Charter for Compassion Australia
The Charter for Compassion is a document and worldwide movement designed to restore not only compassionate thinking but, more importantly, compassionate action, to the centre of our lives.
The Charter for Compassion was recognized by the Australian Parliament in 2010. It was the first parliament in the world to affirm the Charter.
In preparation for the launch of its strategic plan in 2021, Australia: A Continent for Compassion, the Charter for Compassion Australia is introducing initiatives including the National Day of Compassion, the Compassionate Cities Program and the Compassion Action Network.
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The Charter
The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
Origins of the Charter
In 2008, Karen Armstrong won the TED Prize for her wish to create a Charter for Compassion. Thousands of people contributed to the process and the Charter was unveiled in November 2009.
Since then, the Charter has inspired community-based acts of compassion all over the world. From Seattle to Karachi, Houston to Amsterdam, in schools, houses of worship, city governments, and among individuals everywhere, the message of the Charter is transforming lives.
