Saturday, April 14, 2007
Permissive Rules of Life
In Life,
Most people act in a Prescriptive manner,
Which limits us,
To do only what we have explicit authority to do,
And no more.
Whereas, successful people
Function on the basis of Permissive power,
Which liberates and energises us,
To do everything that our imagination conceives,
Unless it is explicitly prohibited.
Most people act in a Prescriptive manner,
Which limits us,
To do only what we have explicit authority to do,
And no more.
Whereas, successful people
Function on the basis of Permissive power,
Which liberates and energises us,
To do everything that our imagination conceives,
Unless it is explicitly prohibited.
As a parent, I want our children to be Global Citizens
The earliest mention of the idea in the literature probably dates back to 1474, when Caxton wrote of a ‘Citizen of the World’. This ageless concept has a powerful relevance in today’s world, with its merging global technologies, economies, wars, policies and environmental effects with participating local individuals, organizations and communities. Global citizens instinctively act locally and concisely, but from a strategic global perspective.
In our new world, borders and philosophies that once separated nation states have become gateways to new opportunities. Global citizens recognise that in an age of global connectivity ‘world’s best’ can originate from anywhere as the constraints are only in our minds.
Global citizens see their rights, resources and responsibilities in a global context, yet they celebrate the local. Global citizens are the renaissance people of the 21st century. They are facilitators of discourse, hungry for knowledge, engaged by the world around them, culturally aware, tolerant of differences, and strong believers in creating a better world. They embrace change, are flexible in their thinking, and comfortable using technologies that enable them to be actively connected to the wider world. They accept complex and chaotic environments as the new world order. Accumulating frequent flyer points does not define these people, but global connections do – they are distinctive for the quality and reach of their values, ideas and connections around the world. And they are ‘normal’ people who (hopefully) live next door.
The world and local communities equally need their dreams, breadth of vision, ideas without boundaries, ability to create new linkages, and passion to contribute to a better world in their own ways. They are intolerant of mediocrity and choose to work where they continue to learn and be challenged. They understand that the power of knowledge is in its sharing to produce mutual learning, innovative ideas and actions that challenge traditional boundaries.
Global citizens are very effective at ‘getting things done’, because they love what they do, and will only do what they love. As a consequence their work creates meaning for them and they will only live and work in environments that are meaningful. In the 21st century a global citizen is likely to have a specialised area of knowledge developed through academic learning and practical application. In addition, that specialisation is complemented with broad interests in disciplines other than their own, the arts, politics, current affairs, and social issues. Learning is a continuing process. They see their work as a series of projects rather than as a career and their life as their career. Their portfolio is likely to include voluntary and community activity in which the global citizen delivers visible results in quick and effective time, while finding great personal meaning.
Global citizens see the world as a village, and understand and pursue their personal roles and responsibilities consistent with that scale: to be inspirational in their own areas of skill and to inspire others to be the best that they can be; to care for family and fellow citizens; to take responsibility for their own life; to use their skill for the benefit of themselves, their family, and their village. They see their role in the context of the wider world.
Different cultures offer a source of wisdom to the global citizen, who is personally comfortable in unfamiliar cultural territories, and draws inspiration and learning from experiencing, reflecting upon and seeking to understand differences. The global citizen celebrates the values of indigenous peoples, and fosters an environment of multi-cultural sensitivity. They practise values-based work and business and believe that business has social, environmental as well as ethical responsibilities. They know what they stand for as an individual, as a member of their village, of global society and as a participant in the global economy.
Global citizens see business as a positive enterprise that creates wealth and well-being for people, organizations and society. They relate to business as the catalyst for harnessing human enterprise to raise living standards and develop human potential. They understand business as a creative enterprise that requires skills and disciplines, but above all inspiration and leadership. They are committed to wealth creation in ways that are socially and environmentally sustainable.
Global citizenship is a state of mind that any person of any age can embrace. The global citizen recognizes that any innovative ideas can resonate around the world, and that we have access to the best the world has to offer. They participate and inspire others from their village to the world and back in a virtuous boundary-less circle.
In summary, a global citizen is:
- Locally active
- Globally connected
- Culturally aware
- Socially responsible
- Values based
- Concerned about the environment
- Creative and comfortable with change
- Technologically literate
- Inspirational
- Has fun.
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