituals for dismantling the institution of American policing.

Dear Tony, thank you so much for being a pillar of our work since 2008! You brought your important message to many of our workshops each December in New York City since then!

Thank you so very much for your important contributing to this book:
"Mindfulness, the Reawakening of Black Dharma, and Mastering the Art of Policing." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael Britton, and Linda Hartling. Chapter 9. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

• Ginger Lerner-Wren

Michael Perlin kindly wrote on July 24, 2008:Dear Evelin & Ginger: Evelin, Ginger is Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, in Broward Cty, FL, and the administrative judge in charge of what is, in my mind (and in the mind of many others) the absolute best mental health court in the US (and the one that treats its constituents with the most dignity of any court)....

Our warmest gratitude goes to you, dear Ginger and Michael, for your important work in the world!

• Thanks to Dignilogue 3
(Video)

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

Joanie Calem sang No Borders
(Video | Video recorded on November 17, 2021)
See also the reflections Joanie shared during the coffee break of Day Three (Video) and her thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)
Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #4: Plotting the Future of the World Dignity University Initiative
• Digni-Host — David Yamada
• Digni-Contributors — Evelin Lindner, Ulrich Spalthoff, Mara Alagic, and David Yamada

A few pieces of background and context information (see also here):

The word university is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, meaning "a community of teachers and scholars."
The World Dignity University Initiative envisions to go back to the original meaning of the word and form a universitas magistrorum et scholarium globalis, a global community of teachers and scholars who share the aim to further dignity in the world. All like-minded educators and learners of the world are invited, whether they are part of local universities or not, to offer some of their knowledge as a gift to the world.

Inga Bostad, when she was Vice-Rector of the University of Oslo, Norway, hosted the launch of the World Dignity University initiative at the University of Oslo on June 24, 2011. Thank you, dear Inga! (Video prepared on December 7, 2021)

Uli Spalthoff, Ragnhild Nilsen, Hélène Lewis, Jingyi Dong, and Mariana Vergara were present during the launch of the WDUi in Oslo in 2011, and now they participate in this workshop! Welcome!

Howard Richards receives the Lifetime Commitment award in this workshop. He has explored for years how he could best support the development of the WDUi. Thank you, dear Howard!

Lee Beaumont has built an educational platform. We very much appreciate your efforts, dear Lee, and hope for wonderful partnership with the WDUi in the future!

Joy Ndwandwe has founded her own Indigenous Knowledge Hub, partnering with the WDUi (PowerPoint | Video recorded on November 17, 2021). We so much admire your strength and dedication, dear Joy!

Evelin Lindner has developed WDUi initiatives together with Mariana Vergara in the Ecuadorian Rainforest in 2012, and suggested the Amazonian Rainforest in 2019.

Anoop Swarup offers his academic support and Michael Boyer supports us with communication in social media since a long time. Thank you both!

It would be great to have the support for the World Dignity University initiative from Madhulika Singh and Nizar Ahmad. All other participants in this workshop are invited, too!

Of course, all members of our Global Advisory Board, Global Core Team, Global Research Team, and Global Education Team are invited, too!

• Digni-Host and WDUi Director
David Yamada(Video)

David C. Yamada is the recipient of the 2015 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award. David is a professor of law and director of the New Workplace Institute at Suffolk University Law School in Boston. David is a globally recognized scholar and authority on workplace bullying and worker dignity. See this article in the journal of the American Bar Association, "David Yamada is fighting to end workplace bullying," by Amanda Robert, ABA Journal, December 1, 2021.

Thank you so much, dear David, for hosting this dignilogue (Video)!

We are delighted to announce that David Yamada is the new Director of the World Dignity University (WDU) initiative starting from December 2021. The World Dignity University initiative was launched in 2011, fueled by a vision of creating a "global role model of excellence in scholarship, dignifying dialogue, and intellectual cooperation that ensures the survival of humankind on this planet." During 2022, David will help to guide us in a focussed effort to create new continuing education offerings, a resource library, and an occasional papers series. David joined the HumanDHS community in 2007. A law professor at Suffolk University Law School in Boston, he is a regular participant in our annual workshops, often sharing his work on workplace bullying and on therapeutic jurisprudence.

We CELEBRATE you as the new Director of the World Dignity University initiative! HOORAY!

Thank you so much for creating this brilliant document for us! Advancing the Promise of the World Dignity University, November 2021 (version 1) (Video 1)

• Evelin Lindner
(Video and PowerPoint)

You are invited to watch an introduction into the history of the World Dignity University idea by Evelin Lindner (Video | long Video and PowerPoint prepared on November 23, 2021).

The idea for the World Dignity University initiative grew over many years and was launched on June 24, 2011, at the University of Oslo, hosted by the Pro-Rector of the University, Inga Bostad. See a greeting that Inga Bostad recorded later in the same year (to the participants of the Dignity Conference in New Zealand), and her reflections in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Norway on July 22, 2011. See also her greetings to this workshop, recorded on November 22, 2021.

The word university is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, meaning "a community of teachers and scholars."
The World Dignity University Initiative envisions to go back to the original meaning of the word and form a universitas magistrorum et scholarium globalis, a global community of teachers and scholars who share the aim to further dignity in the world. All like-minded educators and learners of the world are invited, whether they are part of local universities or not, to offer some of their knowledge as a gift to the world.

Please see more background material:
• Evelin Lindner's invitation to Join the World Dignity University Initiative, February 8, 2011
• World Dignity University Initiative: Introduction by Evelin Lindner, April 5, 2011 (see also a German version)
• World Dignity University Initiative: How it works, by Linda Hartling and Evelin Lindner, October 28, 2011
• Federico Mayor Zaragoza greets the launch of the World Dignity University, June 24, 2011

In the 2019 Dignity Conference in the Brazilian Amazon, Evelin suggested to invite all bearers of Indigenous Knowledge in the Amazonian Rainforest into the World Dignity University initiative, and in 2012, she developed a tentative WDUi initiative together with Mariana Vergara in the Ecuadorian Rainforest:
• The World Dignity University Initiative in Vila Praia Alta, Pará, Brasil, August 31, 2019
• Ruku Kausay, Amazonian Ecuador: Tayler Mulcahy & Andrew McInnis Present their PAR, July 6, 2012
• Ruku Kausay, Amazonian Ecuador: Mariana Vergara on Building Dignity in the Amazon Systemically, July 6, 2012

See also:
• The Lazy School's First Student Peter Dering, March 14,2014. See here more of the "Lazy School" and "Lazy University" in the Pgak' Nyau (Karen) Village "Ban Nong Thao", March 13–14, 2014.
• Prof. Catherine Odora Hoppers: Welcome to the Global Institute of Applied Governance in Science, Knowledge Systems and Innovations in Uganda, Africa, October 30, 2020.
• Joy Ndwandwe presents her Indigenous Knowledge Hub in Eswatini, Africa (PowerPoint | Video recorded on November 17, 2021).

• Inga Bostad (Video)

The idea for the World Dignity University initiative grew over many years and was launched on June 24, 2011, at the University of Oslo, hosted by the Pro-Rector of the University, Inga Bostad.

Thank you so much, dear Inga, for greeting the participants of this Dignilogue (Video prepared on December 7, 2021)!

Congratulations with your new book!
Bostad, Inga (Ed.) (2021). Å høre hjemme i verden: Introduksjon til en pedagogisk hjemstedsfilosofi (Oslo: Scandinavian Academic Press, SAP). (Video recorded on November 22, 2021)
In this fascinating book, you use the metaphor of "home" as a starting point to explore topics that are relevant for large parts of the younger generation in Europe and the Nordic countries today, namely, the loss of a place to belong. The question is, What does it mean to belong in the world? See www.uio.no/forskning.

Thank you, dear Inga, for your wonderful greetings in 2011 (you greeted the participants of the Dignity Conference in New Zealand), and for your reflections in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Norway on July 22, 2011, and how you explained and confirmed the necessity of initiatives like the World Dignity University initiative.

We are very thankful that Inga Bostad nominated our global dignity and peace work for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. This nomination has protected many of our network members around the world who put themselves in harm's way by speaking up for dignity.

• Ulrich Spalthoff
(Video)

My Experience with the WDU Platform (Video)

Ulrich J. Spalthoff, Ph.D., is the Director of Operations of Dignity Press, HumanDHS Director of Project Development and System Administration, and also a Member of the HumanDHS Board of Directors.

Dear Uli, we cannot imagine our dignity work without you. You have offered your dignifying support as a free gift for more than ten years now! On behalf of humanity, please allow us to express our deepest gratitude!

Since you got to know our work in 2003 and joined us in 2010, you and your wife have traveled all the way to come to some of our conferences — for instance, the one in 2011 in New Zealand, and the one in 2015 in Rwanda — and with your immense knowledge and expertise you have built up the platform for the World Dignity University initiative.

• Mara Alagic
(Video)

A Pivotal Moment for the Future of World Dignity University (Video | Text)

Dr. Mara Alagic is Professor of Mathematics Education and Assistant Dean of the Graduate School at the Wichita State University. Her interest in developing intercultural communication and global learning competence has arisenfrom having taught internationally and in culturally diverse environments. As co-leader of an early global learning project on mathematics and science education, she was a recipient of the Global Learning Course Redevelopment Team Excellence Award in 2002.

Dear Mara, thank you so much for your most insightful contributions! We are so thankful to Adair Linn Nagata for bringing you to us in 2008! Thank you for being a pillar of our worksince then, and for being a core member of the Digni-Planning Team for this workshop!

• WDUi Director
David Yamada(Video)

We CELEBRATE you, dear David, as the new Director of the World Dignity University initiative! HOORAY! Thank you so much for your wonderful support (Video)!

Thank you so much for creating this brilliant document for us! Advancing the Promise of the World Dignity University, November 2021 (version 1) (Video 2)

Thank you, dear David, for being a beacon of dignity in the world, a pillar of our global dignity work, and a pillar of this workshop series since 2007! Congratulations with this great article in the journal of the American Bar Association! "David Yamada is fighting to end workplace bullying," by Amanda Robert, ABA Journal, December 1, 2021.

• Maggie O'Neill

Connection-Reflection Groups

Photo Session (Video)

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Photo Session (Video)

 

• Digni-Break/Bio-Break/Coffee Break — Chat Open

• Moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry Shared Throughout the Workshop,
see Contributors Below

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

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Judit Révész kindly introduced her husband Ikhlaq Hussain, who most generously contributed with Love Letter 5 - Raag Bageshree
(Video | Video recorded in Geneva on December 7, 2021)
Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Appreciations 2021

Linda Hartling gave voice to the entire dignity community's appreciation for the Digniplanners (Video)

Howard Richards Is Being Honored with the 2021 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award
(Video)

• Award Ceremony in full length (Video)
• Message of Appreciation from Evelin Lindner (Video | Pdf)
• Award Acceptance Speech by Howard Richards (Video recorded on December 8, 2021 | long Pdf | short Pdf)
• Howard Richards' 3 Most Important Messages to the World (Video, 5th June 2013 | short version prepared by Linda Hartling on December 5, 2021)


Please click on the pictures to see the videos







Peace philosopher Howard Richards is one of the deepest thinkers of our time, and more — he has also put into practice what he teaches. We thank Alicia Cabezudo, who is also with us today, for introducing him to us in 2006. Dr. Richards is a philosopher of social science who is now based in Chile, where he, his wife Caroline and their daughter Shelley host the Chileufu dialogue home. . With Gavin Andersson he teaches once a year “Ethics, Macroeconomics and Organizing” in the EMBA program at University of Cape Town. With Gavin (who pioneered the unbounded idea) and others he co-founded the Unbounded Academy. It develops dignified and dignifying solutions for our currently unsustainable institutional structures and systems. His focus is philosophical and scientific support for an ethic of care. He holds the title of Research Professor of Philosophy at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, USA, a Quaker school where he taught for thirty-five years. He was the founder of the Peace and Global Studies Program there and co-founder of the Business and Nonprofit Management program. [read more]

Award Acceptance Speech by Howard Richards, December 10, 2021
"Hi ! I do not receive an award like this very often. So far in my life I have received such an award only once in 83 years. At the rate I am going I would have to wait until after my 166th birthday for another opportunity to explain such an important concept to such a wonderful audience. The important concept is structural humiliation..." [read more, see also a long version, see also the video he recorded on December 8, 2021]

See one of his recent articles:
"A Call to Practice an Ethic of Care by Sharing Surplus," by Howard Richards, Pressenza, October 10, 2021.

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

George Wolfe played the alto saxophone (Video | Original video of "Lightnin" by Rudy Wiedoeft with George Wolfe)
Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Messages to the World — Introduction and Dialogue: Sharing and Recording, see Contributors Below


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His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
"Message to the World" (Video edited by Linda Hartling on January 3, 2021)
See the original Video that His Royal Highness pre-recorded in the Majlis in Amman, Jordan, on December 10, 2020.

A statesman and peacemaker, His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan has worked for decades to promote peace, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian justice. He has served as the president of the Club of Rome from 1999 to 2007, the board of directors for the Center for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the University of Oklahoma, the Parliament of Cultures, and the International Tolerance Foundation for Humanities and Social Studies, and is honorary president of the Euro-Mediterranean Association for Cooperation and Development since 2012.
Prince El Hassan bin Talal is a member of the Jordanian royal family, he is the brother of King Hussein, who was King of Jordan until his death in 1999, and he is the uncle of King Abdullah II, the present King of Jordan, who reigns since February 7, 1999.

See also:
• Prince El Hassan bin Talal explains the notion of the Cogitosphere (Video recorded on October 25, 2021, and edited by Linda Hartling).
• Prince El Hassan bin Talal explains the notion of the Cogitosphere in his remarks at the Stop Ecocide International Criminal Court side event on December 7, 2021 (see minute 1:05 in Video)

• Evelin Lindner invited into the "Message to the World" (Video 2021 | Video 2020 | Video 2017)
• Michael Britton and Evelin Lindner offered guidelines for the "World Dignity University (WDU) Messages to the World" (Video 2019)
• Evelin Lindner explained the concept of the "Dignivideos - Messages to the World" (Video 2017)
• Michael Britton explained the concept of the "Dignivideos - Messages to the World" (Video 2017)

• Thomas Hylland Eriksen: "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 20, 2021)
We are very thankful that Thomas Hylland Eriksen nominated our global dignity and peace work for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 and 2016. This nomination has protected many of our network members around the world who put themselves in harm's way by speaking up for dignity.

• Emmanuel Ndahimana: "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 30, 2021)

• Konstanze Abouleish: "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 16, 2021)

• Sultan Somjee: "Message to the World: Collective Humanity as Said in Africa — Utu Ubuntu" (Video | Video edited by Evelin Lindner from PowerPoint prepared on November 6, 2021)

• Angélica Walker: "Message to the World" (Video Day Two | Video Day Three | Video recorded on December 8, 2021)

Connection-Reflection Groups

• Concluding Connections for Day 2 and Welcoming to Day 3

• Moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry Shared Throughout the Workshop, see contributors below

• Photo Session with Anna Strout

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• Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury, or Bhante Revata Dhamma (monk's name, known in the monastic communities) announced his upcoming Bonus Session titled Pandemic, Inner Adventure, and Nomad Mindfulness! (Video)

• Claudia Thimm announced her upcoming Bonus Session titled Nonviolent and Dignifying Communication (Video | PowerPoint)

Photo Session with Anna Strout

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Anna Strout: End of Day Two Photo Session (Video)

Until his retirement, Fred Ellis has been a wonderful New York City elementary public school music teacher and music therapist. See his 2019 farewell (Video) and his song So Long, See You Soon (Video)
It was a wonderful tradition that Fred Ellis and his students always contributed to the Public Event at the end of Day One of our annual workshops. Here, they sang From Around the World at the 15th Workshop on Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict, which took place at Columbia University in New York City, December 6 - 7, 2018

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• Linda Hartling thanked for Day Two, announced Day Three, and opened the informal post-workshop meeting-and-greeting session (Video)


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• The workshop participants who stayed on at the end of the day thanked Linda Hartling for her amazingly dignifying leadership (Video)

Bonus Session 3:45 – 4:30 pm: Deepening the Dialogue/Co-Creativity Group

Nonviolent and Dignifying Communication

Claudia Thimm announced her Bonus Session (Video | PowerPoint)

Claudia Thimm kindly introduced herself prior to the workshop as follows: "Hello, I'm Claudia, and since 2014, I've been interested in and have been dealing with nonviolent communication. In my job, I have to communicate with complaint customers, and in a workshop about nonviolent communication I learned to change my communication — and above all my attitude. Nonviolent communication has given me a lot of freedom — in my job and in my family. In 2019, I met Evelin for the first time when she stayed in Germany to look after her father. One day, she joined me to my monthly "practice group" and I think she enjoyed our group and our way to learn another way of communicating. I'm glad to give you a brief introduction about nonviolent communication. See a few of my PowerPoint slides."

Under the guidance of Claudia Thimm, this meeting was highly intense and very important. It lasted for more than two hours. Tony Gaskew and Isabel Barroso joined the Dignity Now Hameln group with Gisela, Georg, Dorothee, Regina, Andrea, Evelin. Michael Boyer worked as a bridge builder between English and German speakers. Ariel Lublin kindly offered this resource: Feelings Inventory, a list of "words we use when we want to express a combination of emotional states and physical sensations. This list is neither exhaustive nor definitive. It is meant as a starting place to support anyone who wishes to engage in a process of deepening self-discovery and to facilitate greater understanding and connection between people."

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Bonus Session 3:45 – 4:30 pm: Deepening the Dialogue/Co-Creativity Group

Pandemic, Inner Adventure, and Nomad Mindfulness!

Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury, or Bhante Revata Dhamma (monk's name, known in the monastic communities) announced his Bonus Session (Video)

The monk (Bhante) does not believe in “vacation,” and yet he travels constantly with no aim, no destination, and no end date! In this bonus session, he will share his unusual-monk’s travel stories, monastic monadism, inner adventure, and mindful travel.

Travel, Adventure, and Inner Work!
Bhante/Chipamong — is a self-defined monad monk. He is a member of the board of directors of the HDHS network, a storyteller, and a contemplative teacher who teaches among others at the Chautauqua Institution NY. He is co-editor of the book Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations. His essays and reviews have appeared in the Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Journal of Contemporary Buddhism, Buddhist Studies Reviews, and Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, among other publications. Now, he is a youtuber monk where he shares nomad mindfulness. He shares his travel stories daily on Instagram.

Tammy Lewin is a full-time motorcycle traveler. She is a graduate from Colby College and Columbia University (Masters) where she studied (International) Economics and Mathematics. While her career has spanned across the fields of consulting, micro finance, social enterprise startup, and marketing analytics, she now lives a creative life on the road fully guided by her inner intelligence.

Peter Harsas lives in Budapest, Hungary. He has been studying and researching the field of responsible tourism for almost 15 years. He mainly approaches the subject from my experiences and field-studies rather than from the academic point of view. Chipamong Chowdhury

Bhante kindly explains, on November 17, 2021: In this session, we — three rather unusual adventurers/digital nomads — will discuss the question of what it means to be constantly traveling and moving with no aim, no destination, and no end date! First, Bhante/Chipamong — the nomad monk — will share his unusual-monk’s travel stories, monastic monadism, and mindful travel. Tammy Lewin — a New Yorker — will share her stories of living life on a motorcycle �� in Mexico and being guided by the gps of her soul. Peter Harsas — a Budapest based geographer and applied ecologist — will talk about responsible or sustainable tourism.

Linda Hartling Welcomed All Participants

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• Linda Hartling welcomed the planning team — the Digni-Planners!

• See the chat of Day Three

• Linda Hartling welcomed everone to Day Two with musical meditations titled Winter Twilight that are part of the Dragvoll Music
See more Moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

• Martha Eddy contributed with Rise Up: Cancer Survivor/Thriver Dance, created on September 29, 2020
See more Moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Linda Hartling introduced the program of Day Three (Video)

Connection-Reflection Groups

Meeting and Greeting: Connection-Reflection Groups — explained by Janet Gerson (Video 2021 | Video 2020)
Janet Gerson invited the "Digni-Gardeners" of each group to share thoughts and reflections from their groups upon returning to the main room in the chat

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

Ljoba Jenče: Bužec po Rim petla / A Beggar in Rome
(Video | original Video on Ljoba Jenče's YouTube channel | Evelin Lindner later integrated Ljoba's song into her talk)

Ljoba Jenče is one of the leading voices of safeguarding the practices and arts of Slovenian intangible cultural heritage (ICH) since 1988 (see ljobajence.eu). Ljoba explains that this song is about a beggar asking for a piece of bread and shelter in Rome. He was given bread in a dog's hut and passed away during the night. As in many other medieval stories, the beggar was in reality God, testing people's hearts. The song is a ballad, and its message is universal. In other words, it is a sad story about a kind of "solidarity" that is humiliating.

During the 27th Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, in Dubrovnik, 19th - 23rd September 2016, Ljoba Jenče showed how to use stones as instruments!

Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

From Humiliation to Dignity: For a Future of Global Solidarity — Evelin Lindner (Video)

Evelin Lindner's 2021 lecture
(Video | PowerPoint | Big History Summary Pdf | Version of 39 minutes recorded on November 27, 2021, in Germany Video)
This talk was based on Evelin Lindner's book:
From Humiliation to Dignity: For a Future of Global Solidarity (Lake Oswego, OR: World Dignity University Press of Dignity Press, 2022, see the synopsis)

Conversation after the talk:
Thomas Daffern in the chat: loved your talk... awesome but a bit scary... 10 years to outgrow 12,000 years of behaviour !!!! help !
Evelin Lindner in the chat: Yes. HELP!
Evelin Lindner later: Dear Thomas, you are the most erudite person I know on this planet, and your comment "10 years to outgrow 12,000 years of behaviour" is the best and shortest summary of my message I have ever heard! Thank you! I have immediately included it into my book!



See several previous talks with a similar title, based on the same book:
Lindner, Evelin Gerda (2022). From Humiliation to Dignity: For a Future of Global Solidarity. Lake Oswego, OR: World Dignity University Press of Dignity Press (synopsis):
• Evelin Lindner's lecture at the 2020 workshop (Pdf | Video)
This talk was pre-recorded several times in Germany:
• Version of 45 minutes recorded on December 8, 2020 (Video)
• Version of 48 minutes recorded on December 6, 2020 (Video)
• Version of 51 minutes recorded on December 5, 2020 (Video)
• See a presentation titled "A Meta-Narrative for Times of Radical Transformation" of one hour and ten minutes recorded on November 17, 2020 (Pdf | Video)
• See also a presentation with a similar title prepared for another conference recorded on November 16, 2020, with one version of 25 minutes (Video) and a longer version of one hour (Video)

Photo Session with Anna Strout


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Photo session with Anna Strout (Video)

Connection-Reflection Groups

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

Jingyi Dong kindly shared her friend Cameron Jin's Inspiring Song (Video | original Video) and kindly explained: "He sang a song last year during the time of Covid-19. He refused to give up when he was stuck in a difficult situation. He sang the song to encourage himself and his friends!"
Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

• Pre-Planned Dignilogue #5: Pathways to Solidarity: Dignifying Relationships with People and the Planet — Turning Ideas into Action
• Digni-Host — Elaine Meis
• Contributors: Phil Brown and Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury, or Bhante Revata Dhamma (monk's name, known in the monastic communities) for the Dignity Now New York City Group, the Dignity Now Hameln (Hamelin) Group, and Zuzana Lučkay Mihalčinová (greetings)

• Digni-Host
Elaine Meis
(Video)

Elaine Meis is a political activist and a long-standing member of the Dignity Now in New York City group.

• Phil Brown for the Dignity Now in New York City Group (Video)

Dignifying the Individual Has Both an Interpersonal and Institutional Context and Dimension: Solidarity can happen for good or evil purposes; without prosocial core anchors, it can lead in the wrong direction (Video | PowerPoint)

Dr. Philip Brown is the recipient of the 2016 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award. Philip Brown is a Coach for the National School Climate Center, and he is President of the newly reorganized International Center for Assault Prevention. Thank you, dear Phil, for being a pillar of our dignity work since 2006!

This is his key message: Dignifying individuals has both an interpersonal and institutional context and dimension. Using the example of school culture, we examine how the identification and implementation of practices based on communalagreements on moral, performance, intellectual, and civic values can lead to prosocial development and caring relationships. Without these anchors, the concept of solidarity can be as easily used to reinforcetribalism or antisocial behaviors.

• Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury for the Dignity Now in New York City Group
(Video)

Buddhism Activism Democracy in Myanmar (Video)

Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury, or Bhante Revata Dhamma (monk's name, known in the monastic communities), Nomad Eco-Monk, with interest in Nomadic life, Buddhism/Cinema, Pali literature, Religion/Politics/global affairs

Bhante Revata Dhamma explained his contribution titled "Activism, democracy, and Buddhism" on November 23, 2021, as follows:
"Can religion, in this case Buddhism, bring back democracy in Myanmar? Since Myanmar military took power in a coup on February 1, 2021, nullifying the results of the November 2020 elections, Burmese diasporic activists, refugees, and Buddhist monks in the United States of America have been actively engaging political activism, rally, and protests across major American cities."
Bhantewill discuss and share his documentary of his observation and study of this religious political movement for bringing democracy in Myanmar.

Dear Bhante, thank you so much for your most inspiring life as a "nomad eco-monk"! We remember that you wrote to us in 2008 after you got to know about our work in the United Nations Indigenous Forum in 2008, in the Seventh Session “Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: The stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges,” April 21 – May 2, 2008. Your wish was to participate in our 2008 Norway conference, however, you were ultimately hindered to join us, and we were delighted to have you with us in our 2008 workshop in New York City! From then on you have been a gift of dignity in every single of our workshops, every year! By now, you have grown to be a core member of our dignity nurturing team, and we thank you for being such a gift to the world!

• Bhante Revata Dhamma: The Nomad Monk (Videos recorded in 2020, brought together by Linda Hartling on December 3, 2020)

• Dignity Now in Hameln
(Video)

Dear members of the Dignity Now Hameln group! Thank you for your profound dignity work! (Video)

Thank you, dear Michael Boyer, for devising a lovely "script" for the introduction of the Hameln group during this Dignilogue!

• First, Evelin Lindner introduced the Dignity Now Hameln group and Michael Boyer, who, in turn, presented Regina Rauch (Video prepared on December 1, 2021)
• Regina then introduced Andrea and her BUND Plastic Action: Dignity Now: Hameln Removes Plastic Waste from the Banks of its River Weser (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in September 2021)
• Andrea turned to Georg Geckler, Georg presented Claudia Thimm, Claudia introduced Gisela Michalik, Gisela presented Dorothee, and Dorothee introduced Andreas.
• At the end, the Dignity Now Hameln Group sang Dona Nobis Pacem ("Grant Us Peace" in Latin) (Video)

These were Evelin's introductory words: "I see our world from a global perspective. I would prefer to see no borders, but they are here to help our orientation as we move from New York City over to a lovely medieval city with the name of Hamelin in the middle of Europe and in the north of Germany. This lovely town is quite small, but is famous for a big story of humiliation and revenge about the Pied Piper. I was born here and currently take care of my aged father here. A wonderful Dignity Now group has formed here, a local dignity family, something that makes me immensely happy and gives me the strength I need to continue with our dignity work. Our beloved Michael Boyer is involved, originally from Pennsylvania, who has played the role of the Piper here in Hameln for the past decades. He always says to us that if anyone wants to follow him to Dignity he would be pleased to lead."

Thank you, dear Hameln group, that you also participated in the 2020 workshop!
• Evelin Lindner introduced the Dignity Now Hameln Group in the 2020 workshop (Video)
• Dignity Now: Hameln Presented Good Ideas from the Past and the Future for a More Sustainable Future. Thoughts Are Unchained (see it on the World Dignity Movement channel or on the HumanDHS channel, recorded in October and November 2020, finalized on November 21, 2020)
See more in detail:
• 01 Marienhof (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)
• 02 Unverpackt Laden (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)
• 03 Song Die Gedanken sind Frei / Thoughts are Unchained (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)

Listen to beautiful voices and lyrics from Hameln in our 2020 workshop!
• Andrea and Regina: Der Mond ist aufgegangen (Video of verse 1 on Day Two | Video of verse 2 on Day Three | Video of verse 1 + 2) Der Mond ist aufgegangen wurde 1790 vom Matthias Claudius als religiöses Abendlied geschrieben, vertont wurde es noch im selben Jahr vom Hofkapellmeister Johann A. P. Schulz. English: The moon has risen was written by Matthias Claudius in 1790 as a religious evening song, and it was set to music in the same year by the court conductor Johann A. P. Schulz.

See also:
• Hameln Sings (all vocal interludes brought together) (Video)
• Michael Boyer's Digniworld (Video)

Dear Michael Boyer, thank you so much for your Digniworld initiative that you created in 2019: Digniworld WordPress | Digniworld Facebook | Digniworld Twitter | Digniworld Instagram | World Dignity Movement (on YouTube)

• Zuzana Lučkay Mihalčinová
(Video)

Dearest Zuzana Lučkay Mihalčinová, we send you our most loving greetings (Video)! Please do everything needed to take care of yourself and your dear family!

Zuzana Lučkay Mihalčinová was scheduled to round off this workshop with her experience from a marathon and deeply touching dignifying action! Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic made her participation impossible. We are thinking of you, dearest Zsuzsa!

Connection-Reflection Groups

Moment of Music, Movement, and Poetry

Coming back from the small "Connection-Reflection" groups into the main room with musical meditations from Lasse Moer
Blåveis (music by Norwegian composer Øystein Sevåg, "Psalme")
Blåveis is a little flower that decorates the forest floor in the spring in Norway, in English it is named kidneywort or liverwort
(Video | Lasse Moer's original Video)
Please see more moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry below

Rick Slaven — Director of Dignifunding

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Rick Slaven, Director of Dignifunding
(Video | Video 1 + 2, recorded on December 7, 2021, in Portland, Oregon)

Please click on the pictures on this site to see them larger

Linda Hartling, Evelin Lindner, and Emmanual Ndahimana greeting Hélène Opperman Lewis (Video)

Dearest Hélène, we will never forget the loving care with which you hosted our 2013 Dignity Conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa! And then you came to New York City for our 2014 workshop! We are deeply thankful to you!
Congratulations on your book:
Apartheid: Britain's Bastard Child (Cape Town, South Africa: Reach Publishers, 2016, revised 2018)

 

• Digni-Break/Bio-Break/Coffee Break — Chat Open

• Linda Hartling introduced the Digni-Break/Bio-Break/Coffee Break (Video)

• Coffee break conversations (Video)

• Michael Britton apreciated Evelin Lindner's "blockchain" memory of the roots of the HumanDHS network since its inception (Video)

• Carol Smaldino generously invited the dignity community to have one of the future dignity conferences in Italy (Video)

• Peter Barus shared his reflections (Video)
See also the thoughts he shared at the end of the workshop (Video)

• Joanie Calem shared her reflections (Video)
See also the thoughts she shared at the end of the workshop (Video)
She also sang No Borders (Video | Video recorded on November 17, 2021)

• Isabel Barroso played Pau Casals' Quest for Peace: Cant dels Ocells ("Song of the Birds") (Video | Video recorded on December 1, 2021)
Pau Casals would be so proud!

• A conversation on the topic of trauma unfolded, more specifically on the transgenerational transmission of trauma (Video)

• Brian Ward shared the poem The River of Life that he had composed at the occasion of the passing of his dear mother at the age of 101 (Video | thoughts at the end of the workshop Video)

The River of Life
I float
I float on the river of life
I get washed under only to rise again
I bump into the bank only to bounce back
I can steer myself but cannot steer others
I can only show others how I steer myself
It’s wonderful I am part of the river
And once I reach the river mouth
I become part of the sea of everything
That make all journeys possible

• Karin Dremel shared her poem First Imagined Day (Video | Lyrics December 30, 2020)

• Linda Hartling read the poem Hello, PEACE by Francisco Gomes de Matos that he composed on November 11, 2021 (Video)


Hello, PEACE
May your influence never cease
May your strength always grow
May you dignity everywhere sow
May you teach us deep humility
and help us spread solidarity
Hello, PEACE
May your mission become
a global bliss

• Linda Hartling read the poem The Flavor of Unity by Kim Stafford that he composed in 2017 (Video) The photo and lyrics are taken from pbs.org


The Flavor of Unity
El sabor que nos hace únicos. — Inca Kola slogan
The flavor that makes us one cannot be bought
or sold, does not belong to a country, cannot
enrich the rich or be denied to the poor.
The flavor that makes us one emanates from the earth.
A butterfly can find it, a child in a house of grass, exiles coming home at last
to taste wind off the sea, rain
falling into the trees, mist rising from home ground.
The flavor that makes us one we must feed
to one another with songs, kind words, and
human glances across the silent square.

Messages to the World — Introduction and Dialogue: Sharing and Recording, see Contributors Below


Please click on the pictures on this site to see them larger

• Evelin Lindner invited into the "Message to the World" (Video 2020)
• Michael Britton and Evelin Lindner offered guidelines for the "World Dignity University (WDU) Messages to the World" (Video 2019)
• Evelin Lindner explained the concept of the "Dignivideos - Messages to the World" (Video 2017)
• Michael Britton explained the concept of the "Dignivideos - Messages to the World" (Video 2017)

• Hayal Köksal: "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 4, 2021)

• Angélica L. M. Walker: "Message to the World" (Video Day Two | Video Day Three | Video recorded on December 8, 2021)

• Martha Eddy: "Message to the World" (Video)

See also Rise Up: Cancer Survivor/Thriver Dance, created on September 29, 2020 (Video)

• Deepak Tripathi (2021)
Dignity Manifesto "Message to the World" (Video | Video | Pdf created on November 21, 2021)

• Riane Eisler: "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on September 3, 2021)

• Mechthild "Mecke" Nagel: "Message to the World" (Video)

• Sultan Somjee: "Message to the World: Collective Humanity as Said in Africa — Utu Ubuntu" (Video Day Two | Video Day Three | Video edited by Evelin Lindner from PowerPoint prepared on November 6, 2021)

His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal
"Message to the World"
Video edited by Linda Hartling on January 3, 2021

See the original Video that His Royal Highness pre-recorded in the Majlis in Amman, Jordan, on December 10, 2020.

A statesman and peacemaker, His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan has worked for decades to promote peace, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian justice. He has served as the president of the Club of Rome from 1999 to 2007, the board of directors for the Center for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the University of Oklahoma, the Parliament of Cultures, the Royal Jordanian Polo Club, and the International Tolerance Foundation for Humanities and Social Studies, and is honorary president of the Euro-Mediterranean Association for Cooperation and Development since 2012.
Prince El Hassan bin Talal is a member of the Jordanian royal family, he is the brother of King Hussein, who was King of Jordan until his death in 1999, and he is the uncle of King Abdullah II, the present King of Jordan, who reigns since February 7, 1999.

As to HRH's mention of a "second adulthood," please see:
Mary Catherine Bateson (2010). Composing a further life: The age of active wisdom. New York: Knopf.
Mary Catherine Bateson sees aging today as an “improvisational art form calling for imagination and willingness to learn,” and in this ardent, affirming study, she relates the experiences of men and women — herself included — who, upon entering this second adulthood, have found new meaning and new ways to contribute, composing their lives in new patterns.
We send condolences to Mary's family on her passing on January 2, 2021.

See also:
• Prince El Hassan bin Talal explains the notion of the Cogitosphere (Video recorded on October 25, 2021, and edited by Linda Hartling).
• Prince El Hassan bin Talal explains the notion of the Cogitosphere in his remarks at the Stop Ecocide International Criminal Court side event on December 7, 2021 (see minute 1:05 in Video)

Please see also these two articles:
• 'Al-Mawlid — The birth of the Prophet and the Inspiration of Spiritual Awakening'
by El Hassan Bin Talal, Saphir News – France, 2nd November 2020
• 'On Fraternity and Social Amity'
by El Hassan Bin Talal, Amman, October 2020

• Concluding Connections for Day 3 and Moving into the World: 2:45 – 3:30 pm

• Photo Session with Anna Strout and David Yamada

Please click on the pictures on this site to see them larger

Anna Strout: End of Day Three Photo Session (Video with David Yamada | Video with Banner)

Notes of Gratitude and Appreciation

Please download your certificate, fill in your name, and print it out!

• The official part of the workshop closed with musical meditations from Lasse Moer titled Humler og lavendel (bumblebees and lavender). Lasse Moer explained the aerodynamic accomplishments of bumblebees (Video).
The workshop had opened with the same meditations (Video of Day One, see also the original Video from September 7, 2021, with the cat Molly passing through)

• Michael Britton invited the sharing of thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)

• Gershon Mitchel shared his thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)

• Brian Ward shared his thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video) Brian Ward
Earlier, Brian Ward shared the poem The River of Life that he had composed at the occasion of the passing of his dear mother at the age of 101 (Video)

• Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury, or Bhante Revata Dhamma (monk's name, known in the monastic communities) introduced his friends (Video)
See also his poem Inner Dignity for Daily Meditation and Reflection shared on Day Two (Video) and his contribution to Dignilogue 5 on Day Three (Video). He also offered a Bonus Session titled "Pandemic, Inner Adventure, and Nomad Mindfulness!" on Day Two of the workshop (Video).

• Peter Barus shared his thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)
See also the reflections he shared earlier the same day (Video)

Closing the Workshop (Video)

Please click on the pictures on this site to see them larger

Linda Hartling expressed her deep gratitude to the wonderful Digni-Planning team of this workshop, all holding hands, albeit virtually (Video)!
Linda also thanked all the wonderful and amazing contributors to moments of music, movement, and poetry throughout the workshop, see contributors below!
This is Linda's message to the Digni-Gardeners in our workshop:
"Thank you for being our relational role models, encouraging participants to practice the best skills for dignifying differences through curiosity and conversation, rather than confrontation. Thank you for being our dignity angels in the room!"
The role of Digni-Gardener means cultivating a relationally replenishing climate in the Co-Created Dignilogues and the Connection-Reflection groups, especially important this year, a year that drained the energy of many. Beyond listening and participating, the aim is to nurture and even encourage the conversation in a dignifying direction, if this is needed.

Evelin Lindner, together with all other participants, expressed her deep gratitude and admiration for the extraordinary dignifying leadership of Linda Hartling, who made this workshop possible (Video)
Linda nurtured this workshop into being!
We have no words to thank you, dearest Linda!



Thank you so much, dear David Yamada, for singing A Wonderful World as a tradition at the end of every annual workshop (Text | Video)

If you wish to stay in touch after our workshops, please send us an email
at workshops@humiliationstudies.org

BYOP: Bring Your Own Pizza Party! (Video)

A big thank you to all creators of "Messages to the World"!

• Evelin Lindner invited into the "Message to the World" (Video 2020)
• Michael Britton and Evelin Lindner offered guidelines for the "World Dignity University (WDU) Message to the World" (Video 2019)
• Evelin Lindner explained the concept of the "Dignivideos - Messages to the World" (Video 2017)
• Michael Britton explained the concept of the "Dignivideos - Messages to the World" (Video 2017)

Pre-recorded messages

• His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal
"Message to the World" (Video edited by Linda Hartling on January 3, 2021 | original Video recorded by His Royal Highness in the Majlis in Amman, Jordan, on December 10, 2020 | unedited Video of how his message was embedded into Day Three of this workshop). Prince El Hassan bin Talal has served as the president of the Club of Rome from 1999 to 2007, and is a member of the Jordanian royal family, he is the uncle of King Abdullah II, the present King of Jordan. See also:
• Prince El Hassan bin Talal explains the notion of the Cogitosphere (Video recorded on October 25, 2021, and edited by Linda Hartling).
• Prince El Hassan bin Talal explains the notion of the Cogitosphere in his remarks at the Stop Ecocide International Criminal Court side event on December 7, 2021 (see minute 1:05 in Video)

• Thomas Hylland Eriksen: "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 20, 2021)
We are very thankful that Thomas Hylland Eriksen nominated our global dignity and peace work for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 and 2016. This nomination has protected many of our network members around the world who put themselves in harm's way by speaking up for dignity.

• Konstanze Abouleish: "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 16, 2021)

• Sultan Somjee: "Message to the World: Collective Humanity as Said in Africa — Utu Ubuntu" (Video Day Two | Video Day Three | Video edited by Evelin Lindner from PowerPoint prepared on November 6, 2021)

• D. Raja Ganesan: "Message to the World" (Video edited by Linda Hartling from PowerPoint prepared on November 10, 2021)

• Deepak Tripathi: Dignity Manifesto "Message to the World" (Video | Video | Pdf created on November 21, 2021)

• Riane Eisler: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on September 3, 2021)

• Harold Becker: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on November 11, 2021)

• Ada Aharoni: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on October 5, 2021)

• Glen Martin: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on November 21, 2021)

• Élison Santos: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on November 21, 2021)

• Greg Anderson: "Message to the World: Dignity Must Be Plural" (Video recorded on December 1, 2021), and paper Humans Have Always Lived in a World of Many Worlds

• Ragnhild Nilsen: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on November 4, 2021) and "Report on Dignity Work" (Video recorded on November 4, 2021)

• Anoop Swarup: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on November 15, 2021)

• Shahid Kamal: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on November 15, 2021)

• Hayal Köksal: "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 4, 2021)

• John McFadden: "Message to the World" (Video recorded on November 16, 2021)

• Virginia Swain: "Message to the World for 2022" (Video recorded on November 23, 2021)

• Henry (Hank) Greenspan: "Message to the World: Mars" (Video recorded on November 24, 2021)

• Rodrigue Tremblay: "Message to the World" (Pdf, prepared on October 13, 2021)

• Angélica Walker: "Message to the World" (Video Day Two | Video Day Three | Video recorded on December 8, 2021)

• Mechthild "Mecke" Nagel: "Message to the World" shared on Day Three of the workshop (Video)

• Martha Eddy: "Message to the World" shared on Day Three of the workshop (Video)

A big thank you to all
music, movement, and poetry contributors
throughout the workshop!

The Dignity Now Hameln Group sang Dona Nobis Pacem ("Grant Us Peace" in Latin) in the Chapel of Wangelist near Hameln

• Lasse Moer offered meditations from Norway:
• Humler og lavendel (bumblebees and lavender) (Video Day One | Video Day Three | original Video September 7, 2021)
• Cornfields, with music from Enya (Video | Lasse Moer's original Video)
• Blåveis, with music by Norwegian composer Øystein Sevåg, "Psalme." Blåveis is a little blue flower that decorates the forest floor in the spring in Norway, and in English it is named kidneywort or liverwort (Video | Lasse Moer's original Video)

• Fra Damtjørn 1 + Fra Damtjørn 2, September 13, 2021
• Kveldstur-Blefjell (music from Van Morrison)
See some of his meditative YouTubes: Part 1 | Part 3 | Part 4

Lasse Moer is a deep thinker and innovator. He is also the Chief Engineer for audiovisual technology at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University in Oslo, Norway. See his personal website at lassemoer.no

• Ljoba Jenče kindly shared her ballad Bužec po Rim petla / A Beggar in Rome (Video | original Video on Ljoba Jenče's YouTube channel | Evelin Lindner integrated Ljoba's song into her talk), a sad story about a kind of "solidarity" that is humiliating...

During the 27th Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies 'Cities at Risk - From Humiliation to Dignity', in Dubrovnik, Croatia, 19th - 23rd September 2016, Ljoba showed us how to use stones as instruments!
See also:
• Da lipa ma, with Ljoba Jenče, Žan Tkalec, and Domen Marinčič, May 13, 2021 (see more concerts)
• Giving voice to cultural heritage, a video with Ljoba's newest message for the care of cučtural heritage in times of pandemic and education of adults, given at the Dual conference of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning: The Resilient Response to Future Challenges, September 8–9, 2021.

• George Wolfe kindly offered music and poetry:
• Mourning Dove Call (Video | Video recorded on November 15, 2020)
• Poem Awe and Wonderment, November 16, 2021
• Poem The First Dawn, November 16, 2021.
See also:
• Brilliance, Ida Gotkovsky, movement 3, September 20, 2013, with George Wolfe, alto saxophone, and Robert Palmer, piano, live performance in Pruis Hall, Ball State University
• Lightnin' by Rudy Wiedoeft, June 4, 2013, with George Wolfe, alto saxophone, and Holly Hanauer, piano
See also: The Internet, Hate Speech and Higher Education, George Wolfe, November 13, 2021

Pandit Ikhlaq Hussain kindly offered the gift of his music:
• Ikhlaq Hussain: Love Letter 5 - Raag Bageshree (recorded in Geneva on December 7, 2021)
• Ikhlaq Hussain: Love Letter 3 - Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo in Raag Yaman, recorded in Geneva on August 15, 2020

• Joanie Calem sang No Borders (Video | Video recorded on November 17, 2021)
See also the reflections she shared during the coffee break of Day Three (Video) and her thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)

• Kathy Beckwith explained her work and sang You are Amazing, November 7, 2021

• Fred Ellis and his students sang So Long, See You Soon (Video 2020 | Video 2019)

• Isabel Barroso contributed with Pau Casals' Quest for Peace: Cant dels Ocells ("Song of the Birds") (Video | Video recorded on December 1, 2021)
Pau Casals would be so proud!

• Jingyi Dong kindly sent us the inspiring song of her friend Cameron Jin and explained: "Last year during the time of COVID-19, he refused to give up when he was stuck in a difficult situation. He sang the song to encourage himself and his friends!"

• Martha Eddy contributed with Rise Up: Cancer Survivor/Thriver Dance, created on September 29, 2020

• Purple Fjords and Winter Twilight as part of the Dragvoll Music collection

• Bonnie Selterman recited Dignity Through Solidarity — A Spoken Essay and Poem
(Video | Text | Spoken recording on November 21, 2021)
Thank you so much, dear Bonnie! Each year, you offer us your immensely dignifying creativity!

• Brian Ward shared the poem The River of Life that he had composed at the occasion of the passing of his dear mother at the age of 101 (Video | thoughts at the end of the workshop Video)

The River of Life
I float
I float on the river of life
I get washed under only to rise again
I bump into the bank only to bounce back
I can steer myself but cannot steer others
I can only show others how I steer myself
It’s wonderful I am part of the river
And once I reach the river mouth
I become part of the sea of everything
That make all journeys possible

• Karin Dremel shared her poem First Imagined Day (Video | Lyrics December 30, 2020)

• Thank you so much for your wonderful Little Corner poem, dear David Balosa!

Abhishek Kumar Jain, Bhopal, India

Dignity 2021: "Empathy is a hallmark quality to ensure 'dignity through solidarity'. The World will become even better when mutual respect is expressed openly to embrace diversity."

Dignity 2020: "In my opinion, Dignity is the acknowledgement of coexistence. Humans and other living species are all living together on this planet and the mother nature has given us a balanced environment to survive and thrive. In this coexistence with so many people and other living creatures, we have a moral obligation to respect the existence of others. I think dignity is closely related with a sense of empathy. Only when we put ourselves into the shoes of others, we realize the impact of any action or reaction. Dignity is about looking at both sides of the coin and realizing the importance listening more than talking."

Dear Katyayani Singh, we thank you most warmly for introducing us to your esteemed colleague Abhishek Kumar Jain in 2019. Professor Abhishek Kumar Jain kindly invited Evelin Lindner to share a talk titled From Humiliation to Dignity: For a Future of Global Solidarity (Video | Pdf) as part of the 'International Igniting Mind Lecture Series' for the 500 students at Jagran Lakecity University in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, 10th September 2020.
It is a privilege to have both of you, dear Katyayani and dear Abhishek, as messengers and nurturers of dignity in our global dignity community!

Abuelgassim Gour, Khartoum, Sudan

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Abuelgassim Gour explained, "It means Human Rights and culture of peace."

Dear Abuelgassim Gour, thank you so much for sharing with us your play The Trilogy of Rejected War.

Ada Aharoni, Haifa, Israel

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Ada Aharoni explained, "It means that Dignity should be made available to all the people of the world, and that Governments, Institution, Organisations and all conscientious people, should work and act through solidarity, to make Dignity available to all."

Dearest Ada, thank you so much for your deep-felt "Message to the World" that you so generously recorded on October 5, 2021!

Alexander Cheryomukhin, Baku, Azerbaijan

A very warm welcome, dear Alexander! We are glad that our workshop is online this year! Since 2006, travel stood in the way for you to join us in our conferences! WELCOME!

Alicia Cabezudo, Rosario, Argentina

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Alicia explained, "Respect for difference and diverse perspectives/views. Will to work with others and support their concerns and choices."

What a privilege to have you with us, dear Alicia! Thank you for sharing your 2017 document on The Role of Education in a Multicultural Cyprus!

Amy Jeu, New York City

Welcome to our workshop, dear Amy!

Andrea Brenker-Pegesa, Weserbergland, Lower Saxony, Germany

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Andrea explained, "Dignity for me is as important as my engagement for the nature. When we haven't got any respect to ourselves and to the others, we are not really strong and able enough to solve the problems around us. To gain an aim means to listen to each other and to respect each other. That makes us strong."

Dear Andrea! All the lovely contributions from Hameln to our 2021 workshop came true due to your untiring support:
• Dignity Now: Hameln Removes Plastic Waste from the Banks of its River Weser (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in September 2021, finalized on November 25, 2021)
• The Dignity Now Hameln Group sings Dona Nobis Pacem ("Grant Us Peace" in Latin) in the Chapel of Wangelist near Hameln (Hamelin) on November 8, 2021

2020 workshop:
Thank you, dear Andrea and Regina, for your amazing work with our DignityNowHameln group!
• Dignity Now: Hameln Presents Good Ideas from the Past and the Future for a More Sustainable Future. Thoughts Are Unchained (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in October and November 2020, finalized on November 21, 2020)
• Die Gedanken sind Frei / Thoughts are Unchained sung by the DignityNowHameln group
This is the contribution of the DignityNowHameln group that was recorded in October and November 2020, and finalized on November 21, 2020 (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)

Thank you so much, dear Andrea and Regina, also for sharing your wonderful art with us!
• Der Mond ist aufgegangen (Video of verse 1 on Day Two | Video of verse 2 on Day Three | Video of verse 1 + 2) Der Mond ist aufgegangen wurde 1790 vom Matthias Claudius als religiöses Abendlied geschrieben, vertont wurde es noch im selben Jahr vom Hofkapellmeister Johann A. P. Schulz. English: The moon has risen was written by Matthias Claudius in 1790 as a religious evening song, and it was set to music in the same year by the court conductor Johann A. P. Schulz.
• Hameln Sings (all vocal interludes brought together) (Video)

Angélica Walker, New York City, Brazil

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Angélica responded by saying, "Everything! Without solidarity 'dignity' is just an institution."

Thank you, dear Angélica, for your loving support! Thank you for your important "Message to the World" (Video Day Two | Video Day Three | Video recorded on December 8, 2021)! Welcome as wonderful Dignigardener for our "Connection/Reflection Groups!

Angie Tran, New York City

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Angie!

Anja Tiller, Karasjok, North Norway

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Anja!

Anke Winchenbach, Guildford, England

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you? "Makes me think about the core values of the Economy for the Common Good, where solidarity spans across all stakeholders."

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Anke!

Anna Strout, Albuquerque, New Mexico, New York City, U.S.A.

Dear Anna! We have many names for you, and all the names we have for you express our love, gratitude, and admiration for you! We have names such as Dignity Angel...!
How can we ever thank you enough for your wonderful presence, including your gift of photography! We cannot imagine our workshops without your presence anymore, since Zehlia Babaci-Wilhite brought you to us in 2012!

Thank you so much for jumping in and doing Zoom photography in these times of a pandemic where everything had to be virtual:

• Thanks so much also for sharing this Message to the World — Prevent Domestic Violence in our 2020 workshop! (PSA shared on November 15, 2020 | Small poster | Video)
(PSA = a public service announcement in the public interest disseminated without charge, with the objective of raising awareness)

Anne Wyatt Brown, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Dear Anne, you and your husband Bert were our 2010 Lifetime Commitment Award recipients!

In 1997, Dov Cohen, co-author of the book Culture of Honor: The Psychology of Violence in the South (Westview Press, 1996), recommended to Evelin Lindner to get in touch with Bert Wyatt-Brown as a historian who had done work on honor and the South. Cohen recommended this book:
• Wyatt-Brown, Bertram (1982). Southern Honor: Ethics and Behavior in the Old South (New York: Oxford University Press)

Dear Anne, you and your husband Bert kindly attended our 2004 workshop, and since 2004, you honored us with your presence in each of our December workshops in New York City!
In 2005, Bert published this book:
• Wyatt-Brown, Bertram (2005). The Changing Faces of Honor in National Crises: Civil War, Vietnam, Iraq, and the Southern Factor (Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins History Seminar, Fall 2005)

Sadly, we lost our dear Bert in 2012, but you continue to be with us every year for our workshop and for our board meeting the day before the workshop! We are deeply thankful to you!

Our dear Bert worked until the last day of his life on his publications and we admire him deeply:
• Wyatt-Brown, Bertram (2014). A Warring Nation: Honor, Race, and Humiliation in America and Abroad. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press.

Anoop Swarup, Melbourne-Chadstone, Australia, Bhopal, India

Dignity (2020): "Dignity to me implies respect for all humans irrespective of race, color or creed."

Esteemed Professor Anoop Swarup, it was a privilege to have your mentor Glenn Paige with us in our 2009 Dignity Conference in Hawai'i and we were so happy to see you at our 2017 Dignity Conference in Indore, India! Thank you for bringing your wonderful student Katyayani Singh to our work as well!

Thank you so much for your well-formulated "Message to the World" that you so kindly recorded on November 15, 2021!

Congratulations also with your publications together with Katyayani Singh:
• Singh, Katyayani, and Anoop Swarup (2019). "Progress and Peace: Enlightenment Now from Both Science and Religion." In International Journal on World Peace, 36 (4), p. 31–49
• Singh, Katyayani, and Anoop Swarup (2018). "A Global Nonkilling Index as a Critical Measure of Human Development and Progress." In International Journal on World Peace, 35 (3), p. 45–68
See also:
• Studies on Setting up a Nonkilling Index as an Approach to Nonviolence and Global Peace, Dignilogue facilitated by Katyayani Singh on 17th August 2017 at the 29th Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies 'Dignity in Times of Globalisation', in Indore, India, 16th – 19th August 2017 (Video of the Introduction into the Dignilogue | Video of the Dignilogue | WDU Message| Pdf co-authored by Anoop Swarup and Katyayani Singh)

• Thank you for sharing this article with us:
"No enlightenment yet: affirmative nonkilling for Positive Peace," by Anoop Swarup, Vision of Humanity: Economists on Peace, 2020: Economists on Peace contributor Dr Anoop Swarup on the influence of faith on enlightenment and why we need a Global Non-killing Index.

"Archer" Natasha Archer, Oregon, U.S.A.

Dignity (2020): "The allowance of one to be their full self with the respect of others; dignity does not mean tolerance, as tolerance does not encompass respect, acceptance, and inherent humiliation around difference."

Dear Archer, a very warm welcome to our workshop!

Ariel Lublin, New York City

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dearest Ariel, we wish you all the strength you need now! I will never forget our first meeting, it was for lunch at the Columbus Cafe in Manhattan on December 12, 2005, after you had contacted Judit Révész in November 2004 for our 2004 workshop. When we met in 2005, you were the Mediation Coordinator for the Center for Court Innovation's Midtown Community Court in Manhattan and facilitated group panels modeled on victim-offender dialogues that include defendants, community residents, and police officers. You also facilitated multi-party conflict resolution for neighborhoods and businesses in conflict, led mediation trainings, and directed a community and court-based mediation program.
Our 2005 meeting, dear Ariel, laid the foundation for a deep I-Thou connection, as philosopher Martin Buber would say, for the past fifteen years, for which I have no words to thank you! Your presence in many of our workshops since 2005, and in our Dignity Now New York City group that exists since 2015, is of priceless value!

Arup Barman, Silchar, India

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Arup Barman explained, "Enmity does not give any dignity, dignity comes from friends, love, from belongings, fellow feelings. Solidarity is everything, a seed for human life and social substance."

Azza Karam, New York City and Global, as Secretary General of Religions for Peace

Dear Azza, a very warm welcome to our workshop!

We are extremely proud of your work, dear Azza:
• Katherine Marshall on Dr. Azza Karam, 30th September 2021
• 'Woman Chosen to Lead Religions for Peace as Others Urge Greater Female Visibility', by Adelle M. Banks, Lindau, Germany, 23 August 2019.

Barbara Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland

Dear Barbara, a very warm welcome to our workshop!

Berlotte Antoine, Brooklyn, New York City

Dear Berlotte, a very warm welcome to our workshop!

Beth Boynton, Dover, New Hampshire, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Beth explained, "We are creating a rippling effect of dignity throughout the world. A way of being together."

Thank you so much, dearest Beth, for offering the Bonus Session "Warm-up Activities for Engaging & Connecting Your Groups on Zoom"!

Thank you for sharing a few samples noting how the learning context can vary:
• Building-situational-awareness
• Hello-goodbye-ease-into-improv-activities
• Dignity Exchange: An Experiential Activity for Promoting Dignity Everywhere

• Thank you for sharing also a brief update on your work on June 2nd, 2020. You and your colleague Liz Korabek-Emerson piloted a virtual field trip with Creative Mornings where you did an hour of mindfulness and improv.
• Thank you also for making us aware and commenting on this article: "Elevating Dignity as a Goal for Health System Achievement in the COVID-19 Era and in the Future"

Elisabeth "Betty" Scheper, New York City and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Global

Dear Betty, a very warm welcome to our workshop!

Bill and Joni Baird, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Bill Baird in 2020: "Dignity recognizes the right of individuals to be free to be who they are and to not impede the rights of others to do the same."
Joni Baird: "Dignity recognizes the inherent worth and equality of every inhabitant of our earth including all living creatures and the environment."

Message from Evelin Lindner: Thank you, dear Joni and Bill, for being equalists! Thank you for your life mission of working for equal dignity! In the book that I am finalizing now, I am widely quoting you, among others with this paragraph:
"As Equalists, we believe that ‘labels disable’ and create ‘us versus them’ dynamics unnecessarily fragmenting movements. Therefore, Equalists focus on the content rather than the form of the world’s many imbalanced, fear-based paradigms. Equalists believe all human beings are citizens of Planet Earth and set multiple goals for their liberation. We believe that in order to be collectively harmonious, abundant and balanced, certain universal tenets apply. Those tenets are inherently feminist with regard to our desire to radically change the current domination paradigm (occupied by all genders) to allow for equal pay, freedom from aggression, child friendly work environments, and gender diversity. Through this shift, matriarchy and patriarchy are changed to ‘humanarchy’."

Bonnie Selterman, Greater New York City Area

You are among our deepest and most complex thinkers and most loving nurturers of dignity, dear Bonnie! We cannot imagine our workshop series without you anymore! You generously joined us in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020! Thank you for sharing your profound reflections also in this workshop, as always!

• Dignity Through Solidarity — A Spoken Essay and Poem (Video | Text | Spoken recording on November 21, 2021)

…shall we see the light of possibility
Through ingenuity
Through human dignity
Respecting ecology
The life-sustaining
Strategy
Of solidarity?

• Escaping Complicity — A Poem (Video | Pdf | Spoken recording on November 21, 2020)
• Notes on Human Dignity as a Concept That Can Be Taught, reflections prepared in May 2019 for the 2019 Workshop on Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict, Columbia University, New York City, December 5 – 6, 2019.

Message from Evelin Lindner: I am so thankful to Maria Volpe for bringing us together, dear Bonnie! Thank you for coming to my talk Understanding and Addressing Humiliation, December 2, 2010, 8-10 am, convened by our esteemed Maria Volpe at her monthly breakfast meeting (since 9/11 on the first Thursday of each month) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City (see the 2010 pictures)! I will never forget when you took me to hear Bill McKibben speak in the Tishman Auditorium at the New School University Center, on November 10, 2016, and our conversation afterwards. In the book that I am finalizing now, I am widely quoting you, among others from the questions you asked us in 2018.

Brian Hayward, Bordon, United Kingdom

Dear Brian, a very warm welcome to our workshop!

Brian Ward, Christchurch, New Zealand/Aotearoa

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you? "It means the ultimate solidarity that equal dignity offers all humans."

A very warm welcome to you, dear Brian! Thank you so much for sharing the poem The River of Life that you had composed at the occasion of the passing of your dear mother at the age of 101 (Video):

The River of Life
I float
I float on the river of life
I get washed under only to rise again
I bump into the bank only to bounce back
I can steer myself but cannot steer others
I can only show others how I steer myself
It’s wonderful I am part of the river
And once I reach the river mouth
I become part of the sea of everything
That make all journeys possible

Thank you also very much for sharing your thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)!

We will never forget how generously you hosted our 2011 Dignity Conference in Dunedin!

Camille Butterfield Elliott, Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

A very warm welcome to you, dear Camille!

Carly McCarty, Riverside, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Carly explained, "Dignity is the intrinsic value in every human being. Solidarity is acknowledging, empowering, and advocating for the value that every human being deserves."

A very warm welcome to you, dear Carly!

Carol Smaldino, Colorado, U.S.A., Italy

In our 2020 workshop, Carol defined dignity as follows, "The right to be respected as a matter of being alive, human and otherwise. And to give that respect as well."

Carol Smaldino is a practicing psychotherapist working with parents and families, who writes on the connections between emotions and politics and loves to translate important concepts into practical possibilities. She loves to meet new people and is starting a podcast called Human Climate.

Message from Evelin Lindner: Your wisdom enriches us, dear Carol, since you first found our work in 2009! We so much appreciate your kind way of throwing light on our dark sides, on our shadows! Thank you so much for your brilliant contribution to Dignilogue 1 on December 9, 2021, titled Solidarity with Our Emotions in the Human Climate (Video)!

Your pieces on the platforms of Huffington Post and Medium are must-reads for everyone! Here are some examples:

• The Human Climate Facing the Divisions Inside Us and Between Us, Carol Smaldino's book published in January 2019 in Dignity Press
• "If They Had Only Known: If We had Only Known, and Now that we Do," by Carol Smaldino, Medium, December 1, 2021
• "Mental Health Awareness Month in a Climate of Denial," by Carol Smaldino, Huffington Post, May 11, 2016
• "In Every Generation: What Independence Day Means to Me," by Carol Smaldino, Huffington Post, June 29, 2017
• "Addressing the 'Toxins in Our Hearts': A Conversation with Mary Gordon, Founder of Roots of Empathy," by Carol Smaldino, Huffington Post, December 21, 2017
• "Cancer Comedy," by Carol Smaldino, Huffington Post, July 12, 2014

We are very proud to have your book published in Dignity Press:
Smaldino, Carol (2019). The Human Climate: Facing the Divisions Inside Us and Between Us (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press)

We cannot imagine our workshop series without you and your husband anymore, dear Carol, since you first joined us in 2010, then in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and now! Our deep gratitude goes to you!

And thank you for interviewing Linda and Evelin for your Conversations on The Human Climate on October 22, 2021!

Carolina Andrade, Brasilia, Brazil

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Dignity is the intrinsic value in every human being. Solidarity is acknowledging, empowering, and advocating for the value that every human being deserves."

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Carolina!

Catharina Carvalho, Brazil, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Dignity is the intrinsic value in every human being. Solidarity is acknowledging, empowering, and advocating for the value that every human being deserves."

Dear Catharina, please convey our sincere appreciation to your father Eduardo Carvalho, Director of ABA-Associação Brasil América, and to our cherished peace linguist Francisco Gomes de Matos, who so kindly hosted our dignity work in 2012 in Recife, Brazil! A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Catharina!

Chander Shekhar, Mumbai, India

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Chandar Shekhar explained, "Helping each other in obtaining dignity through various constructive initiative and network together without any violence or civil unrest."

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Chander!

Charlott Macek, New York City

Thank you so much, dear Charlott, for your untiring support to our dignity work since you began working with the MD-ICCCR in 2013, after your time at the book shop of Teachers College! Each year, you give us great courage! What would we do without your expert caring hand in the background and your wonderful presence!

Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury, or Bhante Revata Dhamma (monk's name, known in the monastic communities), Nomad Eco-Monk, with interest in Nomadic life, Buddhism/Cinema, Pali literature, Religion/Politics/global affairs

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Bhante Revata explained, "It reminds me of the words 'Agitate, educate and organize' by Dr. Ambedkar."

Thank you so much, dear Bhante, for your most inspiring life as a "nomad eco-monk"! We remember how you wrote to us in 2008 after you got to know about our work in the United Nations Indigenous Forum, in the Seventh Session “Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: The stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges,” April 21 – May 2, 2008. Your wish was to participate in our 2008 Norway conference, however, you were ultimately hindered to join us, and we were delighted to have you with us in our 2008 workshop in New York City! From then on you have been a gift of dignity in every single of our workshops, every year! By now, you have grown to be a core member of our dignity nurturing team, and we thank you for being such a gift to the world and to our dignity community!

Thank you so much for initiating and co-editing this important and most touching book, and for writing the Preface:
Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael F. Britton, and Linda M. Hartling (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Thank you for your many generous and important contributions to this workshop:
• A Poem — Inner Dignity for Daily Meditation and Reflection shared on Day Two (Video)
• You offered a Bonus Session titled Pandemic, Inner Adventure, and Nomad Mindfulness! on Day Two of the workshop (Video)
• You contributed to Dignilogue 5 on Day Three with Buddhism Activism Democracy in Myanmar (Video)
• At the end of the workshop, you introduced your friends (Video)

You also contributed richly to last year's workshop:
• Bhante Revata Dhamma: The Nomad Monk (Videos recorded in 2020, brought together by Linda Hartling on December 3, 2020)

Chris Marcantel, Brooklyn, New York City

Thank you so much, dear Chris, for so kindly offering your supoort for our workshop!

Christine de Michele, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Dignity (2020): "Equity and a good life for all living beings."

Thank you so much for bringing your amazing art to our workshop every year since 2014, dear Christine! How happy we are that Anna Strout brought you to us!

Thank you so much for your contribution to this workshop:
• Christine de Michele Sings About the Black Community's Significance for Jazz Music on Day Two of this Workshop, in Honor of Tony Gaskew's Talk the Day Before (Video)

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dearest Christine, I will never forget how you lifted our spirits with just your voice, without words, in an interlude during our 2016 workshop!

• Claudia Thimm and Gisela Michalik, Hameln (Hamelin), Germany

Thank you so much, dearest Claudia, for offering the Bonus Session "Nonviolent and Dignifying Communication" to us!

All these lovely contributions to our 2021 workshop from Hameln came true due to your untiring support, dear Claudia and Gisela:
• Dignity Now: Hameln Removes Plastic Waste from the Banks of its River Weser (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in September 2021, finalized on November 25, 2021)
• The Dignity Now Hameln Group sings Dona Nobis Pacem ("Grant Us Peace" in Latin) in the Chapel of Wangelist near Hameln (Hamelin) on November 8, 2021

Dignity:
Claudia (2020): "Dignity is a connection by heart, to see every person in his/her humanity."
Gisela (2020): "Behandle die Welt so, wie Du selbst behandelt werden möchtest, mit Würde! (Treat the world the way you want to be treated yourself, with dignity!)"

Please click on the image to see it larger!

Thank you, dear Claudia and Gisela, for your amazing work with our DignityNowHameln group! What a gift to have you with us!
• Dignity Now: Hameln Presents Good Ideas from the Past and the Future for a More Sustainable Future. Thoughts Are Unchained (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in October and November 2020, finalized on November 21, 2020)
• Die Gedanken sind Frei / Thoughts are Unchained sung by the DignityNowHameln group
This is the contribution of the DignityNowHameln group that was recorded in October and November 2020, and finalized on November 21, 2020 (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)

Connie Dawson, Washington, U.S.A.

We mourn the passing of our dear Connie on May 14, 2021.

Dignity:
2020: " Respect, empathy, safety, balance/authenticity."

Dearest Connie, you connected with us in 2010, and you participated in this workshop series in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, and now! We wish you all the strength you need! Please know that your dignifying care and loving nurturing is a gift to the world!

Danielle Coon, New York City

Dearest Danielle, ever since you took over as Associate Director of the Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation & Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR) in 2015, you grew very close to our hearts! What a beacon of dignity you are! We are deeply grateful to you for your untiring ongoing loving support!

We are very glad that we could honor MC-ICCCR's director, our dear Peter Coleman, with our Lifetime Commitment Award in 2020!

David Balosa, Glenside. Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Thank you so much for your wonderful Little Corner poem, dear David!

Poetry in Relational-Cultural Theory: The Analysis of "My Little Corner"-Poem by David Balosa, Ph.D.
Abstract: Poetry and any other art products can provide a critical insight to relational-cultural theory and to processes of deconstructing attitudes and actions generated by anti-intercultural mentality such as colonization, neo-colonization, humiliation of minority rights, and sustainable poverty that benefit the 1% dominant force across the world. Using philosophical reflection methods, this article analyzes a poem entitled: "My Little Corner" taken from Dr. David Balosa's forthcoming Poetry Anthology, Which Bells to Ring in the Intercultural World? It argues that using poetry and other art products as contained in religio-cultural text and other sources can provide a crucial resource for students, scholars, and ordinary citizens interested in deconstructing anti-intercultural forces or human degrading forces and their techniques.
Keywords: religio-cultural text, relational-cultural theory, philosophical reflections methods, anti-intercultural forces, anti-intercultural mentality

Rabbi David Rosen, Global, as International President of Religions for Peace

Very dear David, thank you so much for your powerful "Message to the World"! You are a pillar of our work since 2003! We are in deep gratitude for your support and in admiration for your dignifying life work!

David Yamada, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

David C. Yamada is the recipient of the 2015 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award. David is a professor of law and director of the New Workplace Institute at Suffolk University Law School in Boston. David is a globally recognized scholar and authority on workplace bullying and worker dignity. At our annual workshops, he has frequently shared topics such as workplace bullying and abuse, dignity at work, and therapeutic jurisprudence. See this article in the journal of the American Bar Association, "David Yamada is fighting to end workplace bullying," by Amanda Robert, ABA Journal, December 1, 2021.

Thank you, dear David, for being a beacon of dignity in the world, a pillar of our global dignity work, and a pillar of this workshop series since 2007! We CELEBRATE you as the new Director of the World Dignity University initiative! HOORAY!

Thank you so much for your important contribution to this book:
"Growing Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies: Without Falling Prey to Neoliberal Norms." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael Britton, and Linda Hartling. Chapter 2. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

THANK YOU so much for your many contributions alo to this workshop! You were part of Dignilogue 3, you hosted Dignilogue 4, and you offered a Bonus Session for "newcomers" together with Janet Gerson!

• Dignilogue 3: Reframing Global Leadership in a Dignitarian Context (Video)
Yamada, David C. (2021). "Therapeutic Jurisprudence: Foundations, Expansion, and Assessment." In University of Miami Law Review, 75 (3), p. 660 (Pdf)

• Dignilogue 4: Yamada, David C. (2021). Advancing the Promise of the World Dignity University, November 2021 (version 1) (Video 1 | Video 2)

Thank you, dear David, for your wonderful post-2020-workshop blog "A welcomed online workshop helps to conclude a challenging year" (Link | Pdf). In 2020, you were a pillar of Dignilogue 1 and Dignilogue 2 in particular! And we had the privilege of enjoying your wonderful musical voice (Text | Video)! We have no words to thank you!

Thank you sharing this work in 2020, dear David:
• "Should Public Policy Center on Society’s Well-Being?" by David Yamada, The American Commentator, October 2020 (Pdf)
• Yamada, David C. (2019). "Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Intellectual Activism and Legislation." In The Methodology and Practice of Therapeutic Jurisprudence, edited by Nigel Stobbs, Lorana Bartels, and Michel Vols. Chapter 5. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press. (Pdf)
• Yamada, David C. (2018). "On Anger, Shock, Fear, and Trauma: Therapeutic Jurisprudence as a Response to Dignity Denials in Public Policy." In International Journal of Law and Psychiatry. doi: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2018.06.009 (Pdf). This article asserts that when policymaking processes, outcomes, and implementations stoke fear, anxiety, and trauma, they often lead to denials of human dignity.

Deepak Tripathi, Surrey County, United Kingdom, and India

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Deepak Tripathi explained, "It is only through solidarity and concerted efforts that human dignity to preserve life and make the most of it can be achieved. Dignity is essential for preservation of human life, environment and our existence."

Dear Deepak, we are profoundly thankful to you for kindly introducing us to your contacts in Indore and thus you made our 2017 Dignity Conference in India possible. Thank you, dear Deepak! We congratulate you with your important book A Journey Through Turbulence (Dignity Press, 2013)!

Welcome to this workshop, it is a privilege to have you with us, dear Deepak! Thank you so much for your Dignity Manifesto "Message to the World" (Video | Video | Pdf created on November 21, 2021)

Message from Deepak Tripathi for the Human Dignity Workshop, December 2021:
Fellow Scholars and Practitioners attending this Work Shop:
We meet today at a critical time in human history. Our planet faces three major crises – conflict, climate change and poverty. Crises on a number of fronts. We read, hear and watch in the news about conflict in several parts of our planet.
We know the cost of conflict is high. People die or get hurt. Women, children, the elderly and minorities are most vulnerable. Food, health and education – the essentials for human existence – are scarce.
In agrarian societies, farmers cannot grow crops. People cannot find jobs. In worst cases, there is famine, disease, grief and despair, which again strike the most vulnerable. It is catastrophic for many.
War, climate change, and poverty are the most devastating tragedies to fall on us. Unless we all play our part, these tragedies are bound to result in far worse consequences. Concerted efforts on all fronts is essential. We have to work together.
This is why I am suggesting today a set of actions that we can all take in our wonderful international community of scholars and practitioners interested in Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies. The name I have thought of is “Manifesto of Dignity.”

1. Respect the dignity of all humans, even when disagreeing
2. Listen carefully to others’ views before reacting in haste
3. Give everyone space
4. Respect the environment and avoid excessive consumption
5. Choose lifestyle that avoids excessive consumption

Respecting the dignity of others avoids disruption in human relationships. It helps interaction and cooperation, for it is through cooperation that we can maximise achievements towards common goals.
Listening to people’s views avoids the risk of overpowering other views from which we may learn and add to our own understanding.
Giving everyone space has the benefit of allowing all of us to think freely and independently. It enhances our thinking potential.
Respecting the environment and avoiding excessive consumption is about protecting our surroundings that sustain our existence on this planet. Some of the oldest civilizations have long worshipped the five essentials of life – the Sun, the Earth, air, water, fire. But many of us who have become used to modern life of luxury have forgotten the vital part these five elements of life play to ensure our existence. We do not have to go back and live in caves again. But we should think about what our luxuries cost. The recent Climate Summit in the United Kingdom may not have done enough. But it certainly has reminded us what we must do, and that our effort must continue.
[END]

Donna Fujimoto, Osaka, Japan

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Donna explained, "To me it means learning about the plight of others — not just second-hand through reading or documentaries--but by meeting with those who have lived experience and they can open our collective eyes to what is happening in our world."

Dear Donna, we are privileged to be connected with you! You kindly joined us in our 2014 Dignity Conference in Chiang Mai and, together with your husband, in our 2017 Dignity Conference in India. We miss you! Welcome back!  

D. Raja Ganesan, Madras, India

Very dear Professor D. Raja Ganesan, thank you so much for your powerful message "Dignity through Solidarity beyond Homo Sapiens: A New Horizon for Dignity Research."

Thank you so much for your "Message to the World" that you kindly prepared on November 10, 2021 (Video edited by Linda Hartling from your PowerPoint), dear D. Raja Ganesan!

Thank you also for inviting our dignity community to come together for a Special Symposium Issue of Experiments in Education, "Humiliation in the Academic Setting", published by the S.I.T.U. Council of Educational Research in 2008. Phil Brown was the editor and Yoav Peck contributed with a paper, and both are with us in this workshop now!

Elaine Meis, New York City

Elaine Meis is a political activist and a member of the New York City Dignity Now Group.

Thank you so much, dear Elaine, for being a pillar of the Digniplanning Team for this workshop and for hosting Dignilogue 5 both in 2020 and 2021!

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Elaine, Linda and I have recently discussed that we share a loving and tender affection for all living creatures, including us humans, something that can move us to tears when we see the beauty of it. For me, I can say that the joy of connection and loving care is what keeps me alive. Not all people seem to share this affection, YOU have it! We CELEBRATE you!

2020: Continuing Connections: Dignity Now Groups for Developing Ongoing Dialogue (Video)

Elenor Richter-Lyonette, St. Sulpice, Switzerland

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Dignity through solidarity means to me that I am ready to listen and to express support. This may be practical support or simple empathy."

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Elenor!

Élison Santos, São José dos Campos, Brazil

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"The possibility for a person to discover that the best way to find meaning in life is through the personal experience of solidarity. The human essence is structured to be self transcendent, as Viktor Frankl's theory advocate, I think this is very true."

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Élison!
Thank you so much for your great "Message to the World" that you recorded on November 21, 2021!

Ella Nygård Autti, Rovaniemi, Finland

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Ella explained, "The actions, words and language I take and use every day towards my fellow human beings."

In our 2020 workshop, Ella defined dignity as follows, "Dignity for me is very practical, treating other people with respect and with acceptance."

Dearest Ella, what a gift you are to our dignity work! We simply love what you have created!

Emmanuel Ndahimana, Kigali, Rwanda

Dear Emmanuel, we are deeply thankful to you for hosting our 2015 Dignity Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, THANK YOU!

Thank you, dear Emmanuel Ndahimana, for contributing to with your most valuable reflections to our Dignilogue (Video | Video recorded on November 13, 2021 | Pdf prepared on December 9, 2021 | Pdf prepared on November 19, 2021)

Thank you also so much for your wonderful "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 30, 2021)!

Thank you for writing to us so kindly on December 12, 2020 (Video| Bishop Desmond Tutu Explains Ubuntu Video):
"The theme of the conference is very inspiring. Indeed transforming humiliation into a pandemic of dignity for every one should be a mission of all of us. As someone said, we are one, united by our essence, by our humanity, our Ubuntu. We are also different by our forms, the circumstances of our developments, our experiences, our colors, talents. These differences make the creation even more artistic, beautiful in the Planet garden. That perspective should lead us to more admiration and respect rather than humiliation and conflicts. Not easy!! Félicité is among the few who have reached that level of maturity and understanding. She has left to all of us a living example that even big challenges can be overcome. Making this known is a good contribution to the world. We are grateful to Father Jean D'Amour who has offered this example, grateful to HDHS for making Félicité an example of humanity, dignity and compassion!"

The African Ubuntu philosophy says "I am because of you, we are because of each other," "Umunthu ngamunthu ngabantu": "A person is a person through other people"!

We thank Bishop Desmond Tutu for his explanation of ubuntu. We are grateful to both Emmanuel Ndahimana and Bishop Desmond Tutu for their wonderful support to our dignity work! Bishop Tutu kindly contributed with the Foreword to Evelin's book on love in 2010, and Emmanuel Ndahimana hosted our 2015 Dignity Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, June 2–5, 2015, that we held as a tribute to Felicitas Niyitegeka in the spirit of the United Nations agenda towards "A Life of Dignity for All," and in the spirit of umuganda, "coming together in common purpose" (the traditional practice of communities self-solving their problems).

We thank, furthermore, scholar Joy Ndwandwe for explaining ubuntu on 26th April 2013 in our 2013 Annual Dignity Conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa, that was titled ‘Search for dignity’, April 24–27, 2013.

Erin Hilgart, Woodstock, New York

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Erin responded by saying, "Working together in inclusion and curiosity."

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Erin! It is always such a privilege to have you with us in our conferences, ever since you attended the course Evelin Lindner gave in 2002 at Teachers College, "Conflict Resolution and the Psychology of Humiliation"! Since then, you have joined us in many conference, both in New York City and elsewhere! Thank you!

Evelin Lindner, Global

"Dignity, for me, is the ability to stand tall with open arms, lovingly welcoming all others as equals in worthiness."

Evelin Lindner is the founding president of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (HumanDHS). She has also developed the idea of the World Dignity University initiative and is its co-founder, including Dignity Press and World Dignity University Press. All initiatives are not-for-profit efforts. Evelin has a dual education as a Medical Doctor and a Psychologist, with a Ph.D. in Medicine from the University in Hamburg in Germany, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo. Her first book, based on her doctoral dissertation in psychology, Making Enemies: Humiliation and International Conflict, was honored as "Outstanding Academic Title" by the journal Choice in 2007. She has since written five more books. She lives and teaches globally and is affiliated, among others, with the the Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution at Teachers College, Columbia University. Please see her background at humiliationstudies.org/whoweare/evelin.php.

Kindly see, among others:
• Synopsis: From Humiliation to Dignity: For a Future of Global Solidarity. Lake Oswego, OR: World Dignity University Press, Dignity Press, 2022 (Pdf)
• From Humiliation to Dignity: For a Future of Global Solidarity – The Coronavirus Pandemic as Opportunity in the Midst of Suffering (Original | Pdf), in InterViews: An Interdisciplinary Journal in Social Sciences, 7 (1), 2020, pp. 30–50, doi: 10.36061/IV.7.1.20.30.50
• Bringing Dignity to Globalisation: A Psychologist’s Personal Experience as a Global Citizen - Evelin Lindner’s Global Life. Book proposal created in response to an invitation by Louise Sundararajan, Series Editor of the Palgrave Studies in Indigenous Psychology, 2019

Fatma Susan Tufan, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and Turkey

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Fatma explained, "We can only discover who we truly are by interacting and connecting with other members of our human family."

In the 2020 workshop, Fatma defined dignity as follows, "Respecting and embracing everyone as who they are."

Dearest Fatma! Thank you for being such a wise, patient, and loving nurturer of dignity wherever you go, even in the most challenging circumstances. Ever since you were part of our 2018 and 2019 and 2020 workshops, we admire your loving and dignifying strength!

Femke Wijdekop, Alkmaar, The Netherlands

Femke Wijdekop is the legal counsel of Stop Ecocide Netherlands, an associate of Restorative Justice Netherlands, a member of the International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence, and a member of the United Nations Harmony with Nature network. She is currently especially passionate about her work for the Faith for Ecocide Law campaign. She organised an Earth Guardian workshop with Polly Higgins in Amsterdam in the summer of 2013. She kindly explained on 11th November 2021: "I love the therapeutic and healing possibilities of law and justice".

Hartelijk welkom, a very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Femke! Thank you so much for your excellent and important contribution to Dignilogue 2, titled Protecting the Dignity of Our Earth Community Through Ecocide Law (Video | Video recorded on November 19, 2021)! In this video you talk about the potential of ecocide law to contribute to a culture of harmonious coexistence between humans and the non-human inhabitants of our planet. Ecocide law is an expression of a growing awareness of our interconnectedness with the natural world and steers us away from the right to exploit the Earth towards a duty of care.

Fonkem, Michael Fonkem Achankeng I, Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.A., and Ruler of Atoabechied in the former British Southern Cameroons

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Working together for the dignity of all."

Dear Fonkem, we are in awe at the scope of your dignifying service in this world!
Thank you for making it possible for us to understand the difficult situation in former British Southern Cameroon:

• Achankeng, Fonkem (2013). "Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Engaging the Colonial Factor." In African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 13 (2), pp. 11–37.

• A summary of the situation in Cameroon: Cameroon Burning: The Unseen War, full documentary, BBC Africa Eye, June 25, 2018, "Hundreds of shocking mobile phone videos from Cameroon have surfaced in the past six months. They are coming from the English speaking part of the country, where rebels are fighting to form an independent state called "Ambazonia". BBC Africa Eye have analysed these films, shedding fresh light on who is responsible for the violence."

• Paradise Lost? A Political History of British Southern Cameroons from 1916 to 1972, by Nfor Ngala Nfor (Austin, TX: Pan-African University Press, 2020).

• The Anglophone Problem in Cameroon: The Change from Crisis to Conflict, and a Possible Way Forward to Resolution, by Billy Agwanda and Uğur Yasin Asal, 2021.

Francie Scanlon, Flushing, Queens, New York

A very warm welcome, dear Francie, to our workshop!

Gabriela Hofmeyer, San Francisco, U.S.A.

Dignity (2020): "Human agency and autonomy, thoughtful kind interaction with integrity."

Thank you, dear friends from the Western Institute for Social Research (WISR) for bringing Gabriela to us!

Gail Wright Sirmans, Mount Vernon, New York

Dear Gail, a very warm welcome to our workshop!

Gay Rosenblum-Kumar, New York City

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Gay, your support for our dignity work since 2001 has been immensely enriching and of exceptional substance! Every fall, when I was in New York City, we met in the UN cafeteria for lunch and we shared past year's insights! And you joined our workshops in 2004 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019!

Dear Gay, I learned so much each time you invited me to share my reflections:
• How Are Dignity and Humiliation Relevant in Our Lives, Our Societies, and for the United Nations?
The UN Interagency Framework Team for Preventive Action cordially invited to a brown bag lunch event on Tuesday, November 26, 2013, 1pm – 2.30 pm at 1 UN Plaza (DC-1), 20th Floor Conference Room. The host is Gay Rosenblum-Kumar.
• Understanding and Addressing Humiliation and Conflict
Brown Bag Lunch at the UN Interagency Framework Team for Preventive Action, December 2, 2010, 12-2.30 pm, convened at the United Nations, New York City, U.S.A., organized by Gay Rosenblum-Kumar
See pictures.
• These talks connected back to Humiliation, Conflict Management, and Policy Making, brown bag lunch at the Governance and Public Administration Branch, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, on December 15, 2004.

Geneviève Vaughan, Rome, Italy, and Austin, Texas, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"The recognition of the intrinsic value of every person and their precious importance in the living planetary web inspires my own commitment to social change."

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Geneviève, thank you so much for being the "mother" of the concept of gift economy! We very much thank Howard Richards for bringing you to us, and it was wonderful that you joined us for our 2014 workshop in New York City! Yes, "the market is floating on a sea of gifts"!

• It was a privilege for us to participate in your 2nd Annual Breaking Through Virtual Conference on November 26, 2021, where you had invited Dr. Vandana Shiva, Mary Condren, Darcia Narvaez, Dr. Heide Goettner-Abendroth, and Sherri Mitchell.

• Thank you so much for sharing your paper "The unilateral gift economy conjecture," in the American Review of Political Economy, January 6, 2021!
Abstract: I offer the conjecture that unilateral maternal provisioning constitutes a basic economic model for all with implications and a logic of its own. Market exchange is a derivative of this model, which contradicts it and creates its own area of life. The two models interact without our awareness because we have not taken unilateral gifting seriously. Renaming exploitation as the taking of unilateral gifts reveals another way to connect the dots between unwaged housework, surplus labor and ‘nature services’, and these are also connected to colonialism, corporate globalization and ecological devastation.

Your books and many articles are available free on your website:
Vaughan, Genevieve (Ed.) (2007). Women and the Gift Economy: A Radically Different Worldview Is Possible (Toronto, Canada: Innana Publications)
Vaughan, Genevieve (1997). For-Giving: A Feminist Criticism of Exchange (Austin,TX: Plain View Press)

Georg Geckler, Hameln (Hamelin), Germany

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Georg explained, "I try to be in solidarity especially to those people who need it most."

At the 2020 workshop, Georg described dignity as follows, "For me dignity is a condition of a person who is respected and can live in freedom, peace, with good nutrition, a safe home, and without physical or psychical violation. Dignity could be the attitude of a person that is recognized by others as a proud and decent human being."

Thank you for for your important messages in 2020!
• "Message to the World" (Text | Video recorded on November 30, 2020)
• Reduce Overproduction! Hameln, Germany, November 2020

Thank you, dear Georg, also for your amazing work with our DignityNowHameln group, since 2019!
• Dignity Now: Hameln Removes Plastic Waste from the Banks of its River Weser (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in September 2021, finalized on November 25, 2021)
• The Dignity Now Hameln Group sings Dona Nobis Pacem ("Grant Us Peace" in Latin) in the Chapel of Wangelist near Hameln (Hamelin) on November 8, 2021
2020:
• Dignity Now: Hameln Presents Good Ideas from the Past and the Future for a More Sustainable Future. Thoughts Are Unchained (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in October and November 2020, finalized on November 21, 2020)
• Die Gedanken sind Frei / Thoughts are Unchained sung by the DignityNowHameln group
This is the contribution of the DignityNowHameln group that was recorded in October and November 2020, and finalized on November 21, 2020 (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)

George Chidieber Iheanacho, U.S.A., and Nigeria

Thank you so much, dear George, for the immense trouble you took to be with us in our workshop in 2020! You participated during the pauses at your workplace, faithfully wearing a mask...

Thank you so much for your "Message to the World": "We have a World that it is our purpose to change for better. Let us not shy a bid despite pushbacks. Let us continue to express our commitment for a world of dignity. Dignity is the greatest and best recipe that we can apply to humanize our humanity and our world. Let every person, family, and community work for the peace and propagation of communal dignity for all. We are the world."

George Livingston, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

A warm welcome to our workshop, dear George!

George Wolfe, Indiana, U.S.A.

Dignity (2020): "Respect, collaboration, cooperation, living in right relationship."

Dear George, we are glad we found you in 2011 on the Culturalecon list through Howard Richards, and through Arun Gandhi and peace educator Michael Nagler who all endorsed your work!

Congratulations with your book in our Dignity Press, dear George!
• Wolfe, George W. (2015). Meditations on Mystery: Science, Paradox and Contemplative Spirituality (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press)


Thank you so much for contributing with such lovely music and poetry to our 2021 workshop:
• Mourning Dove Call (Video | Video recorded on November 15, 2020)
• Poem Awe and Wonderment, November 16, 2021
• Poem The First Dawn, November 16, 2021
Also:
• Brilliance, Ida Gotkovsky, movement 3, September 20, 2013, with George Wolfe, alto saxophone, and Robert Palmer, piano, live performance in Pruis Hall, Ball State University.
• Lightnin' by Rudy Wiedoeft, June 4, 2013, with George Wolfe, alto saxophone, and Holly Hanauer, piano.

Thank you also for your essay The Internet, Hate Speech and Higher Education, November 13, 2021

Thank you so much for contributing with wonderful Native American flute improvisations also during the Creativity, Music and Moments of the 2020 workshop, dear George!
• Native American Flute Improvisation (with Robert Willey playing the drum Video | Video pre-recorded August 30, 2020 | Video of another improvisation recorded on July 12, 2020 | >

• Thank you also your lovely saxophone play at our 2014 workshop (Video)!

Gershon Mitchel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"As a middle school teacher in the bay area (S.F.) one day I asked my students what they wanted from me as their teacher. To entertain them, give no homework, be an 'easy grader' what, as their teacher they see every day you want something from me! This was like pulling teeth until one student shouted out 'respect'----very good says I, but respect for what, because you have brown eyes and you blue eyes, some are short and others tall, some are fashionable, or athletes or artists, fast learners or slow----this went on for what felt like forever with my students getting more and more frustrated until one young fellow started patting his chest and shouting out 'me me'-----very good says I, we have a word for that it's called DIGNITY, you want me to respect your dignity as students.
And what do I want from you, they could not make the connection, says I, I want from you exactly what you want from me, says one student, "oh your want us to treat you with dignity as our teacher, correct a mundo says I, now how are we/you going to treat each other in class, again not connecting the dots, so I point out the obvious, they finally get and all agree this is a good plan for moving forward.
The next day, being adolescences they forgot everything from the day before. The boys came in wearing their baseball caps cocked this way and that, pants low riders, the girls loud, giggling ....and I simply ask them 'so is this a dignified way to conduct yourself in the classroom? They immediately get and take their seats. I go on to explain to them what dignity is not....they all are aware of who the 'bullies' are in....so I explain that when you feel bullied, you are made to feel small in your own eyes, and you know it instinctively, its a reflex, with the possibility of 'getting even'..........as we all agree that dignity is going to be our one 'ground-rule' when some feels slighted they are free to speak-up and call out the offender on the spot.
This took about six weeks to become habit in the classroom. Early on I had informed them that the rule applies to me, and if I make someone feel bad, hurt there feelings I should be called out as well. Time marches on, and I set up an experiment with the cooperation of another student....I was intentionally 'hurt his feelings, publicly in class. This occurs and afterwards I tell him to take his seat and continue on just as if nothing just occurred. After a few minutes I stop the class and point out our charade, inquiring why nobody called me out, stressing the notion that it didn't matter if I was their teacher or not, I or anyone actually has no license to hurt and humiliate you.
Outcome of this understanding was that my students all felt safe that no one was going to bully them without being called out by me or other student. In this atmosphere I was able to 'teach' them as much as they could handle. I was rigorous in my teaching. The atmosphere was most conducive to teaching and learning with a playful element thrown in."

Dear Gershon, thank you for making us aware of '“Put on the Diamonds": Notes on humiliation,' by Vivian Gornick, Harper's Magazine, October 2021!

Thank you so much, dear Gershon, for sharing your thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)!

Dignity (2020): "Dignity is the loam of the seedbed from which grow some of the finest virtues that ennoble humankind, and before brotherhood comes dignity, where all are deemed worthy of respect — Martin Luther King, 'good sportsmanship'."

Thank you so much for finding our dignity work, dear Gershon, and for sharing your deep reflections and messages in 2020!
• "Message to the World"
• Note of Appreciation on Day Three
Thank you for sharing your poem, dear Gershon!
• First Things First: A Universal Truth — A Poem (Spoken recording on December 4, 2020)

Gert Van Der Westhuizen, Centurion, South Africa

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Confronting current and historical humiliation by advancing pro-social and morally oriented methodologies."

What a privilege to have you with us, dear Gert!

Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, Broward County, Florida, U.S.A.

Michael Perlin kindly wrote on July 24, 2008:Dear Evelin & Ginger: Evelin, Ginger is Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, in Broward Cty, FL, and the administrative judge in charge of what is, in my mind (and in the mind of many others) the absolute best mental health court in the US (and the one that treats its constituents with the most dignity of any court)....

Our warmest gratitude goes to you, dear Ginger and Michael, for your important work in the world!

Glen Martin, Radford Virginia, U.S.A., Secretary-General of the World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA)

Glen T. Martin is an author, lecturer, and professor emeritus of philosophy and religious studies at Radford University in Virginia, where he was the chairperson of the program in Peace Studies. Dr. Martin has given lectures, seminars, and workshops in many countries of the world directed toward transforming our world order to one of peace, prosperity and sustainability under a democratic world parliament.
He is Director of the Earth Constitution Institute (ECI) and President of the World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA). His latest book is The Earth Constitution Solution: Design for a Living Planet (2021).

Dear Glen, thank you so much for your "Message to the World" that you so kindly recorded for us on November 21, 2021!

Gordana Jovanovic, Serbia, Global

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Gordana responded by saying, "I wish it could come true..."

In the 2020 workshop, Gordana described dignity as follows, "I understand dignity as a mutual respect."

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Gordana, how wonderful it was to connect with you on May 30, 2020, after my contribution titled From Humiliation to Dignity: For a Future of Global Solidarity — The Coronavirus Pandemic as Opportunity in the Midst of Suffering, to Panel 20 "Solidarity, Accessibility and Self," of the virtual conference The Psychology of Global Crises, convened by the American University of Paris, 20th–30th May 2020.

Welcome to our global dignity community, dear Gordana!

Grace Feuerverger, Toronto, Canada

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Grace answered, "It means intercultural understanding and peace education." Dignity is "compassion for oneself and others, reconciliation, an open heart and mind," was your answer in 2020.

Message from Evelin Lindner: We so much look forward to your memoir about a sequence of serendipitous rescues in your life! How wonderful that our dear Sharon Burde brought us together in 2002, dear Grace, and that I had the privilege of paying you a visit in your home in Toronto on August 26, 2002! What a gift you have been to us in our workshops in New York City in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2016, and our 2009 Dignity Conference in Hawai'i!

Thank you for your important work, dear Grace!
• Feuerverger, Grace (2001). Oasis of Dreams: Teaching and Learning Peace in a Jewish-Palestinian Village in Israel. London, New York: Routledge/Falmer.
• The "School For Peace": A Conflict Resolution Program in a Jewish-Palestinian Village (2005)

Greg Anderson, Yellow Springs, Ohio, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"It means recognizing that dignity begins by allowing human communities to define for themselves what dignity looks like."

Thank you so much, dear Greg, for you important "Message to the World: Dignity Must Be Plural" that you recorded on December 1, 2021, and your paper Humans Have Always Lived in a World of Many Worlds from November 15, 2020!

Henry "Hank" Greenspan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Taking the time, patience, and attentiveness to hear and learn beyond initial presumptions--the opposite of stigma."

It is a privilege to have you with us, dear Hank! Thank you so much for your deeply touching Reflections on Stigma and Humiliation, that you prepared on July 25, 2021, and for sharing the story of Ora.

Thank you also for your "Message to the World: Mars" that you recorded on November 24, 2021! Thank you also for sharing your piece "Dark Landscapes: A Geography of Corrosive Times 2 – The Mountain," The Times of Israel, July 21, 2021.

Johannes "Hans" I. Bakker, Ontario, Canada

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Dignity to me means respecting the civic and human rights of all human beings. Solidarity to me indicates being able to transcend superficial differences. The term needs to be operationally defined and made more precise to have any real significance."

It is a privilege to have you with us, dear Hans! Thank you very much for sharing with us your paper:
Bakker, Johannes I. (2019). "Grounded Theory Methodology and Grounded Theory Method: Introduction to the Special Issue." In Sociological Focus, 52 (2), pp. 91-106. doi: 10.1080/00380237.2019.1550592.

Harold Becker and John Goltz, Florida, U.S.A.

Dignity (2020):
Harold: "Honoring and loving ourselves and thus loving our collective humanity."
John: "Self-love, self-awareness, self-respect."

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Harold, we were connected digitally already in 2006, yet, I will never forget our Skype meeting on February 6, 2008! The way you explained your work was phenomenal and deeply touching! It is such a gift to have you and dear John in our dignity family for more than ten years now!

Thank you for sharing your reflections and messages, dear Harold and John!
• "Message to the World" recorded on November 11, 2021
• "Message to the World" on December 11, 2020)
• We Are Love, Orlando, Florida, September 30, 2020
• The Love Foundation — Celebrating 20 Years

Harvey Newman, Fountainview, Florida, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Harvey explained, "Recognizing that we are all one and that violation of another’s dignity violates our own dignity as well."

A very warm welcome to you, dear Harvey! Thank you for leading a life of care that inspires us all!

Hayal Köksal, Istanbul, Turkey

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Hayal explained, "Individuals must learn how to be dignified persons in time but if this is realized altogether, with the support of others, the influence will be larger and the speed of success will be higher."

At the 2020 workshop, Hayal described dignity as follows, "The quality of being worthy of honor or respect. Being satisfied with self and working to bring sistership/brotherhood to the world people for the sake of happy and healthy future generations."

Dearest Hayal, we will never forget the loving care with which you hosted our 2010 Dignity Conference in Istanbul, Turkey! And then you came to New York City for our 2014 workshop! We are deeply thankful to you!

Thank you so much, dear Hayal, for the "Message to the World" of 2021 (Video | Video recorded on November 4, 2021), and your 2020 "Message to the World" that you recorded on November 28, 2020 (Video)! And thank you for sharing your paper on peace training titled Training Peace-Focused and More Qualified New Generation: Turkey Case, 2019.

Hélène Opperman Lewis, Barrydale, South Africa

Dearest Hélène, thank you so much for being with us in this workshop (Video)! We will never forget the loving care with which you hosted our 2013 Dignity Conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa! And then you came to New York City for our 2014 workshop! We are deeply thankful to you!

Congratulations on your book:
Opperman Lewis, Hélène (2016, revised 2018). Apartheid: Britain's Bastard Child (Cape Town, South Africa: Reach Publishers)

Peace Philosopher Howard Richards, Chile, South Africa, and California (Justine Richards)

Dear Howard! Congratulations with the 2021 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award!

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Howard explained, "It is a good phrase for starting conversations. Among the meanings I would like to attribute to it is sharing surplus, devoting whatever we do not need to the common good, and in particular creating dignified work that does not depend on sales to be funded. For example I fund a young woman who is an expert organic gardener to work on our quinta. She also does education, teaching gardening in a local elementary school."

In the 2020 workshop, Howard described dignity as follows, "Respect, esteem, self-esteem, security."

Peace philosopher Howard Richards is one of the deepest thinkers of our time, and more — he has also put into practice what he teaches. We thank Alicia Cabezudo, who is also with us today, for introducing him to us in 2006. Dr. Richards is a philosopher of social science who is now based in Chile, where he, his wife Caroline and their daughter Shelley host the Chileufu dialogue home. . With Gavin Andersson he teaches once a year “Ethics, Macroeconomics and Organizing” in the EMBA program at University of Cape Town. With Gavin (who pioneered the unbounded idea) and others he co-founded the Unbounded Academy. It develops dignified and dignifying solutions for our currently unsustainable institutional structures and systems. His focus is philosophical and scientific support for an ethic of care. He holds the title of Research Professor of Philosophy at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, USA, a Quaker school where he taught for thirty-five years. He was the founder of the Peace and Global Studies Program there and co-founder of the Business and Nonprofit Management program. [read more]

Thank you so much for your seminal work, dear Howard, throughout your entire lifetime!
• Howard Richards is being honored with the 2020 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award (Video of the Award Ceremony in full length)
• Message of Appreciation from Evelin Lindner (Video | Pdf)
• Award Acceptance Speech by Howard Richards (Video recorded on December 8, 2021 | long Pdf | short Pdf)
• Howard Richards' 3 Most Important Messages to the World (Video, 5th June 2013 | short version prepared by Linda Hartling on December 5, 2021)

Award Acceptance Speech by Howard Richards, December 10, 2021: "Hi ! I do not receive an award like this very often. So far in my life I have received such an award only once in 83 years. At the rate I am going I would have to wait until after my 166th birthday for another opportunity to explain such an important concept to such a wonderful audience. The important concept is structural humiliation." [read more, see also a long version]

Thank you for inviting us to comment on the key points of your upcoming book that you authored with the assistance of our dear Gavin Andersson, titled Economic Theory and Community Development, that will be published soon in Dignity Press. Thank you, dear Magnus Haavelsrud, for writing a great review of the book, "Economic theory and community development." In European Journal of Cultural and Political Sociology, DOI: 10.1080/23254823.2021.1976376.

Thank you also for being with us in the 2020 workshop and allowing us to honor you on Day Three (Video Day Two | Video Day Three). You kindly wrote on December 3, 2020, when you registered for the 2020 workshop: "I have written a lot of books and I wish people knew about them and would read them, Some are described in a Wikipedia article about me. Understanding the Global Economy is a google e book. Several are on the Dignity Press site. Several are on Amazon. I can also send PDF or word copies to anybody who sends me an e mail. I might also mention that I lived through the military coup in Chile and that I was a volunteer lawyer for Cesar Chavez when he first started organizing and that I have been a lifelong student at high prestige universities, starting with Yale."

• "Embrace Communities to Save Humanity and the Planet," by Howard Richards, TRANSCEND Media Service, Editorial #673, December 28, 2020.

• On Day Two (Video), Howard Richards recommended two appendices, one titled "ending poverty" and the other "a plan for peace" from his book Understanding the Global Economy (Santa Barbara, CA: Peace Education Books, 2004, Preface). He explained that these two pieces had been published independently in The Acorn: Philosophical Studies in Pacifism and Nonviolence.

• Howard Richards has published The Nurturing of Time Future in Dignity Press in 2012, and together with Joanna Swanger, and edited by Ivo Coelho, Gandhi and the Future of Economics in 2013.
• Following Foucault: The Trail of the Fox, lectures by Howard Richards with dialogues among Evelin Lindner, Howard Richards, and Catherine Odora Hoppers, Foreword by Crain Soudien (CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa) and an Introduction by Magnus Haavelsrud, Stellenbosch, South Africa: AFRICAN SUN MeDIA, 2018. The book can be ordered from the publisher. The book is based on "Against Foucault" – A series of presentations by Howard Richards, in dialogue with Catherine Odora Hoppers and Evelin Lindner carried out in Pretoria in 2013.

Hyacinth Charles, Brooklyn, New York City

What you would like to learn or gain from participating in this workshop? "A deeper awareness of the value and definition of dignity."

Welcome, dear Hyacinth!

Ian Campbell, West Wendover, Nevada, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"It's a recognition that we all deserve respect based on the understanding that our own stories bind us together."

Welcome to our workshop, dear Ian!

Inga Bostad, Oslo, Norway

Inga Bostad is Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Education of the University of Oslo in Norway. She is head of the research group HumStud, Humanities Studies in Pedagogy and project leader of the comparative research group NordEd (The Nordic Education Model). She is also Professor 2 at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design. She was appointed director for the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights at the Faculty of Law at at the University of Oslo from 2014–2017. She was elected Pro-Rector for the University of Oslo from 2009–2013 and the first appointed Vice-Rector for the University of Oslo from 2006–2009. [read more]

The idea for the World Dignity University initiative grew over many years and was launched on June 24, 2011, at the University of Oslo, hosted by the Pro-Rector of the University, Inga Bostad.

Thank you so much, dear Inga, for greeting the participants of this Dignilogue (Video prepared on December 7, 2021)!

Congratulations with your new book!
Bostad, Inga (Ed.) (2021). Å høre hjemme i verden: Introduksjon til en pedagogisk hjemstedsfilosofi (Oslo: Scandinavian Academic Press, SAP). (Video recorded on November 22, 2021)
In this fascinating book, you use the metaphor of "home" as a starting point to explore topics that are relevant for large parts of the younger generation in Europe and the Nordic countries today, namely, the loss of a place to belong. The question is, What does it mean to belong in the world? See www.uio.no/forskning.

Thank you, dear Inga, for your wonderful greetings in 2011 (you greeted the participants of the Dignity Conference in New Zealand), and for your reflections in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Norway on July 22, 2011, and how you explained and confirmed the necessity of initiatives like the World Dignity University initiative.

We are very thankful that Inga Bostad nominated our global dignity and peace work for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. This nomination has protected many of our network members around the world who put themselves in harm's way by speaking up for dignity.

Pandit Ikhlaq Hussain, New York City, Switzerland, Pakistan, India

YOU are our wonderful Dignity-Musician since 2006! Thank you for giving your life to dignity and music! Thank you for sharing your art also this year, dear Ikhlaq!

• Love Letter 5 - Raag Bageshree (recorded in Geneva on December 7, 2021)

• Love Letter 3 - Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo in Raag Yaman (recorded in Geneva on August 15, 2020)

Isabel Barroso, Tarragona, Catalunya

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Isabel explained, "Reaching the truthful meaning of humankind."

In the 2020 workshop, Isabel described dignity as follows, "The only way to attain self-respect."

Isabel Barroso is based in Tarragona, Catalunya. After earning a Degree in Linguistics and a Degree in Comparative Literature in University of Barcelona, she moved to Japan where she got a PhD in Shintoism & Religious Studies. Back in Tarragona again, she is currently working in a new PhD in Philosophy concerning the aesthetic experience of temporality in traditional Japan.

You have no idea how much we value your loving contribution to this workshop, dear Isabel!
Pau Casals' Quest for Peace: Cant dels Ocells ("Song of the Birds") (Video | Video recorded on December 1, 2021)
Pau Casals would be so proud!

You have no idea also how much we valued your participation in the 2020 workshop, dear Isabel, and we can't wait to read your doctoral dissertation titled The Concept of Self-respect and Dignity — Comparing the East and the West!

Thank you so much, dear Isabel, for offering your support for our upcoming Dignity Conference in Madrid!

Jacques Ngenda, Vancouver, Canada, and South Africa

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"This means a lot to me. The state of being worth of honor or respect. I consider it as Unit or an agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest, mutual support within a group."

Welcome to our workshop, dear Jacques!

Jan Servaes, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Belgia

Dear Jan, we learned so much from you in our 2014 Dignity Conference in Chiang Mai! We so much value learning from your immense experience and insights!

Janet Gerson, New York City

Dr. Janet C. Gerson is the recipient of the 2018 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you? Janet's answer:
"Dignity is the core value of a moral society. Dignity is taken to be inherent in each and every person. Entitlements, in contrast, are what governments and societies give through laws, policies, and practices. These can be both given and also taken away, unlike dignity. Dignity is operationalized through respect, the ethical principle for interpersonal interactions. From a relational conception based on dignity, justice is what each person is due and what we owe each other (Dale Snauwaert). Justice is dynamic, always balancing moral and ethical norms with practical challenges and institutional (stabilizing) formulations. Solidarity is based on the moral understanding that we know that we need each other, that human beings are interconnected and interdependent. Solidarity can be operationalized as an ethical interactive principle like respect, but how is it further enacted? From a dignity-based perspective, solidarity must be grass-roots, inclusive, communitive, and based on willing cooperation of all those involved. It is necessary to state this because solidarity has often been imposed, engaging a domination-and-control model of social-political organizing.
Solidarity is possible through dialogic means engaging deliberation and consensus-based decision-making. In reality, solidarity is often made up of a willingness to participate together based on mutual respect and understanding. Rawls stated that reasoned argumentation can lead to a congruence of opinion, a recognition that an understanding and agreement has been reached that, nevertheless, does not mean that every participant agrees 100%. Instead, it implies that despite differences that continue to be respected, a congruence of opinion has been reached thereby enabling decision-making processes to move ahead. From these, policies and courses of action can be formulated and dynamized.

In our 2020 worskhop, Janet described dignity as follows, "Dignity is inherent in each person and is operationalized interpersonally as respect. Dignity is moral autonomy in which each person is an end in herself, recognized as the author of his own story, and as a subject in society where dignity is operationalized as equality, inclusion, freedom, fulfillment and well-being. Dignity is blighted when persons are treated instrumentally as means to ends, subjected to domination, humiliation and other forms of violence."

Thank you so much, dearest Janet, for being a pillar of this workshop in so many capacities! Thank you for explaining the Connection and Reflection Groups (Video), for hosting a Bonus Session for "newcomers" together with David Yamada, as well as hosting Dignilogue 1. Thank you for your wonderful contribution to Dignilogue 3, The Interrelatedness of Dignity, Justice, Democracy, and Peace (Video), based on your recent book, Reclaimative post-conflict justice: Democratizing justice in the World Tribunal on Iraq (Cham, Switzerland: Springer International, 2021) co-authored with Dale Snauwaert!

Dr. Janet C. Gerson is a political theorist, writer, artist, and activist educator who has taught peace education, conflict processes, transformative learning, and futures envisioning. She is the Education Director of the International Institute on Peace Education (IIPE), and former Co-Director of the Peace Education Center at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City (2001- 2010). She has collaborated with the Morton Deutsch International Center on Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR) at at Teachers College since 1996. Her research and writing focus on the interrelatedness of dignity, justice, democracy and peace.

Janet came to the talk titled Humiliation and the Roots of Violence that Evelin Lindner gave at the MD-ICCCR on December 17, 2001, 3.30 pm, upon the invitation of Betty Reardon, attended by Morton Deutsch, among others. She particiated in Evelin Lindner’s first conference that was hosted by Morton Deutsch at the MD-ICCCR in 2003, and she was part of Morton Deutsch's last project, titled Imagine a Global Human Community (Video, December 11, 2013 | transcript, see the pledge Morton Deutsch brought to the 2013 Workshop on Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict, Columbia University, New York, December 5-6, 2013).

As a Board Member of HumanDHS, Janet co-hosts Dignity Now circles in New York City since 2015, initiated by Michael Britten with Judit Révész and Chipamong Chowdhury. The first meeting took place in Janet Gerson's NYC art gallery home on November 14, 2015, on the occasion of Gaby Saab's return to the city.

Thank you very much for your important contribution to this book:
"Reclaiming Common Bases of Human Dignity." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael Britton, and Linda Hartling. Chapter 4. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Jaspar Leahy, New York City

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dearest Jaspar!

Jillian Post, Nebraska, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Jillian explained, "Everyone’s voice needs to not only be heard, but validated. So when we are in a group, but feeling like an outsider, if someone does not reach out to us, we struggle to feel part of that group. When I am in a group, having felt very excluded, I now dedicate myself to assuring that every voice is heard."

Dear Jillian, thank you so much for joining us in almost all of our workshops at Columbia University in New York City since 2013! Your dignifying presence is a gift to us!

Jingyi Dong, Norway

Dear Jingyi, what an amazing privilege to have you with us!



Thank you so much for writing to us on December 12, 2021: Dearest Linda and Evelin: You have made miracle! The rainbow is beautiful because it has rich and diverse colors. HumanDHS Conference is as beautiful as rainbow, thanks to your effort that puts all the colors together. It is so touching that you work nonstop, bringing beauty to this torn and wounded world. In so doing, you bring honor to human being. No language can express my gratitude to you!!! Your continuous effort reminds me of a figure in Chinese mythology, Jingwei, a princess in the far, far remote ancient times. She was drawn in the sea. Afterwards she became a bird, continuously carrying a pebble in her mouth and dropped it into the sea. She was determined to level up the sea so that no one would be drawn again. Jingwei’s dream was in vain because she was an aristocrat. Your dream has come true because, at a time of democracy, more and more people are being inspired by you to join the cause. Millions and millions of thanks to you, modern Jjingwei! Jingyi"

Thank you so much for sending us your friend Cameron Jin's Inspiring Song! You kindly explained on November 29, 2021: "He sang a song last year during the time of Covid-19. He refused to give up when he was stuck in a difficult situation. He sang the song to encourage himself and his friends!" You kindly add on December 5, 2021: "Cameron Jin was a rural university student. I got to know him when I was doing review for my dissertation. His family used to be extremely poor so that they had to live on wild vegetable, but he managed to graduate from college. Whenever I hear his song, I would recall how he managed to overcome difficulties all the way and I would get inspired. I hope his song will inspire more people."

Background: Thank you for downloading his song for us, dear Jingyi, so that we can include it in our YouTube channel with an English explanation and translation! Thank you for explaining that Cameron Jin offered his song on an online platform that is without advertisement, where people sing for fun and not for monetary gain unless the audience voluntarily send some “gift” to the singer.

This is the translation of the text: "At this moment, there are more choices, is it better to enjoy the rest of the time? Or to embrace the bright future to chase the morning sun? Or find a place to sit and talk to your heart? At this moment, are you still anxious about the long and misty road of human growth? Still have found the direction, enjoy the happiness of struggling at this moment..."

Joanie Calem, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.

Dear Joanie, thank you so much for your lovely song No Borders that you sang for us (Video | Video recorded on November 17, 2021)! Thank you for your dignifying work!
www.joaniecalem.com and YouTube, and Spotify!

Thank you so much for the reflections you so kindly shared during the coffee break of Day Three (Video) and your thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)!

Joanne Ooi, London, United Kingdom

Dear Joanne, welcome to our workshop!

Joaquim Jilala Masengwa, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

A very warm welcome, dear Joaquim. Thank you for offering "Moments of Music, Movement, and Poetry"!

John McFadden, San Francisco

It is a privilege to have you with us, dear John! Your nuanced thinking is a gift to the world! Thank you so much for your "Message to the World" that you recorded on November 16, 2021!

Jojo Mehta paying tribute to Polly Higgins, Stroud, England

Thank you, dear Jojo, for your wonderful tribute to our dear Polly Higgins!
Stop Ecocide: The legacy of Polly Higgins, by Jojo Mehta, August 1, 2019. Thank you for your kind message from November 30, 2021, encouraging us to make clear that your work is in a very different place now as compared to 2019. You write, "...of course we always love having new Earth Protectors! but we are also briefing parliamentarians, lawyers, faith leaders, NGOs, government agencies... we're at the heart of a growing global movement. Feel free to choose something from our YouTube channel if you wish..."

Comment: Evelin Lindner was in touch with Polly Higgins when she held the Arne Næss Professorial Chair (non-academic) in Global Justice and the Environment at the University of Oslo from 2012 – 2014, invited, among others, by Inga Bostad. Inga Bostad kindly hosted also the launch of the World Dignity University initiative at the University of Oslo in 2011, and Arne Næss attended one of the foundational conferences for the HumanDHS movement, the one in 2003 in Paris.

Joy Ndwandwe, Eswatini (former Swaziland)

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Joy explained, "Dignity through solidarity means the need for advocacy that enables the proposed advocacy for the second liberation through natural rights embedded within indigenous knowledge. Thus, solidary in advancing this second liberation as indigenous knowledge was historical and continues to be systemically negated, manifesting in the eroding of dignity manifesting in conflicts, humiliation and dehumanization."

Welcome to our workshop, dearest Joy! What a privilege to have you in our global dignity community!

Joy is a member of the World Dignity University, as one of the founding partners of the Indigenous Knowledge Hub in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Joy is the Founding President of the Indigenous Knowledge Hub in Eswatini that was founded in March 2020 as an NGO under the Swaziland Companies Act No. 8 of 2009. This hub is an academic space for policy makers and researchers for preserving and integrating indigenous knowledge and modernity towards Education for Sustainable Development and the Africa We Want. Due to Covi-19 and the political crisis in the kingdom of Eswatini the Indigenous Knowledge Hub will be formally launched with website and all social media platforms in 2021.
The Indigenous Knowledge Hub is a Dignity Institute, following Joy's interest in advancing dignity embedded within indigenous knowledge towards Education for Sustainable Development. Most importantly, having access to leading dignity scholars is important, who will provide technical expertise in the establishing of the hub and strategic interventions as and when the need arises.
Joy lives by the following principles: Confidence, Dignity, and Contentment.

Thank you so much for contributing to Dignilogue 1 with presenting your Indigenous Knowledge Hub, dear Joy! Abantu Eswatini Dignity InstituteIndigenous Knowledge Hub: Dignity Through Solidarity: Towards a New Global Normal, presentation by Joy Ndwandwe, Founding President (Video | Video recorded on November 17, 2021 | PowerPoint). Thank you also for sharing the 2019 podcast of your story! Please join also Dignilogue 4 hosted by David Yamada on the World Dignity University initiative! Thank you also for sharing

Thank you so much for explaining the ubuntu philosophy so well in 2013!
• Video Ubuntu Open Space Dignilogue session, 25th April 2013 (unfortunately, reduced video quality), created at the the 21st Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, 24th-27th April 2013, in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
• Video Ubuntu, summary by Joy Ndwandwe, 26th April 2013, created at the 21st Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, 24th-27th April 2013, in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Judit Révész, New York City, Geneva, Switzerland, Hungary

Message from Evelin: Dearest Judit, I will never forget the day when you welcomed me to Teachers College, Columbia University, on December 17, 2001, just before I gave the talk titled Humiliation and the Roots of Violence at 3.30 pm, upon the invitation of Betty Reardon, attended, among others, by Morton Deutsch!

Since 2001, you are a pillar of our dignity work, and since the inception of this website in 2003, you offer your time and energy to reply when people click on the "contact us" button! Over the years, you often worked late at night for us, even while holding two jobs and being a student. Words will never suffice to express our gratitude and admiration to you! Your deeply deeply thankful Evelin!

Thank you so much for your important contribution to this book:
"Full Circle: With Gratitude to Our Dearest Evelin Lindner." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael Britton, and Linda Hartling. Chapter 14. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Justinian Doreste, Spain

Welcome to our workshop, dear Justinian!

Kamolrat Intaratat, Nonthaburi, Thailand

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Kamolrat! Thank you so much that you came all the way from Thailand to join us in our 2019 Dignity Conference in Brasil!

Karen Hopenwasser, New York City

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Karen explained, "We are born with the potential to experience dignity and that potential is realized as the world around us nurtures and reinforces dignity. Interpersonal mistreatment and social injustice challenges that felt sense of dignity. When we foster connection, to each other, as well as to the complex environment of our earth, we can foster dignity and repair."

A very warm welcome to our workshop, dear Karen!

Karin Dremel, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A., and Germany

Dear Karin, thank you so much for sharing your lovely poem titled First Imagined Day (Video | Lyrics December 30, 2020)!

Karu Williams, Tbilisi, Georgia

Welcome to our workshop, dear Karu!

Kathy Beckwith, Dayton, Oregon, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Kathy explained, "Dignity through solidarity expresses to me an optimism and hopefulness about living in respect and appreciation of and with others, by experiencing the "wind beneath our wings" that comes through working and playing with and knowing others who share the same longing and vision."

In 2020, she explained dignity as follows: "The acknowledgement and kind celebration of our preciousness — each to the other."

Congratulations with your book, dear Kathy! You contacted us in 2014, and a year later, we had your book come out! What a gift to the world!
Beckwith, Kathy (2015). A Mighty Case Against War: What America Missed in U.S. History Class and What We (All) Can Do Now (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press)

Thank you so much for sharing so much of your creative dignity work both in 2021 and 2020, dear Kathy:

2021:
• You are Amazing, recorded on November 7, 2021

2020:
• "Message to the World — Dignity through Kindness, Respect, and Peace" recorded on November 26, 2020. Kathy kindly wrote on November 27, 2020: "If it would inspire just a few people to think of the potential for peer mediation and abandoning war, and "being nice first" it would be so worth our time..."
• Child of the Earth (Video on Day Three | Audio, recorded on November 5, 2020)

Katy Olivia van Tergouw, Amstelveen, The Netherlands

A very warm welcome, dear Katy Olivia, to our workshop!

Kishor Dere, New Delhi, India

A warm welcome to our workshop, dear Kishor Dere!

Kjerstin Pugh, New York City

A warm welcome to our workshop, dear Kjerstin! We are so thankful that our dear Danielle brings you to us!

Konstanze Abouleish, Sekem, Belbeis Sharkeya, Egypt

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Konstanze explained, "It means understanding that people are different, and that each single person is on his or her personal journey, which might be very different from mine. Yet, each single one is equally important and authentic. This is my lifetime engagement: feeling into people's personality and act accordingly."

Dear Konstanze, thank you so much for your wonderful "Message to the World" (Video | Video recorded on November 16, 2021)!

Dear Konstanze, we have no words to thank you!
You and your husband Helmy Abouleish most kindly hosted our 2018 Dignity Conference at SEKEM Egypt! We so much admire the SEKEM Vision and Mission 2057: 1977 – 2017 – 2057!

Lasse Moer, Oslo, Norway

Lasse Moer is a deep thinker and innovator. He is also the Chief Engineer for audiovisual technology at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University in Oslo, Norway. See his personal website at lassemoer.no.

Thank you so much, dear Lasse, for your wonderful meditations in wonderful Norwegian nature!

• Humler og lavendel (bumblebees and lavender) (Video Day One | Video Day Three, explaining the aerodynamic miracle of bumblebees | original Video September 7, 2021, with the cat Molly passing through)
• Cornfields (with music from Enya) (Video workshop | Lasse Moer's original Video)
• Blåveis (music by Norwegian composer Øystein Sevåg, "Psalme." This little flower decorates the forest floor in the spring in Norway, in English it is named kidneywort or liverwort) (Video workshop | Lasse Moer's original Video)

Lasse Moer kindly offers more of his meditations:
• Fra Damtjørn 1 + Fra Damtjørn 2, September 13, 2021
• Kveldstur-Blefjell (music from Van Morrison)

Some of his meditative YouTubes: Part 1 | Part 3 | Part 4
More of his favorite meditative music on YouTube:
• Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 i- Adagio
• Beethoven Sonata no.5 op.24 "Spring" - 2nd Movement
• Radka Toneff - Moon's a Harsh Mistress
• Hans Zimmer - A Way of Life
• Hoshwalon ko khabar kya .. Jagjit Singh Live.. Gazal-1

Leland "Lee" R. Beaumont, Middletown, New Jersey, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Lee explained, "When we can recognize that respecting the human dignity we are each born with provides the basis for moral reasoning and daily decision making, we can unite on this common ground."

Thank you so very much, dear Lee, for your life work! We are happy that you found our work in 2007, and that you came to our workshops in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2021! Thank you so much for sharing your valuable work over all these years!

Dear Lee, how can we ever thank you enough! As a consultant in computer networking, you have single-handedly built a monumental contribution to our World Dignity University initiative!

• Wisdompage: “I wonder how that works?” is the question that has propelled much of the life and career of Leland R. Beaumont. Expressed early on as an interest in science, math, engineering, and computer science, he obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering as he began his career at Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies.

• In your registration for 2021, you kindly shared an amazingly comprehensive graphical overview over the Causal Relationships Shaping Our Universe! Thank you also for sharing your ideas for future Dignilogue (Dignity + Dialogue) topics:
1) Seeking real good
2) Creating a Human Rights Olympics event
3) Moral reasoning

• Thank you for creating in the past years more than 60 pages of wise affirmations, a thought experiment that can help better understand the role luck plays in one's life, a course on problem finding, and on confronting tyranny. Thank you for offering an optimistic vision of the future, and a Wikiversity Possibilities curriculum.

• You kindly wrote in 2019:
As a gift to you and the people of the world I have developed the Wisdom and the Future Research Center, where researchers are exploring the question How can we wisely create our future?
I have also developed a freely available course on Moral Reasoning."

Linda Hartling, Portland, Oregon, principle convener of this workshop, please see her bio below and here!

Dignity? "A world without humiliation dignifies us all!"

Dearest Linda, no message of gratitude will ever be enough to express how we — the entire global dignity community — feel about your immeasurable work of love and dignity!

YOU have nurtured also this workshop into being! YOU are doing the "invisible work" that makes our workshops possible! Our conferences do not "fall from the sky," they require years and months of committed nurturing, they grow out of years of dignifying preparations that are both loving and meticulous. We do not know anyone else who can combine loving care and thoroughly reliable meticulousness as genially as you do! In Norwegian, there is the term "ild sjel" or "fire soul" — this is what you are, a true fire soul! We cannot express our gratitude to you often enough!

See our gratitude in two rounds of appreciations for your efforts in this 2021 workshop (Video | Video). See also a message of gratitude from Evelin Lindner, recorded prior to the 2020 workshop on November 25 and December 9, 2020 (Video). And then see our messages of gratitude at the end of the 2020 workshop (Video), where all participants expressed their deep gratitude and admiration for your leadership, as, after all, YOU make all our workshops possible!

Thank you so much, dear Linda, for co-editing this important and most touching book, and for writing the Foreword and the final chapter:
"Moving Beyond Humiliation: A Relational Conceptualization of Human Rights." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael Britton, and Linda Hartling. Chapter 15. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Lisa Fliegel, Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Welcome to this workshop, dear Lisa! It is a great privilege to have you with us!

Litang Cui, Guangzhou, China

Litang Cui is an instructor in English, Chinese, and Communication in Guangzhou, China. (Cui is the family name and Litang the first name which comes first in English but last in Chinese.) Together with Michael H. Prosser, he edited the book Social Media in Asia, published in Dignity Press.

In 2013, he kindly laid out the social codes that are represented in eight Chinese characters, which Evelin Lindner gratefully included in her book on Dignity in Solidarity.

Welcome to this workshop, dear Lisa! It is a great privilege to have you with us! Thank you for many years of support, for offering your deep insights into Chinese culture to the world!

Lizette Colón, New York City

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Lizette answered, "It means the real deal."

Welcome to our workshop, dear Lizette!

Ljoba Jenče, Slovenia

Ljoba Jenče is one of the leading voices of safeguarding the practices and arts of Slovenian intangible cultural heritage (ICH) since 1988 (see ljobajence.eu). Ljoba explains that this song is about a beggar asking for a piece of bread and shelter in Rome. He was given bread in a dog's hut and passed away during the night. As in many other medieval stories, the beggar was in reality God, testing people's hearts. The song is a ballad, and its message is universal. In other words, it is a sad story about a kind of "solidarity" that is humiliating.

Thank you so much, dear Ljoba, for contributing with your immensely dignifying art! Thank you, dear Ljoba, for being such an important voice in the world:
• Da lipa ma, with Ljoba Jenče, Žan Tkalec, and Domen Marinčič, May 13, 2021 (see more concerts)
• Giving voice to cultural heritage, a video with Ljoba's newest message for the care of cučtural heritage in times of pandemic and education of adults, given at the Dual conference of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning: The Resilient Response to Future Challenges, September 8–9, 2021.

• For our 2021 workshop, you kindly shared the ballad Bužec po Rim petla / A Beggar in Rome, a sad story about a kind of "solidarity" that is humiliating. You explain that this is a song about a beggar asking for a piece of bread and shelter in Rome. He was given bread in a dog's hut and passed away during the night. As in many other medieval stories, the beggar was in reality God, testing people's hearts. The song is a ballad, and its message is universal. In other words, it is a sad story about a kind of "solidarity" that is humiliating. See the original Video on Ljoba Jenče's YouTube channel, and see how her song was embedded in the workshop (Video). See also how Evelin Lindner integrated Ljoba's song into her talk (Video).

• You kindly shared your wonderful art also at the 27th Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies 'Cities at Risk - From Humiliation to Dignity', in Dubrovnik, Croatia, 19th - 23rd September 2016, where you showed us how to use stones as instruments! We will never forget how you shared your art with us!

Lucien Xavier Lombardo, Virginia, U.S.A.

Dignity (2020): "An essence of our lives that connects with its meaning and others. It exists in experience and does not need to be judged, measured or defined. Unlike justice, equality, fairness, equality, dignity does not yield to power; it is not subject to measurement; it is not based on a judgment; it is not political! Dignity is!"

Dearest Lou, we are privileged that you found our work in 2013! Thank you so much for sharing your work since then at each of our workshops!
• "Message to the World — Learning about Dignity" (Text | Video recorded on December 5, 2020)
Thank you also for:
• Human Dignity and Childhood, Workshop with Leadership Team, Auburn Enlarged City School District, Auburn, NY, November 18, 2019
• Finding My Way to Questions about Violence, prepared for Senior Scholar Lecture, College of Arts and Letters, November 4, 2006... Dr. Lombardo's Journey: It's Never Been Just Academic — Was It Following Me Around?

Luyolo Sijake, Beijing University, and Sub-Saharan Africa

Welcome to our workshop, dear Luyolo!

Lyndon Harris and Maria Lund, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Lyndon: "Dignity is respect and lovingkindness."
Maria: "Dignity is honoring with deep respect."

Thank you for your brilliant contribution to Dignilogue 1, There Can Be No Future Without Forgiveness (Quote from Late Archbishop Desmond Tutu) (Video)

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful message, dear Lyndon!
• "Message to the World — Forgiveness" (Video | Video recorded on December 10, 2020)

Thank you for your gift of a Dignilogue on Forgiveness!
• Lyndon Harris Announces his Dignilogue on Forgiveness (Video)
• Lyndon Harris' Dignilogue on Forgiveness (Video)
• Lynda Harris Shares Afterthoughts on Day Three (Video)

Message from Evelin Lindner: It was such a privilege, dear Lyndon, to meet you, and get to know your important work, in 2004 at a Luncheon at the United Nations in New York City — it was when the 2004 Global Peace and Tolerance Awards were presented to three initiatives: the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance, the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, and "In the Continuum," by Holocaust and genocide survivors David Gewirtzman and Jacqueline Murekatete.

Dear Lyndon, since 2004, you have been a pillar of our work, a guardian of our dignity spirit, you always teach us "to become better ancestors"! Thank you!

Finally, we congratulate you, dear Lyndon! We lovingly welcome your wife Maria! Welcome!

Madhulika Singh, Flekke, Norway

What a gift, dear Madhulika, that you are with us in this workshop! Welcome! It would be wonderful to have your support for our World Dignity University initiative!

Maggie O'Neill, Ireland and England

What a gift, dear Maggie, that esteemed Ruth Lister brought you to us in 2005, and that you came all across the Atlantic to our workshops in New York City in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, and 2013! How WONDERFUL to have you with us now again!

Thank you so much, dear Maggie, for your contribution to Dignilogue 1 of our 2020 workshop: Dignity Studies: Reimagining Learning in of World of Crises (Video)

Thank you for sharing your work with us, dear Maggie:
• Participation Arts and Social Action in Research (PASAR): Theatre Making and Walking in Research with Migrant Women, with Umut Erel, Ereni Kaptani, Tracey Reynolds and Maggie O’Neill, a short film by Marcia Chandra that shares the work and importantly the process, (Video | Pdf comment | PASAR)

• Walking Conversations with Maggie O’Neill, Arpad Szakaloczai, Ger Mullally, the Dingle Creativity and Innovation Hub and students and teachers from the Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne. Walking is a mundane activity but also fundamental to our way of being and sociality, taking a walk with someone is a powerful way of communicating about experience, we can become attuned and connected in a lived embodied way with the feelings and lived experience of another. Pioneering Anthropologist Tim Ingold talks about walking as the ‘art of paying attention’. Walking opens a space for dialogue, and embodied knowledge and experience can be shared, it is ‘convivial’ in the senses described above. This short film by Jan Haaken and Maciej Klich shares this work in progress and in process on walking conversations and the walking classroom. (Video | Pdf comment)

Malay R. Patel, Pune, Maharashtra, India

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Malay explained, "Social and Solidarity Economy serves as a paradigm for setting standards for a private sector acting in respect of human rights and dignity, and even further, in the fight against global poverty and the promotion of a sustainable world."

A very warm welcome, dear Malay! It would be wonderful to have your support for our World Dignity University initiative!

Mara Alagic, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kansas, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Mara explained, "Supporting each other, globally and locally, ubuntu, being part of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies ... "

In 2020, Mara defined dignity as follows: "A way of human existence..."

Mara Alagic (2021)
A Pivotal Moment for the Future of World Dignity University (Video | Text)
Contribution to Dignilogue 4 of the 2021 Workshop on Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict, Virtual at Columbia University, New York City, December 9 – 11, 2021.

Dear Mara, we are so thankful to Adair Linn Nagata for bringing you to us in 2008! Thank you for being a pillar of our work since then, and for being a core member of the Digni-Planning Team for this workshop!

Thank you so much for your contribution to Dignilogue 1 in the 2020 workshop: Dignity Studies: Reimagining Learning in of World of Crises (Video)

María Cristina Azcona, Buenos Aires, Argentina

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" María explained, "To strengthen links among different sections of society by using equanimity, equality, empathy and solidarity, teaching respect to human dignity in the sense of respect to human rights to freedom, justice and a clean environment."

In our 2020 workshop, María offered the following definition of dignity: "Dignity is the right to deserve respect from others and regarding social groups, it means respect to human rights. In the sense of children, it means respect to their bodies and not only their souls."

Dear María, so good that our Ada Aharoni brought you to us in 2005! All your life you have generously woven global dignity networks! Thank you!

Thank you for sharing the Mission of the Worldwide Peace Organization (English and Spanish) for this workshop, dear María!
• Education for a New Millennium, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2018
• The Education of Morality for Parents and Children, Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 10, 2020

Thank you for sharing earlier:
• Dignity and Humiliation in Argentina, a paper written by María for HumanDHS in 2005

Mariana I. Vergara Esquivel, Albuquerque, U.S.A., and Ecuador

Thank you so much for establishing a Ruku Kausay World Dignity University Amazonian Branch in the Rainforest of Ecuador in 2012 together with Evelin Lindner! And thank you for being such a wonderful host to Evelin also in Quito in 2012!

Welcome to our workshop, dear Mariana!

Thank you so much for your important contribution to this book:
"World Dignity University Initiative in the Amazon Rainforest: A Transformational Learning Experience." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael Britton, and Linda Hartling. Chapter 13. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Marta Scherre, Vila Velha, Brazil

Dear Marta, a very warm welcome to our workshop! We very much look forward to learning from you!

Martha Eddy, New York City

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Martha explained, "Compassion compassion compassion and truthful dialogue."

Dignity (2020): "Dignity is internal — I know I have value and purpose. external — I can dignify others by being caring and curious without judgement."

Dearest Martha, what a gift that Pascal Rocha and Karen Bradley brought you to us in 2010! Thank you for offering a DigniStretch Activity to us on Day Two of this workshop (Video) and your "Message to the World" on Day Three (Video)! Thank you for pre-recording your DigniCalm and DigniStretch activities on December 4, 2020! Thank you also for contributing with your Rise Up: Cancer Survivor/Thriver Dance, created on September 29, 2020!

As introduction to your work, you recommend How to Be Alone...
Thank you for your profound global dignity work: Somatic Resources for Stressful Times | Global Water Dances Mission | Global Water Dances (GWD) YouTube Channel | Global Water Dance: Documentary, 3 minutes | Global Water Dance, 12 minutes

Mary Tehan, Melbourne, Australia

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Mary explained, "I am challenged by the word 'dignity' as it comes out of a patriarchal construct… AND … I appreciate the merits of its intent. Solidarity is very challenging in a time of individualism and instant gratification. We each to earn solidarity in mutuality and reciprocity, respect and celebration of difference."

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Mary, what a gift it is to have you in our dignity community since 2011! I will never forget the precious conversations we had on September 12, 2011, when you came to see me in Sydney!

Mechthild "Mecke" Nagel, Cortland, New York, Germany

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Mecke explained, "A positive peace approach and selfless service to others."

Dignity (2020): "compassionate way with all there is."

Dear Mechthild, how wonderful that Lucien Lombardo brought you to us in 2016!
Thank you so much for your "Message to the World" that you shared on Day Three of the workshop (Video)!

Congratulations on your important work!
• Nagel, Mechthild (2018). "Policing Families: The Many-Headed Hydra of Surveillance", in Feminism and Psychology, 17 (2), pp. 2–11.

Meetu Khosla, New Delhi, India

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Meetu explained, "Unity and acceptance of diversity, a common goodness that enhances equality and social justice for all irrespective of the geographical or demographic divide around the globe.Having unconditional positive regard, respect for all human beings and being mutually responsible for growth and progress."

Dearest Meetu, it is a great privilege to have you with us! Welcome!

Melinda Zalma, Rabbi in New York City

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Melinda answered, "I'm not sure. I hope that it can mean dignity through solidarity that we are all human, even if we disagree completely with another."

Dear Melinda, a very warm welcome to our workshop!

Melvy Murguia, Los Angeles, Berkeley, California, U.S.A.

Welcome to our workshop, dear Melvy!

Michael Boyer, Hameln (Hamelin), Germany

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Michael responded, "Solidarity with your fellows should prerequisite dignified relations."

Dignity (2020): "Dignism!"

Thank you, dear Michael, for your loving support for dignity and your amazing work with our DignityNowHameln group! Thank you for your Digniworld initiative that you created in 2019 (Video): Digniworld WordPress | Digniworld Facebook | Digniworld Twitter | Digniworld Instagram | World Dignity Movement (on YouTube)

All these lovely contributions to our 2021 workshop from Hameln came true due to your untiring support:
• Dignity Now: Hameln Removes Plastic Waste from the Banks of its River Weser (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in September 2021, finalized on November 25, 2021)
• The Dignity Now Hameln Group sings Dona Nobis Pacem ("Grant Us Peace" in Latin) in the Chapel of Wangelist near Hameln (Hamelin) on November 8, 2021
Dear Michael, thank you for devising a lovely "script" for the introduction of the Hameln group during Dignilogue 5 of our workshop: Evelin describes the Group > Evelin to Michael > Michael to Regina > Regina to Andrea > Film - BUND Plastic Action > Andrea to Georg > Georg to Claudia > Claudia to Gisela > Gisela to Dorothee > Dorothee to Andreas > back to Evelin greeting Zuzana Lučkay Mihalčinová > Dona Nobis Pacem.

Thank you also for your wonderful contributions to our 2020 workshop:
• Dignity Now: Hameln Presents Good Ideas from the Past and the Future for a More Sustainable Future. Thoughts Are Unchained (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in October and November 2020, finalized on November 21, 2020)
This is the contribution of the DignityNowHameln group that was recorded in October and November 2020, and finalized on November 21, 2020 (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)
See more in detail:
• 01 Marienhof (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)
• 02 Unverpackt Laden (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)
• 03 Song Die Gedanken sind Frei / Thoughts are Unchained (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)
• Dear Michael, thank you also for your wonderful vocal interlude! (Video at the end)
• Hameln Sings (all vocal interludes brought together) (Video)

Michael Britton, Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Dearest Michael! What a gift it is to have you as a core pillar of our dignity work since 2006! Thank you so much for kindly accepting that we honored you with our 2017 Lifetime Commitment Award!

In the annual Workshop on Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict that takes place each year at Columbia University, you hold the Don Klein Celebration Lecture in place of the lecture that Don Klein held each year until he passed away in 2007, titled The Humiliation Dynamic: Looking Back... Looking Forward

In 2021, this was Michael Britton's Don Klein Celebration Lecture (Video | Video recorded on December 5, 2021, edited by Linda Hartling on December 6, 2021 | Video recorded on November 30, 2021, edited by Linda Hartling on December 1, 2021 | Pdf from PowerPoint)

In 2020, this was Michael Britton's Don Klein Celebration Lecture: Video | Video recorded on October 18, 2020 | Video recorded on October 18, 2020, and edited by Linda Hartling on December 3, 2020
All of your Don Klein Celebration Lectures since 2007 are listed here

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Michael, I will never forget how we met on November 14, 2006, when you kindly attended my presentation titled Humiliation and the Roots of Violence: Human Conflict in a Globalizing World, to which our dear Philip Brown had invited me at the New Jersey Center for Character Education, Center for Applied Psychology, Rutgers University, New Jersey. I still have some pictures.

Thank you so much, dear Michael, for co-editing this important and most touching book, and for writing the Introduction:
Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael F. Britton, and Linda M. Hartling. Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019.

Michael Perlin, New York City, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Dear Michael! What a pillar of our dignity work you have been since our dear George Woods brought you to us in 2006! Thank you so much for kindly accepting that we honored you with our 2012 Lifetime Commitment Award!

Michael L. Perlin is Professor of Law Emeritus at New York Law School (NYLS), where he was director of NYLS’s Online Mental Disability Law Program, and director of NYLS’s International Mental Disability Law Reform Project in its Justice Action Center. He is co-founder of Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates, and has written 34 books and over 300 articles on all aspects of mental disability law, focusing primarily on issues related to criminal law and procedure. He has litigated at every court level from police court to the US Supreme Court, and has done advocacy work on every continent. He is the honorary life president of the International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence and a member of that society’s current Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Lawrence Township (NJ) Community Concert Band, the Temple University Night Owls band, and the board of directors of the Washington Crossing (NJ) Audubon Society.

Dear Michael, you wrote about dignity: "I have been writing about this for years. See my articles, among others, my chapter "Dignity and Therapeutic Jurisprudence: How We Can Best End Shame and Humiliation," in Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations 113 (Chipamong Chowdhury and Michael Britton eds. 2019) (Dignity Press); See more here."

Thank you so much for sharing:
• "In These Times of Compassion When Conformity's in Fashion": How Therapeutic Jurisprudence Can Root out Bias, Limit Polarization and Support Vulnerable Persons in the Legal Process (Video 2021)
• “Therapeutic Jurisprudence: Foundations, Expansion, and Assessment,” University of Miami Law Review (2021)
• "Message to the World" (Text | Video | Video recorded on December 7, 2020)

Thank you in particular for your important contribution to this book:
• "Dignity and Therapeutic Jurisprudence: How We Can Best End Shame and Humiliation." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael F. Britton, and Linda M. Hartling. Chapter 6. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Michael Sayler, Newberg, Oregon, U.S.A.

A very warm welcome back, dear Michael!

You kindly wrote on January 17, 2019: "I attended the 2007 meeting in NYC. Now I’m retired from ministry, living in Newberg, OR and plugging back into research on humiliation again. (my doctoral dissertation was on the subject of Humiliation and the Poor). Anyway, greetings to both of you! Michael Sayler"

Welcome, dear Michael!

Monae Ollivierre, Brooklyn, New York City

A warm welcome to our workshop, dear Monae!

Navanita Hridy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

Dignity (2020): "Dignity is self-reliance!"

Dear Navanita, thank you so much for coming to our 2020 and 2021 workshops upon the invitation of our dear Bhante Revata Dhamma!

2020:
• Navanita Hridy Sings Imagine by John Lennon (Video)
• Navanita Hridy Sings Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (Video | Audio)

Nizar Ahmad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mardan, Pakistan

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Nizar responded, "This is big new idea for me but I feel dignity through solidarity mean the mutual respect of individual human rights, needs and abilities of persons."

We very much look forward to having you with us, dear Nizar! Welcome! It would be wonderful to have your support for our World Dignity University initiative!

Thank you for sharing with us your 2019 article co-authored with Muhammad Niaz:
"Understanding Pakhtun Hujra (A Socio-Cultural Institute) and its Relevance to Peacebuilding."
In Pakistan Journal of Criminology, 11 (2), pp. 120-32.
Abstract: The study aims at highlighting the relevance of Pakhtun Hujra (a socio-cultural institute) with peacebuilding in Pakhtun tribal society of Pakistan. A qualitative study was conducted in District Bajaur of Pakhtun tribal areas of Pakistan. Data were collected from 50 local in hibitants of the area through in-depth interviews using interview guide as a tool. Participants of the study were purposively selected based on their knowledge and experience with local peacebuilding mechanisms. It was noted that Pakhtun Hujra is one of local intuitions with peacebuilding functions. The local people call Hujra “Da Aman Kor” (The House of Peace) as it‟s a sanctuary for people in trouble. Further, Hujra also functions as a court room and parliament for the local villagers. It is concluded that Pakhtun Hujra is a peace friendly space of Pakhtun villages and is of vital importance to peacebuilding organizations. It is suggested that Hujra can be used a resource center for peacebuilding related activities by government and non-governmental organizations.

Nombasa Williams, Canberra, Australia

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Nombassa explained, "Being able to work, collaborate and dialogue with others whilst retaining one's dignity and right to self-determination."

We very much look forward to having you with us, dear Nombasa! We thank Veronica Bruey (Fynn) for connecting us!

Noriko Ishihara, Tokyo, Japan

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Noriko explained, "By connecting truly with others, we can grow trust, love, and bonds with each other."

In our 2020 workshop, Noriko described dignity as follows, "Having our human rights respected and respecting others' rights at the same time."

We thank our dear peace linguist Francisco Gomes de Matos for bringing you to us in 2016, dear Noriko, and it was wonderful to have you with us in our 2016 workshop! Thank you for the many gifts with which you have contributed to our work since then! For instance, you wrote a wonderful chapter in this book:
"The Language of Respect and Dignity for Intercultural Understanding and Conflict Resolution: Application to Diplomacy and Education." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael Britton, and Linda Hartling. Chapter 5. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Thank you so much for sharing the artistic expressions of your students from July 16, 2020: "Different Color — Same Human!"
You kindly wrote on April 8, 2019: "This week I’m starting a new course on art-based language teaching. I intend to expose my students (prospective teachers) to various forms of language-mediated artworks especially with social activism or humanitarian themes. Language learning/teaching can be rather dry if grammar or accuracy is focused too much, but some inspiring content on human rights can truly engage students while they use/learn language effectively through that content. Also, social activism isn’t as prevalent here in Japan but I’m hoping that Japanese and international students in this class will learn together and from each other. This, I’d say, is one of the concrete ideas that came to me out of attending your NY workshop in 2016. I’m hoping to take this to a national conference in language teaching in the fall. With my love and gratitude for inspirations ... Noriko"

Thank you also for sharing:
• "Teaching to Develop Learners’ Sociocultural Competence," by Noriko Ishihara, Hosei University, Columbia University Teachers College Tokyo, Soleado, Spring, 2011
• Ishihara, Noriko (2017). "Teaching Pragmatics in Support of Learner Subjectivity and Global Communicative Needs: A Peace Linguistics Perspective." In Idee in form@zione, 6 (5), pp. 17–32. doi: 10.4399/97888548998652

Noor Akbar Khalil, London, England

Dear Noor, welcome! It is a privilege to have you as a core member in our dignity community since 2005!

Olav Ofstad, Norway, India

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Olav explained, "To me this has particular significance in relation to human interaction in situations of human distress and conflicting interests. This could for instance be about influx or refugees, conflict over land or natural resources such as water. With solidarity with other human beings we render dignity both to the parties and our interaction and make conflict resolution more likely."

In the 2020 workshop, Olav described dignity as follows, "Respect, self realisation, inspiration, happiness, freedom."

Dear Olav, it was a gift to meet you in 1997/ 1998 in Norway! Thank you so much that you have nurtured our global dignity work since then, and that you joined us, for instance, in our 2008 Dignity Conference in Oslo, Norway!

Olga Talantopoulou, Indianapolis, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"To be very honest I haven't been in touch with this topic consciously yet. My Thesis supervisor Brian Palmer brought my attention to Evelin's work and this workshop."

A very warm welcome to you, dear Olga! And please give our warm greetings to Brian Palmer!

Ongmu Tshering, Mumbai, India, and Tibet

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Born to a Buddhist family and schooling in a Catholic convent has inherently taught me to be compassionate, kind and above all to be human. However, India has a complex and multicultural society, we do see instances of discrimination on basis of race, culture, gender., etc. I believe each human has the right to live in dignity and people must come together to spread the oneness and humanness and ensure we strive to make this world in better place than we found."

Message from Evelin Lindner: Welcome, dear Ongmu! How lovely it was to sit with you in the airport of Mumbai on September 18, 2017, and learn from you! Thank you!

Paola Cruz, Honduras

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Paola explained, "Communal efforts for attaining equality for all."

Dear Paola, thank you so much for joining us for our workshop upon the invitation of our dear Bhante Revata Dhamma!

Parinda Viranuvat, Bangkok, Thailand

A very warm welcome, dear Parinda! It was lovely to have you with us in our 2010 workshop!

Alyi Patrick Opiro Lalur, Gulu, Uganda

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"Giving support to each others in a way that reflect and enhance their values, importance and sense of worth in the community where they live."

Alyi Patrick Lalur from Gulu in Uganda is Lecturer at Gulu University, Consultant in Peace Project, and Director of the Lalur-Larin Foundation working with girl child education.

Thank you so much, dear Patrick, for sharing your important work with the forgotten offspring of child soldiers, the Invisible War Child (Video). We look forward to your paper with the same title!

Peter Barus, Jacksonville, Whitingham, Vermont, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Peter responded by saying, "Connection. Being 'out here' with you."

In the 2020 workshop, Peter described dignity as "a question in which to live."

We are very glad, dear Peter, that our dear Howard Richards brought you to our global dignity community!

Thank you so much for sharing your reflections during the coffee break of Day Three of this workshop (Video) and for sharing more thoughts at the end of the workshop (Video)!

Thank you also very much for your touching and profound "Message to the World" in 2020!

Peter Pollard, Hatfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"I think it speaks to the notion that Dignity must be extended universally and unconditionally. While embracing a commitment to accountability for harmful actions, we must resist the impulse to "otherize" those who threaten or cause harm to us and those we love. Together, we must commit to humanizing those we disagree with or find threatening, while challenging harmful behaviors."

In the 2020 workshop, Peter described dignity as "positive self-regard - a birth right."

We are so glad, dear Peter, that Donna Hicks brought you to us, and we thank you for joining us in our 2018, 2020, and 2021 workshops! Thank you for sharing:
• 1in6 Thursday: "Good" and "Evil"...Not So Fast, by Peter Pollard, Joyful Heart Foundation, March 22, 2012 (Pdf)
• 1in6 Thursday: Decriminalizing Trauma: Some New Alternatives to “Fight, Flight or Freeze,” by Peter Pollard, Joyful Heart Foundation, October 23, 2014 (Pdf)
• "Fighting a Contagious Disease in Boston," by Peter Pollard, Social Innovations Journal, December 4, 2017 (Pdf)

Philip Brown, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and New Jersey, U.S.A.

When asked "What does 'dignity through solidarity' mean to you?" Phil explained, "We need each other to build and maintain social cohesion rooted in a just, fair, and caring vision of civilization. Solidarity must be defined in a way that is distinguished from a tribalistic approach to survival."

In the 2020 workshop, Phil defined dignity as follows, "Opportunities for genuine connection with other's humanity under the umbrella of egalitarian principles and respect for all sentient beings."

Dr. Philip Brown is the recipient of the 2016 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award. He is a Coach for the National School Climate Center, and is President of the newly reorganized International Center for Assault Prevention.

Thank you so much, dear Phil, for hosting Dignilogue 3 of this workshop, and for contributing to Dignilogue 5 with your important contribution:
Dignifying the Individual Has Both an Interpersonal and Institutional Context and Dimension: Solidarity can happen for good or evil purposes; without prosocial core anchors, it can lead in the wrong direction (Video | PowerPoint)

Phil Brown is a developmental psychologist who has worked to support K-12 education for more than 45 years. He has been part of the HumanDHS network since his doctoral committee chair, Don Klein, invited him in 2004. He is a devotee of intentional networking. He currently serves as President of the International Center for Assault Prevention and as a senior consultant for the National School Climate Center. His special areas of interest, study, and research are the conditions and work that is necessary to support prosocial school cultures, where character, caring, fairness, and equity are equally important as academic achievement.

Thank you, dear Phil, for being a pillar of our dignity work since 2004, when our esteemed Don Klein brought you to us. Thank for joining our 2004 workshop and for accepting that we honored you with our 2016 Lifetime Commitment Award! In 2008, you contributed to the Special Symposium Issue of Experiments in Education, "Humiliation in the Academic Setting", published by the S.I.T.U. Council of Educational Research. Professor D. Raja Ganesan, the editor of this Special Symposium Issue, has kindly prepared a "Message to the World" for this workshop on November 10, 2021.

Thank you for sharing:
• Summary of a Human Rights Based Child Protection Prevention and Early Intervention Program "Empowering Children, Parents and Schools to Be Safe, Strong and Free", The International Center for Assault Prevention (ICAP), October 2020

Thank you in particular for your important contribution to this book:
• "School Discipline: A Prosocial Perspective." In Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations: Essays on Dignity Studies in Honor of Evelin G. Lindner. Edited by Chipamong Chowdhury, Michael F. Britton, and Linda M. Hartling. Chapter 8. (Lake Oswego, OR: Dignity Press, 2019)

Pradeep N'Weerasinghe, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Welcome to our workshop, dear Pradeep N'Weerasinghe!

Qin Shao, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., China

How can we ever thank Michael Perlin enough, dear Qin, for bringing us together in 2014! Thank you for your loving and dignifying support!

Thank you so much for sharing, dear Qin!
• The Pursuit of Transitional Justice from Below: A Case Study from Shanghai, by Qin Shao, 2020

Ragnhild Nilsen, Kristiansand, Norway

Personal Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Ragnhild, YOU are a pillar of our global dignity community since 1994, even before it was founded! You are also a co-founder of our World Dignity University initiative as we launched it in 2011, and as head of SEKEM Scandinavia, you inspired Konstanze and Helmy Abouleish to kindly host our 2018 Dignity Conference at SEKEM Egypt! We have NO words to hank you!

Thank you so much for your "Message to the World" that we recorded together on November 4, 2021, and your great "Report on Dignity Work" we recorded on November 4, 2021!

Rajarshi Sen, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you? "Innovative and substantive."

Dear Rajarshi, a very warm welcome to this workshop!

Rebecca (Becky) Tabaczynski, Lexington, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you?
"When people are joined together, they create a barrier to humiliation and support dignity."

We are so happy to have you with us in our dignity community, dear Becca! Thank you for sharing your research on conspiracy theories in Dignilogue 2! The Threat of Conspiracy Theories (Video | Video recorded on November 29, 2021)

Rebecca (Becky) Tabaczynski holds a certificate in Global Post-Disaster Studies from the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters, under the Direction of Adenrele Awotona, at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. In 2017, Becky became connected to HumanDHS as student in the course: Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Post-Disaster Reconstruction. Over the last year she has been donating her research skills as a gift to HumanDHS by studying conspiracy theories. She has a bachelors degree in nursing and masters degrees in counseling and business administration.

Redjane Andrade, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

Thank you, dear Redjane, for your dignifying presence in this world! We are glad that our dear Peace Linguist Professor Francisco Gomes de Matos brought you to us!
Congratulations! You were among the finalists of the Grade 10 Educator Award, July 16, 2020!

You kindly wrote on November 16, 2021: "...we have here a song call Felicidade with Caetano Veloso as a singer, and I put new lyrics call Dignity, and change the lyrics to open the eyes about dignity life.”

Regina, Hameln, Germany

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you? "Not to condemn people who have different opinions/attitudes than me."

Dignity (2020): "Dignity means to me to respect people the way they are and live with their light and dark sides."

Thank you, dear Andrea and Regina, for your amazing work with our DignityNowHameln group!
• Dignity Now: Hameln Removes Plastic Waste from the Banks of its River Weser (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in September 2021, finalized on November 25, 2021)
• The Dignity Now Hameln Group sings Dona Nobis Pacem ("Grant Us Peace" in Latin) in the Chapel of Wangelist near Hameln (Hamelin) on November 8, 2021
2020:
• Dignity Now: Hameln Presents Good Ideas from the Past and the Future for a More Sustainable Future. Thoughts Are Unchained (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel, recorded in October and November 2020, finalized on November 21, 2020)
• Die Gedanken sind Frei / Thoughts are Unchained sung by the DignityNowHameln group
This is the contribution of the DignityNowHameln group that was recorded in October and November 2020, and finalized on November 21, 2020 (World Dignity Movement channel | HumanDHS channel)

Thank you so much, dear Andrea and Regina, for sharing your wonderful art with us!
• Der Mond ist aufgegangen (Video of verse 1 on Day Two | Video of verse 2 on Day Three | Video of verse 1 + 2) Der Mond ist aufgegangen wurde 1790 vom Matthias Claudius als religiöses Abendlied geschrieben, vertont wurde es noch im selben Jahr vom Hofkapellmeister Johann A. P. Schulz. English: The moon has risen was written by Matthias Claudius in 1790 as a religious evening song, and it was set to music in the same year by the court conductor Johann A. P. Schulz.
• Hameln Sings (all vocal interludes brought together) (Video)

Riane Eisler, Carmel Highlands, California, U.S.A.

Thank you so much, dear Riane, for your important reflections that you recorded on September 3, 2021, on the detrimental impact of the concept of the GDP (Gross domestic product) and that you kindly sent us as your "Message to the World"!

Robert Anderson, New York City

What does "dignity through solidarity" mean to you? "Gaining awareness of multiple perspective on dignity and building global capacity."

Dear Robert, what a gift you are to our dignity work! It is such a privilege to have your support!

Robin Dillon, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Message from Evelin Lindner: Dear Robin, you have no idea what an honor it is to welcome you in our workshop! Your chapter in your 1995 book on dignity has been foundational for me!
Robin Sleigh Dillon (1995). Dignity, Character, and Self-Respect (New York: Routledge)

We welcome you most warmly to this workshop!

Rod Toneye, Southfield, Michigan, U.S.A.

Practitioner of Restorative Practices, and Mediator, affiliated wth the Institute For Mediation and Conflict Resolution (IMCR), especially interested in international conflict resolution.

A warm welcome, dear L. Rod Toneye, to our workshop!

Rodrigue Tremblay, Montreal, Canada

Thank you very much for your important "Message to the World" that you kindly prepared for our workshop on October 13, 2021!

Rosario Galvan, Badajoz, Spain

The suffix –cide in words such as genocide, sociocide, ecocide, suicide, or pesticide comes from caedere in Latin and means ‘cutting down’. We thank Rosario Galvan for reminding us of the Latin word cedere, which means ‘giving up’. Rosario kindly wrote on 15th November 2021:

I thought of resemblance of caedere with verb ‘ceder’ in Spanish, with several meanings, but one very important for social wellbeing is ‘to grant, to yield, to concede’. Actually, the Latin etymological root of ‘ceder’ is cedere, so there's an obvious resemblance with caedere but a clear distinctive significance. The meaning of ‘ceder’ can also be used when retiring in a war. Even in this scenario, when a loss is involved, avoidance of suffering is implied through the choice. If we were to shift this overreliance on caedere in favor of cedere, we could perhaps make the cognitive shift too from killing and erasing nature to granting and yielding an honoured position that we need to respect. In social terms, to grant/to yield/to concede importance to another individual or other groups would imply to choose losing something because the relationship matters. The individual in relationship and the relationship itself have a chance to grow.

Rosario furthermore shared the link to a conference she gave in October 2021 in a congress organised by the Universidad de Colima and the Tecnológico Nacional de México. The title is an easy literal translation into English: "Diversity and Delight or Disaster: Cultivating Sovereign Decision-Making towards Food Resilience in the face of the Climate Crisis." See the conference webpage, profiles and topics at CRII 2021: Programa / Conferencias CRII 2021: Programa / Conferencias. This is a press note on her presentation by the university: "Ecosistemas, comunidades y economías resilientes favorecen soberanía alimentaria: Experta Ecosistemas, comunidades y economías resilientes favorecen soberanía ali... Universidad de Colima."
A cornerstone of the talk is an exploration of the hidden etymological meanings. Rosario explains that she loves to dig beyond the obvious in search for significance that encourages the human spirit towards that yielding lens!
The presentation was geared for Western Mexico, its challenges, opportunities, resources, potential, uniqueness. For dignifying life and livelihoods. Open to past cultural riches and future solutions that are a reality today already through advances in emergent technology such as AI, blockchain, data analytics, and others.
Please share it around with Spanish-speaking colleagues, indeed with ones in Mexico if you like.

Rose Sherwin, New York City

We are so glad, dear Rose, that you and your dear husband Michael are so faithful members of our dignity community!

Samah Jabr, East Jerusalem

Dear Samah Jabr, please accept our deep admiration for your dedication to dignity! It is an immense privilege to have you with us! Welcome to our workshop!

Sami Salloum, New York City

A very warm welcome to you, dear Sami!

Sandra Y. Bowland, New York City

Dear Sandra Y. Bowland, please be most warmly welcome to this workshop!