There is widespread dissatisfaction with the government and the political system. Claudia Perry-Beltrame suggests a pathway to develop a shared vision for a preferred future for our great country.
THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH NEWS about the current Federal Government and not much is forward thinking. It reminds me of a car in reverse gear heading down the highway with the driver not paying much attention. Well, facts and TV shows tell us that eventually that car will crash.
A car should have a good driver who knows the destination, can take the passengers there in safety and well-being, have a great conversation that builds relationships, and avoids squabbling over the route. Unfortunately, Australia has not had such drivers for a while. While the current one is in permanent reverse gear, others were going around in cycles, or more interested in having the power to drive rather than providing a good ride as a service to Australia’s people.
But going backwards as a country seems to be the present flavour.
According to the present Government we no longer need democratic decisions, we no longer need nature and a healthy environment to live in, we no longer need self-expression, we no longer need an egalitarian society, we no longer need human rights, we now longer need good international relations, we no longer need employment and jobs for all levels of skills and capabilities, and people – with the exception of politicians and corporates of course – no longer need a decent wage that covers living expenses.
You disagree?
Well so do I. That is why I want to do something about it. And I need your help!
The plan is to have a grass roots movement to develop a shared vision for a preferred future. Having a dialogue about what we want for our kids, grandkids and great grandkids future means we may perhaps just create a road map for government into the future. I am looking for people who are willing to help and share ideas on how to create a process of dialogue and engagement that leads to a shared vision.
I am a new to a project like this. But I feel it is a conversation we need to have. There are many who question the current status quo; the 100,000s of people who protested in the March in March, the thousands in the March in May and the protesters against the budget.
But I cannot find a group that is active in finding a different way to change the status quo. As a change manager I do this in business. Together we can do this nationwide and I need your help to do this.
If you don’t want our society going backwards and want a driver to take us in a different direction then help us create that direction.
I don't think our Government know where they are going in the long term. Too much is at stake for them. So it is up to the people to take this into their own hands and hearts. It’s up to the people to jump out of the passenger seat and start driving.
People like you can start the drive and contribute with respect, openness, accountability and decision making (ROAD) to create this long term navigation.
To join the conversation join the Facebook Group An Australia for Future Generations. Once we have critical mass, we will close the group for more privacy.
Not convinced yet to participate?
There are many more reasons why we need to do this.
In 2010, Australia had its culture assessed with a National Values Assessment. It showed what people desire and what they currently get. It also showed dysfunction in society at 42%.
Iceland went bankrupt at 54% and the USA defaulted on its banks with 52% dysfunction. Do we really want to head into the same direction?
There are projects by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and ACOLA that are measuring Australia’s progress (MAP) across economic, social, environmental and governance dimensions. However, measuring progress will only show where the country is at present with changes made, but not if the progress is desired by the people.
Political parties are shrinking. Estimates show that around 104,000 members or less than 0.006% of the population eligible to vote are represented by the major parties — Labor, Liberal or Greens. This is hardly a representative sample of Australia’s population. Yet we let this small group dictate where our nation is heading.
The two party system diminishes choice. This was evident in the last elections in September 2013. Voting is mandatory and historically inherited within families (also makes voting easy as there is no informed decision making).
These issues and preferences do not give a true indicator of the nation’s preferences. It does not show the discontent. These traditions jeopardise true democracy.
This is why we need to create a shared vision for a preferred future. One that operates outside of party politics. One that brings a new form of democratic decision making. One that will hold government accountable during their term and gives factual evidence for elections.
The tensions we are experiencing, the protests such as March in March that are occurring, happen because humans evolve. We are no longer the same society. People are becoming more self-actualised — that is, many have to worry less about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, income, self-esteem and can focus more on their growth needs and the common good.
We also know that an egalitarian society shows more cohesion and social and economic success. Both the World Values Survey and the research into Global Consciousness show this.
Global trust in Government has been declining for years as noted by the Edelman’s Trust Barometer annual reports, with 2014 results showing a continued trend.
Towards a Mindful and Trusting Society
We need a shared vision for a preferred future that has the next generations within the decision making process. One that helps guide the people who govern our nation. One that has the long-term future in mind for human kind.
So, I hope to see you contributing to the conversation.
Please join the Facebook Group An Australia for Future Generations. (Suggestions are welcome on how to run the group though a basic format has been provided with expected standards for interaction within the four values called the ROAD Map.)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Australia License
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