Professional Documents
Culture Documents
NL17 PDF
NL17 PDF
ON FEBRUARY 2-3 OVER 180 SCHOLARS the movement a collective hallucination, cultural diversity
and activists gathered at the BRC to the Internet come to life, or a response and ecological
assess the promise and purpose of the to the privatization of every aspect of life?” sustainability.”
global justice movement. Change the
On Friday night Bello’s keynote Prior to
World!: Building Post-Seattle Alliances
address took aim at global economic Bello’s presenta-
for Economic Justice was a multi-genera-
institutions: the World Trade Organization tion, Boston
tional conversation and an open forum
(WTO), the International Monetary College student
on the future.
Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. He Mark Pedulla
Philippine activist, scholar, and explained that participants in the move- set the stage
Walden Bello
author Walden Bello zeroed in on the ment are “united by one thing, their with powerful
failure of global institutions in his opposition to the expansion of a system first-hand observations of life in Central
Friday night keynote, while journalist that [has] promoted corporate-led America. He spoke of his friend who,
Naomi Klein’s rhetorical question globalization at the expense of justice, because of a newly privatized healthcare
loomed over the Saturday sessions: “Is community, national sovereignty, continued on page 8
This spring, we held the last of our biannual series on global ethics, a thought-provoking examination of what is
proving to be one of the most critical issues for a peaceful world in the 21st century — economic justice. With help
and inspiration from conference collaborators Charlie Derber, Mike Prokosch, and Juliet Schor, and the excellent
coordination skills of BRC event staff Karen Nardella and Beth Zimmerman, we attracted nearly 700 participants
to four public events.
What have we learned from these biannual series on global ethics? First of all, we’ve realized how critically impor-
tant the Earth Charter is to all the values we have been exploring. The Earth Charter is a people’s treaty that
articulates a comprehensive set of ethical principles to guide social, economic, and environmental attitudes and
behaviors in the 21st century. This is why the BRC’s future work on global ethics will turn toward the practical
goal of building networks for the Earth Charter, especially among youth groups, the inheritors of the planet.
We’ve also learned how critical the voice of women is to the creation of a culture of peace—a culture in which
the seeds of Earth Charter ethics can find hospitable soil. We will continue, therefore, to focus on women’s leader-
ship for peace. Early next year we will inaugurate a series of Women’s Lectures on Human Values, in collaboration
with Wellesley College, to honor American women in history and contemporary times who have stood up and
taken courageous action for a better future
Another facet of our work over the next several years will build on BRC founder Daisaku Ikeda’s recent education
proposal. As you will read in this issue, he calls for a paradigm shift in regard to education, a shift that would
have society serve the needs of education, not the other way around. During the next phase of the Center’s activi-
ties, we will work toward such a paradigm shift. In doing so, we expect to draw inspiration from American edu-
cators and thinkers with similar visions, including John Dewey, the father of modern education, and
Transcendentalists Emerson and Thoreau.
As we develop concrete projects actualizing these goals—in support of the Earth Charter, women’s leadership,
and a new vision of education—our guiding methodology takes a leaf from the theme of our first economic justice
conference this year: coalition-building. As we look to the future, our challenge will be “to build networks for
global citizenship and shared values.” We look forward to working with you as partners in this great task.
culture of peace relate to conflict reso- draft of the Earth Charter is now complete and is expected to be presented
lution?” he supported Elise Boulding’s to the UN for endorsement in 2002. To learn more about the Earth Charter
or participate in building grassroots momentum for UN endorsement, check
3
definition of a culture of peace as a
www.earthcharter.org or contact the BRC and request a copy of the current .
place that is “safe for conflict.” .
Professor Kelman described this Earth Charter brochure. .
.
.
Justice is truth in action. — JOSEPH JOUBERT, 1842 .
CONFERENCE SERIES
Meadows. In closing, Schor stressed
that a transformative movement
BEYOND AMERICAN must be cross-cultural and cross-class.
“Most importantly,” she said, “it must
CONSUMERISM be about more, not less: more nature,
..................... more security, more joy, more equality,
more time.”
CONSTRUCTING A TRANSFORMATIVE POLITICS
Juliet Schor’s keynote was followed
that green technology is essential but by a provocative trialogue moderated
not sufficient to deal with American by Boston College professor of com-
consumerist habits, which are charac- munication Elfriede Fürsich. In addition
terized by insatiability. to Schor, speakers included University
of Florida professor of English James
Her keynote laid out the core Twitchell and Harvard Business
values of consumerism: novelty, a School assistant professor of market-
built-in bias toward private ownership ing Douglas Holt. Dr. Twitchell sug-
of things that could be shared, the gested that the ad culture is doing the
desirability of globalization, and what job that literature and politics used to
she described as “see no evil/hear no do by providing stories that give lives
Juliet Schor explains the social impact of evil” product information that allows meaning. Twitchell, the author of
consumer values. consumers to ignore the social and Lead Us into Temptation: The Triumph
environmental impact of their deci- of American Materialism, brings a
THE SECOND CONFERENCE OF THE sions in the marketplace. “The cultural historian’s point of view to
economic justice series began with dynamics of our consumption pat- modern marketing. “We’re not after
a keynote address by Juliet Schor terns,” Schor emphasized, “are unsus- the thing but the aura, the meaning,”
entitled, “Toward a New Politics of tainable and the globalization of con- he stated, as he explained the lure of
Consumption.” Schor is well-known sumerism will be catastrophic.” consumerist values.
for placing the controversy over con- Elaborating on the relationship Douglas Holt’s view diverged
sumerism in a broad social context, as between patterns of consumerism and slightly from that of James Twitchell.
she has in her books, The Overworked use of time, Schor referred to the Rather than look to products as
American, The Overspent American, erosion in free time for families and sources of meaning, Holt believes
and Do Americans Shop Too Much? communities that has occurred in that marketers appropriate meaning
As a well-known economist, social America in recent years. “People are from popular culture then build that
critic, and acting chair of the time poor, sped up, and out of control,”
Women’s Studies Department at she said, adding that our “default
Harvard University, Schor brings an option” is to upscale with the herd.
interdisciplinary perspective to her
work and is not shy about posing Referring to the findings of some
uncomfortable questions: Is growth sociologists, Schor reported that
inevitable? Are current American materialism accounts for a range of
patterns of consumption ecologically emotional and physical problems,
viable? Should consumer issues be a from depression to physical addictions.
matter of public debate? Consumerism must be addressed in a
far-reaching social context, she insisted.
Schor’s position, particularly on “We need to broaden the discussion André Norman of the Ella J. Baker House
the link between consumerism and to include: What makes a good society?” in Dorchester spoke in place of The
environmental degradation, is clear: Reverend Eugene Rivers.
“To support the average American Among the quiet value shifts
lifestyle, 500 pounds of natural that are occurring, Schor mentioned meaning into product marketing
resources are moved or used up the voluntary simplicity movement, with clever associations. “The system
4 each day for every American, and downshifting, and a growing group of has learned that it’s easier to look to
this excludes water,” Schor says. “cultural creatives” consisting, prima- public culture as the wellspring of
. values and to weave these values into
. Furthermore, she is quick to explain rily, of women like the late environ-
. mental writer and activist Donella the products,” he explained.
.
.
. It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world. — MARY WOLLENSTONECRAFT, 1792
Schor resisted the notion that Action project. This demonstration Dorchester, Massachusetts, was
CONFERENCE SERIES
products bring real satisfaction or took place to support South Africa in scheduled to speak in the afternoon
meaning to human lives. “A deficit a climate of growing frustration with but could not participate due to an
of meaning is driving these [anti- pharmaceutical companies who were unexpected conflict. In his place, he
consumerism] movements. There is sued three years ago for blocking sent his associate, André Norman,
a very widespread hunger in this access to AIDS drugs in an effort to director of operations of the Ella J.
country for meaning,” she said. protect patents and profits. “In the Baker House in Dorchester. Norman’s
past three years, 400,000 people have remarks emphasized the need for
The larger question of the eco-
died of AIDS in South Africa,” he education and brought an entirely
nomic justice of consumerism led to
reported. different approach to the question of
strong and opposing views. According
consumerism. “When you grow up
to Twitchell, there is an inherent As the afternoon progressed,
poor, you just plain don’t have,” he
“fairness” in consumerism because it’s Felice Yeskel, co-founder and co-direc-
said. “Talking about consumerism is
up to individuals to decide if they tor of United for a Fair Economy,
a luxury. If I had a magic wand, I
want to do what is necessary to get addressed “Building a Movement
would free the poor.”
for Economic Justice: The Personal
and the Political,” by speaking out Norman works with young men
of her childhood experience. As she who are coming out of prison and
described the profound effect the trying to build a future. “What about
reality of social class had on her, she the have-nots who want?” he asked,
explained that, as a student, she never implying that it is easy for people
invited anyone from school to her who are comfortable to tell others
home. “Children know when they’re they shouldn’t be seduced by a con-
poor,” she said. sumerist culture. “What does down-
scaling mean to someone who has a
Yeskel went on to define economic
Lexus? Would you give up sending
inequality as a problem for our
your kids to good schools?”
Closing comments at the conference democracy, a destabilizing force in
with Professor Douglas Holt (Harvard our economy, and a contributor to a In the final exchange of views,
University), Professor James Twitchell breakdown in the social fabric of civil moderator Elfriede Fürsich urged
(University of Florida), Mr. André Norman
society. She invited the audience to those present to learn about the eco-
of the Ella J. Baker House, Professor
Elfriede Fürsich (Boston College), and
focus on successful social changes that nomic and corporate power behind
Professor Juliet Schor (Harvard University). have already occurred to help us fight the media and how this power drives
our feelings of hopelessness. “Change values and expectations in the mar-
the“stuff ” they want. Juliet Schor takes sacrifice. Investing in the possi- ketplace. James Twitchell suggested
objected, refusing to accept “fair” as bility of change is a complete act of that in spite of its superficiality,
an accurate depiction of what occurs faith,” she said. “One of the most consumerism can actually have an
when access to employment is not fair important things each of us can do to equalizing effect. “Maybe the world
and economic opportunities are not achieve economic justice is to become of ‘stuff ’ does have some redemptive
fairly distributed. “Fairness and equity a messenger of hope.” power,” he pondered aloud. Juliet
must be at the heart of any progres- Schor declared Twitchell’s interpreta-
Providing a concrete example of
sive vision,” she said. tion of meaning “a precarious one”
individuals uniting to effect change,
while Holt suggested that “one
In the open discussion, BRC Boston Mobilization’s Roni Krouzman
provocative possibility is rebranding
executive director Ginny Straus spoke of the success experienced by
the values around brands. We as cus-
asked whether a new transformative the Boston University students who
tomers can demand those values [that
politics would seek to curb advertis- have joined together to promote more
we want].” André Norman returned
ing. Dr. Schor, who would not want affordable housing in Boston where
to the desire for personal and collective
to interfere with free speech, admitted 135,000 students compete for 28,000
transformation that had motivated
to a fantasy: a media not funded by dorm rooms. The group has attended
the conference with a sense of humor
advertising. zoning board meetings and is working
and a serious point: “I deputize you
with tenant organizations to make a
A brief report on the AIDS in as activists. You can make a change.” ■ 5
difference.
Africa Project by Rajiv Rawat keyed .
—Helen Marie Casey
into the discussion on consumerism Reverend Eugene Rivers, pastor .
with an update on the Global Day of of the Azusa Christian Community in .
.
.
.
GUEST
RECASTING GLOBALIZATION
......................
INTERVIEW
wider view, we have conceived a proj- usually do it. We want to change the
ect that aims to fill a gap in the litera- culture of doing business by creating
ture and contribute to the discussion a bridge of communication and coop-
about globalization. Secondly, we eration between different cultural
hope to provide in-depth information approaches to business. This is what
to religious organizations and busi- we mean by recasting globalization in
nesses, as well as government leaders. new terms by putting the economy
And finally, we want to provide an where it belongs, in the whole context
ethical compass to reorient the process of human relations. It is a serious mis-
of globalization toward a more human, take to consider the global economy as
sustainable, peaceful globalization. a self-contained system independent
of societies and their individual agents.
Why is this kind of information valuable?
Economies are socially constituted.
VITTORIO FALSINA joined Harvard’s We believe that by making in-depth
Center for the Study of World information available to key stake- Business is not the only sector of
Religions in January 1999 as a holders of globalization, we might society you are focused on, is it?
visiting professor. Since then, he has help them to lower the threshold of Not at all. Our project has identified
taught courses at the Harvard mistrust and to open the path to seven areas of society corresponding
Divinity School entitled “World cooperation. According to findings to the interests of key stakeholders in
Religions and Globalization: Ethics provided by the literature on interna- globalization: academia, business,
of Resistance and Change” and tional relations, the decisive factor government, civil society, labor,
“Religious Ethics and International promoting cooperation is the provi- media, and gender. What is unique
Political Economy.” Currently, sion of high-quality information about the project is that it will study
Dr. Falsina is the project director of about other players’ beliefs, intentions how religion, culture and ethnicity—
Recasting Globalization: Religion, and norms of behavior. For example, which we identify as the key ”inde-
Culture, and Ethnicity, a three-year every firm that tries to set up a
pendent variables”—affect the basic
research project based at the Center branch in a foreign country—which
sectors of society under conditions of
for the Study of World Religions. A is more and more the case in a global
globalization. Nothing like this has
native of Italy and former Warren economy—has to make a risk assess-
been done before. This is a truly
Weaver Fellow at the Rockefeller ment. Today, risk assessment officers
have no knowledge of the local cul- multi-disciplinary project.
Foundation, Dr. Falsina holds a
Ph.D. in Ethics and Society and an ture, of religions, or of local initia- Structuring your project and coordi-
M.A. in International Relations, tives. How can they possibly interact nating such broad expertise sounds
both from the University of Chicago. with people in the region? You under- challenging. Can you describe your
BRC newsletter editor Patti M. Sides stand how major this deficiency is methodology?
recently interviewed Dr. Falsina. when you have operations in places
We started by testing the value propo-
like Indonesia losing their invest-
sition of the project, asking, ”What
ments overnight because of ethnic
What are the goals of your research are we doing?” and “Who will bene-
strife and religious struggles.
project? fit?” and “How can we be useful, to
Something is missing from the cur- Are you saying that part of the goal corporations for example, but in an
rent discussion about globalization, of this research project is to assist intelligent way?” Nancy Nielsen, who
mainly the dimensions of religion, multinational corporations in their at that time was vice-president for
culture, and ethnicity. We tend to desire for more secure investments communications at the New York
6 and more reliable profits? Times, joined our project and tested
speak about globalization as an eco-
. nomic factor, but globalization is hav- We want to be helpful to corporations its objectives with key people in
. ing a major impact on many other but not, as you suggest, by helping them major multinational corporations,
.
. aspects of society. Starting with this to secure business in the way they such as McDonald’s and American
.
.
Express. Many stories of difficult How does your project address the
clashes with religious and cultural gap between rich and poor? Do you
sensitivities emerged. envision this work leading to opportu-
We came to the conclusion, nities for equity and empowerment?
according to our plan, that we needed It is certainly known that globaliza- “Religious leaders cannot escape
a multi-faceted team of experts from tion has enhanced the divide between
the fact that their mission is not only
different fields to address these ques- rich and poor; one can easily take the
tions. The Harvard Divinity School view that globalization is bad. But I’d the spiritual mission of liberating
will be at the core of the project, but like to suggest another way of looking individuals, but also a mission to be
to study how Islam is affecting busi- at it. We often speak of globalization responsible to local and global society.”
ness, civil society, the media, labor, in ideological terms, as if we can pic- ......................
and gender issues within the context ture “globalization” as a single factor
of globalization in a particular region, that is actually acting, like a force that
ment formed in the 1970s. According
we needed other perspectives. drives inequity.
to these theories, all societies would
We invited seven research-based My approach to globalization is to
secularize through the Western
centers within Harvard University to de-ideologize the term, and attempt
processes of industrialization, techni-
join us, such as the Harvard Business instead to measure the major trends
cal specialization, and urbanization.
School; the Shorenstein Center on that are responsible for the intensifi-
Contrary to these predictions, reli-
the Press, Politics, and Public Policy; cation of global interconnections
gions have taken up a public role in
the Hauser Center for Non-Profit What we need to know is the extensi-
many societies, especially in develop-
Organizations; and the Kennedy ty, intensity, velocity, and impact of
ing countries. This can be negative, as
School of Government. We have these global trends. This applies to
we saw in the Balkans with the mobi-
asked each center to donate a research international trade, capital flows,
lization of religion for political causes
fellow for our team. Some have exchange of information, or even to
that we did not understand. At the
already accepted while others are still cultural and religious symbols. Our
same time, there is a positive engage-
in the process of negotiation. The study is strongly committed to face
ment of religions aimed at reorienting
Principal Investigators of this project the questions of inequity, injustice,
globalization. We have seen this in
are Professor Lawrence E. Sullivan, and sustainability from an ethical per-
the formation of religious NGOs to
who directs the Center for the Study spective, but on the basis of empirical
support issues such as human rights,
of World Religions, and Professor data in order to avoid ideological sim-
debt relief, stewardship for the envi-
David Little, director of the Center plifications.
ronment, corporate responsibility, and
for the Study of Values in Public Life. many others causes.
How are world religions responding
We decided to focus on five broad
to globalization today?
religious and cultural traditions: Are some religions more socially
Islam, Christianity, Confucianism/ There are certainly groups of people, engaged than others?
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism. such as the Muslim bloc or the
The kind of social engagement I am
Within each tradition, we have selected Chinese bloc or people in Southeast
describing is typically born from the
three or four countries that show a Asia or Africa who look at globaliza-
Judeo-Christian traditions which have
high level of global interaction and tion and say, “What is this? This is
a long-standing history of systematic
are large enough to lend themselves to not how we live. This is not our
ethical reflection on socio-economic
comparisons that will produce valid world. And this is driving out our
and political interactions. And yet
indicators and predictable scenarios. way of life, our traditions.” One
there are other examples, such as
We are planning to begin the first aspect of our project is a desire to give
engaged Buddhism, which is one of
case study of Islam and globalization voice to people from those parts of
the most exciting examples of how
in Indonesia and, possibly, in Turkey, the world that usually are not heard
religions can actually change. As
and Egypt. A research team composed on a global scale.
Chris Queen pointed out in his book,
of Harvard fellows and researchers What is already happening is a
Engaged Buddhism in the West, this is
from local universities in these coun- revival of religious activism in differ-
a very late phenomenon dating back
tries will collect data on each sector of ent countries. The increasingly promi-
only 50 years and resulting from a
our project. The structure of the proj- nent role played by religion in public 7
kind of East/West learning experi-
ect will allow case studies to overlap. affairs contrasts with the predictions .
ence. We now have the Dalai Lama .
The study of all five religious tradi- expressed in the theories of seculariza- .
speaking out for world peace, world
tions will be completed in three years. tion, modernization, and develop- .
continued on page 14 .
.
agenda” should not be interpreted as not the problem; it’s the strings and
CONFERENCE SERIES
Change the World! a commitment to democracy, he conditions suctioned onto it.” She
continued from page 1 warned, especially given that world- spoke of the World Social Forum in
wide poverty increased throughout Porto Alegre where 10,000 people
system, found it more economical to the 1990s, and 80 percent of World had gathered the week before to
sell bootlegged CDs on the streets of Bank resources are devoted to coun- celebrate grassroots democracy. “We
Nicaragua than to continue a career tries with positive credit ratings. have to rethink the movement and
as a nurse. He also told the story of a who it represents,” she said. “The
Sharpened by his recent participa-
young protestor who was murdered. global has to go local and the local
tion in the World Social Forum in
Pedulla’s poignant experiences has to go global.”
Porto Alegre, Brazil, Bello’s vision
were followed by Bello’s sweeping cri- encouraged the deconstruction of Charlie Derber brought an his-
tique of global economic institutions institutional power and a process of torical point-of-view to the debate,
entitled “Crisis of Legitimacy: The “deglobalization” that places the econ- describing how the “corpocracy” has
Revolt Against Corporate-Driven omy within local communities to replaced formerly democratic systems
Globalization.” Citing numerous avoid dependence on external finan- with “unaccountable institutions.”
studies and sources that included cial mechanisms. “It is time to abort He interpreted the current movement
Meltzer Commission findings, he this arrogant globalist project of mak- as “a second wave of global populism,”
Tess Browne Mike Prokosch Jia Ching Chen Charlie Derber Naomi Klein
systematically critiqued the status quo. ing the world a synthetic unity. It is not unlike the Progressive Era (1879-
As director of Thailand-based Focus time to herald instead an internation- 1920) that occurred in America as
on the Global South, Bello pointed to alism that is built on, tolerates, respects, “Robber Barons” were amassing
the Asian financial crisis and divisions and enhances the diversity of human huge profits. He also identified con-
between the U.S. and the European communities and the diversity of tradictions within the global justice
Union, arguing that these institutions life,” he said. movement that defy historical com-
of global economic governance are in parison, such as the global scope of
The momentum of Bello’s remarks
the midst of a “crisis of legitimacy.” the movement and its defiant decen-
propelled the first Saturday morning
Furthermore, he charted a clear tralization. Rejecting the idea that the
session which addressed the structure
course for the future: “They should movement might become a political
of the global justice movement. Mike
be abolished if they have become party, he suggested a need for struc-
Prokosch of United for a Fair Economy
fundamentally dysfunctional,” he ture. “We need to find some organi-
moderated the panel entitled “Organized
said. “Can we really say that the zational structures and link to main-
Chaos or Chaotic Organization?”
IMF can be reformed to bring about stream organizations in the labor
which featured Boston College sociol-
global financial stability, the World movement or the environmental
ogy professor Charles Derber, award-
Bank to reduce poverty, and the movement,” he said.
winning author and journalist Naomi
WTO to bring about fair trade?”
Klein, and JustAct youth organizer Youth activist Jia Ching Chen pre-
Bello explained how the current Jia Ching Chen. sented an in-the-trenches perspective
crisis opens the door to reform, but that resisted the kind of structural
Naomi Klein delivered a series of
8 expressed vehement opposition to organization Derber espoused. He
scathing assessments of the reality of
reform within the system, such as the echoed the Zapatista slogan of “one
. globalization: “It’s not about trade, it’s
. World Bank’s efforts to reach out to NO and many yeses” as he described
. about using trade to support turbo
. NGOs. A mere “expansion of the a movement of many forces and con-
capitalism,” she said. “Global trade is
.
.
stituencies. “How can we create a
CONFERENCE SERIES
movement and a vision that supports
grassroots work like the Zapatistas
have done?” he asked. “We need a
space for the pluralism to emerge.”
The second Saturday session featured
a panel discussion entitled “Race and
the Global Justice Movement” moder-
ated by Gabriel Camacho, president
of the Massachusetts Chapter of the
Labor Council for Latin American
Advancement. Tess Browne, organiz-
ing coordinator of the Mass Action
for Women Audit, encouraged the Mini-conferences at Change the World! involved attendees in face-to-face discussion.
audience to think of today’s globaliza-
tion as an extension of the colonial- entitled “Race to the Bottom” that audience to avoid elitism by depending
ism initiated by the West half a mille- hilariously dramatized many of the too heavily on the Internet for organi-
nium ago. While the Seattle protests abstract concepts that had emerged zational structure. Conference co-
at the end of 1999 may have, in the during the sessions. This popular skit organizer Charles Derber commented
words of one participant, “put the was followed by an inspirational that after listening to the “wisdom of
white face of legitimacy” on the “case study” on a coalition of organi- the young people here,” he once again
global justice movement, Browne zations called the Boston Global felt “comfortable trusting people under
described economic justice as a battle Action Network (BGAN). With 30,” and Elise Boulding received a
that people of color have been fight- workplace activist and author Tim round of applause for her call for an
ing for centuries. “Who bears the Costello adding his insights to the intergenerational “partnership between
burden?” she asked, then emphasized mix, BGAN members Cassie Watters, the over-80’s and under-20’s.” Klein
the fact that the status of women and Matthew Borus, Amy-Simone Erard, urged participants to engage in the
children suffers the most under the and Basav Sen shared their various “challenge of popular education” and
rules mandated by the IMF. Chen’s struggles, achievements, and aspira- to remain positive. “Optimism is a
remarks focused on his experience tions as members of BGAN. form of activism too, because opti-
with a delegation of 50 young people mism is contagious,” she said. This
In the closing summary, one idea
of color at the WTO meeting in idea was echoed by Bello who brought
seemed to stand out: the way forward
Seattle. He explained how they had a new twist to a popular quip by stat-
for global justice is through coalition
played “a key role” in broadening ing. “Rather than a pessimism of the
building, dialogue, and a profound
understanding of the movement. intellect and an optimism of the will,
respect for diversity among races,
After lunch, the theater group we need an optimism of the intellect
genders, and generations. Poet and
Class Acts presented a satirical skit and an optimism of the will.” ■
activist Dennis Brutus cautioned the
— Adam Gamble
Vittorio Falsina the spiritual mission of liberating Davos was a very guarded meeting
continued from page 7 individuals, but also a mission to be this year, with an anti-globalization
development, and social justice. But responsible to local and global society. meeting happening in Porto Alegre,
it’s not just leaders; there are also spe- Brazil. The religious leaders were very
How are religious leaders joining the
cific Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka clear in saying, “Thank you for invit-
dialogue on globalization?
and Thailand. Worldwide, Soka ing us to Davos, but do not think
Last August, I was present when 1,000 you can co-opt our voice by inviting
Gakkai (SGI) is perhaps the most
religious leaders gathered in New York us.” They made a very beautiful state-
interesting phenomenon, particularly
at the assembly room of the United ment in which they offered them-
in the United States where social
Nations to develop a statement about selves as a bridge in the form of an
engagement began with the fight
what religions can do for peace. And advisory council of world religious
against racism. SGI is now one of the
earlier this year, Professor David leaders to advise the UN, the World
most diverse religious groups in
Little and I were invited to facilitate a Economic Forum, the World Bank,
America, and has evolved beyond
dialogue between a group of religious and any other institution making
racial issues to a range of peace and
leaders and world economists at the decisions on a global scale.
justice issues.
World Economic Forum in Davos,
How will the role of religious leaders Switzerland. We had three days to What outcomes and deliverables do
change as world religions become coach and prepare these religious you anticipate from your project?
more involved in global activities? Will leaders to achieve a common view to We anticipate deliverables in all the
spiritual leaders become politicians? convey to the assembly, which turned sectors of investigation, along with
14 They don’t have to become politicians, out to be a nine-point program the elaboration of interdisciplinary
but they do have to play a socially designed to bring the moral authority and comparative data. General infor-
.
. responsible role. They cannot escape of religion to the great challenges of mation will be accessible on a Web
. the fact that their mission is not only the global agenda. continued on next page
.
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Vittorio Falsina The Mission Statement How to Reach Us
continued from previous page of the Boston Research WE WELCOME YOUR ADVICE, IDEAS,
Site. In addition, each sector will Center and comments, as well as requests
develop specific products tailored THE BOSTON RESEARCH CENTER for complimentary exam copies or
for the use of their audience. For FOR THE 21ST CENTURY is an general information. Individual staff
instance, the Center for the Study of international peace institute that members can be reached by calling
World Religions will produce books fosters dialogue among scholars 617-491-1090 or via fax at 617-491-
on world religions and globalization; and activists on common values 1169. Extensions and email addresses
the Harvard Business School will
across cultures and religions. We are listed below:
develop business case studies to teach
seek in this way to support an Virginia Straus, Executive Director,
in training programs; the Kennedy
evolving global ethic for a peace- Ext. 223, vstraus@brc21.org
School will create white papers for
government. The Shorenstein Center ful twenty-first century. The
Center collaborates with univer- Shirley Chandl, Office Manager,
will produce news stories and docu-
sities and citizen groups to spon- Ext. 224, schandl@brc21.org
mentaries for public broadcasting.
We foresee a wide range of outcomes. sor symposia, conferences, lec- Masashiro Hagiya, Administrative
tures, and other dialogues that and Financial Manager, Ext. 221,
What is your own vision of the future
bring attention to constructive mhagiya@brc21.0rg
of globalization?
ideas for the development of civil
It is naive to think that globalization can Patti Marxsen Sides, Publications
society and peace cultures world-
be undone. We have created an infra- Manager, Ext. 235, psides@brc21.org
wide. Focal points of the Center’s
structure of technology, communica- Publications Dept., Fax: 617-492-5850
work include human rights, non-
tion, and travel that will increase global
interactions. I think people want to violence, environmental ethics, Beth Zimmerman, Events Manager,
move forward, not by more of the same economic justice, and women’s Ext. 226, bzimmerman@brc21.org
kind of globalization, but by making leadership for peace. The Center
General Email Address:
globalization more human. Companies was founded in 1993 by Daisaku
center@brc21.org
and communities need to think in Ikeda, a Buddhist peace activist
terms of enlightened self-interest. It is and President of Soka Gakkai BRC Staff members are deeply grate-
our hope that by eliciting the contri- International (SGI), a religious ful for the invaluable support of two
bution of religions and cultures, we association with members in 163 talented work-study students, Megan
will help to recast the discussion and countries. Boreman and Leeta White. We also
process of globalization. ■ acknowledge the assistance of Gail
Bowman, Bob Cornell, and our many
Editor’s Note volunteers.
AFTER SIX MONTHS AS THE PUBLICATION MANAGER, Newsletter
I am beginning to develop an understanding of just how
Editor: Patti Marxsen Sides
big the Center’s mission is. The over-arching term “global
Contributors: Bill Aiken,
ethics” touches on so many important issues and day-to-
day concerns of people everywhere. Here at the BRC, we try to advance Adam Gamble, Helen Marie Casey,
this agenda every day with substantive programs and publications that Virginia Straus, Leeta White
bring many voices together. Desktop Publishing: Carol Dirga
In this issue, we focus on economic justice with lively summaries of our Photo Credits: BRC Staff, Marilyn
recent conference series, a thought-provoking guest interview with Vittorio Humphries, SGI, Martin Volker
Falsina, and an update on our book-in-progress, Subverting Greed: Religious Printing Services: Eagle Offset,
Conscience and the Global Economy. As editor of this newsletter, my hope is Haverhill
that everyone who opens it will find it difficult to put down. Whether you
find useful information, words of inspiration, or a sense of common pur-
pose, we want this newsletter to speak to you, as much as it speaks to the
There’s even more online!
Check it out soon. 15
issues. Please let us know if we have succeeded.
.
— Patti M. Sides, Publications Manager www.brc21.org .
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Understanding human needs is half the job of meeting them. — ADLAI STEVENSON, 1952 .
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