PACE reminds you that Thursday, September 22nd is Character Day, a global event linking Character and the Sciences. Recognize Character Day in your own way and join supporters in 70 countries who have planned over 40,000 events around the globe.
Information regarding Character Day and a link to resources can be found at www.letitripple.org
Global Initiative Exploring the Importance of Developing One’s Character Announces Key Partners & Presenters for Worldwide Event Press Release:
San Francisco, CA (August 25, 2016) – Today, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and Webby Awards founder, Tiffany Shlain, announced the partners and renowned thought-leaders that will participate in the third annual Character Day event on September 22. The initiative—held across the globe with over 40,000 live events throughout 70 countries, and via a 24-hour Global LiveCast Q&A—will feature experts in the field of character education and will engage schools, corporations, universities, civic and other groups in a conversation about the importance of character development. Participating groups and unique events planned for 2016 have more than quadrupled since 2015. Additional individuals and/or groups interested in hosting their own Character Day event can visit CharacterDay.org to find out how.
Character Day participants will be given access to award-winning films, conversation starter kits, a comprehensive online resource hub and a mobile app that includes over 5,000 pieces of curated content surrounding the importance of character development to help them create and host their own Character Day events. This year, participants are encouraged to join the movement across social media by taking to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to nominate a friend, family member, community leader or someone they admire who exhibits one or more character strengths (i.e. empathy, grit, humility and courage, etc.). Participants can post their nomination using the official hashtag #CharacterDay2016 across their social profiles.
“Character Day 2016 comes at a crucial time, when what it means to be a good person in our society demands our renewed focus,” said the initiative’s creator, Tiffany Shlain. “From the way we express ourselves and treat each other online to how we communicate our politics—there is amazing scientific research to draw upon when it comes to how to strengthen one’s character.”
Speakers from renowned institutions around the world will join the Global LiveCast Q&A to discuss a variety of topics as they relate to one’s character. Speakers include: Dr. Martin Seligman, author and psychologist widely considered to be father of the Positive Psychology movement; Dr. Angela Duckworth, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the bestselling GRIT The Power of Passion and Perseverance; Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy; Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, philosopher, bestselling author and former Chief Rabbi of England.; and Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of the New York Times bestselling book, How to Raise an Adult.
Psychologist Dr. Seligman notes, “Human well-being is not a matter of just smiling and being cheerful. Well-being must be deserved; it must be grounded in character strengths and virtues.”
Partner Organizations for Character Day 2016 include: The U.S. State Department, Lady GaGa’s Born This Way Foundation with INTEL, The United Nations, U.N. Foundation, Common Sense Media, American Federation of Teachers, The Teachers Guild, and over 75 school districts around the country. The Teachers Guild created a Character Day booklet that will be introduced on Character Day and available to all teachers across the country. Los Angeles Unified School District has declared September 22 Character Day across the city and is encouraging all schools to join the global initiative. Additionally, Washington DC Public Schools, San Francisco Unified, Oakland Unified, UT Dallas, Baltimore’s Montgomery County Public Schools, and The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics at MIT have all have signed up to participate. For a full list of Character Day partners please visit CharacterDay.org.
