"In the beginning was the Word"
Many wise teachers throughout history have reminded us that "in the beginning" was the Word, understood as "the divine mind", from which comes the universe of time and space and the consciousness which humans continue to carry through time. As we near the end of the year 2019 and enter a new year 2020, the season for us at Globethics.net brings us into union with humanity and our networks around the globe who celebrate the feast known since 2,000 years ago as Christmas.
In deep appreciation, we remind ourselves that Christmas represents the feast of our common humanity, which gathers families, friends and relations together. We at Globethics.net believe that values-based education is the greatest gift that we can offer to students and indeed to the world. As C.S. Lewis has reminded us: "education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil". It is this message that resonates for practitioners of education – institutions, teachers, students and professionals including the regulators. The collapse of values-driven education signifies the collapse of any society. For example, banks collapse, monies are lost and lives destroyed due to unethical practices. Wars and divisions are inflamed by hate speech and bribery and corruption condemn the innocent and cause untold damage.
During the year 2019, the entire Globethics.net Board of Foundation, management, networks, partners, service providers, experts and collaborators shared many great moments of responsibility by contributing in thought and action to the manifold and critically urgent needs of "a world in need".
The highlights in this Newsletter bring you a glimpse, albeit in summary form, of the many encounters, services, activities, meetings, conferences, training, interventions and visits of the outgoing year 2019. We are encouraged that with ETHICS as our Vision, Mission and Values, we have redefined the framework of our strategic focus to: EMPOWER institutions and people; TRANSFORM societies and persons; approach issues HOLISTICALLY; encourage INTEGRITY as a way of life; promote COMPETENCE; and join the global agenda 2030 to support SUSTAINABILITY.
In appreciation and gratitude to you all for all your support and goodwill, I join our universal human family to affirm the message of Christmas: that freedom and love overcome fear and evil and that sharing engenders trust and opens the door of the human heart. May these aspirations guide our various efforts as we continue to create values-driven societies built on ETHICS.
Happy Christmas 2019 and a healthy and prosperous values-driven New Year 2020.
Obiora Ike
Globethics.net Executive Director
