A Global Citizen’s Manifesto
“The sleeper has awakened.” For those of you who don’t know the quote it’s from Frank Herbert’s, Dune, considered to be one of the best science fiction novels of all time. And yes, I am a nerd – a Trekkie since age 6, a band geek and a designer working on a PC – a geek and a heretic.
Now more than ever I feel like I’ve awakened. Perhaps nearing my fourth decade I’ve finally gathered enough information to feel like anything I have to say matters. Or perhaps I’ve just gotten past the point of caring what anyone thinks. Either way I’m choosing to speak about what matters to me and what I’m committed to.
My belief is simple and it is huge: We are a global community.
That phrase is tossed around a lot these days but for the vast majority it is meaningless.
We are a global community. The people around the world are my brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers and aunts and uncles. We all want the same things, to be loved, respected, have a roof over our heads, food to eat, to be happy and ensure that our children have a better life than we did.
People are just people the world over. Just because they don’t share our beliefs doesn’t mean they aren’t fighting the same battles.
And, today more than any other time in history our choices affect our global family.
I don’t have all the answers but my belief is that WE CHOOSE. Our governments are small without us; we are their reason for being.
WE CHOOSE how our governments interact. WE CHOOSE with our voices, with our actions and our passions. We are connected more than ever before and every voice counts.
Let’s choose to not continue destroying one another. Let’s make it known that we don’t want governments fighting over oil when children are dying of starvation, being sold into slavery and prostitution. Let’s stop playing small when we know the consequences are so great. Let’s join our voices as citizens of the world with everything and nothing at stake.
My commitment to this global community is:
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I will make conscious purchasing decisions.
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I will listen.
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I will advocate for sustainable and peaceful solutions.
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I will connect our ideas and voices and;
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I will communicate our shared vision for a global community.
Together let’s create a Global Community Manifesto. Let’s choose how we, the nations of the world, want to work together and let our governments know we won’t accept anything less.
Tags: global community, manifesto
This is excellent — a real eye-opener. Your ideas ring true to me, Lisa. Great stuff!
I am very inspired by your words! I too have had an awaking in the past couple of years. I’ve worked in the environmental field for my entire career, but only recently have a come to understand the global impacts of our lifestyles and our choices! I applaud your efforts!
Thanks, Rob. I’m definitely committed to making an impact on a global scale but its not easy figuring out what that means in a practical sense. I’m headed out of the country again in September to Australia on a Rotary International Exchange, perhaps that will shed some light. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. All the best, Lisa