2nd Annual Global Dignity Day Planned for October 20, 2009 around the World

Event poised to inspire universal respect, highlight what we all have in common,
and heighten awareness on the importance of learning how to value yourself and
others
AMMAN, Jordan--(Business Wire)--
Global Dignity, a worldwide mission which aims to inspire and encourage dignity
for every person, today announced plans to conduct the second Annual Global
Dignity Day on October 20, 2009. In 2008, on GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY, YGLs from more
than 20 countries, and on every continent, taught youth "A Course in Dignity"
around the world. In association with the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL),
an auxiliary of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the international event promises
to promote self-esteem in teaching sessions scheduled to take place
simultaneously around the world.

Since its inception, the co-founders of Global Dignity, His Royal Highness Crown
Prince Haakon of Norway, world renowned book author and Professor of Philosophy
Pekka Himanen, and American silver rights entrepreneur John Hope Bryant,
themselves also YGL members, have in conjunction with World Economic Forum,
seeded positive change by conducting a series of Dignity Day teaching sessions
to hundreds of students around the world.

"The dignity approach works on all levels; it works for children and for adults,
it works for men and for women, and it works on the micro and macro level,"
explained HRH Crown Prince Haakon. "We wish to be inspiration-based; commending
and encouraging best practice and dignity-centered leadership. Ultimately Global
Dignity transcends boundaries to bind us in a globally shared dream to undermine
poverty and violence."

"The Dignity Principles are both heart and smart," said Prof. Himanen. "Global
Dignity draws from and is based on both ethics and enlightened self-interest.
The main reason for defending dignity is that it is a value in itself. People
need dignity to lead a human life."

Bryant, who is chairman, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, and also serves as
vice chair of the U.S. President`s Council on Financial Literacy plans to hold
his GD sessions in Palestine this October, "In an environment where individuals
cannot seem to agree on anything, from religious differences to differences of
culture and forms of government, or even forms and definitions of free
enterprise, and the definition of capitalism itself, the one thing we can agree
on the world over is we all want and need more dignity. Operation HOPE supports
Global Dignity through HOPE Global Initiatives - HOPE`s international division
which lends support to programs and projects globally. We are proud to promote,
advocate, help advance Global Dignity," said Bryant. "By formulating a globally
shared dream, Global Dignity and HOPE Global Initiatives are perfectly aligned
in promoting opportunity around the world, to empower each individual to believe
in his or her fundamental right to dignity, respect, and freedom, to make their
own decisions in life."

This event is a global demonstration of the inspirational and inclusive power of
dignity, and the mission of the Global Dignity is to implement globally the
universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life though an
understanding of the Five Dignity Principles:

* Every human being has a right to lead a dignified life.
* A dignified life means an opportunity to fulfill one`s potential, which is
based on having a human level of health care, education, income and security.
* Dignity means having the freedom to make decisions on one`s life and to be met
with respect for this right.
* Dignity should be the basic guiding principle for all actions.
* Ultimately, our own dignity is interdependent with the dignity of others.

Global Dignity Day is built on the success of a series of Dignity Day events.
Since 2006, Dignity Days have been conducted in South Africa, India, United
States, Turkey, Norway, Finland, Jordan, Austria, Mexico, and Canada. Last year,
Global Dignity sessions were conducted in over twenty countries, including South
Africa, India, United States, Nigeria, Turkey, Norway, Finland, Jordan, Austria,
Japan, Poland, Mozambique, Mexico, England, Canada, Venezuela, China, Belgium,
and Singapore.

The goal of GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY 2009 is to reach more than 50 countries, on every
continent, on October 20th, 2009. Those interested in more information or how
they can join in a GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY teaching sessions can visit the website
www.globaldignity.org.

About the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGLs)

Established in 2004 by Professor Klaus Schwab, The Forum of Young Global Leaders
(www.younggloballeaders.org) is a unique, multi-stakeholder community of the
world`s most extraordinary young leaders who dedicate a part of their time to
jointly address global challenges and who are committed to devote part of their
knowledge and energy to collectively work towards a better future. Together,
they engage in the 2030 Initiative, a comprehensive Endeavour, to understand
current and future trends, risks and opportunities both at global and regional
levels, formulate a positive vision for the world in 2030 and put forward
concrete strategies and workstreams to translate their vision into action.

About Global Dignity (GD)

Co-founded by Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Professor Pekka Himanen, University
of Art & Design Helsinki and Visiting Professor at Oxford University, and John
Hope Bryant Founder, Chairman and CEO from Operation HOPE, and the mission of
the Dignity is to implement globally the universal right of every human being to
lead a dignified life. It is an autonomous, non-profit and non-partisan project
linked to the 2020 process of the World Economic Forum`s Forum of Young Global
Leaders, where young global leaders from politics, business, academia, and civil
society have joined together to work for the improvement of the state of the
world and people based on five principles of dignity. For more information on
about Global Dignity, see www.globaldignity.org.

About World Economic Forum(WEF)

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an independent international organization
committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in
partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a
foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, , the World Economic Forum is impartial
and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests.
The World Economic Forum is under the supervision of the Swiss Federal
Government. For more information, visit www.weforum.org

About HOPE Global Initiatives (HGI)

HOPE Global Initiatives was developed out of the Operation HOPE`s leadership
role in hosting Ambassadors and Heads of State visiting Southern California, as
well as the founder`s former role with the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development, Geneva, Switzerland, the first ever goodwill ambassador to the
United States. The role of HOPE Global Initiatives is to promote and advocate
"silver rights"-- the benefits of education, financial literacy, self-reliance,
economic empowerment and dignity as tools for vastly improving the quality of
life in developing countries, with a particular focus on developing countries on
the African continent. The role has expanded to serve underserved communities
throughout the world. For more about Operation HOPE visit www.operationhope.org.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5967732&lang=en

World Economic Forum
Yann Zopf (International)
+41 (0)22 869 1480
Yann.Zopf@weforum.org
or
Operation HOPE
Sherry T. John (USA)
213.891-2908
sherry.john@operationhope.org

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