MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Real People, Real Solutions
–Charles J. Brown

Do you have a plan for Iraq? Do you want the president to do more in Darfur? Are you concerned about U.S.-U.N. relations?

If so, chances are that you’ve called, written or emailed the president or your Members of Congress. If you’re lucky, you received a reply. If you’re even luckier, it wasn’t a form letter.

The sad reality is that when it comes to global issues, our leaders don’t listen to the very people who elected them. Several recent studies have shown that there is a “foreign policy gap” in Washington: politicians (and their staff) think that the American people either share their unilateralist and isolationist views or don’t care.

In fact, poll after poll has shown that Americans care deeply about issues like climate change, U.N. reform and international justice. But instead of listening, politicians prefer to pay attention to the experts – people who have spent their careers working in government or at think tanks.

Here at Citizens for Global Solutions, we think it’s high time that our politicians start paying closer attention to what real folks in the real world have to say. We believe that issues like nuclear proliferation, terrorism and immigration are vitally important to all Americans, affecting their jobs, their lives and their families.

We understand that the term “foreign policy” isn’t accurate anymore. What happens in Pakistan can have real impact in Peoria. It’s hard to say “not in my backyard” when the whole world is your backyard.

Now don’t get me wrong. We’ll always need experts. They provide valuable perspective and help generate debate. In fact, as someone who has spent most of my professional life in Washington, I fit the definition of a wonk. But I also know that you don’t need to be an expert to have good ideas or sound suggestions.

That’s why we’re spending more and more of our time “outside the beltway,” talking to average Americans about global solutions. We are very fortunate to have a terrific network of local chapters and partners who already bring global issues to the attention of their elected officials. Their work helps us demonstrate to official Washington that their constituents do care about global issues.

And we’re now building on their efforts through several new programs. Our Connecting Global to Local program helps citizens show their local leaders how global issues have a direct impact in their communities.

Our Urban Environmental Accords program encourages communities to push their elected leaders to address climate change and other environmental issues. We’re helping to make a real difference one city at a time – and in the process sidestepping the Bush administration’s environmental obstructionism.

Our annual Flash Contest encourages young people to design short animated films that explain why global issues matter. Our website features an amazing array of movies that millions of people have now visited our site to watch.

If you haven’t yet, please see them for yourself. And also take a moment to read the kids’ stories– they’re as compelling as the films.

With our help, citizens all across the country are learning how local activism, urban policy and even filmmaking can help change the world. We’ve shown them that you don’t need to be an expert to promote solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. They know that our future depends on all of us getting involved in debating and shaping “foreign policy.”

And if they can do it, so can you. Join us today and help make a difference. Who knows? It may be your idea that changes the world.


Updated June 30, 2006