13 August 2008
This campaign collectively identifies, promotes, defends and implements the changes we must make so that what we’re doing can be happily and healthily continued - indefinitely. It will bring together all individuals and organizations working on sustainable initiatives to come to basic agreements for what they would like to see happen for the future of life on earth, in order to create a sense of collaboration, common purpose, camaraderie and community and affect change. It will start as a roundtable of participants in each country, beginning with the smallest levels of neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Members trained in the circle process,
consensus process, and in leading charrettes will facilitate the roundtables, because it will be of utmost importance that each and every participant is given the opportunity to share their ideas and opinions in the group. The agreements for each group must be collectively owned and approved by all participants in each roundtable.
Organizations and individuals that self identify as working within the movement for sustainability will join either by self selection, invitation, or nomination. From these round-table processes, sets of common goals and actions will be identified and agreed upon collectively, and delegates will be chosen from each group to bring their message to a regional gathering. At which point, the process will be duplicated: the set of common goals will be determined collectively, and a delegate will be chosen from each regional roundtable to go on to a national roundtable, leading to an international convening of national delegates for a comprehensive international roundtable. In this way, there will be pre-determined and agreed upon common visions and goals that every participant has helped to create, a MASSIVE list of signers on to the campaign, and an avenue for a "what next" to focus our global efforts for human and environmental redemption.
- What problem or issue does your idea address?
Every issue you can think of. Because when you think about it, although the compartmentalization of problems may make things easier to digest, it is all connected. You can't think too long and hard about the scarcity of living wage jobs in cities without looking at problems in the public education system. Concerns over national governmental structure and representation lead to questions of individual emotional and spiritual health issues that affect how people are able to interact, or not, in community. From the personal, to the global picture, it is all connected, and the movement for sustainability must address all aspects in order to be effective. Fostering collaboration and building community as opposed to focusing on differences and competing with one another are essential to our survival. Realizing our commonalities and learning to work together towards a common goal will prove to be our greatest strength.
- If your idea were to become a reality, who would benefit the most and how?
Everybody. We all, by our nature, want to survive, and it is a lot easier, healthier, and happier doing so in a cooperative manner, both with each other and the environment. Basic needs must be met for everyone: food, clothing, and shelter, and they must be met in a sound and healthy manner. A holistic approach requires attention paid to all details of human existence in addressing social, economic, and ecological issues. Let’s assume that most people want: a) a habitable environment for their children’s children, b) to give and receive love, and c) to be healthy and have their basic needs met. The only way to achieve this is through a global collaboration for the stewardship of social and environmental equality – planning for and implementing a global systems approach for sustainability. We’re all in the same boat, let’s recognize that fact and row together.
- What are the initial steps required to get this idea off the ground?
Initially, the campaign will gather partners to spread the word and establish roundtables in as many cities around the world as possible. All forms of communication and dissemination will be used, from the web to word of mouth. The first round of community roundtables will involve the most work to ensure that the campaign boasts a comprehensive individual and organizational representation. Each roundtable will require a facilitator who will help guide the process and who may require training if they lack prior experience in such an inclusive process. Participants will either be nominated, or may self select to serve as facilitator for their community. Initial partners in the campaign will craft a framework to use as a starting point for discussion for each group to identify common goals and calls for action.
- Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and successfully implemented. How would you measure it?
Optimal outcome is the creation of an organization out of the final international roundtable process, which will be backed by the collaborative efforts of millions of campaign participants, with the primary purpose of advocating for the global movement for sustainability. This is the international grassroots organization that will serve as the voice of reason in a time of environmental, social and economic stress - and with so many people invested in the process, it will be a challenge for any party to attempt to violate their terms without a global uproar. This will be a powerful organization that has collectively identified, and which will actively promote, defend, and implement the changes we must make so that what we’re doing can be happily and healthily continued - indefinitely.
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