INNOVATIVE CITIZENSHIP

It's easy to believe that anyone can hold the government responsible for their actions (which should be) but what obtains outside the realm of that thought is the difficulty in maximizing that which we believe and are advised by others to do.

Innovation as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is "a new idea, device, method ". The need for innovation in every aspect of life cannot be done away with as it ensures that our lives evolve thus making life better and interesting.

The last post highlighted the fact that good governance is imperative for sustainable development and this post seeks to highlight ways in which we can make the government accountable to its people.

You would expect me to highlight serially what can be done but that is not what this post will do as it is conventional bringing about the same results. A lot has been said on the internet and by experts yet only so much has been done. 

More can be done and achieved through what I call "Innovative Citizenship ".

Innovative citizenship is a form of active citizenship which involves seeking new ideas, devices and methods through which we can bring about a change in our countries, including the guarantee of good governance.

As an Innovative Citizen, you should search yourself for ways that you may participate in the governance  of your nation to bring about a change and accountability. No one should teach you how to exercise your right to ensure the government is accountable with all that you have entrusted in its care.

The global cry for development is multifaceted and requires action by everyone with the government being the ground for the synchronization of individual efforts. To this extent, just as we are encouraged to be innovative in our quest to achieve a sustainable world, so should we be in our citizenship in order to ensure visible progress and development.

Innovative citizenship pushes everyone to undertake the task of looking for new ways to participate in governance and with this comes the drive to follow through with such innovation. The sustainability of our actions seem more feasible that way.

Innovative citizenship brings about novel ideas to proffer solutions to issues caused by bad governance, thereby increasing the glimmer of hope in the guarantee of the fact that power rests with the people and must do so perpetually.

You must search yourself for your capabilities and interests, find a way to channel them into ensuring good governance wherever you are. It could be through your ability to research, speak or analyze amongst others. What is important is that you channel your energy and talents into ensuring that your country is purged of bad governance. 

The world you seek to thrive needs your innovation, what can you do about it?

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POWER TO WHO?

What do we mean when we say "power to the people?"
Power to the people might just , on research, be the most chanted mantra by activists and politicians around the world.

The mantra might be a true intention expressed or a cloak to garner the support of people to foster their own undoing in the next few years comprising the regime of a person in power.
To what extent do we mean this mantra and in what light: the truth or a cloak?
The quest for sustainable development is a long term one, achievable only through collaborative efforts but what happens when people deliberately excuse themselves because they believe that the quest is the governments' and not theirs to ensure?

The last post discussed the need to take action by everyone and not the judgement. All our posts preceding this have emphasized and reiterated the need for active citizenship but it might be far fetched in the face of bad governance, hence the need for collaborative efforts.
The global destiny is shared. It lies in the hands of everyone leaving no one behind; a refreshing start point for inclusion in the society.
Every member of the society owes it a duty to call the government to order when acting in breach of public faith reposed on them.

The place of good governance in the realization of a sustainable world cannot be shoved aside.
It is important that the government of nations all over the world take guided steps in the achievement of the sustainable development goals. It is common place to see messages on social media about the promises made by governments to commit to the SDGs, it must not stop there, they must swing into action and when they do not, citizens must call them to accountability as power indeed belongs to the people.

Strong governments and economies in realization of the fact that the imperative of sustainability is shared and fruitless if some parts of the world cannot step up to the task for peculiar or general reasons must commit to throw their weight behind the struggling economies and governments in order to achieve an inclusive and sustainable world for everyone.
This may be done through sharing ideas on best practices, experience and knowledge sharing, technology transfer (with caution), collaboration to act amongst others.
Bad governance in one country is a cause for alarm in every country, the truth in this statement is not far fetched. The effects of bad governance resonate all over the world, it causes poverty, migration, violence, unhealthy struggle for social amenities amongst others, all of which are the causes of global crisis all around the world.
Bad governance is the bane of sustainable development, it therefore behoves on everyone of us to seek ways to purge of country of every form of bad governance.

Bad governance just like a weak pillar in a building pulls down all efforts made by anyone or group of persons walking towards sustainable development.
Bad governance fosters the impediments to sustainable development and as such its important to find a way to make the government accountable to its people, the question is how?

This again, is achievable through citizens action by working hard against bad governance, exercising their rights and asserting it through the best means possible, acting right so that bad governance cannot thrive and collaborating with the government to take the world to the next level.
It is not enough to rant on social media and do no more, you must act, ensure accountability, speak up and resist bad governance through all peaceful means possible, use the social media to garner support to question the government responsibly.
Remind the government once again, that power belongs to the people and not to the government, hence the "p" and people which is absent in government (on a lighter note)

Power is vested in the government by the people and not the other way round, the power vested is what enables the government to act. There is no gain saying the fact that you cannot give what you do not have, power truly belongs to the people who give it to the government, to this extent, we are encouraged to take the global destiny in our hands and question every authority that acts in ways to impede the achievement of sustainable development.

The next post will highlight the ways we can peacefully resist bad governance. Have a beautiful week ahead.

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Much Ado about Action.

...Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. 
-Marianne Williamson.

The sudden global fuss about the need to take action and the call for active citizenship evades many of us, we just do not get it, we begin to ask ourselves questions such as , why is it so important ?, even if it is important, why now? If so, what has it got to do with me? These questions sometimes throw us into confusion.

The need for action especially when things seem to have gone completely out of hands or have solutions which are seemingly beyond reach may seem as one which cannot be met especially when you innocently find yourself in the midst of such need by no deed or inadvertence on your part.
Earlier this week, we took an opinion poll via our twitter account (@19_nineteen), we asked the question; who should take action for sustainable development? the government or anyone. The result of the poll revealed that more voters believe that anyone can take action for sustainable development. Do we really think so ?because if we really do, we would have achieved more than we have today.

The question of how far a private individual can go as regards taking action for sustainable development is usually answered in the negative. However, think about the extent of impact that will be achieved when every one that thinks it is possible decides to take action and make impact. Imagine that a hundred persons in different locations, without any consultation from one another take action about one global issue... we all should be conditioned to think along that line. The urge to take action, to make a difference is not felt by you alone but by thousands of people around the world, however, your bold step can trigger other persons with or without the similar urge to act. That way, results are seen and  a difference more resounding than you set out to make is made visible. Imagine how many of your friends will decide to volunteer for a cause having seen the impact or potential of your courage to take an issue and transform it, how much dirt would be off the shanty slums if ten persons at different times decide to do a community service, educate persons in the slum on waste disposal and provide alternative means for safe waste disposal, imagine what difference would be made if ten persons decide to take on an education project in ten locations; would there or would there not be an increase in global literacy?

You should not be bothered about who is joining you to act , but the impact of your actions. If your actions do not show results immediately, it is not a sign to give up but a sign to wait, do something better or try a different approach.
It should be inconsequential at some point if the government is not doing what they ought to do, your action and not incessant complaint is a sufficient call to action.
You will be discouraged but the results of your action would outweigh the challenges and that should be sufficient motivation.
The world is ours to thrive, hence its protection and sustainability should be made priority over our shortcomings or lack of sufficient resources to act.
Actions no matter how little make a difference. You may not see it but others do and the change you bring or inspire, is sufficient for the world to be better and sustainable.
See a need and meet the need don't just complain and do nothing.
The world is ours not for the Government, United Nations or similar bodies, Charities or a select few.

This should be your thought: if my action can inspire change even in just one person, then I'm good to go. It's not in your place to ask questions such as , what if nobody joins me ? or even if decide to act, if it's just me, the change will not be so profound. There are a million reasons not to act but one compelling reason to act: the future of the globe may be thoroughly changed by my decision to act and eventual action, so why not?

There is nothing beyond the reach of ordinary citizens doing the daily work of democracy, and no problem too great to tackle with the power of active citizenship. 
-Joan Claybrook.
   
Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.