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GLOBAL
ENERGY NETWORK INSTITUTE
a
solution to global problems
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26 November
1997
The
State of the World Forum
Dear GENI
Friend,
Having
just returned from The State of the World Forum, I
am filled with the enormity of the challenges faced
by humanity — and inspired by the multiplicity
of people and organizations working to better the
human condition. It's impossible to adequately report
the experiences and discussions of 700 people over
5 days, but the following are my impressions.
The
Gorbachev Foundation hosts The World Forum so that
business people, thinkers and spiritual leaders will
meet to explore strategies for a post cold-war world.
For example, we had conversations about The GENI Initiative
with: Jose Ramos-Horta (1996 Nobel Peace Prize),
Stephen Covey (7 Habits of
Highly Effective People author), Marian Wright
Edelman (Children's Defense Fund), Alan Cranston
(US Senator),
Mahbub
ul Haq (Human Development Centre and ex-UNDP),
Ervin Laszlo (Club of Budapest), Fritjof
Capra (Physicist, Author), Stuart Kauffman
(Santa Fe Institute), Kim Polese (Java software
designer), Amory Lovins (energy efficiency
expert), Jonathan Dean (arms negotiator), Yael
Dayan (member of Parliament, Knesset) just to
mention a few of the more well known delegates.
We met
from morning 'til night on a very broad agenda of
global issues. I'll list them so you can see the breadth
of issues that were discussed:
- a global
compact on human development
- nuclear
weapons abolition and the morality of arms sales
- co-existence
and community building
- early
child development
- micro-credit
enterprise and corporate social responsibility
- science
and society and the communications revolution
- chemical
toxics, especially endocrine disrupting chemicals
- leadership
and organization as complex adaptive systems
- the
challenge of climate change
We had
over 70 panel sessions to chose from -- each delving
into these issues in more detail. The discussions
were insightful, disturbing as well as inspiring.
The more one knows about a global crisis doesn't necessarily
make the solution any easier to resolve. What's unmistakable
is the tremendous period of transition the world is
currently experiencing, which creates dislocations
and opportunities everywhere you turn.
The
GENI Initiative has been present at all three World
Forums, and we are becoming known as one of the most
thoughtful and diligent projects among many delegates.
In fact, several people acknowledged our persistent
contact between Forums, as we ask for their endorsement
and financial support.
Our biggest
potential for the Energy Grid came in discussions
by The Forum Business Network. First there are many
socially conscious investors who are forming this
network. They now see the enormous economic development
which occurs when everyone's energy needs are met.
They are exploring the idea of hosting a World
Game™ at next year's Forum! And as you already
know, the global energy grid is the
highest priority objective of the World Game™.
Good timing
also ensued with the enclosed article from the
Asia
Engineer. This was published this month
and distributed to many Forum Attendees through the
panel sessions, library and our personal conversation.
You're receiving this editorial argument just prior
to the Climate Change Conference in Kyoto, Japan,
December 1-10.
You
could help leverage the impact by sending this article
to the editor of your local newspaper or industry
trade journal and ask them to reprint it. The
piece is also currently running in the November issue
of No
cure for a sick world?
In order
to obtain true sustainability, we must begin by asking
the right questions. You can help by engaging your
colleagues in these ideas to make the world better
for everyone.
Have
a happy and peaceful holidays!
Peter Meisen
President
p.s.
With the holidays here, we invite you to consider
a Dymaxion
Map, Globe,
T-shirt
or key
ring as a gift this season. Everyone loves these
items, learns something new about the world, and it
supports the vision of this work. Use the enclosed
order
form, and we'll get your requests mailed by December
15th.
And,
please consider adding a
tax-deductible contribution to GENI at year's
end. I think you'll agree that we've had a productive
year... yet there is still so much to do.
*
A very special thanks [to] the people who made our
World Forum participation possible: Mark and Jennifer
Absalom, Raj Basi, Beth Brummitt, Wendy and Paul Buckingham,
Bill and Lee-Anne Carson, John and Betty Cook, Bob
Currie, Anthony Davis, Mike and Louise DiMuccio, Joe
Falcon, Dolly Garlo, GENI Victoria and South Australia,
Doug Gurkin and Nancy Reddeman, DC and John Harrison,
Nanci Hartland, Jimmy Harvey, David Jackson, Elaine
Martin, Fred Matser, Lafty and Gloria Meisen, Robert
and Susan Meredith, Rick and Jane Merica, Tony Nash,
Ian Robertson, Shiila Safer, Bill and Cindy Shopoff,
Paul Sterling, David Steven, Lowell Strombeck, David
Tan Hock Lye, Kirk Warren. Thank you all!
Keywords
: The State of the World Forum, sustainable development,
global energy network institute, international electricity
transmission, grid, power, environmental educational
programs, peace, zero population growth, stabilization,
life expectancy.
GENI
is a U.S. Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) Corporation committed
to improving the quality of life for everyone without
damage to the planet.
GENI Affiliates in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New
Zealand, Singapore and United States.
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