Dignity Dignity The Essential Role It Plays in Resolving Conflict

Dr. Donna Hicks

Why Dignity?

Universal Source of Well-Being

Universal Source of Suffering

Universal Source of Reconciliation

What is Dignity?

Inherent value and vulnerability.

It’s not something that comes and goes. It is a part of our DNA. We all have it, but we need to learn how to act like it.

It’s our internal barometer indicating how we feel about ourselves

It’s what gets injured when we are treated as if we didn’t matter.

It’s the glue that connects us to others—it’s what makes relationships work.

When dignity is violated…

Image of mandela

Self-Knowledge

Unconditionally worthy of dignity by virtue of one’s

birthright

Internal validation of self-worth

Invulnerable to criticism and judgment

Sense of well-being comes from within

Reflective in social settings

Conditionally worthy-dependent on validation from

others

External validation of self-worth

Vulnerable to criticism & judgment

Seeks praise and approval for sense of well-being

Reactive in social settings

Two Parts of the Self“I” “ME”

Ten Elements of Dignity

Acceptance of Identity

Recognition

Acknowledgement

Inclusion

Safety

Fairness

Independence

Understanding

Benefit of the Doubt

Accountability

Ten Temptations to Violate Dignity

Don’t Take The Bait

Don’t Save Face

Don’t Shirk Responsibility

Don’t Be Lured By False Dignity

Don’t Be Lured By False Security

Don’t Just Sit There And Take It

Don’t Assume You Are The Innocent Victim

Don’t Resist Feedback From Others

Don’t Blame And Shame Others

Don’t Be Lured By False Intimacy

Donna Hicks

Harvard UniversityWeatherhead Center for International

Affairs

dhicks@wcfia.harvard.edu

www.DeclareDignity.comwww.DrDonnaHicks.com