Five Insights about Global Transformation from the Kosmos Study, Connecting for Change
Last year, Kosmos commissioned a communication research study to better understand an emerging global movement and how groups within the movement could connect effectively. Led by Kosmos Digital Editor Rhonda Fabian and Jen Horner, PhD, both alumni of the Anneneberg School for Communication, the study was shared widely with the Kosmos community and remains one of the most-read features on our website. You can access the longer article about the study here. Or request the full study by contacting Kosmos.
Here we summarize the key insights from the study.
By Rhonda Fabian
A growing community of noted authors, local and global activists, world spiritual figures, economists and ecologists (Influencers) are speaking urgently of a world in crisis and the simultaneous awakening around the world to a ‘new story’ of transformation, a story no longer based on greed, competition, and scarcity, but one informed by fresh expressions of cooperation, indigenous wisdom, community-building, sharing, and innovation at all scales from local to global.
To understand this ‘global transformation movement’ better, how it is articulated, maintained and shared, the Connecting for Change Study used a combination of methods including nominal group technique; a survey targeted to 80 Influencers; and content analysis of 110 websites. These sources, along with ancillary data, led to the eventual consideration of 336 people and organizations comprising the study’s area of inquiry. It was felt that combining the classic methods of influence research with content analysis would return results that, while not statistically quantifiable, might yield rich, nuanced, and actionable insights. Participants self-selected by indicating that they agreed a global transformation movement was already underway.
Five Insights from the Study
1. The Global Transformation Movement is self-organizing.
The ‘movement’ belongs to no one person, group, or belief system. It is a story in process, based not on pre-existing design, but rather as a product of dynamic self-organization. It is a story of people working together to address the world’s most profound challenges. An interconnected ‘network of circles’ is slowly self-organizing, spanning distances, cultures, and other differences. Presaged by the Occupy Movement, there is an emphasis on power-sharing, affinity groups, and participatory democracy. Small communities of practice help shape public policy on the local level and may include civic groups, economic cooperatives, art collectives, spiritual centers and more. Social media platforms and online communities provide a means to connect, scale, teach best practice, strengthen relationships, and share events in real-time such as political actions and performances.
2. The Global Transformation Movement is a values-driven ‘movement of movements’.
Climate Justice, Peacebuilding and Human Rights are seen as interrelated and inseparable movements in the quest for positive global change. Access to food, energy and water, as obvious examples, are universal rights that are at the center of many conflicts, yet are also providing new opportunities for cooperation and sharing.
Personal transformation practices like meditation and consciousness-raising, often lead to the formation of small, strong, intentional communities of practice which find expression through initiatives such as the Local Living Economy and Transition Town movements, spiritual and civic organizations, and more. The Commons, Biodiversity, and Sacred Ecology movements are also frequent mentions.
Reducing carbon footprint – at all scales – is an expressed goal, yet respondents generally describe desired ‘outcomes’ as a set of values, rather than specific milestones. Among these are the values of sharing, respect for diversity, economic and climate justice, and care for all life. Methods for advancing values and goals focus strongly on communication, education, resource sharing, and practice through local activism.
3. The Global Transformation Movement uses alternative forms of learning.
From online courses to deep-nature workshops, respondents tend to seek and create their own customized learning experiences, choosing hands-on and place-based education over traditional classrooms. There is a sensed need to unlearn and discard old assumptions, regain indigenous wisdom, and ‘relearn’ practical skills such as agriculture and permaculture, building, crafting, and arts. Others seek to build leadership skills, deepen spiritual practices, and gain expertise on specific issues. Traditional schools and universities are seen as reinforcers of the deeply entrenched status quo, or ‘old story.’
4. The Global Transformation Movement emphasizes improvisation.
Borrowing from the world of music and dance, improvisation is a collaborative and spontaneous process that allows new kinds of order to emerge. Groups engaged in transformational work are increasingly ordered by improvisational principles. More akin to a meandering stream or a flock of birds, improvisation follows a natural fluid set of rules, rather than rigid imposed ones. Improvisation requires attention, intention, communication, awareness of self and others near to the self, and awareness of the larger picture or pattern that is emerging. Thus, improvisation is an emergent process, and one expressed abundantly in nature—in the natural ways that systems connect, change, and reassemble to create powerful new forms and ideas. It is precisely at the margins, or ‘edge of chaos’—where there is just enough order to recognize a pattern, yet sufficient openness to allow new ideas to take shape—that the most powerful initiatives and practices are emerging.
5. The Global Transformation Movement is spiritual
Ideas about collective consciousness, interbeing and Oneness connect many of the thinkers in our study. The related concept of ‘global citizenship’ emerges as a way of self-identifying that reflects cooperation with and belonging to the world. Rising ecological awareness is ushering in a new era of Gaia-consciousness. Rather than viewing the Self as an isolated participant apart from Nature, the study reaffirms there is a growing belief that humans are an integral part of Nature’s intelligent design. Beneath the political, ideological, and cultural divisions at the root of so many problems here on our planet, there is common purpose—to thrive. Separateness is a fading story. Beneath all our differences a sense of unity is emerging.
Next Steps
Kosmos is developing Phase II of the research and will soon launch a related project to increase civic engagement. Aware that small, informed groups are often the key to positive action at the local level, Kosmos is developing methods to encourage the creation of such groups around critical areas of interest, support their effort and track their work. The goal is to foster connection between groups.
We welcome inquiries from potential partners to assist in our ongoing research efforts.
I agree that the Global Transformation Movement is a values-driven ‘movement of movements’. My new book, Global Values: A New Paradigm for A New World, articulates 10 values that tell the story of unity consciousness in non-sectarian terms: Unity, Community, Life, Freedom, Connection, Sustainability, Creativity, Empowerment, Choice, and Integrity. The Global Values Facebook page has gained over 289,000 fans—primarily young men from the Middle East (Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt) and South Asia (100,000 in Bangladesh). To find out more, check out http://www.OurNewEvolution.org
We did this discovery of how to live for each others well being in the early 1900’s and every decade that followed and even now we refuse to recognize that the work to realize how to live in peace as a global human family is complete. All that is left to do is let go of this competitive paradigm and create a global consensus to agree to the following…
The New World Agreement is a platform for quicken resolve into the New Paradigm. THIS NEW WORLD MODEL WILL STOP THE MADNESS AND MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY!
We the People of planet earth are gathered here on the Internet, to Agree to give every Human on the Planet full choice on how to live in harmony as diverse communities and cultures, and live in autonomy as individuals.
This is Not an Agreement for communism, socialism, or structured democracy. This Agreement is for freedom, security, dignity, and abundance for all life.
We agree that Nature has the same rights as human beings. We agree to afford our planet full recovery from mans ravaging. We agree that intense, intimate cooperation across all continents is essential to reviving our planet’s life systems, interior, surface, atmosphere, space, and waters.
We agree to afford, and give every human dignity, security, and abundance from birth till passing. We agree that all of life is free upon request; health care, education, shelter, clothing, food, water, transportation, communication, recreation, and everything not mentioned always free.
We agree that no medium of exchange like money, minerals, or profiteering will be used, or recognized as value, or used to prejudice each other’s value. Every human is given what they need, require, and desire.
We agree that equality is the source of all wisdom. We agree where conflict or poverty occurs of any kind the immediate community will realize its resolve. We agree to no policing or penalties. In severe or perverse situations humane detainment respectfully brings the matter to correction. We agree to never torture life.
We agree to no laws, and no representative governing of any kind. We agree to not organize. No heads of state or bureaucrats of any kind. No politics. No borders. No courts. No military of any kind. We agree to stop all aggression and dismantle all offensive weapons and war machines. We agree to no passports. No personal identification. No licenses.
We the people task the experts in all fields of life around the world, to cooperate across all continents, to inform and educate the people without prejudice, so that everyone can choose from self empowering truth filled knowledge, in hopes of benevolent and wise intent for all matters, and considerations.
We agree to implement solutions that maintain harmony with nature while providing dignity for all life! In cooperation, present infrastructures will be maintained until we create natural systems to replace hydro-carbon/fossil fuels, nuclear fission, coal, fracking, all non bio-degradable materials, elements, and chemicals. We agree to use hemp, hydrogen, cold fusion, the torus, solar, and other natural technologies as fast as we realize our ability to implement them.
In global cooperation we agree to convert military personnel, engineering, technology, and equipment, to recover the infrastructures, revive ecosystems, and create plumbing, water, energy, and food production systems for those without. In cooperation, we work and serve locally. We agree to re-purpose all waste, use minimal packaging, and naturalize ways of production, distribution, and transportation.
This Agreement signifies willingness to forgive all transgressions, and cooperate; to live and let live. By clicking ( I Agree ) we choose to be responsible for all matters local and Global for the well being of all life on Earth.
The people most able as peacekeepers protect individual’s FREEWILL choice to walk out of enslavement into a new world of global peace, and coherence, as billions of people transition into individual freedom, and abundance for all life.
We in-vision a GLOBAL MIND AND HEART SHIFT recognized by a critical mass’ of I Agree’s to be DECLARATION DAY … and on that DAY … every man, woman, child DECLARES their sovereignty! On that DAY, humanity reclaims this Earth Garden as our birth right and together we bring our planet back to mental, emotional, and physical health by naturalizing our world! Tevin Chidester
Thank you for sharing Tevin. Be well!
I am part of an NGO called Bhoomi Network. ( Bhoomi means Earth in many Indian Languages). I would like to know in what ways we can partner you in your research efforts.
Recently we organised a conference and workshop titled ‘Yugaantar’, which I think embodies the five processes you have outlined above!
Please email me at rfabian@kosmosjournal.org. Thanks! Rhonda
My name is Tewodros Tessema from Ethiopia .i really liked the article -its very insightful .Its sound to return to our hearts and LIVE CONSCIOUSLY ….IT IS A DIRE NEED
GOD BLESS U
Thank you. You might like the longer version as well: http://www.kosmosjournal.org/article/connecting-for-change-insights-from-an-emerging-global-transformation-movement/
Working on an outline (6-9-19) – will add more as it is refined:
1. MONEY
a. Guaranteed income
b. universal health care, housing and education, access to food and water
2. WORK AND SERVICE:
a. COMMUNITY: build communities so that they are beautiful and inspiring
b. WORK: value human-to-human jobs (teachers, social workers, elder care, disabled care, child care; police work as truly “protect and serve);
c. SERVICE: opportunities for youth and elders in community service
d. AUTOMATION: don’t automate jobs that call for human to human contact; automate manufacturing where possible, as long as universal income as guaranteed
3. GOVERNMENT
a. work out ideal balance of centralization and decentralization – subsidiarity: favor decentralization where possible but also have centralization where necessary (utilities, global transportation, public banks, etc)
i. Cities as a federation of villages/neighborhoods
ii. value local resources as much as possible
4. EDUCATION:
a. Education: about developing heart and soul as much as intellectual (truly intellectual) and vocational skills
b. emphasize hands on, placed based learning, need to unlearn old assumptions, the old story; respect indigenous wisdom, relearn practical skills like agriculture and permaculture, building, crafting, arts, leadership skills, spiritual practices,
5. ENVIRONMENT
a. preserve natural habitats, wild species
6. scientific research on balancing technology and nature
7. HOW TO DO THIS
a. INNER CHANGE:
i. Each individual can work on shifting their own consciousness
ii. begin to come together to do this, in neighborhoods, online, in schools, businesses, city councils, etc
iii. Focus primarily on inner change, values, shift of consciousness – concrete goals like reducing carbon footprint fall under these larger, more important categories
b. OUTER CHANGE:
i. create businesses, schools, healing centers, political institutions, laws, etc that foster harmonious living and harmonious brain functioning
ii. emphasis on power sharing, affinity groups, participatory democracy. may include civic groups, economic cooperatives, art collectives, spiritual centers. use social media platforms and other online communities
iii. Connect to groups already engaged:
1. local living economy, transition town, the commons, biodiversity and sacred ecology movements
c. NEW STORY: new an inspiring “story” (‘new story’) to inspire people to get together and change
i. our own contribution – in brain language, open heartful awareness as the core inner shift needed, exploring specifically how outer ‘structures,” institutions, etc can help support this inner shift
1. recognize interbeing, Oneness,
ii. can create songs, stories, videos, music, art, theater, dance, etc to convey this non linearly, to touch the heart, imagination, spark intuitive realizations, etc
iii.
iv. recognize ultimately the global transformation movement is self-organizing – there is something greater than us that we can attune to – we aren’t going to “plan” our way there or “figure out” how to do it
1. improvisational change – not “planning” – responding to being moved by recognition of something within, something we all share that is moving us all together