It sounded big from day one. Many friends asked, ‘what do you mean by this quest for an inclusive society’? I offered different explanations because maybe at that point I was not as sure as I am today about this quest. We have a very difficult past as humanity. We have fought and killed each other, sold each other to others, compelled others to work for us with no reward. We have established hierarchies on the basis of the color of skin and perpetuated gross injustices against each other. We have taken the essence of being from others in the name of development. We have displaced people in the name of progress. That is our history. We have been bad and we have done this to each other. If the animals could give a history of human beings I suppose that’s how they would frame it. These human beings are bad. Could this be the age that corrects all that? I am very optimistic about the present age- we have learnt from our bad history that we are all one species. We are affected the same when disease strikes or natural disasters. Perhaps COVID-19 served to remind us of our common existence. Capitalist driven development and liberal democracy need urgent rethinking. They have not adequately addressed issues of inclusion but instead have created colluding political and business elites who have held sway in many countries. The policies promoted have served narrow interests. Citizens have been kicked out of the public space. What shall we do?

The #QuestforanInclusiveSociety - is by nature a radical shift from the political economy of lack or limitation towards a more abundant framing. A re-imagination to possibilities that we can co-exist together despite our difference. Nelson Mandela spoke of the ‘rainbow nation’ in referent to his native South Africa. We are all rainbow people. It is the best gift we have been give- our difference. How boring would life be if we were all similar. Let’s harness our differences in skills, history, identity, race to fuel us towards a better and more inclusive society. History has already taught us what happens when we do not embrace diversity- unending wars. Our current civilization hangs on a thread because of the unending squabbles driven by greed and fueled through intolerance of others.

An inclusive society is tolerant by nature. Difference of opinion is welcomed as symptomatic of the deepening of democracy. Inequality is frowned upon- we need new ways of creating access without stifling entrepreneurial innovation. We have to choose economic systems that favor the majority and prioritize access to quality social services as a basic right for all. A #QuestforanInclusiveSociety relies on abundant thinking and not scarcity. There is enough for everyone as long as we can eradicate greed. The common challenges we face around climate challenges, depletion of fossil fuels and growing populations require a new framework and approach to development.

Our journey to date has focused on making sure that the state through public policy and resource allocation is responsive to the needs for many. The various surveys we planned to carry and still do are part of an attempt to (i) bring citizens back into the public space, (ii) create platforms for increased conversations public issues and (iii) collaborate and engage in coproduction amongst themselves and with government. Our interactions with others engaged in attempts to resolves these problems such as the Kettering Foundation has led us to a framing around a ‘WITH’ approach. See next post…