Other Kindness Organisations

The list below is by no means complete. We suggest you search the Net for others, and please advise us of any we should add to the list below.

The World Kindness Movement

In 1997, the World Kindness Movement was formed during a conference in Tokyo hosted by the Japanese Small Kindness Movement. The conference was attended by representatives from groups around the world who were concerned about the falling levels of kindness in the broad community. The Australian Kindness Movement, representing Australia, is a charter member of this body, and proudly accepts the challenge to create a kinder, friendlier world for present and future generations. Other charter member countries are Canada, England, Japan, Scotland, Singapore, Thailand and the USA. Korea and New Zealand are now members. Total membership of the participating groups in the World Kindness Movement is approximately three million people.

The ‘declaration of kindness’, signed by representatives of the countries present at the 1997 conference, reads as follows:

In acknowledgment of the fundamental importance of simple human kindness

as a basic condition of a satisfying and meaningful life, we hereby declare the

establishment of the World Kindness Movement.

As more countries join the World Kindness Movement, the ability to bring about positive global change will gather momentum, and the possibility of world kindness (and also world peace), will be within our grasp.

To some people, the concept of world peace may seem as likely as pigs flying, yet miraculous events can and have come about. Alan Cohen writes in ‘I Had It All the Time’ - If within a few short years Russia can become democratic, Nelson Mandela can be elected President of South Africa, and the leaders of the P.L.O. and Israel can jointly receive the Nobel Prize for Peace, anything can happen, and sometimes quickly.

What is it that acts as an antagonist to peace? It is the existence of divisions between people. Between tribes, races, cultures, religions, socio-economic groups, governments, and so on. Such divisions not only create tension, they can promote fear, persecution, oppression, violence and warfare.

What is it that promotes goodwill? Kindness creates joining, unity and hope, and diffuses the mind-set that brings about division.

If we rely more on our hearts rather than our heads to navigate through life, we will not only experience greater enjoyment, we will also be setting an example that will be tempting for others to follow. Kindness is a ‘heart to heart’ communication, an experience that many people hunger for. Mother Teresa pointed out that ‘there is hunger for ordinary bread, and there is hunger for love, for kindness, for thoughtfulness; and this is the great poverty that makes people suffer so much.’ As the reality of being kinder to each other spreads throughout the world under the auspices of the World Kindness Movement, the character of people will change to express a more friendly and positive relationship. The heightened sense of relating to others will help dissipate the meanness created by our competitive, greedy, and materialistic world.

If you use the link below to access the World Kindness Movement site, there are links to other members of the World Kindness Movement on this site.

www.worldkindness.org.sg

The following organisations are active in promoting kindness:

KindActs www.kindacts.net

Kindness, Inc. www.kindnessinc.org

The RAOK Group www.geocities.com/theraokgroup

There are obviously many more. Some of the sites the search engines select under "kindness" seem to be more interested in selling merchandise than creating a kinder world.

One site you could visit every day is The Hunger Site, www.thehungersite.com. By visiting this site, you help to keep people alive.

And for anyone who may be interested in spirituality, there is www.spiritweb.org. At this site you can be placed on The Women’s Spiritual Network mailing list. I’m sure it’s not only for women, so if you’re a bloke, it’s OK.

Another site worth visiting is www.devolution.com.au which has links to many organisations that are dedicated to making a difference in our world (our site is one of the ones listed, bless their hearts!).

The names given below are those of organisations in Australia that promote kindness in one way or another. If you would like to contact any in relation to joining or donating money, please consult your White Pages directory. Some of them require volunteers.

Amnesty International www.amnesty.org.au

Apex Clubs of Australia

Barnardos

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Boys Brigade

Bush Regeneration Society

Community Support Network

Country Women’s Association

Girl Guides

Girls Brigade

Global Learning Communities (TAS)

Helping Homeless Youths – Sydney 9558 9953

Kindness Foundation

Legacy

Lions Club

Men of the Trees (WA)

Meals on Wheels

Red Cross

Rotary

RSPCA (one job they need volunteers for is walking their dogs)

St John Ambulance

Salvation Army

Scouting Association

Sydney City Mission

Your local hospital

Consult the white pages for the nearest branch, or check the Yellow Pages under the heading Clubs - Community.

Organisations that recruit young people (such as the Scouting Association, Boys/Girls Brigade) provide wonderful community skills training for young people.

There is also an organisation that will give the details of groups who need volunteers if you give them a call. They can be found in the White Pages of each state under "Volunteering . . . (name of state or territory)"

Who have we missed? Please advise us and we will include them when this site is next updated. If the organisation’s network is not national, please advise the city or state where it is located.