Michael Britton, Ed.D., opened our workshop with his talk titled "A Gathering of Voices." His message reminded us that dignity is the center of humanness.

Many distinguished members of our Global Advisory Board shared deeply compelling "Messages to the World" to encourage our global dignity building efforts, including:

Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Oslo, shared a message that emphasized that one of our most important resources is "our ability to listen to others." He nominated Evelin Lindner as a representative of HumanDHS for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 and 2016, followed by Inga Bostad's nomination in 2017.

Emmanuel Ndahimana hosted our 2015 Dignity Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, and he shared his vision of building the future on a foundation of shared humanity and driven by the values of ubuntu for a creative and dignifying global family.

Konstanze Abouleish has been one of the co-founders of the sustainable development initiative SEKEM in Egypt and part of its leadership team for more than 40 years. Her message encourages us to seek understanding of others by practicing empathy and love, by taking a deep and personal interest in others.

Please enjoy many more of these inspiring "Messages to the World" here.

Peace philosopher Howard Richards was awarded the HumanDHS 2021 Lifetime Commitment Award. According to Evelin Lindner, he is one of the deepest thinkers of our time. His focus is on philosophical and scientific support for a dignifying economy and an ethic of care. He has a new book to be published by Dignity Press soon. Please enjoy his message in acceptance of this lifetime award.

Humanity is standing on the precipice of interconnected crises — from novel viruses, to climate catastrophes, to water scarcities, to famine, to the threat of nuclear war. In her thought-provoking talk, Evelin Lindner stressed that our current generation's response to these crises will determine the ultimate survival of all life on this planet.

Evelin emphasized that humanity still has unused windows of opportunity to create change. We have “10 years to outgrow 12,000 years of behavior,” as Dr. Thomas Daffern concisely summarized. Despite this daunting challenge, Evelin reminded us that we can turn realistic pessimism into the force that inspires the optimism we need to turn new ideas into action.

In her upcoming book, Evelin offers the world a foothold on a new future, a future that strengthens dignity through solidarity to generate the lifesaving creativity needed to move ourselves toward sustainable solutions.

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

In 2007, several members of our HumanDHS network wished to help newcomers find their way into the workings of HumanDHS. They suggested that we make a special page for newcomers and they contributed with their texts. Please see Welcome to Newcomers!

Beth Boynton led a fun and enlivening session offering online tools people can use to promote everyone’s dignified participation in virtual meetings. The group had a great time playing with experiential activities that generate warmth, comfort, and connection!

Under the guidance of Claudia Thimm, this bonus session explored nonviolent communication. In her job, Claudia has learned to communicate in effective and dignifying ways with customers who have difficult complaints. Claudia shared how we can change our communication by changing our attitudes and using nonviolent techniques.

Chipamong (Chipa) Chowdhury, or Bhante Revata Dhamma (monk's name, known in the monastic communities), does not believe in “vacation,” and yet he travels constantly with no aim, no destination, and no end date!

In this bonus session, Chipa brought together friends who strive to create sustainable ways to travel. He shared his unusual monk’s travel stories, inner adventures, and mindful approach to moving through the world.

Please see more of Chipamong Chowdhury's meditative adventure videos here.