Towards Together: A vision for a kinder, connected and more inclusive communities.

We need no introduction to the term's globalization, global culture, global citizenship, world citizens, global community and multicultural societies. These buzzwords make their way in most articles, blogs, writings, publications, and are associated with the growing interconnectedness of people around the world. To think of it, these words have certainly changed the way people, companies and institution's function. The emphasis being more on connection, belonging, working together, sharing ideas, sharing cultures, respect, acceptance and positive thought works.

Keeping all the positives to one side, our world is still coming to terms with the different waves and variants of COVID-19, conflicts in many parts of the world- war, aggression, authoritarian regimes etc. In the face of all the discord and chaos there have been a multitude of generous people, all around the world, who have gone above and beyond in showing kindness and being humane.

We need more of this.

We need more kindness.

We need acceptance.

We need inclusion.

Human nature is not a jump away from being humane. It is a journey of a great number of sensible steps chosen in accordance with wisdom as time goes by. Our multicultural societies have inevitably led to the coexistence of people from different diasporas. We therefore need to find those roads that can promote growth of an open mentality to be able to welcome diversity, be inclusive and accept people for who they are. Since we share one planet and one future, we have a responsibility to each other, no matter where we live or how different our cultures are. Our multicultural communities give us the opportunity to gain new perspectives and make connections with people who’re different from ourselves.

We are all part of some community and being part of any community comes with certain responsibilities. As responsible adults the onus lies unto us that new members of our society feel safe, accepted and included. And while as adults we do our part, it is imperative that we begin to teach and reinforce positive attitudes and responsibility in our schools. We must teach our students to believe in themselves, help others and inspire them to have strong integrity, compassion, and respect for all.

Teaching Children to be Includers

Kindness and Inclusion doesn’t simply start in the playground or in the classrooms, it starts at home. We have to raise children who prioritize kindness, compassion, acceptance and inclusion to make a better world for themselves and others. For their safe future the wheels of actions have to start turning now; for what we teach them now will impact their futures.

What ideas do you have for your kids at home or students at school to live more compassionately? How do we raise kinder kids? How can we create a culture of kindness in our homes and at schools? How do we raise includers?

Schools can support students to develop kindness and inclusion by ensuring they recognize and acknowledge not only academic achievement but acts of inclusion and other prosocial behaviours. By encouraging mindfulness, we can teach students to be aware of their own actions and be aware of people around them.

Inclusion per say, is the highest form of kindness as it requires a compassionate mindset and a fundamental shift in how we see ourselves and others. As adults at home, in educational settings and other workplaces we have to model kindness and inclusion. Our behaviour is the best guide for our children. If we are inclusive of people with differences and treat others with kindness and respect, our children are more likely to do so. Our world can sometimes be a messy place. Making our communities a kinder place may seem daunting these days but fostering compassion in your family is entirely doable. While there are no simple solutions to the troubles of the present society, there may be a solution for the future generations if we do away with the trends of exclusivity and hatred.

In a world where we often teach our kids to toughen up, let us also teach our kids to reach out to others with kindness. Whether holding a door open, walking a dog or talking to someone who looks lonely, these simple acts of kindness can help make the world a better place. Guiding our children on how to be good humans, who include other people and treat them with kindness and compassion, has to be one of the most important lessons we can teach them. For every simple act of kindness creates a ripple effect that touches others’ lives and inspires them to be kind.

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