Genesis of change

We see the idea of a "world order" as a bold, universal vision for humanity's future. This new vision moves beyond past models, seeking to create a foundation that includes all people and draws strength from our vast human diversity. We expect this profound transition will develop across generations.

It is useful to study world orders created by nation-states, and many resources cover historical international relations—especially before modern times and the rise of Europe. World orders existed long before the 17th century Peace of Westphalia. The "East," too, has produced influential world orders. Asian history, for example, reveals systems that pre-date European dominance and shaped later developments even within Europe. African world orders prior to European expansion also deserve recognition and study. As research continues, we may discover still more examples of historical world orders, ideally presented free from bias.

Most people don’t see themselves as shaping the international system. They often use broad ideas like “globalization,” “the oneness of humanity,” or “one human family” to make sense of the world. These concepts are meaningful, but alone they aren’t enough. To truly build a united world, we must understand how these ideas interact with complex social, political, economic, and cultural systems worldwide. The next step is to develop practical strategies and standards to turn this vision into reality.