Let's Make the Shift Happen
Before the Sh*t Hits the Fan!
Message from Rick Ulfik, Founder and Director of We, The World
I'm on a mission. And I hope you will join me on this mission.
With We, The World's partners and volunteers I'm working to implement
a full blown collaborative public education and mobilization program
to shift the cultural and political landscape - especially in the most
powerful societies in the world.
It is my belief that until we have such a program, we will continue
to suffer through crises like the current economic meltdown, because
it is highly unlikely that the shift to sustainable policies, priorities
and consciousness will be led by the power brokers in politics, finance,
big business or the media. The desired shift will undoubtedly come from
"below" as it always has (through grassroots awareness-raising and organizing)
There is reason to believe that until we establish a mass public
education and mobilization program, the financial turmoil we are seeing will
be followed by even more catastrophic occurrences than already exist in
the world as a result of Global Climate Change, the Mass
Extinction of Species (as many as 70-100 per day), Militarism
(Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, terrorism, etc.), Poverty
(more food riots and worse), Oil Shortages, Water Shortages,
Agricultural Contamination and on and on.
These and other interconnected crises are perpetuated not just by
those who derive the most money and power from the dominant economic, political
and social systems, but also by the rest of us who (often unwittingly) fuel
these systems by our consumer choices, our energy choices, our voting, media,
job, investment and cultural choices. If a significant part of the public
were to shift these choices, we could have real change.
The Challenge and the Opportunity
Potentially, the public has massive power to make change. But the
$64 Trillion questions are:
- Can that tremendous power of the people be organized to generate
the kind of political, economic and social will needed for significant
and lasting change? and,
- Can that change take place soon enough? that is, before
certain catastrophic environmental effects become irreversible (within
5 years by some estimates) or before some military or terrorist incident
takes place that gives those in high places the excuse to take even more
of a reactionary power grab than after 9/11 (which would again severely
hamper work and drain resources to end climate change, poverty, etc.).
The answers to both, thankfully, are YES - with your
involvement now. Here's how.
Making the Shift Happen Before the Sh*t Hits
the Fan - within 2 years!
After a 15 year study, social researcher Paul Ray now estimates
that there are 50-60 million people in the USA and 80-90 million in Western
Europe who are what he calls Cultural Creatives. They share values
that include: a love and concern for nature and the environment, social
justice, peace, women's issues, holistic health and spirituality, social
responsibility, concern for elders/indigenous peoples, altruism and linking
the personal and the global.
Paul's research also revealed that these Cultural Creatives often
keep their values to themselves, assuming that they are "different" from
most others at work, etc. And they certainly don't realize that 25-30% of
the adult population shares their values!
Paul Ray joined We, The World's Advisory Board because he was
excited about our potential to make the Cultural Creatives visible
to each other so they could begin to act collectively! It is now more
important than ever to realize this potential.
We, The World has already begun engaging, connecting and informing
the Cultural Creatives (see Highlights and Successes).
Fully implemented, our program of mass public education and mobilization
will have these components:
- Communication and Coordination between existing
major networks, global organizations, the green business community
and smaller groups around the world
- Large-scale Public International
Action Campaign Events every 3 months that engage, inform and involve a
global audience, promoting specific theme-oriented
awareness and action campaigns
Imagine (as an example) MoveOn, Greenpeace and Amnesty International coordinating
their action campaigns with dozens of other global organizations, 1000s
of smaller groups and millions of people around the world, shifting societal
consciousness and creating political will - every 3 months.
We, The World has developed the Strategic Alliances
and has the team
to achieve that level of global collaboration and effectiveness to make
the shift visible within 2 years. And we have already begun international
organizing with 11
Days of Global Unity which now annually has more than 700 associated
events in over 60 countries.. But the next step is up to you.
How You Can Help
- Take an active role in one or more of our projects (see below)
- Make a personal or company financial investment
commensurate with the impact you'd like to have
- Bring others to the table
If you are inspired by what we're doing, please forward this link
to your friends, colleagues, and the "right" people who can make a major
contribution to move humanity off the path of catastrophe for a peaceful,
sustainable world. And of course, your financial support
at your highest joyful level is crucial! Go to www.WeTheWorld.org/donate
where you can make a secure online payment or send a check.
World Servers/World Savers Circle
Our World Servers/World Savers Circle includes people who feel
that "to be a stakeholder in We, The World is to be a stakeholder
in the future of humanity." World Servers Circle members contribute
$1000 or more during the year. Would you like to be part of this
Circle?
Who do you know who would like to turn their financial success
into a legacy of global transformation by investing in a Livable Future?
Click here
to see how one million dollars could change the world - within 2 years
(www.wetheworld.org/wtw2/OneMillionDollars).
For every $1,000 you invest in WTW we are able to impact the lives
of 10,000 or more people with programs that inspire, inform and
galvanize people to take action! How many people would you
like to impact?
We've already directly impacted the lives of well over
2 million people. We've not only changed people's lives, we've
actually saved people's lives!
We are seeking seed funding of at least $75,000 now to continue
our work and to grow our Tipping Point
Initiatives (see below) for a launch of the Public
International Action Campaign Event series
in 2009.
These Tipping Point
Initiatives include expanding the organizing
model established by 11 Days of Global Unity to Large-scale
Public International Action & Awareness
Campaign Events every 3 months. Taken together, the Initiatives form
a coordinated solution-oriented program of mass public education and mobilization
that includes film, TV, and internet media production and distribution.
With your involvement and support, our collaborative strategy
can not only result in political will (and consumer will) but will also
accelerate the cultural shift away from what We, The World Advisory
Board member Riane Eisler calls Domination Culture (and it's impending
collapse) and toward Partnership Culture.
Thank you so much for helping to create a better world!
Rick Ulfik
Founder and Director
We, The World
www.WeTheWorld.org.
www.GlobalUnityCalendar.org
Messages from visionary
leaders about We, The World
"The objective of the organization We, The World
is to facilitate cooperation on a global scale amongst groups and
individuals dedicated to implementing solutions to the many challenges
we face on the planet at this time."
"Well done on your second days of global unity.
God bless you all."
Dr. Riane Eisler
- Author, Chalice and the Blade; Co-founder
and President, Center for Partnership Studies
"It is time for such an organization, one
that unites and amplifies our voices."
"I am delighted that you are doing the 'Forum on Transforming
Dominator Culture to Partnership Culture in an Election Year.' We
so urgently need people to change the conversation about this election,
to address underlying issues, to show that the real struggle here is between
domination and partnership systems, and that this is basic to the kind
of world our children will inherit... keep up your important work!"
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE - Founder
of the Jane Goodall Institute and U.N. Messenger of Peace
"I support and endorse the mission of
We, The World to make sure that individuals and organizations who share
a commitment to sustainability can network effectively to achieve their
goals."
Jonathan Granoff - President,
Global Security Institute
"This work for peace, both inner and outer
peace, is needed now more than ever... Your work is clearly a force
for the highest good."
Click here for
more comments about the impact we are having.
We, The World
Tipping
Point
Initiatives
(to move humanity off the path of
catastrophe
and towards a world that works for all)
Which one(s) excite you the most? Let us know!
These Tipping
Point
Initiatives were originated by, or are in collaboration with,
We, The World. Sponsorship
is needed and welcomed for each. Budgets on request. Our currently running
and proposed projects include:
- 11 Days of Global Unity
September 11-21 - annual worldwide promotion of peace
and sustainability with over 700 associated events in more than
60 countries. Supporters of the launch included Nobel Peace Laureate
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra,
Amnesty International and many others. To get involved
click
here.
- Public International
Action Campaign Events (scroll down page)
every 3 months (on the Equinoxes and Solstices), each time raising awareness
and taking action in communities around the world on a specific global
theme or concern. This is a proposed expansion of the Local Action/Global
Participation organizing model (established by 11 Days of Global Unity)
to 4 times a year. The series could be called "Our Voices, Our World".
Proposed themes include:
- Climate Change - What We Can Do, What We Can Expect
- Our Money, Our World - You and the Global Economy
- Ending the Mass Extinction of Species - We're All Endangered
- Peace in the 21st Century - An Imperative for Survival
- The Wisdom of Partnership Culture - Ending the Era of Winners and
Losers
- Media in the Public Interest - for a World that Works for All
- Women and the Future of Humanity
- Transforming Government so it is Of, By, and For the People
- Green Energy For All
- Reconciliation and Understanding - Healing the Wounds that Divide Us
To get involved click
here.
- Campaign 2020 We, The World
is supporting the development of a global social enterprise
that brings together non-profits, businesses, government organizations
and large numbers of people to achieve Sustainable Earth by the
year 2020. Al Gore and many others have already taken part
in early research and development for this initiative. To get involved
click
here.
- Global Unity Calendar -
linking and promoting grassroots campaigns, programs and other
activities for a culture of peace, environmental stewardship, sustainability
and transformation in communities around the world. This worldwide
calendar is a component of Global Resources Networking for Change
Agents. To get involved click
here.
- Global
Resources Networking for Change Agents - a breakthrough
model of collaboration and mutual support we are developing that
will allow 1,000s of socially conscious organizations and individuals
to effectively work together so that a breakthrough anywhere can be
a breakthrough everywhere! To get involved click
here.
- Now Is The Time Campaign
- Now Is The Time (the song written by We, The World Governing
Board member Troy Lush) is an anthem for the global movement of environmental
care, social justice, and peace (a ³We Are The World² for the new millennium).
It is also a catch phrase for this movement (like ³Just Do It²). In addition,
Now Is The Time is a major media campaign that disseminates
the song and catch phrase throughout many sectors of global culture,
directing people to existing organizations and causes where they can
take immediate, tangible action. To get involved click
here.
- The BetterWorld Show
- a new internet-based reality show about activist-volunteers who attempt
to create a global, holistic, better world movement. Create your YouTube
BetterWorld Show auditions - the best of which are highlighted on BetterWorldShow.com
To get involved click
here.
- Pass
It On Students Mentoring Students Program - empowering
young people to have the experience of making a positive difference in others'
lives. To get involved click
here.
- Our Voices, Our World - using
music and the arts in uniquely designed events to build awareness
and involvement especially for young people. To get involved click
here.
- Inspired Futures
Campaign - Inter-Generational Partnerships for Livable Futures,
New York/Wellington, New Zealand. The Campaign develops youth as Leaders
of the Next Generation through sustainability literacy, and systemic
change literacy for tomorrow's leaders. To get involved click
here.
- Television/Internet
Public Service Announcement "Your Voice Matters" - featuring
a mix of celebrities and indigenous people raising awareness
about a variety of issues and inspiring involvement in the solutions. To
get involved click
here.
- We, The World Feature Length
Film and Coordinated Campaign - The epic story of how a young
woman inspires the world to come together to end poverty, eco-damage and
war. This film can ignite the imagination and spark millions of people
to participate in creating a world that works for all.
To get involved click
here.
- The International
Truth and Reconciliation Hearings (scroll down the page)
- a program for healing and reconciliation between groups with
a history of conflict in each country. To get involved click
here.
- 10
Million Clicks For Peace is a massive internet campaign to
raise millions of dollars for refugees and peace education organizations
while disseminating writings and awareness about achieving personal
peace and happiness. It is endorsed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Arun
Gandhi, Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, Immaculee Ilibagiza, Robert Thurman,
and many others. To get involved click
here.
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