an online book by David Gurteen
A better world would be more equitable, with less poverty and more access to resources and opportunities for all. It would be a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and where we live sustainably and preserve the environment for future generations.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to address a broad range of interconnected global challenges, including poverty eradication, environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic growth, under the guiding principle of "leaving no one behind." Designed to replace the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs apply universally to all countries, irrespective of their development status, and seek to promote peace, prosperity, and the health of the planet.
Each goal is further divided into specific targets—totaling 169—and measured by 232 unique indicators to track progress. Key goals include ending poverty (SDG 1), achieving gender equality (SDG 5), combating climate change (SDG 13), and fostering global partnerships (SDG 17). However, progress has been uneven and faces significant obstacles, such as rising inequality, climate change, biodiversity loss, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SDGs emphasize the indivisibility of sustainable development's social, economic, and environmental dimensions, advocating for inclusive policies and practices at global, national, and local levels. Despite their non-binding nature, the SDGs have influenced global debates, policy agendas, and institutional priorities, though transformative change remains limited. Collaborative financing, technological innovation, and a strengthened global partnership are critical for achieving these ambitious goals by 2030.
Credit: Wikipedia - Sustainable_Development_GoalsThe traditional assumption that “knowledge is power” and is used for personal gain is being subsumed by the notion that knowledge is an expression of the shared responsibilities for the collective well-being of humanity and the planet as a whole. Credit: Jeremy Rifkin The Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in … Continue reading Knowledge Is an Expression of Shared Responsibilities Jeremy Rifkin
Gurteen Knowledge Blog May 30, 2022, 10:07I am sure you are familiar with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals but have you heard of the Inner Development Goals? This is how they are described. In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals gave us a comprehensive plan for a sustainable world by 2030. The 17 goals cover a wide … Continue reading Inner Development Goals Transformational skills for sustainable development
Doing good: it is the only vocation that makes us worthy of being here as inhabitants of the world. Attempting to do good is an act of intelligence before it is a moral duty. We take our seat at the table of life just as though at a great feast, and in life, as with … Continue reading Doing Good Andrea Bocelli
We can choose to be audacious enough to take responsibility for the entire human family. We can choose to make our love for the world what our lives are really about. Each of us has the opportunity, the privilege, to make a difference in creating a world that works for all of us. It will … Continue reading Choose to Be Audacious Enough to Take Responsibility for the Entire Human Family Werner Erhard
Despite current ads and slogans, the world doesn’t change one person at a time. It changes when networks of relationships form among people who share a common cause and vision of what’s possible. This is good news for those of us intent on creating a positive future. Rather than worry about critical mass, our work … Continue reading The World Doesn’t Change One Person at a Time Meg Wheatley
I believe we can change the world if we start listening to one another again. Simple, honest, human conversation. Not mediation, negotiation, problem-solving, debate, or public meetings. Simple, truthful conversation where we each have a chance to speak, we each feel heard, and we each listen well. Credit: Meg Wheatley Source: Turning to One AnotherPosts … Continue reading I Believe We Can Change the World If We Start Listening to One Another Again Meg Wheatley
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. Credit Margaret Mead Posts where this quotation is embedded Caring We naturally take responsibility for the people and the things that we care about Cognitive Surplus Untapping our human potential Global Consciousness The capacity and disposition … Continue reading A Small Group of Thoughtful, Committed Citizens Can Change the World Margaret Mead
Gurteen Knowledge Blog September 3, 2022, 16:22When I first started to think about Conversational Leadership, one of the foundational principles I wrote about was the need for us all to take responsibility for the changes we wish to see in the world. But that was six years ago, and I have since read and reflected more … Continue reading Take Responsibility There are several ways in which to take more responsibility for our lives
My personal feeling is that this is how any further improvement of the world will be done: by individuals making Quality decisions and that’s all. God, I don’t want to have any more enthusiasm for big programs full of social planning for big masses of people that leave individual Quality out. These can be left … Continue reading Only Individuals Making Quality Decisions Will Improve the World Robert M. Pirsig
You are not here merely to prepare to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget this errand. Credit: Woodrow Wilson Source: Ideals … Continue reading You Are Not Here Merely to Make a Living Woodrow Wilson
Enough of the imbalance that is causing the degradation of our environment, the demise of our democracies, and the denigration of ourselves. Enough of the pendulum politics of left and right and paralysis in the political center. We require an unprecedented form of radical renewal. In this book, Rebalancing Society, Henry Mintzberg offers a new … Continue reading Rebalancing Society: Radical Renewal Beyond Left, Right, and Center by Henry Mintzberg (2015)
The problems the world is facing now, including ecological damage, natural disasters, poverty, species loss, political upheaval, refugee trauma, and even health epidemics, can all be described as complex, that is, they are born of circumstances that are multi-causal and non-linear. This complexity vexes the traditional problem-solving model of separating the problems into singularly defined … Continue reading Complex Problems Require an Entirely Different Approach in Assessment, and Action Nora Bateson
Gurteen Knowledge Blog August 3, 2021, 14:58Henry David Thoreau has had an enormous influence on me ever since I lived in Carlisle, Massachusetts, a few miles up the road from Concord and Walden Pond, where he wrote his book Walden. This quotation below from Walden has always strongly resonated with me. There are a thousand hacking … Continue reading Start Hacking at the Branches of Evil Making an impact
Gurteen Knowledge Blog December 21, 2022, 16:58Over Christmas, I listened to and was intrigued by the annual Reith Lectures. The Reith Lectures were inaugurated in 1948 by the BBC to mark the contribution made to public service broadcasting by Lord Reith, the corporation’s first director-general. Four speakers featured in this year’s Reith Lectures: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, … Continue reading The 2022 Reith Lectures: the Four Freedoms BBC
There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root, and it may be that he who bestows the largest amount of time and money on the needy is doing the most by his mode of life to produce that misery which he strives in vain to … Continue reading There Are a Thousand Hacking at the Branches of Evil Henry David Thoreau (1854)
We own collective responsibility for the global conditions that we impact and that impact us. We will not make these changes based on authority-based leadership, but rather with each of us taking a leadership role. Credit: Ronald Heifetz Posts where this quotation is embedded Caring We naturally take responsibility for the people and the things that … Continue reading We Are Collectively Responsible for Global Conditions Ronald Heifetz
Gurteen Knowledge Blog September 6, 2023, 08:33Too often, we see ourselves as passive recipients of the world rather than active shapers. We view problems as created by others and wait for leaders or institutions to solve them. This traps us in a vicious cycle of reaction and entitlement. We need to reclaim a sense of personal … Continue reading Beyond Blame and Entitlement Taking responsibility for the world we create
Our faith in love and justice calls upon us to build a better world than the one we have found. It calls upon us to give back to the world all the good things we have received, so the less fortunate or most vulnerable members of our society get a chance to achieve a life … Continue reading Our Faith in Love and Justice Calls Upon Us to Build a Better World Andrea Bocelli
Gurteen Knowledge Blog August 29, 2023, 18:13I think finding success today is about more than just chasing our dreams. It’s got to be about using our unique gifts to make the world a little better, too. Going after big personal goals is fine, but making a real difference takes things to another level. We’ve all got … Continue reading The New Meaning of Success Going beyond personal goals
The fundamental cause of trouble in the world today is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt. Credit: Bertrand Russell Source: Mortals and Others (1931-35)Posts where this quotation is embedded Caring We naturally take responsibility for the people and the things that we care about Cognitive Surplus Untapping our human potential Global Consciousness … Continue reading The Fundamental Cause of Trouble in the World Bertrand Russell
Gurteen Knowledge Blog February 11, 2022, 17:00In my blook, I write about creating a better, sustainable world, but better is a value-laden word. In what way better? Better for who? Even Adolf Hitler thought he was making a better world. So what do I mean by a better world? I have still not completed the post, … Continue reading What Does It Take to Create a Better World? Even Adolf Hitler thought he was making a better world.
One says to me, “I wonder that you do not lay up money; you love to travel; you might take the cars and go to Fitchburg to-day and see the country.” But I am wiser than that. I have learned that the swiftest traveller is he that goes afoot. I say to my friend, Suppose … Continue reading Grading the Whole Surface of the Planet Henry David Thoreau
Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. Credit: Howard Thurman Posts where this quotation is embedded Caring We naturally take responsibility for the people and the things that we care about Cognitive Surplus Untapping our human potential Global … Continue reading The World Needs Is People Who Have Come Alive Howard Thurman
Contemplate the possibility that you have something very real to offer the world and that the world itself will be much less than it could be if you fail to bring that forward. Credit: Jordan Peterson Source: Jordan Peterson’s message to Gen Z | ARC Conference 2023Posts where this quotation is embedded Caring We naturally take … Continue reading Contemplate the Possibility That You Have Something Very Real to Offer the World Jordan B Peterson
Gurteen Knowledge Blog December 15, 2020, 14:40I love Seth Godin’s blog. Almost every post is short, and each one is a gem. Here is a lovely example titled Ten questions for work that matters. What are you doing that’s difficult? What are you doing that people believe only you can do? Who are you connecting? What … Continue reading Ten Questions for Work That Matters What contribution are you making?
Gurteen Knowledge Blog March 7, 2022, 17:02We all care about our own well-being and the well-being of our family. It’s our prime purpose to look after ourselves and our loved ones. Most of us live our whole lives thinking mainly about ourselves, our careers, and our families. We may give to charity, do a little in … Continue reading We Have Two Purposes in Life A personal one and a societal one
Proselytism is solemn nonsense, it makes no sense. We need to get to know each other, listen to each other and improve our knowledge of the world around us. Sometimes after a meeting I want to arrange another one because new ideas are born and I discover new needs. This is important: to get to … Continue reading Proselytism Is Solemn Nonsense Pope Francis
AustraliaAustriaBrazilCanadaChinaCzech RepublicEgyptFranceGermanyGlobalIndiaItalyJapanMexicoNetherlandsPolandSaudia ArabiaSingaporeSpainTurkeyUAEUnited KingdomUnited States As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase a book via this site. Posts where this book is embedded Caring We naturally take responsibility for the people and the things that we care about Cognitive Surplus Untapping our human potential Global Consciousness The capacity and disposition to … Continue reading Worldview Dynamics and the Well-being of Nations Richard Barrett (2020)
The more people sort themselves out, the more responsibility they will take for the world around them and the more problems they will solve. If we put ourselves in order, perhaps we will do the same for the world. Credit: Jordan Peterson Source: TwitterPosts where this quotation is embedded Caring We naturally take responsibility for the … Continue reading If We Put Ourselves in Order, Perhaps We Will Do the Same for the World Jordan Peterson
In this book, Value(s): Building a Better World for All, Mark Carney (an economist and former banker) reflects on his experiences that examine the shortcomings and challenges of the market in the past decade, which he argues has led to rampant, public distrust and the need for radical change. AustraliaAustriaBrazilCanadaChinaCzech RepublicEgyptFranceGermanyGlobalIndiaItalyJapanMexicoNetherlandsPolandSaudia ArabiaSingaporeSpainTurkeyUAEUnited KingdomUnited States … Continue reading Value(s): Building a Better World for All Mark Carney (2021)
Gurteen Knowledge Blog May 2, 2022, 17:17I write a lot about the need to take responsibility for the changes we would like to see to bring about a better world. It is one of my Conversational Leadership Principles – Take Responsibility. So it is good to see Jordan Peterson making the point too. Knowledge Letter: Issue: … Continue reading We Need to Put Ourselves in Order Perhaps we will do the same for the world
Whether you want to change the political or economic system, save the whales, stop global warming, reform education, spark innovation or anything else, the answer is in how meaning, and understanding of what needs to be done, emerges from conversation in community with people you love, people who care. Credit: Dave Pollard Posts where this … Continue reading What Needs to Be Done, Emerges From Conversation Dave Pollard
Spectrum Street Epistemology Pay It Forward ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Background The concept of “cognitive surplus” was coined by Clay Shirky in his 2010 book of the same name. Shirky argued that the rise of social media and online collaboration tools would allow us to harness our free time for creative … Continue reading Cognitive Surplus Untapping our human potential
What Is the Purpose of Humanity ** Introduction: Our Evolutionary Journey Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Longtermism is a philosophy focused on doing the most cumulative good possible from a civilization-scale perspective. It argues we should prioritize reducing existential risks and positively shaping humanity’s long-term potential, as the future contains vast potential value. … Continue reading Longtermism Doing the most good possible from a civilization-scale perspective
Pay It Forward ** Avoiding Modern-day Colonialism Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In a complex world facing many challenges, multipolar traps emerge when self-interests conflict with collective well-being, leading to detrimental outcomes. To break free, we need to prioritize collaboration, long-term thinking, and shared goals, working across sectors and nations. Introduction In our … Continue reading Multipolar Traps or Moloch Traps Acting against our collective interests
Signal-to-noise Ratio Predicting the Future Is a Fools’ Errand ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter I write about nurturing a better world in this blook but better is a value-laden word. Better for who? Even Adolf Hitler thought he was making a better world. So, what do I mean by a better world? … Continue reading What Would Make a Better World? Many things
Introduction: Community ** What Makes a Real Community? Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Without care, society would be impossible. Caring is at the root of creating a better world. If we care, we take responsibility. If we wish to see a better world emerge, we need to care. Caring We naturally take responsibility … Continue reading Caring We naturally take responsibility for the people and the things that we care about
Personal Power ** The Power of Curiosity ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What is global consciousness? Before answering that question, we need to look at the terms consciousness, collective consciousness, and higher consciousness as they are poorly understood. Introduction The terms consciousness, collective consciousness, higher consciousness, and global consciousness are poorly understood … Continue reading Global Consciousness The capacity and disposition to understand and act upon global issues
The Extended Mind Rethinking Our Beliefs Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Polarization of opinions is becoming more prevalent in today’s society and is creating both unrest at the societal level as well as conflict within small groups with different views. We are polarized across political, religious, moral, and racial divides. We fail to … Continue reading Opinion Polarization We are polarized across political, religious, moral, and racial divides
Opinion Polarization Trust & Belief Formation Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Our beliefs are deeply rooted and are based on little evidence, yet we argue and fight over them. It is essential that we better understand the nature of our beliefs and how they are formed and learn to question and revise them. … Continue reading Rethinking Our Beliefs It is not easy to change our beliefs
Introduction: Principles of Conversational Leadership II. Embrace Complexity Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Take responsibility: In life, we can choose to take responsibility in several ways. Most critically, we can choose to take ownership of the changes we wish to see in the world. Introduction Taking responsibility is a crucial aspect of personal … Continue reading I. Take Responsibility We need to take responsibility for the changes we wish to see in the world
Our Old Ways of Thinking and Working Are Failing Our World Is Hyperconnected Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Despite overall improvements in quality of life, our world faces numerous challenges. Global issues span personal, societal, and environmental domains and threaten long-term sustainability. Addressing these complex problems requires a better understanding and collaboration at … Continue reading Our World Is a Mess The metacrisis
