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The mission of The World Kindness Movement is to inspire individuals towards greater kindness and connect nations to create a kinder world. The WKM encourages individuals of all nations to set up their own kindness movements and join the WKM. Currently, membership stands at 20 organisations in 19 countries, with representation from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Dubai, England, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, South Korea, Thailand and the USA.
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The Unfolding Story...
The idea behind the World Kindness Movement 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. Recognizing the fundamental importance of simple human kindness as a condition for a satisfying and meaningful life, the World Kindness Movement was formed.
 | November 13 was declared World Kindness Day to serve as a springboard for the promotion and celebration of kindness.
The WKM was then officially launched in Singapore in November 2000 at the Third WKM Conference, hosted by the Singapore Kindness Movement. The conference saw 33 delegates from 22 countries discussing how best to take the World Kindness Movement forward. It was at this convention that the Cosmos Bipinnatus flower was adopted as the official flower for the World Kindness Movement.View pictures of the conference.
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In May 2005, the Movimento Italiano per la Gentilezza hosted the Fourth Conference of the WKM in Parma, Italy. Members discussed new directives for the movement and committed to bringing the WKM to greater heights as well as spreading the spirit of kindness throughout the world. Read the details here.
In November 2007, the Singapore Kindness Movement hosted the Fifth Conference of the WKM, on the special occasion of their 10th anniversary.
Highlights of the Fifth WKM Conference
November 15-17, 2007, Singapore
- The Conference began with the gathering of delegates from India, Thailand, Japan, Korea, France, Nepal, Scotland, Nigeria, USA, Canada, Singapore and observers from the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam, at a 10th Anniversary Awards Dinner, honoring and celebrating a decade of the amazing achievements of the Singapore Kindness Movement.
- The WKM meetings resulted in the sharing of kindness ideas and projects from around the world. Delegates reviewed and refined the WKM Constitution, encouraged new membership to the WKM, and debated ideas for common projects to be embarked upon by member countries. Delegates were then treated to view one of the SKM's Anniversary projects, The Library Roving Kindness Exhibit, featuring 29 banners to spread the message of kindness.
- Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the Singapore Kindness Movement, the Secretariat for the World Kindness Movement, will remain in Singapore.
- WKM delegates were invited to participate at a Conference/Forum where 300 teachers had gathered. The book, Kindness Around the World, was officially launched by the Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr. Balakrishnan. Canadian kindness stories by Nadine Marshall, Brock Tully, Jeanette O'Keeffe and Mark Olexson were a few of the many featured in the book. It was especially thrilling that the Minister highlighted the Coin-spiracy in his speech and the importance of kindness to self, others and the environment!
- Debbie Riopel, KindActs team member and founding member of the World Kindness Movement, set up an information booth promoting the Coin-spiracy and also presented the Coin-spiracy DVD to those gathered. She invited the participants to see some of the many
kindness projects happening in Canadian schools. The Coin-spiracy seemed to be a big hit!
- A beautiful, vivid, magenta-colored orchid was also named and dedicated to the Singapore Kindness Movement!
- The Singapore Kindness Movement treated the delegates to several wonderful sightseeing opportunities including attending the "Christmas Light-Up" of Orchard Road!
- The strength of these conferences is in the gathering of the representatives, the sharing of ideas and the networking and affirming of the power of kindness around the globe! A declaration was signed supporting the mission and objectives of the WKM.
- Congratulations to the Singapore Kindness Movement for hosting a successful conference and for their many contributions to making the world a better place over the past 10 years!
Find out more about the people and organisations involved in the World Kindness Movement.
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