The concept of forming a group specifically to spread kindness is a relatively new phenomenon. In 1996, the Small Kindness Movement in Japan organised a conference in Tokyo, by inviting like-minded individuals from around the world who had started kindness movements in their own countries to attend. 

From left to right: Ms Debbie Riopel, Dr Wataru Mori, Mr Noel Hon, Ms Margarey Bruce, Mr Nicholas Wood- Dow and Mrs Judith Wood-Dow

A second conference was held in 1997 and the outcome was the formation of the World Kindness Movement. The charter of this organisation is stated in a declaration signed by seven countries.

The current WKM member countries are

• Australia
  • Australian Kindness Movement
• Brazil
  • Brazil Kindness Movement
• Canada
  • KindActs Canada
• Dubai
  • Hearts @ Dubai Kindness Movement
• India
  • Ananda Club
  • Kindness Unlimited
• Italy
  • Movimento Italiano per la Gentilezza (Italian Kindness Movement)
• Japan
  • Small Kindness Movement
• Nepal
  • Nepal Kindness Movement
• Netherlands
  • Acts of Kindness
• New Zealand
  • New Zealand Kindness Movement
• Nigeria
  • Pan-African Reconciliation Council
• Scotland
  • Kindness Scotland
• Singapore
  • Singapore Kindness Movement
• South Korea
  • Smile Korea
• Thailand
  • Office of the National Culture Comission
  • Thailand Kindness Movement Foundation
• United Kingdom
  • UK Kindness Movement - Act Against Bullying
  • Campaign for Courtesy
• United States of America
  • US Kindness Movement - The Global Classroom Connection

The milestones of the WKM are:

20 September 1997

The Declaration to establish the WKM was signed.

13 November 1998 First WKM Conference held in Tokyo. It was agreed that World Kindness Day would be held on 13 November each year.
8 April 1999 Launch of the WKM website at www.worldkindness.org.sg  The website has Internet and e-mail links to all members.
5-6 November 1999 Second WKM Conference held in Tokyo. A WKM logo was adopted.
17-18 November 2000 The Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) hosted the Third Conference of the World Kindness Movement (WKM) on 17 and 18 November 2000. Representatives from ASEAN countries and Italy as well as WKM members from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Scotland, Thailand and the United States attended the event.

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