role of values in globalized world
ROLE OF VALUES IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD
Values lie at the heart of who we are and what we do. Values shape cultures, organizations, politics and policies. Values are more often described at the individual, religious, tribal or national level.
A question arises as to whether there are sets of global or universal values and, as we move to a more interconnected and globalized world, whether they are sufficient in scope and detail. To some extent, the answer is clear: Universal values, rights and freedoms are enshrined in the context of the United Nations, but these are state-centric and state “negotiated,” rather than individual or “citizen values.”
Nevertheless, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has now been accepted widely as a basis for national legislation, and the Charter of the United Nations itself represented an important point of reference in determining universal values.
The larger question is, of course, how such values are transformed into real change. At the turn of the new millennium, the United Nations made a bold attempt to reaffirm those rights in the context of the Millennium Development Goals: a mix of (sometimes overlapping) social and economic goals aimed at reducing poverty in the emerging world. Sadly, progress on meeting these goals has been slow and sporadic.
Others have focused on what might be termed common values for humanity. They center around safety, community and relationships (often termed social capital); decent living conditions and an ability to earn sufficient money to cover more than basic needs (wealth); and a cleaner and safer environment (ecology).
Irrespective of details and competing terminologies, there are reasonable values that most people adhere to. Most value honesty over dishonesty; ethical behavior over unethical behavior; a decent life for themselves, their family and their children; decent health and education afforded to all; a cleaner and safer environment within which to live; a level of prosperity
Values lie at the heart of who we are and what we do. Values shape cultures, organizations, politics and policies. Values are more often described at the individual, religious, tribal or national level.
A question arises as to whether there are sets of global or universal values and, as we move to a more interconnected and globalized world, whether they are sufficient in scope and detail. To some extent, the answer is clear: Universal values, rights and freedoms are enshrined in the context of the United Nations, but these are state-centric and state “negotiated,” rather than individual or “citizen values.”
Nevertheless, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has now been accepted widely as a basis for national legislation, and the Charter of the United Nations itself represented an important point of reference in determining universal values.
The larger question is, of course, how such values are transformed into real change. At the turn of the new millennium, the United Nations made a bold attempt to reaffirm those rights in the context of the Millennium Development Goals: a mix of (sometimes overlapping) social and economic goals aimed at reducing poverty in the emerging world. Sadly, progress on meeting these goals has been slow and sporadic.
Others have focused on what might be termed common values for humanity. They center around safety, community and relationships (often termed social capital); decent living conditions and an ability to earn sufficient money to cover more than basic needs (wealth); and a cleaner and safer environment (ecology).
Irrespective of details and competing terminologies, there are reasonable values that most people adhere to. Most value honesty over dishonesty; ethical behavior over unethical behavior; a decent life for themselves, their family and their children; decent health and education afforded to all; a cleaner and safer environment within which to live; a level of prosperity