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Today ,we, at Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI), mourn the loss of Nelson Mandela - a brave and inspirational champion of human rights, humility, justice, dialogue, cooperation, forgiveness, reconciliation, and the common good.
Nelson Mandela appreciated knowledge, wisdom and education. He cherished freedom and the ability of an individual to contribute to the whole of society. He always said that a good head and a good heart is always a formidable combination. And, he often measured a society by the way it treats its children, and the weakest members of the community.
He was the epitome of selflessness, grace and dignity. Rather than personal gain, he devoted his life to working on behalf of the common good. He was a once-in-a-lifetime, transformational figure.
By the force of his amazing personality, his incredible achievements, his sweeping vision, his enormous generosity and his admirable values, Nelson Mandela's presence served -- and will continue to serve -- as a beacon for all those who believed in the power of goodness eventually overcoming divisive evil.
Thank you very much Nelson Mandela- The Man for the Common Good - for all the good that you delivered to so many, and for all those that you helped, both in South Africa and well beyond. We are deeply indebted to you. We will never forget you.
I can only say that Africa and the world have lost a great leader, a friend and mentor. I am praying in my own way for Nelson Mandela and I ask The Almighty to ensure his continuous love, affection, guidance and wisdom for us all to continue his work and vision to do all we do in the interest of the common good. May God grant him eternal rest; he was, in the old idiom, a lovely man, who if required may still be a peacemaker in heaven.
And now I very much wish to share with you one of his most inspiring speeches, where he so beautifully and eloquently talked about goodness, wisdom, hope and the common good.
Mandela's wish for South Africa
10 May 2004
‘There are many theoretical debates about the meaning of democracy that I am not qualified to enter into. A guiding principle in our search for and establishment of a non-racial inclusive democracy in our country has been that there are good men and women to be found in all groups and from all sectors of society; and that in an open and free society those South Africans will come together to jointly and co-operatively realise the common good.’
Nelson Mandela bade farewell to Parliament on Monday 10 May 2004 – 10 years to the day after he was sworn in as South Africa's first democratically elected president – urging South Africans never to forget their past, but to use it as a guide in overcoming the challenges still facing the country.
His wish, he said, was that South Africans "never give up on the belief in goodness".
"Let us never be unmindful of the terrible past from which we come," Mandela told a special sitting of Parliament in Cape Town. That memory should be used "not as a means to keep us shackled to the past in a negative manner, but rather as a joyous reminder of how far we have come and how much we have achieved".
The country's history of division, injustice and suffering ought to "inspire us to celebrate our own demonstration of the capacity of human beings to progress, to go forward, to improve, to do better".
We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people. "Historical enemies succeeded in negotiating a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy exactly because we were prepared to accept the inherent capacity for goodness in the other.
"My wish is that South Africans never give up on the belief in goodness, that they cherish that faith in human beings as a cornerstone of our democracy."
Nelson Mandela's final address to Parliament
Address during a joint sitting of Parliament to mark 10 years of democracy in South Africa, Monday 10 May 2004, Cape Town
“Madam Speaker, Mister President, Honourable Members
We are deeply moved and humbled by your magnanimous gesture in inviting us to address this joint session of the two houses of parliament. We are aware, Madam Speaker, that an exception to the standing rules had to be made in order to allow a retired old pensioner, who is neither a member of parliament nor the serving head of state of any country, to address you.
We remember, Madam Speaker, that on this exact day ten years ago democratic South Africa celebrated its ceremonial birth with the inauguration of its first president and two deputy presidents.
We recall the joy and excitement of a nation that had found itself: the collective relief that we had stepped out of our restrictive past and the expectant air of walking into a brighter future.
The national climate was one of magnanimity and a great generosity of spirit. As a people we were enormously proud of what we had achieved, negotiating amongst ourselves a peaceful resolution to what was regarded as one of the most intractable situations of conflict in the world.
Hope and confidence
We were not unaware of or blind to the extent, depth and gravity of the challenges ahead of us as we set out on that day to transform, reconstruct and develop our nation and our society.
However, the overwhelming feelings in those early days of democratic nationhood were of hope and confidence. We had miraculously – as many said – transcended the deep divisions of our past to create a new inclusive democratic order; we had confidence that as a nation we would similarly confront and deal with the challenges of reconstruction and development.
Madam Speaker, this old man – who was greatly honoured by the nation and parliament to be elected founding president of democratic South Africa – notes with immense satisfaction and pride today the persistence and strengthening of that spirit of generosity, magnanimity and confident hopefulness about the future of our nation.
Merely observing this parliament inspires national pride and confidence. We, the people of South Africa, the Preamble to our Constitution states, believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity. The make-up of this Parliament confirms that the people of South Africa had spoken in all its diversity, asserting the strength of our unity in diversity.
Voice of the people
Allow us, Madam Speaker to congratulate you, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and your deputies on your election to these important and prestigious positions in our democracy. Parliament is the voice of the people and you, the presiding officers, bear a heavy responsibility in ensuring that that voice is clearly heard in national affairs and that its role be protected and defended.
Similarly, our congratulations to all the members of parliament in whom the nation has put its trust. Yours is the almost sacred duty to ensure government by the people under the Constitution.
Madam Speaker, we also wish to extend congratulations to our president and to those that he has appointed as members of his national Cabinet and to the positions of provincial Premiers.
I have said it so often, but want to repeat it here at what must certainly be the last time that parliament will bend its own rules to allow me to address it: no president or prime minister in the history of this country can claim to have done more for the people and the country than has been achieved by President Thabo Mbeki.
National future
He is a modest man and I know he would prefer that I do not sing his personal praises, but his achievement as president and national leader is the embodiment of what our nation is capable of. Public acknowledgement of his achievements is to affirm ourselves as a nation, to assert the confidence with which we face our national future and conduct ourselves on the international stage.
Thank you, Mister President, for leading us with such vision and dedication to your task.
Assuming, Madam Speaker, that Parliament is not cavalier about its own rules and that this is my last address to this House: what do I wish for our democracy in this second decade that we have entered?
Let us never be unmindful of the terrible past from which we come – using that memory not as a means to keep us shackled to the past in a negative manner, but rather as a joyous reminder of how far we have come and how much we have achieved.
The memory of a history of division and hate, injustice and suffering, inhumanity of person against person should inspire us to celebrate our own demonstration of the capacity of human beings to progress, to go forward, to improve, to do better.
There are many theoretical debates about the meaning of democracy that I am not qualified to enter into. A guiding principle in our search for and establishment of a non-racial inclusive democracy in our country has been that there are good men and women to be found in all groups and from all sectors of society; and that in an open and free society those South Africans will come together to jointly and co-operatively realise the common good.
Never give up
My wish is that South Africans never give up on the belief in goodness, that they cherish that faith in human beings as a cornerstone of our democracy.
The first value mentioned under the founding principles of our Constitution is that of human dignity. We accord persons dignity by assuming that they are good, that they share the human qualities we ascribe to ourselves.
Historical enemies succeeded in negotiating a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy exactly because we were prepared to accept the inherent capacity for goodness in the other. We live in a world where there is enough reason for cynicism and despair.
We watch as two of the leading democracies, two leading nations of the free world, get involved in a war that the United Nations did not sanction; we look on with horror as reports surface of terrible abuses against the dignity of human beings held captive by invading forces in their own country.
Cynicism and despair
We see how the powerful countries – all of them democracies – manipulate multilateral bodies to the great disadvantage and suffering of the poorer developing nations.
There is enough reason for cynicism and despair. But then we should take heart from our own experience and performance. Let us refrain from chauvinistic breast-beating; but let also not underrate what we have achieved in establishing a stable and progressive democracy where we take freedoms seriously; in building national unity in spite of decades and centuries of apartheid and colonial rule; in creating a culture in which we increasingly respect the dignity of all.
Inspiration
In a cynical world we have become an inspiration to many. We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.
Poverty, unemployment, preventable disease and ill-health, and other forms of social deprivation continue to blot our landscape as we strive to give content to the democratic commitment of a better life for all. Nothing impairs the dignity of a person so much as not being able to find work and gainful employment. HIV/Aids continues to threaten our future in a particularly frightening manner.
Our democracy must bring its material fruits to all, particularly the poor, marginalised and vulnerable. Our belief in the common good ultimately translates in to a deep concern for those that suffer want and deprivation of any kind.
Inclusiveness
We are inspired by the commitment that has emerged from all parties that have participated in the past elections. This parliament, leading into the second decade of democracy, promises to take seriously that contract with the people to improve their lives.
We are impressed by the spirit of inclusiveness exuded by our legislature and our executive. We are warmed by the spirit of generosity that continues to characterise our nation and national efforts.
Madam Speaker, we thank Parliament for this opportunity to greet the dawn of our second decade of democracy. We wish you well.
May God protect our people.
Nkosi sikelel’iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso.
God seen Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa.
Mudzimu thatutshedza Afrika. Hosi katekisa Afrika.”
See the original source of this article:( SouthAfrica.info)
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‘Common Good Reaffirmed: A Vision for America and the World’
The concept of the common good, an idea that winds through time from Aristotle to Saint Thomas Aquinas, to the U.S. Founding Fathers and, on the way, through a number of popes and many others was the theme of a conference organised by the Centre for American Progress, and hosted at Georgetown University on October 18, 2006.
John Podesta, President and CEO of the Centre, opened the event ‘Common Good Reaffirmed: A Vision for America and the World’ by noting that in today’s tumultuous landscape, revisiting this old yet powerful moral principle is important. The panel’s speakers developed and expanded the notion of the common good as a concept in contemporary politics and society that needs to be reinvigorated for the good of all people—both in America and beyond, Podesta noted.
The Conference’s keynote speech was delivered by President Bill Clinton. Speaking at his alma mater, under the banner of securing the “common good,” President Clinton reflected on his eight years in office, and delivered, what I can only describe as a very moving and inspiring speech on the common good, the philosophy, meaning and action.
As the Founder of the Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative, I am very pleased to share with you a summary of the speech and also a link to a video where you, too, can watch the entire lecture.
President Bill Clinton on "Securing the Common Good"- Details
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‘A new economics: Teaching of discipline needs to rely less on abstract models’-Financial Times editorial (November 12, 2013)
This leader is welcome news for those of us who have been pointing out the inadequacy of the economics syllabus at universities for years. To appreciate the significance of this editorial in aiding a better understanding of the economic crisis, I would like to quote a couple of important and relevant passages:
‘The failure of the dismal science to predict and explain the worst financial crash since the Depression has understandably prompted some reflection among the more thoughtful ranks of academics.
‘The case for new thinking is strong. Economics teaching – even to first-year undergraduates – had before the crisis become too wedded to scientific pretension. Excessive faith was invested in abstract mathematical models, while insufficient effort was made to link these to real-life experience. The absence of topicality not only robbed the subject of interest and excitement, it risked not equipping the student with the skills to grapple with everyday problems.
‘The recital of laws and ritual genuflection towards mathematical models may lend the subject a certain intellectual respectability, but much of this is spurious.
‘There are stirrings in the academic gloaming. The failure to predict the crash not only unsettled Queen Elizabeth II – who famously gathered some economists together to ask them how they had missed it. There has been some soul-searching among academics too.
‘There is a recognition that disciplines such as psychology, history and finance need to be more firmly embedded in economics teaching. The route to publication in top journals should involve empirical research, not just the firing up of an Excel spreadsheet.
‘But, as the crisis showed, we should be humble about the limits of our knowledge. Substituting a little humility for pretension would be a welcome step.’
And now a note from Kamran Mofid to the Editor of Financial Times:
Sir, I have read your editorial ‘A new economics’ with much interest. You conclude your piece by asking the economics profession to substitute a little humility for pretension as the first step to a new economics: I wholeheartedly agree.
However, may I respectfully ask you to let me know if you had ever written an editorial in similar vein before the crash of September 2008? Had you ever encouraged your readers to think about economic pluralism? Have you ever encouraged a dialogue of disciplines, ideas and visions in the study and practice of economics: a dialogue between economics, ethics, philosophy, spirituality, and the common good? Have you ever encouraged the wealth-creators that read your paper to reflect on ‘Why’ and ‘How’ wealth is produced and, more importantly, when wealth is created, ‘What’ it is going to be used for?
Knowing how busy you are, may I share with you a short passage on the subject from a book I wrote in 2005, well before the crash of September 2008:
‘From 1980 onwards, for the next twenty years, I taught economics in universities, enthusiastically demonstrating how economic theories provided answers to problems of all sorts. I got quite carried away by the beauty, the sophisticated elegance, of complicated mathematical models and theories. But gradually I started to have an empty feeling.
‘I began to ask fundamental questions of myself. Why did I never talk to my students about compassion, dignity, comradeship, solidarity, happiness, spirituality – about the meaning of life? We never debated the biggest questions. Who are we? Where have we come from? Where are we going to?
‘I told them to create wealth, but I did not tell them for what reason. I told them about scarcity and competition, but not about abundance and co-operation. I told them about free trade, but not about fair trade; about GNP – Gross National Product – but not about GNH – Gross National Happiness. I told them about profit maximisation and cost minimisation, about the highest returns to the shareholders, but not about social consciousness, accountability to the community, sustainability and respect for creation and the creator. I did not tell them that, without humanity, economics is a house of cards built on shifting sands.
‘These conflicts caused me much frustration and alienation, leading to heartache and despair. I needed to rediscover myself and real-life economics. After a proud twenty-year or so academic career, I became a student all over again. I would study theology, philosophy and ethics, disciplines nobody had taught me when I was a student of economics and I did not teach my own students when I became a teacher of economics.
‘It was at this difficult time that I came to understand that I needed to bring spirituality, compassion, ethics and morality back into economics itself, to make this dismal science once again relevant to and concerned with the common good.’
I then went on to found the Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative to work towards this.
Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI): A Brief Introduction and Summary
Guided by the principles of hard work, commitment, volunteerism and service; with a great passion for dialogue of cultures, civilisations, religions, ideas and visions, at an international conference in Oxford in 2002 the Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI) and the GCGI Annual International Conference Series were founded.
We recognise that our socio-economic problems are closely linked to our spiritual problems and vice versa. Moreover, socio-economic justice, peace and harmony will come about only when the essential connection between the spiritual and practical aspects of life is valued. Necessary for this journey is to discover, promote and live for the common good. The principle of the common good reminds us that we are all really responsible for each other – we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers – and must work for social conditions which ensure that every person and every group in society is able to meet their needs and realize their potential. It follows that every group in society must take into account the rights and aspirations of other groups, and the well-being of the whole human family.
One of the greatest challenges of our time is to apply the ideas of the global common good to practical problems and forge common solutions. Translating the contentions of philosophers, spiritual and religious scholars and leaders into agreement between policymakers and nations is the task of statesmen and citizens, a challenge to which Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI) adheres. The purpose is not simply talking about the common good, or simply to have a dialogue, but the purpose is to take action, to make the common good and dialogue work for all of us, benefiting us all.
What the GCGI seeks to offer - through its scholarly and research programme, as well as its outreach and dialogue projects - is a vision that positions the quest for economic and social justice, peace and ecological sustainability within the framework of a spiritual consciousness and a practice of open-heartedness, generosity and caring for others. All are thus encouraged by this vision and consciousness to serve the common good.
The GCGI has from the very beginning invited us to move beyond the struggle and confusion of a preoccupied economic and materialistic life to a meaningful and purposeful life of hope and joy, gratitude, compassion, and service for the good of all.
Perhaps our greatest accomplishment has been our ability to bring Globalisation for the Common Good into the common vocabulary and awareness of a greater population along with initiating the necessary discussion as to its meaning and potential in our personal and collective lives.
In short, at Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative we are grateful to be contributing to that vision of a better world, given the goals and objectives that we have been championing since 2002. For that we are most grateful to all our friends and supporters that have made this possible.
Finally, I extend a very warm invitation to you to consider participating at the GCGI 12th Annual International Conference, where you can expand further on your editorial of November 12, and sharing your wisdom and insight on what ‘A new economics’ could look like. Please see below for conference details.
Once again, I thank you for your brilliant input and the timely editorial.
Prof. Kamran Mofid PhD (ECON)
Read more:
For a selection of related readings see:
Stop the Seeds of Destruction: Toward teaching economics of the real world
The Values of the GCGI which we hold very dearly
We value caring and kindness
We value passion and positive energy
We value service and volunteerism
We value simplicity and humility
We value trust, openness, and transparency
We value values-led education
We value harmony with nature
We value non-violent conflict resolution
We value interfaith, inter-civilisational and inter-generational dialogue
We value teamwork and collaboration
We value challenge and excellence
We value fun and play
We value curiosity and innovation
We value health and wellbeing
We value a sense of adventure
We value people, communities and cultures
We value friendship, cooperation and responsibility
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- Prof. Mofid to speak at the 3rd CGDC Annual Meeting, 3-4 December 2013, Vienna
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