We were talking the other day at work about the world and world problems. We decided there almost needs to be country that’s over all the countries because it feels like each country just looks out for it’s own. How are we expected to solve world issues and problems?
And just this morning I came across the TED talk — Which country does the most good for the world? As it discussed the many world concerns, and it’s depressing to think about, the video also gave me hope — if we organize and work together, progress can be made.
Simon Anholt speaks about, The Good Country and what it means.
Humanity is capable of achieving extraordinary progress if organizes, acts together and tries very hard.
Challenges and the down sides to globalization —
- Climate change
- Human rights
- Demographics
- Terrorism
- Pandemics
- Narotrafficing
- Human slavery
- Species loss
How to globalize the solutions together to face this challenges together. How do we get our act together? Not be the victim, but solve them. Mr. Anholt contends it’s how the 7 billion people on this planet is organized. A subject close to my heart!
We’re still organized the same way from 300 years ago. Countries, with over 200 governments, that are make the rules that make us behave in certain ways. They all look inwards, not outward to bigger than their own island.
We ask our governments to deliver these items to us —
- Prosperity
- Growth
- Competiveness
- Transparency
- Justice
So we need ask our governments to look outward. We need to start to have empathy for everyone. And it’s hard to think about people that don’t look like us, dress like us, pray like us, and sound like us. Do we see others as people who also want to the same things that we do — health, happiness, and well-being.
Mr. Anholt is a policy adviser and speaks in the TED talk about how policy can include both inward and outward policies. Think in a bigger picture.
In 2005, he did a large scale study of the planet’s population and how their perceive other countries and their image. Governments make money depending on their reputation. His findings show that we admire countries that do good. The more you collaborate, the more competitive you become.
What does he mean by good? He does not mean morally good, gives more to humanity than anyone else. Not how they behave at home, but how they think and behave outward. Surprisingly it’s not about rich countries helping poor countries; not about money. It’s about attitude, a culture, and a government of people who care about all of the world. They remember the international community while taking care of your own; it’s remarkable. It gave me hope listening to his message about using our creativity, imagination, and new ideas to solve these problems.
So who’s the country that does the best for others? Who’s the worst?! Watch the video! And see more on their website — TheGoodCountry.org.