Section I of Designing the New World envisions a multinational, multicultural and multiracial body of wise men and women passionately committed to establishing global human security, economic equity and responsible Earth stewardship. You'll tour the Earth Stewardship Council (WSC), designed as a kind of higher-octave United Nations-like institution, that would address the festering social, political, environmental and economic problems that lie at the root of the world's inequities and the resulting impending breakdown in world order.

   The fictional WSC headquarters are located on the edge of a rainforest wilderness preserve in the environmentally proactive Central American country of Belize. The WSC would wield the influence of a large, multinational corporation.  But it departs from the UN model by providing a true representation of the many diverse voices of the global citizenry, especially the economically and politically disenfranchised.  Its outspoken public statements, never shy of targeting a major nation regarding its destructive rogue actions, are often unwelcomed by the status-quo political, corporate and military establishments, but are respected nevertheless by the world's governments and media.

     The WSC would also demonstrate a new paradigm of internal governance — modeling how other-than-human species considerations can be incorporated into the human decisionmaking process. The concept of Natural Law serves as the template for WSC programs which always seek to model sustainable and regenerative systems of design and implementation.

      WSC committees and councils serve as critical information gathering agents and decisionmaking forums. The deliberative councils propose critical legislation to national governments, and issue  advocacy-oriented advisories to international trade groups, financial institutions and corporations. Most governing and voting members of the WSC are representatives of NGOs or non-governmental organizations. Representatives are democratically elected by grassroots and community groups, and are selected for their ability to think holistically. In particular, the WSC solicits men and women with a special blend of intelligence, wisdom, and deep compassion for the Earth and all its beings.

From a reporter's notebook — Inside the WSC:

       "I looked up.  A scalpel of sunlight descended, temporarily blinding me. The tropical brilliance cascaded through a labyrinth of beveled glass set between the polished wooden beams arching gracefully overhead. Multicolored murals adorned the spacious meeting room. Fabulous and detailed scenes depicting endangered plants, animals, and Native cultures were no doubt intended to remind the delegates of what was at stake beyond the building’s walls. The interplay of dissonant languages generated an unintelligible chorus that overflowed the expectant space. My eyes scanned hungrily, struggling to absorb the rich extravagance of images, sounds and ambiance as quickly as possible. No effort had been spared to ensure that the visual impact of the decor would reinforce the lofty ideals of the institution."

HISTORY

      WSC founders realized the urgent need to create an international consortium of multidisciplinary experts and grassroots activists willing to take action on issues existing international organizations and national governments were either unwilling or unable to address. At essence, the WSC is an organizational body guided by the authentic representation of all the world’s people and possessed with the intention and the resources to bring about fundamental global change. Additionally, the WSC seeks to help move humanity toward a more equitable and dignified presence on the planet. 

 A NEW STORY — As described by a WSC staff member

      “We think of ourselves as messengers. We’re here to let people know they have options and choices. That they have some control over their lives and don't have to accept the present dysfunctional world as it is.

     "And what really excites us is creating opportunities for evolutionary breakouts. Evolutionary breakouts are individuals who can cast off outdated ways of programmed being and doing and can commit to a new story of human response — an improved model of Homo Sapiens that seeks to replace the old pattern of rage, revenge and retribution with compassion, generosity and universal tolerance.

      Designing the New World endeavors to describe a reality in which those who truly care about a compassionate future for the planet are invited to dream together about how a new world based on humane collaboration might look. And I invite my fellow dreamers to do more than dream. Let's design a new paradigm and implement our visions as well.

But there's more. Be sure to check out the International Center for Appropriate Technology, the Southwest Intercultural’s SunSpirit Village and the PsyEarth Institute.

Together, let's envison a new world that truly serves all life in a healthy, compassionate and loving way.