Our country has evolved to such a powerful state that many in our nation feel that we deserve to be treated as better than the rest of the world and whatever we decide to do in the rest of the world is our right as a powerful country. So, in some people’s view, the underlying concern and support for our recent "bully" approach to international affairs is inherent in our materialistic culture.

If the above is true, then those of us who are trying to influence our country to work collaboratively with the rest of the world need to look strategically at how we can influence mainstream citizens to shift their attitude. My approach is to build coalitions of those of us who have already shown by our actions that we look at the world as global citizens.

The Peace Platform of the Coalition for a Strong United Nations developed by representatives from many of our member organizations and endorsed increasingly by those groups is one example of how to reach out to global citizens. As we meet with senior staff representatives and policy makers for the many presidential campaigns, it will enhance our dialogue if we can bring our personal stories of connection to other cultures and countries around the world. We can ask those who we interview about their personal experience traveling to other countries and meeting people from other countries. This personal experience can form a strong basis for discussing global interdependence that is the basis for the Peace Platform.

If we can reach enough of the senior staff of the campaigns in a very effective way, we can raise the discussion of global issues to a high level within our country. By reaching like-minded groups and combining our energy we can influence American society to shift from a defensive, fearful posture to a caring cooperative movement. The presidential debates are only one place to look for this dialogue to happen. The small coffee discussions with candidates (N.H. and Iowa) and simultaneous letters to the editors and op-ed pieces in local newspapers all over the country can build the momentum toward the "tipping point" for this American attitude shift. If people put their personal stories and energies into the letters and op-ed messages, the movement can be stronger. If they do all of these things knowing that all the other people who are doing their part know about each step and that those steps are all working in the same direction, it can reinforce that energy. People who know they are part of a larger movement toward a positive future are more motivated. They will put in more effort and feel more fulfilled. Through the Internet we can be connected to each other and motivate each other without huge financial resources.

While reaching out to our member and associated organizations is a good first step to moving the Peace Platform forward, it is only a beginning. We need to get endorsements from recognizable public figures and get them to find others who will lead us toward the collaborative world that we envision. We also need ordinary people from all walks of life.

Ordinary people taking extraordinary steps

There are many ordinary people in the United States who by their special acts are demonstrating that they see the world as interconnected and the "other" people who inhabit the world as part of them. Some of those people take extraordinary steps like volunteering to go to other countries with groups such as Witness for Peace, Amnesty International, Veterans for Peace or American Friends Service Committee. Young people join the Peace Corps and give two years or more dedicating that portion of their life to people of another country who need them sometimes in dangerous circumstances and at risk to their health. Still others who are doctors, nurses or other medical staff have used their professional skills to help others in foreign countries working for the United Nations World Health Organization, UNICEF or private non-profit organizations. Social workers and mediation groups travel to conflict areas to help people before the conflicts become violent. Rescue workers from firemen and skilled demolition experts travel to far reaches to bring those last few people who survived a disaster to safety. Construction workers and architects go to areas of natural and wartime disasters to help rebuild whole cities and countries whose infrastructure is devastated. When these people come back from these experiences the often report a personal transformation. They have worked beside other people who volunteered to help from other countries as well as people who live in the countries they are serving. There is something inside those people that tells them it is time to reach out and make a difference in the particular circumstance where they act. All of these people are potential supporters of a shift in our culture toward a global mindset. But there are more people who have taken less heroic acts and yet are as ready to speak about their experience and influence our culture.

Ordinary people taking ordinary steps

People who through ordinary daily acts reach out to other parts of the world also have the potential to shift public opinion. There are people who are working with Sister Cities programs, student exchanges, and immigrant support programs. People who have emigrated here from other countries often have amazing stories that can reach peoples’ hearts. People are constantly adopting children from other countries. Their experience is a great story. The children from other countries who have been adopted can tell their stories. Geography, foreign language and social studies teachers at all levels grammar, middle school, high school and college often have a global citizen view. Ordinary families who have traveled to other countries and met people and formed friendships have a story to tell. Others who often have this view of the earth as an interdependent system are the environmental activists and scientists. Many labor unionists work in solidarity with their brother and sister workers globally. People who work with and support international organizations such as UNICEF, and Care have made a commitment to others outside the United States. Many religious groups reach out to people in other countries in many ways.

These are just a few of the ways ordinary people reach out and groups are involved around the world.

We can reach out to the leadership of many of these groups to ask them to support a very simple message to the presidential candidates about our relationship with the rest of the world. If the candidates receive this message from enough groups, the shift will happen.