Wanting Change vs. Making Change
Social Change isn't going to just happen, you have to get up and actually make it happen... and no matter how loud we get, politicians, CEOs and ex-CEO philanthropists won't be able to create an economically just, socially equitable and environmentally regenerative society, just because we screamed for it in the streets.
We need a plan for full and comprehensive systemic change, and even if they (politicians, CEOs and philanthropists) wanted to do that, they don't know how.
To create real and lasting change takes the study of society, and the study of ecology, reflection on history, a solid comprehension of economics, the study of relevant literature from those with lived experience as well as those with academic qualifications, listening attentively to diverse voices as well as learning how to communicate more effectively.
Then, all of this needs to be combined together in the mind of a committed and compassionate lover of the world in collaboration with other individuals and organisations, for it to yield results.
Creating social change is not a matter of doing something to other people because we have money to throw around, it actually requires our lives to be centred around the ambition for change. That might sound like a lot of work, but did you honestly think that changing the world was going to be any easier?
Change requires both intelligence and passion, in equal measure. Change requires composure AND urgency at once, both clarity and conviction, immense amounts of energy combined with focused intent and clear articulation of intelligent thought... And yet somehow, because of various factors which include the rapid pace of life, the idolisation of the absurdly wealthy, our global penchant for influence, control and approval, as well as a historically paternalistic, saviour mentality approach to social change, many intend on doing good, and yet somehow manage to, at best create very little positive impact whilst financially benefitting, and at worst, creating more deeply entrenched systems of inequity and imbalance, that lead to further exclusion and disadvantage for the marginalised and vulnerable.
It is no use to have good intentions or to be passionate about change without clear insights that we are able to share with others regarding how we might create that change.
We have to combine our passion and our purpose, with a plan. One that can be cross-checked, audited and refined through open collaboration with others, without any sense of competition or antagonism.
We need to be so clear about the process of change and our own theory of change that at any moment we can explain our perspective at the dinner table, in the park, at a rally or in a committee meeting.
Are we ready to train our brains for social change? Are we ready to get into Ecological Economics, Systems Thinking or Gender Equality? Are we up for Anti-Racism Training or learning about Communication for Social Change? Are we here to make an impact on this earth for the betterment of society?
Enough with the discourse of 'sustainability’ and 'green growth' and the rhetoric of ‘diversity’ that seeks to profit off of falsified representation, and enough with the victim-blaming, the meritocracy and cultural superiority that places the onus on the marginalised and excluded and ignores the role of the oppressive systems that cause inequity. The time has come for systemic and structural change, and it is up to each of us to engage as whole-heartedly as we can with whatever lifeforce we have.
Are you ready to step up?
- Erfan Daliri
About the Author
Erfan Daliri is an author, poet, social change trainer and consultant with a Masters in Communication for Social Change. He has over 15 years of experience working with NGOs, community groups and government agencies in a diverse range of areas, including participatory development, cross-cultural communication, youth empowerment, education, mental health, settlement services, and social justice advocacy.
Erfan is the founding director of Newkind Social Justice Conference and programme coordinator of the National Unity in Diversity Conference. He consults and advises on communication and project design for organisations such as Amnesty International and the Australian Red Cross.
He is particularly passionate about empowering organisations and communities to address issues of social, environmental and economic justice and to help them build a more inclusive, cohesive, sustainable and equitable society. His most recent book Raising Humanity discusses the underlying causes of socio-economic injustice and covers the themes of ecology and economy, resilience, resistance and what it takes to be an effective changemaker.