Alain Ruche
Now a retired EU official, Alain Ruche spent most of his career assigned in four continents. In recent years, he focused on complex adaptive systems and policymaking, including on the role of artists for social change. Alain is a fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar, of the UK Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Club of Rome (EU Chapter), and a Global Ambassador of Kosmos Journal. He is also involved in local organizations working on the urban commons.
Finding Wisdom at the Edges
News Item
by Alain Ruche, Kosmos Ambassador
Because we are addicted to stories with an ‘ending’, in particular a happy one that erases our responsibility, we feel lost when facing ambiguity. But, sometimes there are no answers, or the answers are extremely uncomfortable. In present times, we must develop the humility and maturity to feel at ease with the unknown and live every moment in awareness, learning from what emerges. Emergence happens most vibrantly at the blurred edges.
Artistic Practices for Social Change
Article
Theory comes from practice—feeling comfortable with the unknown, with humility and compassion, in a very, very complex world ~ Alain […]
International Cultural Engagement- Part One: Are We at the Tipping Point?
Article
Culture has been described as the social programming of minds. Recent collective and global transformative events have expanded participation in […]
New Global Governance is in the Making, and It Looks Good
Article
“If governance is the art of governing, then it is clear that governance is in crisis, at every level. The level at which governance is most often conceived—the nation state—is simply unworkable. International organizations lack legitimacy, are stuck by vested interests and are ruled by the majority. Nobody believes anymore in reforming the UN Security Council. What is striking is that most of the pillars of our society are under stress: family, trade unions, enterprises, political parties, universities, religion and the like.”
Kosmos Ex-Post Ambassador: A Testimony
Article
Most of my professional career was spent on assignments outside of Europe. I have worked mostly in the development field, mainly for the European Union of which I have been a civil servant for the last three decades. Besides diplomatic functions associated with the job, I also remember a life made of packing and unpacking from house to house in ten countries and four continents. Traditional diplomacy was a necessity. However, sense-making and learning from the ground appeared more efficient—and more enjoyable—than toasting with dubious political benefits. Diplomacy was born on the understanding that it is wiser to listen rather than to eat the messenger, so there was no risk for me!