Global Integrators--12

Transforming the World

A Call for Personal Transformation
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“Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains ... an unuprooted small corner of evil. "
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago
(more quotes here)

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We think that the time is coming for a diversity of colleagues to come together intentionally, visibly, and practically on behalf of global integration (GI). GI put simply is how we skillfully integrate our lives and values on behalf of the issues facing humanity. Likewise we think that the time is coming for colleagues to carefully reflect and act on what it means to be good global learners-practitioners--to seriously consider what it means to be what we are calling global integrators (GI-People).

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Transforming the World by 2030:
A New Agenda for Global Action

This is the latest high-level UN document for the intergovernmental negotiations for the Post 2015 development agenda (2 June 2015). It is a crucial source of synthesized thinking-experience as we head towards the UN Assembly in September 2015. We think that the excerpts below will inspire you to read more and to consider how to further leverage your competencies and character in the efforts to help transform our globalizing world.

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One very important point from the GI perspective is that personal transformation is also essential for world transformation. Without it can we realistically make serious progress in the sustainable development of people, planet, and peace? This assertion was indeed one of our points in a recent presentation we did on the global context for global mental health (GMH); namely, that even as there is “no health without mental health” (a watchword for GMH advocates) there can also be no health—or development—without moral health. (GMH: Tracking and Trekking Across Sectors, inaugural conference, Center for Multicultural and Global Mental Health, William James College, USA, 26 June 2015).

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The success of this 'developing agenda for sustainable development' therefore does not come only from it being developed “by and for the people” as paragraph 48 states below. It also comes from it being developed and implemented by transformed people whose character and moral courage—personal transformation—promote the global transformation being heralded. Global integrators can surely model this perspective in their lives and work.

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“28. Sustainable development cannot be realized without peace. The new Agenda recognizes the need to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies, based on respect for human rights (including the right to development), the rule of law and effective and accountable institutions. These are fundamental requirements for the achievement of sustainable development. Factors which give rise to violence, insecurity and injustice, such as corruption and poor governance, are addressed in the Agenda. We must redouble our efforts to resolve or prevent conflict and to support countries emerging from conflict situations so as to lay the foundations for sustainable development. We commit to remove the obstacles to the full realization of the right of self-determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, which continue to adversely affect their economic and social development as well as their environment....

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43. “We the Peoples” are the celebrated opening words of the UN Charter. It is “We the Peoples” who are embarking today on the road to 2030. Our journey will involve Governments, Parliaments, local authorities, business and the private sector, the scientific and academic community, civil society – and ordinary citizens. Millions have already engaged with, and will own, this agenda. It is an agenda by and for the people – and this, we believe, will ensure its success.  

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44. The future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today’s younger generation, who will pass the torch to future generations. We have mapped the road to sustainable development; it will be for all of us to ensure that the journey is irreversible.”