There was a time, not so long ago, when a woman — let’s call her Karen — had an idea. It wasn’t a thunderbolt, but a particle of a thought: perhaps compassion is not simply a virtue, but a key — a key capable of unlocking some of the overwhelming problems our communities face.
Karen was a religious scholar, one of the rare minds who could move gracefully from the Hebrew prophets to the Buddha, from Muhammad’s revelations to the teachings of Jesus, from the Bhagavad Gita to the humanist wisdom of the Magna Carta. Across centuries and continents, she noticed something extraordinary: the same luminous principles kept appearing, echoing from scripture to scripture, tradition to tradition. Compassion was always there, quietly insisting on its place at the center of human life.
She kept writing about these ideas — still does, in fact — but compassion always remained the steady heartbeat of her work.
Then something unexpected happened. A big organization — let’s call it TED — listened. And TED said, “We’ll give you a wish. What do you need to do something about this idea of compassion?”
TED didn’t simply listen; they leaned in. They contributed ideas, support, and seed funding. And in time, from that small particle of inspiration, the Charter for Compassion was born.
What began as an idea grew into a profound document, signed by thousands around the world, translated into dozens of languages, and held close by countless people seeking a more humane way forward. This past year, that document was revisited, renewed, and reframed as Charter for Compassion 2.0 — launched with enthusiasm, energy, and a sense of collective possibility. I wish I could say millions saw it instantly; instead, thousands did — and that’s just fine. Social media has a way of taking good ideas where they need to go, and we believe the millions will come.
But here’s the real heart of the story:
You showed up.
People from around the world responded to Charter for Compassion 2.0 with such commitment that it took our breath away. You energized neighborhoods, towns, and cities. You brought compassion into schools not as an abstract philosophy, but as an operating principle. You looked around your communities and said, “We can do better, together.”
You started small.
You pushed hard.
You refused to accept injustice at any level, against anyone, for any reason.
Because of you, compassion is not just surviving — it is flourishing.
So many of you carry the Compassion Guidebook the way others carry Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, Karen Armstrong’s landmark work from decades past. You have taken on the mantle of compassion in a world that so desperately needs it. You’ve contributed your time, energy, creativity, and resources to keep the Charter for Compassion at the helm — sharing programs, supporting communities, helping to build solutions, and laying the groundwork for what might one day become Charter 3.0.
And so, as we close this chapter of our shared story, we want to say a profound and heartfelt thank you — to everyone who helped launch Charter 2.0, and to everyone who joined us at the Gala honoring four extraordinary individuals who have shown that compassion is not optional. It is essential. It is catalytic. It is transformative.
Now comes the part where we roll up our sleeves.
There is so much work ahead, but we are not daunted. We are inspired — because we know we are doing it with you.
With deep gratitude and renewed determination,
The Charter for Compassion Staff
