Children of the Earth at the Globalization for the Common Good Conference 2013 in Paris
In August Nina Meyerhof, Princess Ochegi Ukaga, Rosie Waygood and Saskia Troy went to the Globalization for the Common Good Conference held at Cite Universitaire International in the metropolis Paris. The Globalization for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI) is the UK’s leading progressive think tank in the field of globalization, democracy, social justice, governance and sustainability.
The aim of the Globalization for the Common Good movement
The movent asserts that the process of building a sustainable, global economy must be guided by an ethical and spiritual framework. In order to achieve this, there must be dialogue among societies with diverse traditions. Only in this way can cooperation on tough global challenges can be achieved.
Globalization for the Common Good provides a vision on economic and social justice, peace and ecological sustainability, ethical and corporate social responsibility not only within a framework of spiritual consciousness but also grounded in the practice of open-heartedness, generosity, and caring for others. In order to achieve a sustainable, ethical and profitable capitalism success needs to lead to the spiritual, economic, social and environmental transformation of people, as well as the society they are living in.
Making the shift: Education encouraging Leadership for the Common Good
Children of the Earth was asked to perform during the session “Making the Shift: Education encouraging Leadership for the Common Good” with Moderator Sesto Giovanni Castagnoli who is one of the founders of the World Spirit Forum which is the antagonist of the World Economic Forum. Our worskshop was titled “Globalisation, Youth Leadership and the Common Good: A Conversation with Children of the Earth (COE)”.
First was an introduction to Children of the Earth, the mission, the vision and the founding of the World Youth Spirit Forum held by Dr. Nina Meyerhof (President of Children of the Earth (COE), USA) and Rosie Haywood.
Second, a presentation was given by Princess Oukaga (Chapter Leader COE Nigeria) titled “‘Living together in a matter of understanding for the youth: unity and diversity” which was about the projects of Children of the Earth in Nigeria. Saskia Troy (Chapter Leader Children of the Earth Netherlands) provided a short reading on sustainable leadership where she focused on the role of education in economics and business. Afterwards there was a dialogue with Princess on the situation with Shell Nigeria and the pollution of the Niger Delta.
Finally, Katrina Aung-Sumalin spoke about the characteristics of youth leaders for the common good. For example, on the advantage of being well-managed, clean, proper and organized.
Winners Planetary Awareness and Globalization for the Common Good Award
The GCGI Award for Public Service in the Interest of the Common Good was presented to Ian Mason from the School of Economic Science in Londen (and Oxford). The Award is a reward for their extraordinary and tireless work, offering a truly meaningful education for the common good and selfless service in helping to build a better world. The School of Economics teaches that an education based on ancient wisdom can raise the individual to a higher level of consciousness. The idea is that classical historical knowledge brings deeper understanding and kinship with all living things.
The Planetary Awareness Awards has been won, amongst others, by Mirian Vileila from Costa Rica for her many years of work in promoting the Earth Charter Initiative. The Earth Charter is a universal expression of ethical principles to foster sustainable development and the Earth Charter Initiative is a global network that embraces, uses and integrates the Earth Charter principles.
Photos by Chris van Houts
