State of the World Forum | WELCOME

Posted January 9th, 2009 by Jim Garrison

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the State of the World Forum online community, hosted by Integral Life.

In the spirit of John F. Kennedy’s call for a ten year mission to put a man on the moon, the Forum and key partners around the globe are calling for world leaders and concerned citizens everywhere to engage in a ten year "Global Transition Initiative" to green the global economy and develop sustainable lifestyles. This is an ambitious yet critical undertaking, one in which all of us need to be engaged.

This Initiative calls for a new form of moral leadership that transcends the narrow self-interests that have so badly damaged our economies and prevented serious efforts to mitigate the escalating effects of climate change. The Forum will be about action, creating the conditions for cross-sector collaboration to enable each one of us to take the personal as well as collective actions required to change our lives and build a positive future.

What makes this effort distinctive is that it recognizes that truth is not enough to unwind the seemingly intractable knot of climate and economy. Louder and more forceful declarations of facts are ignored by most when we don't account for how people interpret what they hear through the value systems they live by. Informed by the Integral framework, this effort will ensure that we engage all dimensions of humanity needed to succeed - including our personal beliefs, the cultural values we share, what we can do through individual action, and what we must do through our governments, organizations and networks.

Please join us for this groundbreaking event February 28 - March 3, 2010 in Washington and the longer-term commitment it entails. The 2010 Forum will continue a global process during which we will convene a State of the World Forum in a different major city throughout the world every year for the next 10 years. Climate change is affecting everyone everywhere and thus only a global effort, in which we all come together personally as well as collectively, will suffice to deal with the crisis we are all in.

We welcome your energy, intellect and contribution.

Warm regards,