Greetings of love and peace from the Kuala Lumpur Airport as I await the beginning of my long journey homeward – Kuala Lumpur to Singapore to Hong Kong to San Francisco 21+ hours later – listening to Herm Weaver, who travels with me always on my computer, singing:
Dream, dream, we’re coming out of the night
Let’s close our eyes and dream of the light
Dream of new tomorrows from the rubble of today
And dream of things that we can do to build a better way
Let’s dream
Yes, let’s dream. Let’s never lose sight of the power of dreaming to create the possibility of a new future; to create the energy that will draw us, step by step, into that new future. And let us never forget the deep commitment, in easy times and hard, that is needed to translate dreams into reality.
The closing session of the consultation went overtime, so I had to leave before everything was finished, but this morning offered an inspiring example of how good intentions backed by sacrificial efforts can open the door to possibilities that might have been unimaginable only hours before.
The ending of yesterday afternoon was dispiriting to most, but probably to none more than to the conveners. We seemed in disarray as the closing session was delayed and delayed again until only a few people were there when a draft of the consultation’s comprehensive document was shared; and most of the people I spoke with were extremely disappointed that the work we had done was so incompletely presented.
At that moment, it was easy to feel the rising energy of negativity and a sense that somehow all our work didn’t matter; that the conveners, who all have given their lives for pioneering positive change, had something in mind from the beginning and it didn’t matter much what the working groups had to contribute. After all, I’m sure everyone present had experienced that sort of dynamic many times before.
But this morning a new day dawned and with it two pages of additions to the draft document that addressed most of the concerns people had; and, on top of that, the conveners invited further comments and refinements, clearly seeking a path forward that honored the integrity of the working groups and was consistent with the stated intentions for the consultations.
When I left, the room was filled with positive energy and people were beginning to talk about how they might use this document once it is finalized.
So, what is the document?
Under the general heading of Faith, Shared Wisdom and International Law, the document proposes a “Global Action Plan which draws its inspiration from the moral wisdom shared by the world’s religious and ethical traditions. The endeavour to find common ethical ground holds the key to constructing a more peaceful and ecologically sustainable world order – a task that must be approached with new thinking and great urgency.”
The preface entitled Unprecedented Challenges Facing Humanity, begins with these words: “This Consultation meets at a time of particular urgency unparalleled in the history of the human race.” The preface goes on to identify the possibility of sudden catastrophe from nuclear war and the emerging environmental catastrophe as urgent threats to life on Earth.
In this context, the document then addresses three key areas: Building a More Peaceful World; The Future of Humanity and the Global Environment; and Integrating a Common World Ethic into the Work of International Institutions.
I won’t try to further characterize this document now, but I look forward to sharing it once a final draft emerges and to hearing responses from members of the URI community around the world.
One intervention was already offered by a member of the URI in Malaysia, John Guruswamy, who proposed the idea of individual affiliate members of the UN, who would each contribute a nominal annual membership fee. This small fee, taken across the spectrum of human population, would help fund the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals.
The conveners noted that this proposal would help democratize the UN in a manner consistent with its Charter, which begins with these words: “We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind…have resolved to combine our efforts…”
As I thanked the conveners for the opportunity to share in this consultation, I commented that our journey is often like a flight on a plane, sometimes smooth, sometimes turbulent – through it all we must trust the power of mutual goodwill and shared positive intentions to see us through.
May the members of URI never neglect to trust in the power of mutual goodwill and shared positive intentions; and may we never neglect to begin and end by offering thanks to our Source and to each other for offering the best of ourselves to this journey of co-creating a better future for all life in our Earth Community.
It is a privilege to share this journey with each of you.
Love,
Charles
