11/04/2026
Everyone has their own interpretation of dignity.
Maybe you think it’s self-respect, fairness, or doing the right thing.
Whatever it might mean to all of us, what matters is that we respect each other’s point of view.
Because everyone has the right to dignity, as it’s enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It’s referred to in the Preamble: ‘the dignity and worth of the human person’.
It’s in Article 1:
‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.’
Perhaps the most important thing about dignity is that we only really seem to think about it when it’s threatened.
We need to remember that dignity is what makes us human, and connects us to each other.
Any violation of a human right, whether it’s the right to healthcare, education, or work, affects our dignity. Because is it possible for one person to live in dignity, when someone else’s is lost? When individuals are murdered for their gender, religion or standing up for their rights? When an entire group of people are stripped of their right to exist, driven from their homes or bombed out of existence?
Dignity is at the heart of human spirit. It can withstand all attempts to take it away. But nobody should have to lay down their life to keep it.
In the face of the violence, hatred and human rights violations occurring worldwide, we make a call for dignity. Join us in reminding the world that we all have the right to dignity – for ourselves and each other.
Here are the dates for this year’s contest:
April 10th: Brief Announcement.
April 20th: Call for entries opening.
July 20th: Call for entries closing.
August 10th to September 30th: Online jury.
Live Jury in Lecce - Italy (date to be confirmed).
