World Kindness Day

What day is it?

World Kindness Day is an international day celebrated annually on November 13. Kindness Day is a great opportunity to find time to do good deeds for people and animals. Goodness will save the world and unite nations, because it is inherent in human nature, that is why everyone can do good deeds. Doing good is not difficult at all, but as a result, people will be filled with compassion and kindness towards each other.

How did the idea to celebrate World Kindness Day come about?

The Day of Kindness dates back to 1997, when the volunteer «World Kindness Movement» was created in Japan, which had no religious or political direction. Initially, it included only representatives of the Pacific region, but later the geography was significantly expanded.

On November 13, 1998, the first conference of the World Movement of Kindness opened in Tokyo, and this date was reserved for the annual celebration. But the World Kindness Day was officially established on November 18, 2000 at the 3rd Conference of the Kindness Movement in Singapore.

Today, this bright day is celebrated in 28 countries, on all continents. The USA, Canada, Japan, France, Italy, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nepal, Nigeria, South Korea, Singapore, Great Britain, UAE are participating in the celebration; every year the list of countries is updated. Unfortunately, there is no data on the official celebration in Ukraine, but this does not prevent us from spreading a good tradition and doing good deeds.

Interesting Facts

• People who do good deeds every day have better immunity and get sick less often. Doctors explain this by an increase in the level of lymphocytes and the expansion of blood vessels, which improves the work of the heart. They also recorded an increase in the level of serotonin and endorphins, which help to cope with stress faster.
• An open heart is a symbol of kindness. It was created by the French artist Orel for the Day of Kindness.
• We must learn to do good deeds. The difficulty lies in the fact that one should not expect a reward for one’s actions, they should give pleasure in themselves. It is necessary to convey to your child that good can return not through the person to whom it was originally directed.
• Kindness should be directed not only to humans, but also to animals, which often suffer from human cruelty.
• Another symbol of kindness and peace is the dandelion. Sculptures depicting this flower are installed in 30 countries of the world.

World Day of Kindness in history

• 1997

  Creation of a volunteer «World Movement for Kindness».
• 1998
  November 13

  The first conference in Tokyo.
• 2000
  November 18

  The official establishment of the holiday at a conference in Singapore.

Frequent Questions and answers on the World Day of Kindness

How to celebrate World Kindness Day?

Over the years of its existence, the Day of Kindness has developed its own traditions and symbols.

1. On this day, it is customary to give flowers to people you meet on your way: both acquaintances and those whom you see for the first time. Each country has different bouquets; in Singapore, for example, they give gerberas and daisies. In addition, it is necessary to give sincere compliments, say pleasant words, give a smile and a good mood, perform good deeds addressed to both close people and strangers who need to show kindness. The world becomes cleaner and brighter with each such act.
2. The World Day of Kindness is a holiday of action, therefore the events dedicated to this beautiful day are always aimed at supporting and helping people in need. New interesting methods of activity, charitable flash mobs and promotions appear every year. Everyone tries to find time and pay attention to loved ones on a good day.
3. It is important to organize the Day of Kindness in kindergartens and schools in order to instill in children a kindness of heart, a desire to care for others and do good deeds. An interesting lecture in a playful form about the importance of kindness in our world will definitely appeal to children. You can do, for example, a flashmob of hugs, make a bird feeder together, draw postcards with sincere wishes for each other, etc.

Postcards on World Kindness Day

More cards for World Kindness Day

Why do we love this day?

According to a study by Japanese and American psychologists conducted on the basis of Kwansei Gakuin University and Kobe College (Japan), showing kindness and caring is not just altruism. It has been proven that people who do good things get sick less and feel better, and live longer than those who are constantly angry and nervous. In addition, good people experience stressful situations more easily, suffer less from low self-esteem and complexes, and find a common language with others more easily.

These statements have medical support: when a person does something good for someone, his lymphocyte level increases, the heart works better, blood vessels dilate, and the brain produces large amounts of endorphins (hormones that calm and neutralize stress). Also, sensitivity to others causes emotional uplift due to the production of serotonin, which, in turn, has a positive effect on a person’s mood.

It is important to be an open, friendly, generous, selfless and kind person not only during the holiday, but in general in everyday life. True kindness is when you do good deeds just like that and do not expect thanks and kindness in return. It is this kind of goodness that will change the world for the better and contribute to the fact that the sincere love of people for each other reigns on the planet.

When will we celebrate World Kindness Day?