Our Principles

We believe that elements of a new governance paradigm must:

  • Establish a healthy ecosystem of governance in which there is wider participation through multiple avenues that give people greater agency over the issues that affect their lives.
  • Respond to an entangled, dynamic world in which people and planet are interconnected and interdependent.
  • Create conditions that support a flourishing economy and ensure that technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
  • Honor and build on the legacy of past generations and connect to the needs and interests of future generations.
  • Harmonize and learn from indigenous and decolonized knowledge systems, wisdoms, and values in identifying paths forward.

Our exploration is guided by five interconnected First Principles for a healthy and resilient system of governance:

Being together

How we as humans connect and interact with each other, with our natural environment, and with future generations.

Working together

How we address specific issues of common concern to increase our ability to have agency, as individuals and as a society, over the issues we care about.

Weaving together

How we share and understand who we are, our identities, our stories, and our values to support our ability to respect and live in the light of our differences and our core beliefs—not to reach consensus or homogenize our diverse views.

Deciding together

How we, as a society, make decisions on important issues, set the rules, and enforce them.

Caring together

How we express and enact care for each other and provide for the core needs of our communities, our environment, and future generations.

Learn more about our First Principles for Healthy and Resilient Governance—and how to employ them in your community or organization—on the Resources & Toolkits page.