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Visioning for a Better WorldStriving toward peace, equity,and sustainabilityPresentation Overview The problem: Current State of World– The need for visioning A solution: Global Visioning– Multiple scales of visioning The need for visionary NGOs Visioning Resources Toolkit1
Brief History of Environmental Movement 1897- National Forest System established1916- National Park Service System est.1962- Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring1964- Wilderness Act signed into law1970- EPA, Clean Air Act, NEPA1972- UN Conference on Human Env. (Stockholm)1973- Endangered Species Act1997- Kyoto Protocol established (w/o U.S.)2002- World Summit on Sust. Dev. in S. AfricaThe Problem:Current State of the World Environment Sphere– Decline: of 4,629 mammal sp: 73 extinct, 162 criticallyendangered, 352 endangered. (1in 4)– Pollution, loss of vegetation, soil depletion Social Sphere– Environmental Racism: race found to be most importantfactor associated w/ location of hazardous waste sites 3 out of 5 Black Hispanic Americans live with a minimum of 1toxic waste site.– Lack of Basic Needs: only 45% of rural communities in SubSaharan Africa have access to improved water 53% of world pop. Lives on less than 2 per day2
The Problem:Current State of the World Social Sphere (continued)– Population Growth: Currently at 6,479 M, with anexpected increase by 43% by 2050 At this rate, what will our world look like in 50 years? Economic Sphere– Ever-widening socio-economic (class) gap A few hundred millionaires now own as much wealth asthe world’s poorest 2.5 billion people 20% of the population in the developed nations,consume 86% of the world’s goods“If we wish to create a better world,we must first be able to envisionthat world.”(Steven Ames)3
A Solution: Global Visioning International-Scale Visioning UN Millennium Summit (2000): pursue MDGs by 2015– 1. Cut extreme poverty and hunger in half– 2. Achieve universal primary education– 3. Empower women and promote equality– 4. Reduce child mortality by 2/3– 5. Reduce maternal mortality by 3/4– 6. Reverse spread of diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria)– 7. Ensure env. sustainability (safe water sanitation)– 8. Create global partnership for developmentWill these goals really be met?A Solution: Global Visioning National-Scale Visioning– US Constitution: We the people establishJustice, insure domestic Tranquility promotegeneral Welfare – Bush’s National Security Policy: America standsfor human dignity, equal justice, religious ethnictolerance, respect for women To strive toward US goal of defending liberty and justice,the gov. has chosen to fight a global war on terrorismWill this really make the world a better place?4
A Solution: Global Visioning Regional-Scale Visioning– Rebuilding the Gulf Coast Katrina: 1,325 died, 5M without power, 1M displaced– Most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history– Env. catastrophe - 7M gallons spilled oil, toxic waste.– Rebuilding costs estimated at 200B Louisiana Recovery and Rebuilding Conference– Hallmark occasion: 1st time LA residents discuss long -termgoals and planning for the state– Create policy goals planning/design principles» equity, quality of life, healthy env. and people Will these goals be put into practice?A Solution: Global Visioning Community-Scale Visioning– Where are we now? Where are we going?Where do we want to be? How do we get there?– Envision Central Texas (ECT) Consists of regional planners, policy-makers, public fromBastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, & Williamson counties Purpose: to build consensus around a vision in order topreserve and enhance region’s quality of life, naturalresources, and economic prosperityWill grassroots organizations be more successfulthan government agencies at creating a moresustainable world?5
A Solution: Global Visioning Organizational-Scale Visioning– “The great is the enemy of the good. ”– Making the transition from being a good companyto a great, visionary company is challenging Requires: knowing what core to preserve (what thecompany stands for and why it exists) Requires: knowing what future to foster growth toward– “Visionary companies are premier institutions - thecrown jewels- of their industries ”Where are the visionary organizations that arefocused on sustainability, equity, and peace?A Solution: Global Visioning Individual-Scale Visioning– We are all visionaries impacting our world– We use visioning or visualization every day– Shakti Gawain’s Visualization process: Set your goal (what you’d like to have, realize, or create)Create a clear idea or mental pictureFocus on it oftenGive it positive energyAre our individual visions of a better world sufficientenough to manifest them?6
The Need for Visionary NGOs Visioning, implementation, monitoring, and alignmentmust be at multiple scales.– Create a united force of change Governmental actions have not been sufficient andhave failed to promote tenets of peace, equity, andsustainability. NGOs are perfectly positioned to become effectiveagents of change!– Fill the gaps created by gov. inadequacies– Promote real democracy, accountability, and transparencyArmed with clear visions, NGOs can make a difference!“Without a clearly defined vision, we flounder,react to our environment, and mimic ourcompetitors.”(Lucas 1998)7
Visioning Resources Toolkit The word vision has become one of the mostoverused and least understood words. Visioning “the act or power of imagination, amode of seeing or conceiving, unusualdiscernment or insight” (Merriam-Webster).What a Vision Is A company’s living blueprint for:– who they are, what they stand for, and where theywant to go A charter of core values and principles A guide for what core to preserve and whatfuture to stimulate progress toward An ongoing process that will continue until theorganization ceases to exist Inspirational8
What a Vision Is Not A slogan used for advertising (plaque on wall)A company view from the topA strategy or planA singular event or one-time programPassionless“Where there is no vision, the people parish”(Proverbs 29:18)9
Collins and Porras’Visioning Framework Visioning is a very popular field brimming withtheories, methods, and models. This is the most comprehensive framework– From book Built to Last: Successful Habits ofVisionary Companies– Based on 6 years of research investigating thetimeless management principles used by some ofthe world’s most exceptional, visionary companies10
Elements ofa Well-Conceived Vision Core Ideology: What we stand for, Why we exist(Yin- unchanging) Envisioned Future: What we aspire to become, tocreate, or to achieve (Yang- requires significantchange and progress)***Important tension dynamic between fosteringprogress (Yang) while maintaining the core (Yin)***Core Ideology (Yin) Defines the enduring character of a company– Consistent Identity: transcends market life cycles,technological breakthroughs, and indiv. Leaders– Core ideology is not created, it is discovered! It is the glue that holds an organizationtogether through time, a source of guidanceand inspiration11
Elements of Core Ideology Core Values: a timeless set of guidingprinciples and tenets– Ex. Sony: Elevation of the Japanese culture andnational status, Being a pioneer, Encouragingindividual ability and creativity Core Purpose: an organization’s mostfundamental reason for existence, its soul– Ex. Sony: To experience the joy of advancing andapplying technology for the benefit of the publicEnvisioned Future (Yang) What type of progress do you want to promote? Part 1: 10-30 Year Audacious Goal– A bold mission like climbing Mt. Everest– Serves as a clear, inspiring, and unifying focal pt. Ex. Sony: Become the most known for changing theworldwide poor-quality image of Japanese products Part 2: Vivid Description– Of what what it will be like to achieve the goal– Creates a vivid image that people can carryaround in their heads Ex. Sony: “Made in Japan” mean something fine, notshoddy12
A Well-Conceived Vision-Putting It All Together Visioning Benefits:– It motivates and inspires, gives direction and promotessuccess, and provides a way to benchmark progress towardan envisioned future– Visioning is one of the timeless management principles thatdistinguish good companies from great, visionary companies– Fosters the dynamic tension between preserving the core(Yin) and fostering progress (Yang) Common Pitfall:– Seeing visioning as a one-time event: merely postingvision/mission statements on websites or company wallsCritical Junction in History Will we continue to live in a world dominatedby war, inequity, and over consumption?– Or, will we make the necessary changes to makeour vision of a more peaceful, equitable, andsustainable world into reality? NGOs are perfectly positioned to becomeeffective agents of change!13
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The Need for Visionary NGOs Visioning, implementation, monitoring, and alignment must be at multiple scales. - Create a united force of change Governmental actions have not been sufficient and have failed to promote tenets of peace, equity, and sustainability. NGOs are perfectly positioned to become effective agents of change!
