By Richard McKeever
So, the leaders of the G8 have issued their (heavily negotiated) final communiqué with governments of each country signed-up to agreed positions on climate change, the global economy and tackling international political corruption – generally setting about the job of building a better world.
But is it their job? …theirs alone?
Previous G8 meetings, notably Genoa, have seen demonstrations on the streets outside the conference centre, co-ordinated by pressure groups, NGO’s, political parties and concerned individuals. When the UK held the presidency in 2005 protestors formed a symbolic white band around Gleneagles in a manifestation of the “Make Poverty History” campaign. But who decides which demands get voiced from “civil society”?
And where does this leave the commercial organisations – the businesses and industries whose manufacturing processes and transportation is causing much of the carbon emissions that concern us all?
So whose job is it to build a better world? Who are the social leaders? … is it government, business, individuals – or all of the above
To examine some of these tricky questions the inaugural Chain Reaction event in November will bring together community activists, policy makers business leaders and young people from across the world in an event which combines the seriousness of Davos (the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum) with the eclectic and magical sharing of ideas that is Hay (the UK’s largest literary festival). Last week we launched the Chain Reaction website, which will connect people together virtually, celebrating examples of social leadership, and inspiring others to take action. And you can take action too – the first simple step is to engage in the debate. Take our sixty second survey online and talk about it in the website forums.
Go on … get involved!
