A guild is the time-honoured name for a group of people dedicated to excellence in their craft. More than ever, we need this sense of excellence in the practice of international relations and politics, and a network of like-minded individuals that nurtures it.
We invite you to join The Conciliators Guild, as one of our guild members, to help it pursue its aims.
Guild members commit to the development of greater excellence and less polarization in politics by working to uphold the following principles:
Context is everything. The prime purpose of politics and policymaking is the improvement of human wellbeing, both physical and emotional. This necessitates the consideration of as many concerned parties and influencing factors as possible, thus expanding context. Although politics are often depicted as the pursuit of power and singular agendas, or defined by opportunistic decisions, it is the consequences of political actions on individuals and societies that matter.
Risk is an unavoidable part of learning. To become more effective, public and foreign policy has to involve a process of discovery that requires a greater readiness by citizens and practitioners to accept risk, and to learn from failure. This is crucial in any field of human endeavour.
Self-awareness. As citizens and leaders take on greater individual responsibility this requires that they become more ‘sovereign’ over their political behaviour and opinions. Self-awareness is vital for politicians and diplomats: awareness of how easily we are conditioned and manipulated. We also need to learn how to avoid a sense of entitlement, whether as oppressor or victim.
Mutual needs satisfaction. All conflict negotiations involve working towards achieving mutual needs satisfaction between all parties. Actors manage competition and conflict without the need for one group to control or seek supremacy over another. This “eye-level” approach requires a capacity to take on multiple perspectives without losing one’s own, and accept that the needs of all sides should be met to the degree possible.
Politics is a balancing act. Individual and collective needs require to be constantly balanced, within and between nations. This is a dynamic equation and recognizing of that reality involves a willingness to be flexible and preparedness to constantly adapt and readapt.
Understanding human motivation. The above principles require greater knowledge and better understanding of human motivations in order to be realized – we cannot just take a leap to get to them. High emotional states, cultural conditioning, and aspects of group behaviour that obstruct effective political solutions from being pursued need to be better understood and mastered. By assimilating such new knowledge, public policymaking can gradually be redefined, and its practice substantially improved, to the benefit of the body politic.
We should always bring back policy making to the question of ‘how well will any action we take sensibly meet the innate physical and emotional needs of everyone involved’.
Wisdom in leadership. Without common sense there can be no wisdom because under those conditions it cannot find expression. In these increasingly challenging times, dedication to excellence in the craft of wise politics and diplomacy is essential as is the application of common sense.
Members of the Guild commit that it should remain an independent forum (uncorrupted by private or national agendas), and will reach out to other individuals and organizations that recognize and support its principles.
The Guild commits to assist members who agree to the above principles and their furtherance by:
i) maintaining and expanding the network
ii) convening members physically, rather than virtually, to the degree that finances permit
iii) regularly disseminating knowledge through the website, courses, and discussions with members
iv) consulting with members about the ideas and their application.
Membership to the Guild is by invitation or recommendation. However, if you support its principles, you may apply to join and be considered for invitation or seek an existing member to recommend you.
Visit our contact page to get in touch. Or if you wish to donate, click here.