From Anju Rupal
Neo is the world’s first social networking site for people to make a personal commitment for the future of the earth, in the form of a Declaration of Global Citizenship. It’s a grass-roots online forum for individuals to declare what they are willing to do for the earth and future of mankind.
What is The Declaration of Global Citizenship?
The Declaration allows people to share their thoughts, passions and hopes for the future of the earth with others. It provides a forum for people to support a common vision, connect on issues of critical importance to the future of mankind, add their own personal promise and support other people’s personal declarations.
Why Neo?
More and more people are concerned about the future of the earth and are looking for genuine ways to make a difference. Neo gives people the forum to truly become global citizens, drive collective democracy and play a part in making the world a better place for all.
What impact can a social networking site have?
Neo uses the social networking phenomena, one of the fastest growing platforms on the Internet for social good and to drive real change for the benefit of all humanity. It is based on the simple idea that all people are interconnected – one voice can be heard, five thousand voices can make a difference and millions of voices can change the world.
What are some of the principles of Neo?
– Every great journey starts with a single step. So too every great movement starts with a single phrase. With Neo, that phrase is: «I will» – what am I willing to do?
– Neo’s ultimate goal is to help to dispel needless suffering
– Neo uses the power of the internet for good: Connectedness is effectiveness
– Neo is about you, and the power of the individual have to change the world for good
Who is behind Neo.org?
Neo is an international non-profit organisation based in Switzerland and supported by a team of individuals from across the globe. Neo was founded by Bill Liao, one of the founders of XING, a social networking platform for professionals and the first Web 2.0 company to go public. Bill is personally backing Neo, and believes his experience in social networking on the internet, and the rapid growth of online social networking, make it possible for people to address global issues they care deeply about by joining with others from around the world who share their views.
How does Neo.org work?
Anyone can make a Personal Declaration by visiting Neo.org and registering. Currently, thousands of people have used NEO to share their personal declaration. Neo’s signatories are demonstrating that individual commitment can drive collective democracy that can transform the world.
What is the future for Neo.org?
Neo’s growth will come through personal declarations and the development of partnerships with organizations that can effect real change. Neo will ultimately offer a number of programs to provide those who make personal declarations with the capacity to directly enhance their impact on society through partnerships with other organizations and other initiatives to ensure the grass roots actions can have an impact. The aim is for Neo to be the world’s largest online social network by 2012 and it is hoped that by 2015, the declarations of millions of people will help to transform the issues that face the planet.
The Declaration of Earth Citizenship (abbreviated version)
We, the undersigned, dutifully commit ourselves to be responsible citizens of Earth as well as legal citizens of our individual nations, to strive for all people to live in peace, freedom and have their basic needs met and to adopt a «Spaceship Earth» philosophy that acknowledges our fates are inescapably interconnected with all other people. We also commit to embrace the principle that all people are created equal, deserving of respect, trust and dignity without regard to their positions or stature and to be responsible for the quality of life for future generations.
We further commit to approach our lives and our work with an attitude of interdependence, individually responsible for ourselves and our communities, to challenge the status quo whenever it fails to serve society-at-large and to create new structures and support new leaders as necessary to fulfil the needs of the world. We will act with integrity in all we do, demanding it from our fellow Earth citizens and advocating these attitudes, philosophies and actions so others adapt them as their own.
Some engaging questions:
What stand can you take to bring about a human presence on Earth that is environmentally sustainable, socially just and personally fulfilling?
Is there one thing you’d like to do to make the world a better place? If so, will you commit to it?
What promise are you willing to make – to give your word – to improve the life on Earth?
