Tuesday, March 30, 2010

INEX: bringing necessary change and preparing leaders for the world’s major challenges

Vision

“The basic question is, what vision do you aspire to? “
Abraham Maslow

People want to do more than to bring home a paycheck. Human beings respond to values, ideals, dreams and exhilarating challenges. It’s our nature – and much too often totally ignored by modern society. INEX has been created to bring necessary change and prepare leaders for the world’s major challenges.

Mission

We will identify, inspire, educate and empower thousands of change makers by 2014*.
*2014 being the official ending of the United Nations Decade for Education on Sustainable Development

Core Values and Beliefs

1. Path to personal flourishing.

We value Sustainability as a personal path of development and see people with love.
Your personal path towards a more sustainable lifestyle for yourself and your surroundings will take you out of your comfort zone. You will realize that you do have the choice – and the responsibility.  Letting Sustainability into your life will develop your personality, skills and social capital, broaden your horizons. It is not about giving up things, it is about gaining back happiness and love.

2. Sustainability as a whole.

We value a holistic approach to Sustainability, enjoying the interconnectedness.
You may start connecting the ecologic, economic and social aspects and you will discover even more complexities and dualities – you will learn to let yourself go in the first and overcome the latter.

3. Everyone is part of the puzzle.

We value every little contribution to a more sustainable world, since nobody has the one and only answer.
By finding out what really inspires you, you will be able to get out of the rat race for more material goods. Contributing your share will suddenly be easy since strategies to satisfy your needs are exchangeable. You will start feeling secure and snug, connected to people, animals and plants.

4. Learning for Change.

We value education that reaches brains and hearts as an incubator of change.
You will discover new aspects of learning, shedding a different light on education. You will learn and teach at the same time, you will explore your environment and internalize experiences gained by all senses – on top of memorization and instruction.

5. Connecting the boxes.

We value unconventional solutions that build bridges over wild waters.
It takes quite a bunch of courage to implement innovative ideas. Trough acquired credibility and trust, you will learn how to connect exactly those people who would never have lunch together – and make them respect and value each other, up to developing common ideas.

6. Work and Self-respect.

We value commitment to hard work, paired with the due self-respect and financial sustainability.
No secret about that: only hard work will take you there. And certainly you will need to finance your life. But you won’t be selling the 23rd brand of toothpaste nor repair televisions anymore: you will find meaning. Reduced anxiety and stress, a more balanced and healthy life-style and improved social relations will be your benefits – leaving time to focus on the real challenges surrounding us.

Purpose

INEX promotes human flourishing as a path towards sustainable development.

Ethical Framework: Earth Charter

The Earth Charter is a widely recognized, global consensus statement on ethics and values for a sustainable future. Developed over a period of ten years, in what has been called the most extensive global consultation process ever associated with an international declaration, the Earth Charter has been formally endorsed by over 2,500 organizations, including global institutions such as UNESCO and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

“We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.”