Pax Dei--Living in Peace 11

The World We Want

Click here to watch on Youtube--full screen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6-MjHBBmBw&list=PLhanS7jySFTKOGpXi6ZJfeKwgc6rvQqsA&index=2

A sustainable future with dignity for all

“This report by the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) collects the perspectives on the 'world we want' from over 1 million people around the globe. For almost one year, people have engaged energetically in 88 national consultations, 11 thematic dialogues, and through the MY World global survey. As member states consult on the shape and content of a successor framework to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) beyond 2015, it is hoped that the opportunity to listen to these voices will contribute to reaching consensus on what is needed to move towards a common sustainable future.”

Key Messages

"The findings of this global conversation contain important messages for governments as they seek to agree on a new development agenda.

·People demand to play a role in shaping and changing their world.

·The fundamental areas covered by the MDGs remain critically important. At the same time, there is a call to strengthen ambition and urgency.

·People are indignant at the injustice they feel because of growing inequalities and insecurities that exist particularly for poorer and marginalized people.

·The challenges are complex and interlinked, requiring a sustainable development agenda that is integrated, holistic and universal, applying to all countries and all people.

·People call for a new agenda built on human rights, and universal values of equality, justice and security. Better governance underpins many of their calls.
·The focus on concrete, measurable goals should be retained but measurement of progress needs to be improved. A data revolution will support an accountability revolution."

Excerpted from the online site:

One Million Voices: The World We Want

http://www.worldwewant2015.org/millionvoices

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Pax Dei
Live in peace,
and the God of love and peace
will be with you.  
2 Corinthians 13:11 NASB

Dysfunctional Democracy

When Democracy Becomes Tired

Excerpt from The Everlasting Man by G K Chesterton (1925)

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"If there is one fact we really can prove, from the history we really do know, it is that despotism can be a development, often a late development and very often indeed the end of societies that have been highly democratic. A despotism may almost be defined as a tired democracy. As fatigue falls on a community, the citizens are less inclined for that eternal vigilance which has truly been called the price of liberty; and they prefer to arm only one single sentinel to watch the city while they sleep."

Discussion and Reflection
**Could any of our groups/affiliations be functioning like a “tired democracy”, where responsibility is somehow abdicated to a few people who became despots?
**How might despots “disguise themselves in benevolence” a la Machiavelli?
**How might we “misconstrue” strong (appropriate) leadership as being despotic?