Sharing Our Gratitude — Our 17th Annual Workshop on
Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict
planet earth with thank you in different languages
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we're brave enough to see it
If only we're brave enough to be it.

Amanda Gorman, U.S. Youth Poet-Laureate
The Hill We Climb, January 20, 2021


Warmest Greetings!

Thank you for being a light of dignity in the world!

We are celebrating all who joined us for our first-ever "DigniZoom" workshop in December! We were amazed by the deeply dignifying dialogues, the creative contributions, and the inspiring global connections generated throughout the workshop! Please allow us to share this thank you with all who were with us in person as well as those who were with us in spirit.

We wish to send our special appreciation to Peter Coleman, Danielle Coon, and the Morton Deutsch-International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR), Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York City. The MD-ICCCR has been our visionary institutional partner since our first workshop in 2003.

After weeks of work, Evelin Lindner has updated the webpage for you to review. She has posted videos, pictures, articles, and even more resources to encourage and strengthen your work in the world. Thank you so much for letting us know if anything needs to be updated or changed: workshops@humiliationstudies.org
  • This workshop was a remarkable example of a "co-created" event! It was energized by the intellectual and creative contributions of all who joined us — exceeding all of our expectations!

  • Because of Zoom, we were able to connect globally more easily than ever. We were thrilled to see new and returning friends from throughout the world, including New Zealand, India, Jordan, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Canada, Bangladesh, Rwanda, and more!

We hope you enjoy this sample of the content posted on the workshop webpage. Thank you, again, for letting us know what might need to be changed or updated. It would be great to have your comments by February 1, 2021.
A Few Video Highlights We'll Never Forget!
From a Virus Pandemic to a Pandemic of Dignity
Michael Britton, Ed.D., opened our workshop with his message of courage and perseverance, expressing profound empathy for all who are suffering around the globe. He reminded us to keep looking beyond the immediate pain to possibilities for a more dignifying future.
Messages to the World!
We were deeply touched by all who created "Messages to the World" — powerful words of wisdom focused on how we can cultivate conditions that provide for the dignity of all people and the planet.

We particularly wish to express our deep gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal who offered a brilliant message recorded in Amman, Jordan, on December 10, 2020.

Please view more video messages on our workshop webpage.
From Humiliation to Dignity: For a Future of Global Solidarity
In the midst of global crises and deadly social divisions, how do we move humanity toward mutually beneficial solidarity? How do we unite in our global diversity with dignity?

Founding President Evelin Lindner described how we are living in a historical moment of unparalleled crises, yet also in times of unparalleled opportunity. She examined the question, "Will humanity bring about the adaptations we need to survive on this planet?"
2020 HumanDHS Lifetime Commitment Award
We were overjoyed to celebrate the lifework of Peter Coleman, the director of MD-ICCCR, by presenting him with the HumanDHS 2020 Lifetime Commitment Award. Dr. Coleman is a renowned expert on constructive conflict resolution and sustainable peace. His work has been a foundational inspiration for all of our global efforts for nearly two decades.
Dignifying Dialogues Exploring Global Dilemmas

This workshop was highly participatory. Rather than lectures/presentations, we emphasized participation and conversation (Dignity + Dialogue = Dignilogues). We were delighted to have five insight-filled "Pre-Planned Dignilogue Sessions" exploring urgent topics of our time!

Please enjoy the video recordings of each session by following the underlined links below:

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #1Dignity Studies: Reimagining Learning in a World of Crises
• DigniHosts – Linda Hartling, Mara Alagic, and Evelin Lindner
• DigniContributors – David Yamada, John Bilorusky, Rosa Reinikainen, and Maggie O’Neill

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #2 – Race and Policing
• DigniHost – David Yamada
• DigniContributors – Tony Gaskew, Charles Hayes, and Eunice Avilés Faria

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #3Unity in Adversity and Dignity: War, Women, and Indigenous Wisdom
• DigniHost – Janet Gerson
• DigniContributors – Fr. Jean d’Amour, Keri Lawson-Te Aho, and Vidya Jain

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #4 –  Religion, Covid-19, and Human Dignity: How Does Religion Respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic?
• DigniHost – Phil Brown
• DigniContributors – Chipamong Chowdhury, Zaynab El Bernoussi, Mugdha Yeolekar, and Reverend Darrell Daniel for Michelle Daniel Jones

Pre-Planned Dignilogue #5 – Continuing Connections: Dignity Now Groups for Developing Ongoing Dialogue
• DigniHost – Elaine Meis, supported by Linda Hartling, Janet Gerson, and Evelin Lindner
• Contributors: The Dignity Now New York Group and the Dignity Now Hameln (Hamelin) Group
Moments of Awe and Wonder
Thanks to Our Music, Movement, and Poetry Leaders
Thanks to everyone who shared their creativity and talents. Your gifts were essential to generating a warm and welcoming climate that kept us energized throughout the workshop. Please visit our webpage to learn more.
Thanks to Our Special Session Leaders!
Healing the Wounds of History: Dignilogue on Forgiveness
Lyndon Harris facilitated a Dignilogue in which he explored how forgiveness can play a role in transforming conflict and restoring dignity. The session examined what forgiveness is and is not, and how it might bring healing to communities and generations.
Making Dignity Inclusive:
Bringing in Women and Other Vulnerable Groups
Seema Shekhawat kindly explained the primary purpose of this special Dignilogue as follows: "I would like to engage participants on how important it is to include (consciously) women and other vulnerable groups in the global struggle for dignity for all, especially in the pandemic scenario.”
You're Invited to Continue the Dialogue on Dignity
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All Workshop Participants Are Invited to Join a WhatsApp Dignilogue Group
Inspired by the important conversations that took place throughout the workshop, we invite you to join our ongoing WhatsApp group to continue our dialogues on dignity! This group is a space for sharing ideas to help move humanity toward healthier relations with people and the planet.

If you would like to join, please send us your name and mobile number to be added to the group:
Dignifunding: An Amazing Labor of Love!
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We are deeply thankful to all who sustain HumanDHS and this workshop series with action gifts and economic support.

HumanDHS does not have a paid staff, administrative assistance, or IT services. We are an "extreme, lean, green, but not mean" community, essentially a "do-it-together-with-dignity" community. We do not charge registration fees for events, yet we appreciate thoughtful contributions (according to one's ability).

If you would like to contribute, we warmly welcome your kind support:
The Best Digniplanners on the Planet!
Thanks to all of our workshop "Digniplanners" for making the workshop possible.
A special thank you to Anna Strout for capturing many, many joy-filled pictures!
Thanks to Everyone for Joining Us!
Wishing You a World of Dignity Every Day!
HumanDHS
With admiration and gratitude!

Evelin Lindner, MD, PhDs, Founding President
Linda Hartling, PhD, Director
Uli Spalthoff, PhD, Director of Project Development and Systems Administration 
Michael Britton, EdD, PhD, Board Member 
Richard Slaven, PhD, Director of Dignifunding
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