Can Engaged Global Citizens Foster Earth-Friendly Diplomacy?

During the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro last month, I posted a reflection by the Pace University philosopher professor Ilan Safit on whether humanity needs a new definition of citizenship, one with ecology and global commons in mind. Olav Kjørven, the United Nations assistant secretary-general for development policy, sent this reaction*, which offers an opportunity to consider the conference’s machinations, along with next steps:

I was encouraged by your blog post citing Ilan Safit’s thoughts on ecological citizenship as a precursor to planetary progress and at the same time want to respond to the suggestion that in Rio, the U.N. may have sacrificed its potential in shaping big ideas at the altar of practicalities and mechanical processes, important as they were.

There are three points to make here. Read More..