Institute of Global Education

A Change In Thinking To Achieve Sustainable Development

Dr. Franklin Richard Schneider
Chief Executive Officer
Institute of Global Education

Presented to the National Convention on Sustainable Development at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, New Delhi, India, December 15, 2011

The need for sustainable development grows more imperative every day.  To move forward, a number of challenges must be overcome, challenges which grow more difficult every day.  Consequently, delay grows ever more dangerous and ever more costly.  What is fundamentally needed, above all else, is an attitude of cooperative interdependence.  We are interdependent - to heal the world we must heal ourselves and to heal ourselves we must heal the world.  With an attitude of cooperative interdependence we can develop a mutually designed approach, cooperative actions and shared determination.

Be aware of what we know from experience:  (1) Nature has the purifying ability to organize and correct itself to produce balanced optimums of life, diversity and cooperation. (2) Nature achieves its perfection without producing garbage or our excessive pollution, abusiveness, isolation and disorders. (3) We inherit the ability to do what nature does because our body, mind and spirit are part of nature. Helping our living planet helps to heal us. We can, we must, create moments that let Earth teach us what we need to know.

There are definite steps to achieving sustainable development. One is limiting population competition for land and resources. Another is taking advantage of available technologies, e.g., permaculture that maximizes productivity and reduces environmental impact. Both must be done with an enlightened attitude of mutual goodwill and by putting our higher interest above our vested interests. Another requirement for sustainable development is the continued development and extensive use of renewable energy resources.

Education for Change

Here, in India, where tradition is powerful, how can the benefits of such approaches be made clear to community leaders and elders? I think the answer is a definite yes. Unfortunately, Gandhi is not physically present to motivate us. Thankfully, our experience is that children are the key.

If we educate children, connect them to the global community, and give them tools to share their new perspectives with parents and elders, we have a chance of getting new technologies adopted.  Fortunately, these tools are inexpensive and readily available today in India; photography, media and the internet, among others.  Further, the educated elders, along with the children, can be extraordinarily effective ambassadors to other communities as they become examples.

In Mucherla, near Khammam in Andhra Pradesh, our children put on plays that dealt with parental drunkenness and wife beating. Our school garden had a major impact on changing diets toward healthy vegetables. Our support for girls’ education changed the way young women were treated. Children are brilliant, they have the ability to create an amazing world that we have only dreamed of and it can be golden for them. We have to give them the tools and the freedom to create responsibly. They have to know how incredibly amazing they are, and that the world does not have to be a dark and damaged place.

Tagore said “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence”.  The fact is that education, both formal and non-formal, is a continuous lifelong adventure for each of us, regardless of our age or circumstance.

Equality and the Environment

Working for climate change and changing inequalities into opportunities is a key to progress. Environmental trends threaten global progress for everyone, particularly for the poor. Development progress for the poorest countries could be halted or even reversed unless bold steps are taken now to slow climate change, prevent further environmental damage, and reduce deep inequalities within and among nations.

The 2011 Human Development Report of the United Nations argues that environmental sustainability can be most fairly and effectively achieved by addressing health, education, income, and gender disparities, together with the need for global action on energy production and ecosystem protection. There must be broader efforts to foster equitable human development by reducing gender imbalances and expanding opportunities for those among each country’s marginalized communities. Achieving truly sustainable development will require bold action on internal inequalities and environmental hazards. The urgent global challenges of sustainability and equity must be addressed, together, at the global level in order to spur progress towards these interlinked goals.

A key is to build strong foundations that heal core dysfunctions and allow peace to happen. Sustainable, long-term development can only occur in a peaceful environment.  Without healing, peace is very illusive and transitory.  A grassroots approach is very powerful and humanizing, and we know it can be replicated with lots of caring individuals and hard work. Anything that does not work in a way that honours the individual seed as well as the whole tree will not work. Society is full of successful experiments. The right tools must be available to the right hands. If each of us make a commitment t to work together, both inside ourselves and out in the world, and inspire others to do the same, we will change our collective direction and create a better future.

One of the results of resolving trauma, be it personal or environmental,  is feeling more secure with primary attachments.  “Secure attachment provides the base for a healthy life with healthy relationships.”

A new book here in India is titled Empower Women,  An Awakening by Leena Chawla Rajan,  It opens with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

“The laws of physics tell us we can’t build a rocket that will travel faster than the speed of light, that gravity governs objects on Earth, and that perpetual motion machines are not possible. In chemistry, diffusion constants, reaction rates, and atomic properties set the limits of chemical reactions and types of molecules that can be synthesized. Biology dictates our absolute need for clean air, clean water, clean soil, clean energy, and biodiversity for our survival and health”.

These are laws of nature and we must learn to live within their boundaries. Capitalism, free enterprise, the economy, corporations, currency, markets, and regional borders are not forces of nature. We invented them and we can and must improve them.

Often, we try to alter nature to fit our priorities. Look at what happened at the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December 2009. We saw 192 nations gathered to deal with the atmosphere that belongs to no one - 192 national borders, 192 economic priorities, trying to shoehorn nature to fit our creations! We should be looking for ways to make our systems work with nature, not the other way around.

A glowing example of what can be done by enlightened leadership and grassroots participation is Curitiba, Brazil, a city of more than two million. The residents literally overhauled the city with a new transportation system, one thousand plazas, recycling, environmental education and numerous services available to everyone. It was the people’s vision that made Curitiba a place where people work, play, and enjoy their lives together.

Globalization does not always encourage the highest standards for workers, communities, or ecosystems. Instead, corporations often go for the lowest standards of medical care, wages, and environmental regulations because it’s all about maximizing profit. The global economy means garbage and toxic effluents are shared with the world, dumped into the air, water, and land. We can, we must, change this and together do it now.

Summary

We need to put decisions and democracy back into the hands of people. We need democracy for people, not corporations. We want greater equity and deeper on going cooperation and commitment.  We demand social justice; and we want to recognize and protect our most fundamental needs - clean air, clean water, clean soil, clean energy, biological diversity, and communities that support our children with love and care.

We must align our beliefs and our involvement with each other into sustainable development that meets the needs of all of humanity while protecting and cooperating with the gifts of our environment, both natural and human. We are either part of the solution or part of the problem. In fact, we can see our world, not as a problem, but rather a vast and indisputable opportunity to use our deepest love, our greatest energies, our best thinking, our sense of oneness and rise above our own self-interests and narrow beliefs to incorporate all things, living and non living.

These are all grains of sand that will create the sandbar of a peaceful and sustainable world.

As Gandhji said:

“Your beliefs become your thoughts
Your thoughts become your words
Your words become your actions
Your actions become your habits
Your habits become your values
Your values become your destiny”

Annual Report to the Board of Directors
Dr. Franklin Richard Schneider, CEO
For May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011

Each year has its special uniqueness and challenges as well as successes and the past year was no exception. The reporting year began with a Board of Directors meeting on May 1, 2010. I returned to India August 19, and stayed until February, the maximum allowable with my visa. I flew from Los Angeles to Chicago and then took the 16 hour flight to New Delhi. Then I went on to Hyderabad where I was greeted by a host of happy and excited students.

It was a busy and rewarding year for our students. G. Upendar finished his advanced accounting course and his degree. Fast forward, he was hired by Bank of America-India.  He was selected from a field of 60 applicants. He was married on March 11, another first for our program. Veeranagulu completed his Master’s degree in advanced manufacturing design. Jacob Dilip completed his Master’s degree in computer application. Venu completed his Business Commerce degree in computers and will go on to a Master’s. Unagesh completed his MBA and has great plans for his future. Gopi, our youngest, completed Tenth Level at the top of his class and will go to on university in June. He wants to be an optometrist.

The rest of our students are doing exceptionally well. Ravi will begin his second degree year at Wesley and finish a six month program at L’Oreal in Mumbai, Ramakrishna will begin his fourth degree year in electronics communication engineering, Ch Nagesh will begin his fourth degree year in computer science engineering, Sravani will begin her second year in computer science engineering, Dileep will begin his third degree year in pharmacy, M. Naresh will begin his second year for his MBA, Ghouse will begin his third year for a master in computer application, Ch Naresh will begin his third year in electronics computer engineering, P. Ravi will begin his third degree year in law, Venu will begin his first graduate year in computer applications.  Four others are now deciding on the next step in their education. There will be more graduates in the coming year. Several will be job hunting and career developing.

The highlight of the year was convening the Consortium; Embracing Peace Education: Empowering the Individual, Institutions and Communities, November 6-9 at Martin Luther University in Shillong, northeast India. I was ably and extraordinarily assisted by my co-convener, Dr. Leban Serto, who is Director of the peace studies program there. We had spent a year putting the Consortium together. We had attendance from all over India and several countries from as far away as South Africa.  The Consortium was fully funded by private and governmental agencies.  A permanent Consortium resulted with the joining of 12 organizations and groups.

David and Venu accompanied me to the Consortium and actively participated. David conducted his first workshop as a full partner with me. It was an invaluable experience for all.  You may read a report by the Global Campaign for Peace Education at www.peace-ed-campaign.org/newsletter/archives/78.html. It is issue 78 for December 2010.

We had a major apartment move even though it was just across the hall from our former apartment. It still made for a big effort. It was a wonderful upgrade to move to a completely updated and refurbished apartment to our specifications and at lower rent. Seven to nine students continue to live at the apartment to create a family setting and to save a substantial amount of money which would otherwise have to go to hostel fees.

The school year was interrupted repeatedly with strikes and stoppages. The issue for the agitation is to support the division of the state into two separate states. Exams were cancelled and rescheduled and many days of instruction were lost. Transportation was frequently halted. It was strange to see a city of 13 million brought to a standstill. There was great suffering as day laborers do not eat if they do not work. The issue is still not resolved and strikes continue sporadically.

January 3 was the 11th Memorial Anniversary for Ruth in Mucherla. The students, with David’s leadership, planned and carried out the commemoration. I stayed in Hyderabad as we were in the midst of another strike and buses and trains were halted. Those of us left in Hyderabad had a private but very touching memorial on our own.

In January, I spent three days visiting schools in Vijayawada and Kakinda in Andhra Pradesh. The later meant a ten hour train trip to Hyderabad. I had been asked to review academic programs in a school for slum children and a large public school but privately funded on the coast. I try to do outreach when asked and I can fit it in to my schedule.

New scholarship payment rule changes came into effect May 1. The new policy is a significant step toward enabling our students toward greater independence and personal responsibility.  The student and family will now help finance personal expenses and pay a share of the hostel fees. IGE pays for one half of graduate education expenses. The fact is that economic conditions have improved for most families.  Exceptions will be made as needed for those who have no support system. Independence and self sufficiency are not just goals but a direct product of the education we have given each of our students. Students agree to help pay back once their education is complete and they have jobs. Some are paying back and others will shortly join them as they complete their education and secure jobs.

David took over as Director of the Indian Student Scholarship program on a daily basis before I left India in February. P. Ravi was appointed the assistant and also as the funds monitor. David is finishing his MBA and has an additional course added by the university to meet international standards. P. Ravi is completing his second year of law school. They make a great team and we are in good hands with a team we trained and nurtured for many years.

David, P. Ravi and five of the “brothers” incorporated Granny’s Memorial Welfare Foundation. The legal work is done and it is an existing corporation. They are searching for some funding to undertake their first project. The ownership of the Ruth A. Schneider Memorial and land given to me for the memorial is being transferred to the foundation. It is wonderful and inspiring to see their excitement and enthusiasm in undertaking their first big independent step. All five members of the foundation knew and loved Granny and now want to carry her Nine Rules for Living forward in a lasting way.

It was a difficult year financially due to worldwide recession and Indian inflation that topped 15%.  We must rethink our strategies and reach out for more sponsors.

In January I began my 20th year in India. Together we have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of more than 200 young people and touched and influenced many more. We have made a real difference in many villages. In the report to the United Nations for continuation of our ECOSOC status, we documented we had touched and improved the lives of at least 6,000 people in the two years covered by our latest report. The full report is available on the internet. This effort is one of our finest achievements.

I would never have believed that I would be in India to see five and six year olds grow up before my eyes and now are graduating with Master’s degrees. Each graduate lifts the entire family socially and economically. Our young people are a great credit to themselves, to their families, and to those of us who have sponsored and nurtured them. They are, indeed, the future leadership of India. They have developed the values, the character, the necessary skills, and the determination to succeed and make a real difference in creating a better world and a more equal society.

Our work is not yet done. In some cases, we are needed as much as ever. We have helped build a solid future for those who have broken many caste and social barriers. They are strong in spirit and strong in character and strong in goodwill. We must continue to stand behind them and provide the resources and support that they still need. Let us go forward and finish our chosen task and our chosen responsibility. Together we can insure that our students can reach their full potential and go on to productive, healthy and beneficial lives that will create the positive and creative changes that are needed in India and in the world. For some, we are still their full support system as they have no other. The challenge and opportunity is to enable them to expand and develop additional support systems through their careers and relationships.  On the cusp of 20 years of tireless, devoted and loving effort we have succeeded beyond my greatest hopes and dreams. Together let us finish the task.

Additional information and background is available on our website.

Respectfully submitted,

Franklin Richard Schneider

INSTITUTE OF GLOBAL EDUCATION
DR. RICHARD SCHNEIDER. CEO
NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2011

Dear Supporters, Friends and Interested Parties:

We are already nearing the end of February. Our students are busy taking internal exams and preparing for the big external (final) exams beginning in less than a month. The schedules have been revised due to the bandhs (strikes) in the state over statehood separation issues. The students have experienced many disruptions in schedules, and even graduation delays due to these bandhs.

David and Unagesh will receive the Master of Business Administration (MBA) this year. Dilip (Jacob) will receive his Master of Computer Application. Veeranagulu will receive his Master of Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing Design. Prem will complete Chartered Accountant which is equivalent to Certified Public Accountant. Venu will complete his Bachelor of Commerce in Computers. Ravi is on his way to Mumbai for a six month specialized course while completing his first year degree.

These are all remarkable achievements and great success stories for both the students and for IGE. It seems more difficult to keep interest and funding for these wonderful and successful students than it was when they were ten year olds in MGS. We never anticipated that these young people would go so far but realize that their further education was essential to assure that they overcame the social and economic barriers to their futures. They have succeeded. We have succeeded. Some recent graduates are already beginning to pay back to the Scholarship Fund and these graduates will soon be doing the same.

The rest of our students are doing very well. It was a joy to see them all together for our annual get together. Our youngest student, Gopi, graduates from Tenth Level with honours in a month, and will go on to the Intermediate Level (the equivalent of Junior College). He wants to be an optometrist. Several of the Master level graduates have joined together and completed all the legal work to create their own Granny’s Welfare Association to extend and support the work of IGE. We are seeing and experiencing the fruits of your years and years of love and support. It was a happy and deeply meaningful milestone to have David beside me as an equal doing half of our joint workshop on Embracing Peace Education at the Consortium in Shillong.

The students still need your financial support and your love and caring. We ask that you continue to walk beside them and IGE as we trek into the future together to assure the success of those who are still to fulfill their dreams and ours.

If you are in Canada please send your donations to:
Chair, IGE, PO Box 2385, Salmon Arm, BC, VIE4R3.

In the USA and Europe send your donations to:
3402 Cypress Lane, Athens AL 35613 USA.

You can also donate online using PayPal.

Please send your comments, opinions and suggestions to me at:
1706 N. Schofield, Portland OR 97217 USA.

I will be traveling the next few months and will return to India late summer. Let me hear from you.

Richard, aka Grandpa