In February 2008, Karen Armstrong, a former Roman Catholic nun who refers to herself as a “freelance monotheist”, won the TED prize, which is awarded annually to three exceptional individuals who each receive $100,000, and more importantly, the granting of “One Wish to Change the World”.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design and started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become even broader.

Karen Armstrong who is considered as one of the most provocative, original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world, said her wish was to create a Charter for Compassion, a document about the core shared value of every world religion and moral code: the “Golden Rule”. This is how she described it to the TED community:

“I wish that you would help with the creation, launch and propagation of a Charter for Compassion, crafted by a group of leading inspirational thinkers from the three Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and based on the fundamental principles of universal justice and respect.”

A collaborative process

Global participation in an open writing process was the critical starting point for the creation of the Charter for Compassion. The submissions shared began a conversation that continues as the Charter is finalized and launched at http://www.charterforcompassion.org. People from all over the world have contributed to this Charter; it transcends religious, ideological and national difference; it has been composed by leading thinkers from many traditions with passion, insight, intellectual conviction and hope.

The Council of Sages for the Charter for Compassion includes notable thinkers and faith representatives such as Sheikh Ali Gomaa (the Grand Mufti of Egypt), Rabbi David Saperstein (Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism), Sadhvi Chaitanya (spiritual leader of the Arsh Vijnaya Mandiram ashram), and Archbishop Desmond Tutu (retired Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa).

Charter for Compassion Trailer from TED Prize on Vimeo.

Among the Charter’s partners around the world include TED, Tanenbaum Center, World Council of Religious Leaders, the Al-Ghazzali Center, The Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace among others.

Across the world more than 170 events are planned to help launch the Charter for Compassion (You can host your own too). The unveiling of Charter has already sparked lots of enthusiastic support followed by conversations across the global blogosphere.

Perspectives on the Charter for Compassion

Malaysian Journalist Niki Cheong wrote in his blog, “Malaysians were invited to stop by a studio to record what compassion means to them to create a viral video to promote Nov 12 – today – when The Charter of Compassion will be unveiled.”

Aizat Faiz blogged about his experience of participating in the filming of the Malaysian Chapter of the Charter for Compassion. Rantings by MMs reported that in Malaysia ‘the launching of the charter will be officiated by YAB Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. In the afternoon there will be a youth panel followed by an interfaith panel.'

Jewish and interfaith Tikkun Daily in the United States urged, “all should take the opportunity to remind those around you of the power of compassion and to think of ways to use compassion to transform and heal the world.”

Sujato's blog about Buddhism wrote: ‘We all need to do our bit to use religion to respond creatively and constructively to our environment, making it a force for helping rather than hurting, fostering love and inclusiveness, not alienation and ignorance.'

360 Digital Influence, a blog of the Ogilvy Public Relations firm, explores the question, ‘if Compassion is “viral”?'

Brian Carnell in the United States wrote some counter arguments about the Golden Rule at the center of the Charter, calling it “wishy washy feel good nonsense” that doesn't help solve “real moral dilemmas”.

Written by Sadiq Alam · comments (2)
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Global Change, the education program of MS ActionAid Denmak has an ambitious goal teaching social and political change on a global level through education of young people in communication, new media and innovative organising. They are being helped by a team of 31 Global Voices Blogger Mentors that have each been paired with one Danish or African student in order to help them become more familiar with both the technical and human aspects of blogging.

Challenges of mentoring virtually

Since the initial chain of introductory emails between Mentor and Mentees around two weeks ago, numerous positive interactions have taken place and new friendships are forming. Some Mentors have been giving technical advice on Gmail, Twitter, RSS feed, Skype, Facebook, instant messaging, embedding videos, sharing links, Flickr and creative commons, and Mentors have also been commenting on the Mentees' new blogs.

However, in a recent online IRC chat meeting between Mentors to review progress, some were concerned that many Mentees are still only treading carefully into the online world, and have such a tight program, learning new technology, while at the same time learning and planning a campaign for the Copenhagen climate change summit that they have not all been as excited about daily online communication via email and chat as the Mentors.

Resources for new bloggers

Mentors have decided to approach this positively by looking for more ways to inspire Mentees to find meaning in blogging and appreciate how sharing information and building online communities  can contribute to transformation, epecially for a burning issue like Climate Change. With only 3-4 weeks left of the mentorship, Mentors have discussed starting blog memes, and providing topic suggestions for those new bloggers who are still unsure what to write about.

Mentors have been on the go, gathering resources for better mentoring for their Mentees on a wiki page. and in an email group mailing list. Noteworthy resources include: The Common Craft “in plain English” video series, including “Blogs in Plain English” and “Twitter in Plain English“; various articles on climate justice; a list of environmental journalists on Twitter; Sylwia Presley's newly started blog about how to blog; and Diego's suggestion of this inspiring guide.

Catching up with Mentee Blogs

Mentees have written many interesting and resourceful posts with their take on climate change and its challenges. Following are some of the highlights from the 31 mentees.

Annlou has questioned about superficial green revolution. Casper wrote about the obvious limitations of the individual approach – and the problems of the communal alternative. Josephine wrote a thought piece which was triggered by the idea of climate friendly food.

Mentee Arvid and Mentor Renata Avila jointly posted their experience and shared insights gathered while Renata visited Dominican Republic. Rie has blogged on what is happening with the climate issue on the NGO and grassroots level where she featured a number of non-governmental organizations such as Greenpeace and Peoples Climate Action.

Signe reflected on the buzz about climate change and personal responsibility. Simonwr wrote about why changes must come from ordinary people rather than from government leaders.

Mentees also organized this happening in central Copenhagen as part of the Avaaz Global Wake-Up Call on Climate Change.

Written by Sadiq Alam · comments (12)
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