World Laughter Pledge

This initiative draws on the power of experiencing joy and levity with others to dissolve tensions within and between people that can lead to pain and strife. Every morning, everyone - anywhere - is asked to join in, wherever they are, on their own or in groups. The idea is that friends and family who live apart can link with laughter and remember each other.

An interactive website is used to communicate with those interested in saying "yes!" to the World Laughter Pledge, noting dates and locations for planned group laugh events. Also, details are provided about the strategy behind facilitating laughter; for instance, training sessions explore how to spur laughter even in serious and somber situations. (Belachew is living testament that people can laugh despite adversity. His wife was HIV-positive and died some years ago, and his business was destroyed twice - by fire and by flood. Yet he has established the Ethiopian Laughter Day with support from his government and uses laughter as a tool for healing.) The website is also a place for those who have participated, such as a group of over 200 girls at Kasturbha Gandhi Balika Vidiayala Hostel in India, to share their experiences.

Conflict, Health.

Organisers explain that, "with laughter we can be happier and healthier and less stressed, with greater clarity, creativity and calmness to enable us to face life's challenges more effectively. And laughter is a 'Diplomacy Pass Key' which can promote peace and joy." For more on the therapeutic benefits of laughter, click here.