To Our GLI Friends and Colleagues,
Over the past couple weeks, like so many people around the world, we have been thinking a lot about democracy and what it takes to preserve it. We are reminded that democracy is “fragile” and that it is not a spectator sport. Now more than ever, we are resolute in our determination to promote smart community development based on the principles of equity, pluralism, social justice, and authentic dialogue. We believe that democracy, done well, looks a lot like Listen. Think. Act.
In response to the shocking and disturbing events at the United States Capitol this month, Ford Foundation President Darren Walker wrote that “democracy is the greatest threat to white supremacy.” In our increasingly pluralistic, multicultural nation, I believe this to be true. I also believe that democracy is the greatest threat to inequity. When people participate in making decisions about the systems and structures that affect their families’ lives, we can make meaningful progress on the many interconnected building blocks of healthy communities: good jobs, a clean environment, accessible and affordable health care, high-quality education. These building blocks, in turn, sow the seeds of peace and prosperity.
As I reflect on recent events, I am forced to confront the role social media and overheated rhetoric can play in fomenting fear and division. Just as these 21st-century tools can be powerful ways to share ideas and connect with people across cultural and geographic boundaries, they can be equally powerful in spreading misinformation and hatred. On the other hand, I remain optimistic that most people on this planet are good, and that we all have a role to play in ensuring our own behavior creates the conditions for our communities to thrive.
At the Global Livingston Institute, our commitment in the year ahead is to continue our work with more rigor and compassion than ever before. It has never been more important for us to engage the youth voice, to work with our communities to create new jobs, to elevate and nurture women’s leadership, to promote conservation, and to advocate for equity and good community development—to listen and think before we act.
There are certain things we cannot change in our turbulent world, but we don’t have to yield to the divisiveness and vitriol that has risen to the top of our social media and our community discourse. Last week, in an effort to promote truth in their reporting, Axios published a “Bill of Rights.” I believe every media outlet, public agency, business, and nonprofit should do the same. In that spirit, the "GLI Bill of Rights" going forward is our promise to our donors, participants, stakeholders, and partners that:
1. We will never post anything that knowingly disparages or attacks another person personally.
2. We will never post anything that is knowingly untrue or deceptive.
3. We will be relentless in our pursuit of equity in all that we do.
4. We will hold ourselves and our partners accountable to ensure that every interaction embodies the values of respect, kindness, truth and compassion. We will “work hard and be nice.”
5. We will listen and think before we act.
President Biden reminded us yesterday of our responsibility as citizens and as leaders to “defend the truth and defeat the lies.” We will honor this call to action and rise to the occasion. The truth is that inequity is a threat to healthy communities, but ultimately we know that when we come to the table together democracy can defeat inequity.
— Jamie Van Leeuwen
CEO & Founder, Global Livingston Institute
