The Dignity Index (by UNITE, supported by New Pluralists)

LEARNING CENTER
Written By THECHANGELAB

Led by UNITE and supported by New Pluralists, the Dignity Index is a nonpartisan framework that measures the dignity in public speech on an 8-point scale. It helps people understand and shift the tone of civic discourse toward empathy and shared humanity—and away from contempt and dehumanization.

Engagement Levels

Pathway: Bridging Across Difference


Sub-pathway: Civic Dialogue & Depolarization

Why It Matters

Contempt-driven language erodes trust, escalates division, and fuels extremism. The Dignity Index offers a practical, measurable approach to create a new standard in public dialogue—centered on mutual respect and possibility.

Alignment with The Change Lab

  • Advances Belonging & Inclusion by encouraging respectful public discourse

  • Supports Civic Imagination and depolarization through measurable behavior change

  • Reinforces Systems Thinking with a shared framework for evaluating communication norms

Key Programs & Tools

Strategic Impact

  • Norm Setting: Makes dignity a measurable and aspirational civic value

  • Tool-Based Culture Shift: Creates a public standard for language and tone

  • Civic Skill-Building: Equips youth, communities, and leaders to depolarize and connect

Role in the Ecosystem

UNITE plays the role of a Practitioner & Field Builder, offering usable tools and trainings to embed dignity in discourse at scale.

New Pluralists acts as a Collaborative Funder, investing in infrastructure to support pluralistic civic culture.



More Links:


Website:
https://www.dignity.us

New Pluralists Resource Page:
https://newpluralists.org/resources/the-dignity-index?page=1

UNITE:
https://www.unitetheusa.org

New Pluralists:
https://www.newpluralists.org



THECHANGELAB

HUMAN

https://www.thechangelab.net/
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