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Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative

Founded in 2002 at an international conference in Oxford, the GCGI is the UK’s leading progressive think tank, producing cutting-edge research and innovative policy ideas for a just, democratic and sustainable world. For the last 10 years, GCGI has helped shape the progressive thinking that is now the political centre ground. Independent and radical, we are committed to combating inequality, empowering citizens, promoting social responsibility, creating a sustainable economy and revitalising democracy. Best known for our influential work on Globalisation for the Common Good, Business Ethics& Corporate Social Responsibility, Value-led Economics and Business Education, Interfaith Dialogue and Dialogue amongst Civilisations and more, we now have significant cooperative projects with a number of universities, think tanks and civil societies in many countries around the world. GCGI’s media programme and its influential online Journal, Journal of Globalisation for the Common Good, hosted at Purdue University, has since its inception in 2005 made significant contribution in furthering progressive goals in education and media policy.
Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative Programme

Over the last decade, and more seriously since the financial crisis of the 2008, the development engine appears to have stalled in many countries and regions. Most countries are experiencing falling growth rates, rising unemployment, increased inequality, and environmental degradation. Many in the developing world have come to view free trade and financial liberalization not as pathways to prosperity, but as tools of exploitation and destruction.
A growing body of innovative and progressive scholarship and research offers promising strategies for sustainable development and a more harmonious and fairer globalisation. Yet, these proposals have not been disseminated in a coordinated fashion. In response to this challenge, the Globalisation for the Common Good Programme provides a forum for pragmatic alternatives to the current global economic disorder and mismanagement.

MISSION
To highlight the best new thinking on how globalisation for the common good might be realised. Our vision is to rekindle the human spirit in order to make globalisation good.   

PHILOSOPHY
Building a sustainable global economy, that begins with protecting fundamental freedoms, maximizing human fulfillment, potential, happiness, well-being and innovation. This process must be guided by an ethical and spiritual framework. Whilst discarding the conceit that all norms are equally valid, neither does the GCGI view Western norms as the only acceptable lens through which to view ethical and spiritual questions. Dialogue among societies with diverse traditions is essential for cooperation on tough global challenges.

CONTEXT
In our work and research, since the early days of 2002, we have offered a vision that positions the quest for economic and social justice, peace and ecological sustainability, ethical and corporate social responsibility within the framework of a spiritual consciousness grounded in the practice of open-heartedness, generosity, and caring for others.  The GCGI concept is inclusive, mindful of environment and the human connection to nature.  Our vision encourages us to believe that real, viable, sustainable, ethical, and profitable capitalism is possible.  What is needed to realize our vision is a more inclusive holistic view of “the bottom line.”  Success needs to be redefined in a manner that leads to dramatic transformation of people and societies spiritually, economically, socially, and environmentally, if we desire to pass on a better world to our children and grand-children.

METHOD
We develop and disseminate innovative ideas for the realization of the Globalisation for the Common Good through:

Global Annual Conference Series
Since its establishment at a major Conference in Oxford in 2002, the GCGI International Conference Series has become an annual event growing as it has traveled across the globe through Saint Petersburg (2003), Dubai(2004), Kenya(2005), Honolulu(2006: Chaminade University), and Istanbul(2007: Fatih University). The 2008 conference was leld at Trinity College, University of Melbourne, and the 2009 conference was hosted at Loyola University, Chicago, whilst the 2010 conference was hosted at the California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. The 2011 Conference will be hosted at the Bibliotheca Alexandria (postponed as a result of the Revolution in Egypt).
Journal of Globalization for the Common Good – GCGI publishes its influential online Journal, Journal of Globalisation for the Common Good, hosted at Purdue University, USA
GCGI Global Partnership, Dialogue and Collaboration
GCGI is now recognised as an initiative that has succeeded in establishing a large, vigorous, interdisciplinary, inter-faith and spiritual team of researchers to focus on issues of globalisation, the common good and other related subjects. The expertise of those who have supported the GCGI includes economics, business studies, political science, international relations, history, philosophy, sociology, social anthropology, psychology, media studies, geography, environmental studies, mathematics, physics, chemistry, education, development studies, peace and conflict resolution, law, ethics and theology.

GCGI has initiated major programmes of reaserach and scholarly activities, resulting in many fruitful and rewarding outcomes in the following areas, amongst others:

  • The Common Good Happiness Project: A Spiritual Quest for the Good Life
  • What would a new economics and economy look like?
  • Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative Community (GCGI Community)
  • Value-Led Economics and Business Education
  • Globalisation for the Common Good and the Dialogue of Civilisations: Building Peace, Justice, and Prosperity Together
  • Religion in Public Life
  • Mass Media, Social Responsibility, and Ethics: The Quest for Ethical and Balanced Reporting
  • Ethical Leadership and the Global Economic Crisis
  • Lessons in Equality, Social Justice, and Ecological Balance from Indigenous Cultures
  • Putting Well-being at the Heart of Economics and Business Education
  • Spiritual Capital: Wealth We Can Live By
  • Building a Better Business
  • Making Globalisation Work: Dialogue as a Keystone for Progress
  • The Healing Power of Doing Good
  • Perspectives on Peace, Justice, and Ecological Sustainability
  • Cultural Diversity and Shared Values
  • Non-violent conflict resolution and democratic governance
  • Common Wealth and the Virtuous Economy- A Theological and Spiritual Understanding of Economics, Business and Finance
  • The Wisdom of Indigenous Peoples
  • Increasing Inequality Places Democracy, Community, and Relationships at Risk
  • The Environment: Our Greatest Common Treasure


In pursuit of its scholarly activities, research, publications and conferences, workshops and seminars, the GCGI has significantly benefited from its rewarding cooperation and engagement with the following universities, think tanks and civil societies, amongst others:

  • Plater Jesuit College, Oxford, UK
  • Kellogg College, Oxford, UK
  • University of Birmingham, UK
  • Durham University, UK
  • Fatih University, Istanbul, Turkey
  • La Trobe University, Australia
  • Trinity College, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
  • California Lutheran University, USA
  • Loyola University, Chicago, USA
  • Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
  • Renaissance Institute, Sofia University, Tokyo, Japan
  • World Congress of Faiths, Oxford, UK
  • The Intercultural Dialogue Platform, Istanbul, Turkey
  • World Public Forum, Dialogue of Civilisations, Moscow and Vienna, Russia and Austria
  • Dialogue Forum, Bibliotheca Alexandria, Egypt
  • Institute for Ecological Security, Saint Petersburg, Russia