From Milton Wong’s blog who has combined a phenomenally successful career as a businessman with a wide range of work on social initiatives.
I believe intuitively that the notion of a civil society hinges on a finely balanced state of interdependency among all living organisms, such that each is free to optimize its full potential without significantly infringing on another’s ability to do the same.
If I had just 40 words to tell you what I think is meant by the term “civil society,” that’s what it would all come down to for me.
…
That’s why His Highness the Aga Khan has spent hundreds of millions of dollars building the Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa: he believes this process of accommodation is the key to peace on Earth.
And I agree with him.
But if it’s to happen, then civil society can’t be understood as a luxury reserved for those of us who live in developed, democratic countries. Notwithstanding the fact that nations grow at different speeds and have significant cultural differences, I believe the values of a sustainable civil society can be international.
I believe it is possible that some day, we will be able to establish a global system of values to which all countries can adhere without fear of losing their identities.
Ismailimail 