We usually think of governments and international organizations as giant machines responsible for ensuring a smooth running of the society. Which, of course, is true. However, there’s a key component to it that is often omitted: and that is the fact that these institutions are designed and run by people – and we are the people. The little acts we do on a daily basis as individuals define how these machines operate. Be holding them responsible for how things work, we must start by holding ourselves responsible for how well we play our role.

In every community – whether in the heart of Douala, the hills of Bamenda, or the busy streets of New York – humanity reveals itself not only in grand gestures but in the quiet, everyday acts of kindness we offer one another. These small actions, often unnoticed, form the social glue that holds societies together. They help create trust, dignity, and shared responsibility. These values are essential to both democracy and the protection of human rights. The little things that we often neglect are often those that shape our lives and the world that we live in.

Kindness as the First Layer of Social Trust

Strong societies are built on trust. Before trust appears in institutions, it must first exist between people. A neighbour helping another carry water, a young person giving up their seat to a senior on a bus, a taxi driver who waits to ensure a passenger is safely inside, a student sharing notes with a classmate – such moments create a sense of mutual care. They teach us that we are not alone, that our wellbeing matters to someone else, that we are all we’ve got in this journey called life.

In countries going through the complexities of social cohesion, such as Cameroon and many across Africa, trust can sometimes feel fragile – it usually does. But it is these seemingly small gestures that rebuild it, person by person. When people trust one another, they are more willing to participate in community decisions, support local initiatives, and engage in civic life – all key ingredients of a thriving democracy.

I remember offering my seat to a woman in her mid-thirties and her baby. For some reason, she didn’t have a seat and ended up in the passageway. She was so happy she took my number and called me for the next one week just to thank me. Remembering how she felt still makes me smile even as I write these words. You must have tones of such sweet experiences that came from being kind to someone – maybe a stranger or somebody you know.

Human Dignity Begins with Human Kindness

Human rights rest on the simple idea that every person has inherent worth. Kindness is one of the most immediate, if not the most effective, ways we affirm that worth. It shows up in how we speak to each other, how we listen, and how we offer help without expecting reward. And simple as such acts may appear, they change the world around us when they happen.

A society that values dignity does not emerge by accident. It grows from countless moments when one person chooses empathy over judgment, inclusion over exclusion, and generosity over indifference. When a person chooses love over hate, respect over disrespect and tolerance over cruelty, it steers the society in the right direction. These daily choices build a culture where human rights are not just written in documents but lived in practice. When human rights become an individual’s habits and a society’s way of life, peace and development naturally smile back at the people.

From Individual Compassion to Collective Strength

Have you ever been tempted to ask “what will this change, after all?” Me too – and far too many times than I can count. But the truth is, small acts of kindness ripple outward. It may not be obvious at first, but just like a bag of rice starts taking shape as we stack one grain on another, so do how small acts of kindness.

Let’s consider the following example: a supportive teacher nurtures a child’s confidence; the child grows into an adult who treats others with respect; his respect towards others leave them happy and this shows up in their interactions and relationships. Communities shaped by such values are more resilient – able to navigate conflict without violence, to debate without hatred, to disagree without dehumanizing.

This is exactly the type of resilience democracy needs. Democracy is not the absence of differences; it’s the beauty in them. It thrives when people can cooperate even amid these differences, when they can stand together to protect freedoms, and when they see their neighbour not as a rival but as a partner in building a better society. Democracy is listening to understand and offering a hand even when we don’t share the same worldview. Democracy is kindness.

Kindness Encourages Participation and Inclusion

When people feel valued, they feel they belong – and belonging motivates participation. A society where people regularly practice kindness is one where individuals are more likely to:

volunteer for community projects,

join local associations,

speak up in town halls or community meetings,

vote with confidence, and

stand up for the rights of others.

These are the daily behaviours that nurture democratic life as they ensure that decisions reflect the voices of all people, including those often left at the margins.

Human Rights Culture Begins in Homes and Communities

While the importance of constitutional protections and legal frameworks cannot be overemphasized, the culture of human rights in us is shaped long before we encounter laws. It begins at home, in families that teach children to be fair, honest, and compassionate. Then it spreads through neighbourhoods where people look out for one another. It strengthens in schools where teachers model respect and non-violence.

When kindness is part of daily life, people become more likely to defend the rights of others, not only their own. They learn that injustice anywhere can damage the wellbeing of the entire community. The result is a society where everyone is their brother’s keeper.

A Call to Action: Choosing Kindness as Civic Responsibility

Today’s world can feel divided and uncertain. But when disaster strikes, we see our ability to come together and be kind to one another. We don’t have to always wait for disasters to strike. Every individual still holds the power to influence the direction of society through daily small, intentional acts of care. Kindness is not weakness; it is democratic courage. It is a silent declaration that we believe in a society where everyone matters and that we commit to upholding this belief.

We often speak of building better systems, stronger institutions, and more just societies. But the foundation of these aspirations is profoundly human. It begins with how I treat the person next to me and how you treat the person beside you. We wouldn’t have to fight so hard to protect our daughters from others if we showed kindness to our neighbour’s daughter and stood up for her when went wrong.

Each moment of kindness is a brick in the architecture of peace, a step toward a society rooted in dignity, equality, and shared humanity. By choosing kindness – consistently, deliberately, and without conditions – we help build the kind of democracy where human rights are not only protected, but deeply lived. As you go out today, be kind to those you meet on your way. Kindness doesn’t cost a dime.

Tubuo