Living Together, Building Together
In a world dominated by toxic systems of personal enrichment rather than the wellbeing of Mother Earth and her inhabitants, it is essential to tell a different story together. A story of our belief that change is possible, free from entrenched mindsets and the limiting influence of self-serving leaders, where we dare to dream without boundaries. Through even the smallest actions, we can carve a new path, and like ripples on water, these actions can unite and create increasingly larger change.
The traditional notion of leadership has often taught us that a country or organisation requires just one leader. But what if we look beyond the established ideas of power and hierarchy, and realise that change can start with us, with us as a community? There are plenty of examples of alternatives for how things can be different, but sadly, they receive little attention from the mainstream media.
The idea of a “great leader” is so deeply ingrained in many societies that we seem to forget that a society or community is actually a dynamic, ever-evolving whole, made up of people with different backgrounds, ideas, experiences, and knowledge. Something to bear in mind: the largest elected party in a country often represents only a minority of the population. In a democracy, it is not only the right of the majority that matters, but attention must also be given to the voices of others, so that everyone is heard.
What if we shift the focus to a system of shared leadership, where no party or individual is fixed in a role that grants them power and control over others? What if we didn’t place the concept of leadership in fixed hands, but instead shared, rotated, and opened it up to anyone willing to contribute? Truly progressive political parties could take the lead and demonstrate that a party can be represented by multiple people of different ages.
Alternative governance models already exist, such as sociocracy, where decision-making is based on consent rather than majority, ensuring that everyone is heard. The system consists of various circles with specific tasks and mandates, in which members contribute equally. The coordination circle connects the circles, maintains an overview, and ensures cooperation and transparency. In sociocracy, there is no fixed hierarchy; leadership is temporary and shared among individuals with different skills, ensuring that responsibility is distributed and the system remains flexible.
In addition to sociocracy, citizens’ assemblies can strengthen democracy. These are consultative structures where a representative group of citizens discusses important issues and proposes solutions. Ordinary people, well-informed and equipped with the right resources, can make responsible decisions without the intervention of technocrats or politicians. Citizens’ assemblies can be implemented at local, regional, or national levels, providing a fair and transparent decision-making process that reflects the voice of everyone, rather than the interests of political elites.
Things can be different! If only we dare, even if it goes against everything, to believe in a world where power is shared, where we work together towards a future that genuinely benefits everyone. Everyone also means the Earth and all its living beings alongside us humans. Young and old can come together, utilise each other’s experiences and wisdom, and build an inclusive, diverse world where we empower each other. It’s time to expand our vision and believe that change is possible.
We are weaving a mighty web!
We design a pattern of peace!
We tell our tales of times to come!
We feed the Flame of Frith.
We feed all peaceful forces.
May it open many hearts and minds
May it build bridges between peoples.
May our thoughts and deeds
be a loving contribution
for all living beings.
May our thoughts and deeds
be a loving contribution
to generations yet to come.
Wæs þu hæl!