Was the question Herman Mulder asked Michel Scholte (both Worldconnectors) when he declared that he would never sell his soul to the devil. The devil being any corporation that is (deliberately) damaging  the world. But by merely “renting out” his soul, Michel could perhaps inspire the professionals within such a corporation to change their ways, Herman Mulder claimed.

In a way, that is what Herman Mulder did himself. Herman is a retired banker that spend the past decade of his working life changing the ways of ABN Amro and the financial sector as a whole. He received his wake-up call in 1998, when Milieudefensie confronted ABN Amro with the fact that it was financing  a highly harmful mining project in Indonesia. The insight that came with this incident made Herman a pioneer  within the world of sustainable banking.

After a long and frustrating process of introducing a wider scope of criteria while evaluating a financial project within the ABN AMRO self, he initiated the ground-breaking voluntary financial sector-initiative “the Equator Principles for project finance”(now adopted by more than 50 major financial institutions ). The Equator Principles consist of 60 social and environmental guidelines that were voluntary introduced by the financial sector self.

Mchel Scholte initiated an inspiration dinner last night, were he invited Herman Mulder so he could share his experience and insight during an intimate gathering . Location; the 1%CLUB Amsterdam office. The discussion about selling your soul was triggered by the question whether it was better to change the existing companies from inside out or to create a whole new system all together. The students that were present, all of them  high potentials, were rather reluctant in working for a boss, including Michel that already has his own company  NOEN.  Michel conclusion was that renting out his soul would also be too much to ask also. Being and working  in an  environment that is already a frontrunner is too important for him at this moment.

Interesting. What is more worthwhile; restarting from the scratch or rebuilding the existing organizations and companies?

Earth’s transformation is a fact! And it is not only the climate that is changing, but the humanity as well.

Last month alone I participated  in a dozen of events that involve some kind of “Global transformation”. First of course there was  the 1%EVENT; then TedxChange, then the European Summit for Global Transformation, the ongoing process of writing the OurCommonFuture vision, the Story of Cool, experimenting with the New World Government (more info later). . . And the invitations keep popping in!

So, what’s going on here? At this point I have detected  the following features of how things are created during those events:

1. People are looking for solutions on the ground. (Looking up for a fix just gives you an headache!)
2. Shared values and or goals is what brings the various groups together.
3. Value creation is at the center of things.
4. Money and/or budgeting are no longer the alfa and omega of projects.
5. Creativity is the key word. We are getting more done with less money!
6. The people that get it, are cool people!

Especially point 6 is important for me. This global transformation thing, how promising it is, will only bring us to a higher level if we are willing to give our best self.  Be our best selves. And that in itself in not that easy.

Being your best is challenging, to say at least. The thing is, whenever you meet one of those amazing people that get it, you know, the ones that are going to change the world, it all look so effortlessly. Like they were simply born that way. In reality, changing your habits, overcoming your ego and brining  yourself to the next level is an mission close to impossible.

To change something that seems so simple as your food habits for example, is a true ordeal. Food plays a crucial role in how the world is going to look in a few years. At the same time, our present food is important for us. It is part of our social identity, of who we are. Anyone that once sat down with a merely a salad for lunch among his not dieting colleagues knows what kind of impact leaving form the ordinary can have. It is not just about you. Everyone around you feels immediately addressed, or even attacked by your choice.  You could become the subject of an unwanted discussion or felt excluded. The same goes for a choice to exclude meat and/or fish form your diet, or  to only choose organic food.

Best solution is then to inspire your environment as well so they will also take wise decisions togtheter with you! Erik, one of the 1%CLUB volunteers, once surprised us with  an organic lunch, inc. self made apple pie… That was just the triggered we needed to make the decision; our new strategy also includes bio lunches! We even got carried away and visualized our own little “urban farming” tomatoes on the balcony… Mmmm, still sounds good actually…

Iris Gardien, 1%VOLUNTEER, is finalist in the battle to become the Dutch UN youth representative.  Text ‘Iris’ to 5040 and help her to win this race! 

Text Iris to 5040 to change:

The inequality in access to internet and mobile telephony and thereby in the access to information, resources, assistance, international cooperation and to the opportunity to have a voice that can be heard worldwide. Nowadays, only 13,5% of the internet users is located in developing countries.

Text Iris to 5040 for change!

If Ibecome the next UN youth representative I will generate more attention for the lack of internet and mobile phone access in developing countries and I will emphasize the enormous potential of these modern communication technologies.

Internet and mobile telephony can be used to gather information and spread information. Besides, by the possibility to connect further than your direct network, more opportunities for cooperation and support emerge.

Text Iris to 5040.

Attract the attention of the Dutch youth, others, organizations and the United Nations to the necessity and potential of internet and mobile telephony access? Vote Iris by texting ‘Iris’ to 5040 from 23-10 (9 a.m.) to 24-10 (3.30 p.m.) without extra costs!