In his book Ethics for a New Millennium His Holiness the Dalai Lama suggested that it could be worthwhile to create a global council of ethical leadership—a council that would serve as a moral compass and be seen to represent 'the conscience of the world.' Inspired by the Dalai Lama’s suggestion, a global team of social change leaders is creating just such a council of ethical leadership—the World Future Council (WFC).

The Launch of the Council

In May 2007, the WFC will hold its Founding Congress in Hamburg, Germany. Present will be many of the 50 extraordinary leaders from around the world who will serve as the first World Future Councilors. Their main task will be to look at the world through a long-term lens and be a voice for future generations. They will identify specific policies to solve global problems and then work with national legislators, civil society organizations, and others to insure that their policy recommendations become fully implemented legislation worldwide.

Looking Deeply

The WFC will address the root causes and systemic problems, not just the symptoms, of our global ills. While keeping the whole in mind, it will focus on cross-cutting issues and see the interconnectedness of our problems and their solutions. It will incorporate the wisdom of indigenous cultures and the breadth and depth of our latest scientific knowledge. It will bring together our wisest elders and our most gifted youth to think critically and creatively about the future while being responsive to current world events. It will clarify and hold up for all to see our most dearly held and commonly shared values, and ensure that our global policies clearly reflect and incorporate those principles.

Ideas to Action

Stabilizing our global climate will be the first critical issue on the Council’s agenda. Al Gore’s Academy Award-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth, has opened many people’s eyes to the seriousness and urgency of global warming. But what happens after their eyes are opened? We need solutions that will bring us 80% reductions in our carbon dioxide emissions. With its first global campaign, the WFC will promote the best ideas and policies on the planet to accelerate our shift from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy. It will work with the e-Parliament, EarthAction, and other networks around the world to press legislators to enact and implement the necessary legislation.

Staying on Course

There seems to be a growing consensus that the accelerating destruction of our world is at root a spiritual crisis—that we can’t simply think our way out of these problems. Recognizing that navigating our global crises will be both an intellectual and spiritual adventure, Council members will establish the principles and values that will guide their own deliberations and keep them focused on their North Star—creating a sustainable, just and healthy planet long into the future.

A North American Council

A group of social change leaders is now exploring whether it would be useful also to establish a regional council of ethical leadership in North America. Such a Council could illuminate and promote the kind of policies and new direction that North America so desperately needs.

The Dalai Lama’s Endorsement

Overall, this initiative is best described in the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who in April 2006 gave the WFC the following endorsement:

“I am pleased to support the creation of the World Future Council, whose principal task will be to monitor human affairs from an ethical perspective. By virtue of its moral leadership and its independence, the Council’s deliberations will be seen to represent the conscience of the world. Acting as a moral compass, the World Future Council will help lead us to a more just, equitable and peaceful future.”

Motivated by Love

Ultimately, it is our love for each other and for our life-giving planet, and our shared concern for our children’s futures that is at the heart of creating the World Future Council. As Joanna Macy reminds us in her book World as Lover, World as Self, “In a very real way, all the children for centuries to come are our children. We have a living connection with all those who will come after us.”

You can learn more at www.worldfuturecouncil.org, or contact Lois Barber, North American Director, WFC lois@worldfuturecouncil.org.