Core values of Initiatives of Change

As an international fellowship open to people of all cultures, nationalities, religions and beliefs, Initiatives of Change affirms that

• in this era of globalization, an individual can be a powerful agent for positive change in society;

Como o grande filósofo inglês Winnie the Pooh (ou Ursinho Puff, na versão brasileira) disse: “Se a pessoa com quem você está falando parece não ouvir, seja paciente. Pode ser simplesmente que ele tenha um pequeno pedaço de penugem em seu ouvido".

As the great English philosopher Winnie the Pooh said: ‘If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.’  

We cannot change the world by a new plan, project or idea. We cannot even change other people by our convictions, stories, advice and proposals. But we can offer a space where people are encouraged to disarm themselves, to lay aside their occupations and preoccupations and to listen with attention and care to the voices speaking in their own center.

When you listen to me without interruption or anything that feels like a judgement, you allow me the time and space to get more in touch with the many facets of me.

Tolerance is not enough to bridge the world’s differences, writes Mike Lowe. We need to engage.

In this rushing busy world do we take the time and care to listen to the other?