Dear Charter Members,
When Chris Anderson awarded the first TED monetary prize to Karen Armstrong and the Charter for Compassion at the Washington Press Club, he declared it the “best idea the world had seen in a long time.” Shortly thereafter, the Dalai Lama praised the Compassionate Cities movement initiated by the Charter, calling it essential for our interconnected world. Since then, the Charter has continued to inspire and transform lives globally, fueled by the power of compassion and the generosity of supporters like you. Watch Karen Armstrong's TED Talk here.
As we reflect on this year’s accomplishments, we’re reminded that the true impact of the Charter isn’t measured in accolades or awards but in the real, tangible change happening in compassionate communities across the globe.
- In Karachi, the CFC Nanakwara Centre has become a beacon of hope, empowering women with vocational skills training to secure employment, start businesses, and achieve financial independence.
- In Australia, Compassionate Ballarat has distributed vital resources for housing, food, and welfare services, supporting those most in need.
- In St. Augustine, Florida, The Purple Bench Initiative has united the community, encouraging compassionate action across diverse backgrounds, faiths, and perspectives.
- In Taunton, UK, a historic moment took place on September 28th, 2024, when city leaders and community representatives came together to sign the Charter for Compassion, declaring Taunton a Compassionate Town.
- In Cape Town, South Africa, the Ubuntu Festival in April celebrated the spirit of compassion, while Golden Rule/Ruleism Day on April 5th encouraged global unity.
- In Monterrey, Mexico, we proudly participated in the Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, amplifying voices of peace and justice worldwide.
- In October, our first-ever Global Youth Conference brought together young leaders from 42 countries, proving that the next generation is ready to lead with compassion.
Year Round, compassion activities, conferences, good works are being delivered in close to 600 cities and through the work of over 2,500 partners.
Photo of the signing of Compassionate Taunton, UK.
Beyond these milestones, the Charter’s ongoing work continues to thrive through:
- Regular programs by the Charter Education Institute, offering tools to cultivate compassion.
- Twelve Global Read webinars that connect communities with inspiring books and authors.
- 40 Days of Peace programming in January and February, emphasizing actionable compassion.
- Dozens of webinars and sector meetings that unite individuals and organizations for compassionate action.
All of this has been possible because of you—your belief in our mission and your generosity have been the beating heart of everything we do. As we look ahead to 2025, we have so much more to accomplish, and we need your help to continue.
Your end-of-year donation ensures that we can:
- Support youth leadership programs and global events like the Global Youth Conference.
- Expand Compassionate Communities worldwide, including peace highways like the Camino de Paz y Compasión from San Antonio, TX to Monterrey, Mexico, and similar projects in California, Canada, on the continent of Africa, and in the United Kingdom.
- Bring innovative educational resources and impactful films like the upcoming documentary on Ubuntu to new audiences.
Will you help us keep the Charter for Compassion thriving? Together, we can ensure that compassion remains a transformative force in our world.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. Click/Tap here to donate. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in creating a more compassionate, interconnected world.
Thank you for being part of this global movement. With your support, we will continue to build bridges, inspire hope, and create a legacy of compassion for generations to come.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Marilyn
P.S. Let’s finish this year strong and start the next with renewed energy. Join us in making 2025 a year of compassion in action!
