What do Oprah Winfrey, JK Rowling, Pope Francis, and Steven Spielberg have in common? Apart from excelling in their respective fields, they have all been honored by the Order of the Smile, an international award given by children to adults for their love, care, and aid to children.
The Order of the Smile began in the 1960s, inspired by the Polish bedtime television show Goodnight. During the show’s fifth anniversary, creator Wanda Chotomska shared a touching story about a sick child who wanted to give a medal to the puppets Agatka and Jacek for bringing joy to children.
This story was published in the Polish magazine Kurier Polski, captivating readers and prompting the magazine to establish the Order of the Smile in 1967. Children were invited to nominate individuals who demonstrated exceptional love and care for children, with winners designated as laureates.
In 1979, UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim declared the Order of the Smile an international award. By November 1992, the International Chapter of the Order of Smile was officially registered in Poland as an association.
Leszek Wieciech, a chapter member, revealed that there are about 1,050 laureates globally. The list includes figures such as Pope Francis, Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Princess Anne, JK Rowling, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
The medal, featuring a smiling sun, is awarded by Chancellor Marek Michalak at the international headquarters in Warsaw. Recipients must follow the tradition of drinking a cup of lemon juice while smiling throughout the process.
The Order of the Smile is unique because it is awarded by children. “The nomination must be submitted by a group of children,” Wieciech explained. Nominations can be sent to: International Order of Smile, ul. Marii Konopnickiej 6, 00-491 Warszawa, Poland.
Information about the award is available online. “We are working on a new version of the webpage, including the English version,” Wieciech added. While the nomination mechanics are in Polish, submissions can be made in English as the chapter includes representatives from various countries.
The chapter comprises 59 members from nations including Poland, England, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, and the USA.
Authenticity is key, emphasized Wieciech. “We prefer handwritten proposals from children.” The chapter evaluates proposals twice a year.
