MISSION

MISSION  

Movement of Imaginals for a Sustainable Society through Initiatives, Organization, and Networking.

Recently, I was invited by Mel Penaflor to attend a workshop to be conducted by Nicanor Perlas, peace advocate and former presidential candidate. What transpired in the next two days was an orientation to the MISSION organization and its proposal on how to effect social transformation. 

I guess I won't be as good at explaining the organization's underlying principles as the members of the group itself. But I can point out some interesting points which make MISSION special and which, I believe, puts it in a unique position to actually apply concrete changes in today's society.

First, the organization's holistic approach to the nation's issues sets it apart from the other activist movements. For MISSION, the government (and the constant whine to change it) is simply one factor, the political. One has to consider as well the ecosociocultural (what a word) dimension of the problem for one to arrive at a resolution tailor-fitted to it. There are no 'simple' solutions to complex problems and MISSION acknowledges this.

Second, the organization's focus on cultivating small networks of passionate individuals is an acknowledgement of a rapidly growing trend. Whereas, before, people affiliated themselves into groups with a common goal, with MISSION, the individual is encouraged to pursue his or her own advocacy in the context of a support group composed of individuals who are also pursuing their respective vocations. Such an arrangement brings about a greater degree of collaboration and resilience as people from different backgrounds and different fields of expertise enrich and embolden each other.

Finally, the organization's emphasis on personal self-mastery underlines the need to put the development of leaders ahead of developing the nation. For to transform society, one must rely on individuals with excellent leadership acumen to spearhead the process.

Will I join? I don't know. I'm tantalized but at the same time hesitant. Nevertheless, I'm happy that MISSION exists and I'm hopeful that it will achieve its purpose of building a sustainable society in the next few years.