The need for globalising compassion is more imperative than ever in the present international context, which is scarred by wars, deepening conflicts, inequalities, and global warming. International alliances are shifting, and exclusion, extremism, polarisation and division have unfortunately been mainstreamed in many countries.

Despite global commitments to the UN’s ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create peace and prosperity for people and the planet, they are not progressing quickly enough to achieve their 2030 deadline. Only 15% of the targets have been met so far, and progress has reversed for several critical targets, particularly for children.

Yet collectively, the world has never been wealthier: economically, intellectually, and technologically. A fundamental shift must occur to reform global governance for an inclusive world.

Cultivating compassion within society can be a powerful driver of this change. It can foster a sense of interconnectedness and responsibility for the well-being of all and inspire individuals and communities to take action. If compassion in action becomes central to how we work and live, how organisations grow and deliver their objectives, and how multinational and intergovernmental organisations approach internationalism, we can propel the world to a just and sustainable future. Once the spark of compassion is ignited, it will extend to all spheres of life.

Despite its importance, no global standardised tool for measuring compassion levels for individuals and organisations, nor does a prospective theory of change on what affects or helps enhance the Compassion Quotient (CQ) currently exist. While most of us are familiar with Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Emotional Quotient (EQ) which are used to measure the level of human intelligence and emotions, respectively, there is a need for a tool to measure the level of compassion in individuals and groups.