World Kindness Day

Held on 13th November every year

Kindness is a Rare Virtue and it seems as if the whole of humanity is going through some mid-life crisis. All of the stressful incidents in our engagement with the world is creating separation. The basic principle of kindness is in joining, in acknowledging that we have a connection with every living thing on this wonderful planet of ours. As our kind acts and deeds bring greater kindness to the world, the barriers of separation will begin to crumble, bringing a rainbow of understanding and happiness to the people of the world. The concept of forming a group specifically to spread kindness is a relatively new phenomenon. In 1996, the Small Kindness Movement in Japan organised a conference in Tokyo, by inviting like-minded individuals from around the world who had started kindness movements in their own countries to attend. A second conference was held in 1997 and the outcome was the formation of the World Kindness Movement. The charter of this organisation is stated in a declaration signed by seven countries.

The idea behind the World Kindness Movement (WKM) crystallised at a conference in Tokyo in 1997 when the Small Kindness Movement of Japan brought together like-minded kindness movements from around the world. The WKM was officially launched in Singapore on 18 November 2000 at the 3rd WKM Conference. The mission of the WKM is to inspire individuals towards greater kindness and to connect nations to create a kinder world. The WKM encourages individuals of other nations to set up their own kindness movements. It is also seeking other kindness movements to join the WKM. The date decreed for World Kindness Day was 13th November. This was the opening day of the first World Kindness Movement® conference held at Tokyo in 1998, and the 35th anniversary of the Small Kindness Movement of Japan, which brought the signatories of the ‘declaration of kindness’ of the World Kindness Movement together in 1997. The purpose of World Kindness Day is to look beyond ourselves, beyond the boundaries of our country, beyond our culture, our race, our religion; and realise we are citizens of the world. As world citizens we have a commonality, and must realise that if progress is to be made in human relations and endeavours, if we are to achieve the goal of peaceful coexistence, we must focus on what we have in common

On this day various educational institutions, government and non-government organisations organise various activities to mark this day. Various Kindness activities include giving recognition to people who have devoted themselves in the services for kindness activities across the country, awarding winners of the annual essay contest and postcard campaigns, inter-school drama presentations, cultural events, entertainment, singing competition etc

Logo / Symbol - The WKM logo symbolises the universality of kindness. The blue circle represents the world. The different coloured hearts of various sizes represent the diversity of mankind, with its many racial, cultural and religious strands woven together by the common thread of kindness

Holiday Status - It is not a Public Holiday