Africa and the emerging world system – unity, diversity, humanity

Citation

Nelson, H.G. (2001), "Africa and the emerging world system – unity, diversity, humanity", Kybernetes, Vol. 30 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.2001.06730baf.002

Africa and the emerging world system – unity, diversity, humanity

Africa and the emerging world system – unity, diversity, humanity

I am aware of growing concerns over the global effects of localized development, concomitant with the concerns for social justice and the well-being of all people, including future generations.

These seemingly divergent concerns have led to the formation of polarities between those who seek to maintain the current direction of globalization, and those who feel their way of life and the promise of a better future are being threatened. Many believe that the development policies of industrialized cultures must be changed because of the negative impacts on global environments, including social systems as well as ecosystems. There are many that believe more culturally appropriate and inclusive development strategies must be created as an alternative to past practices. In addition, new guidelines for development must be created within a global context.

Systems science is often used to demonstrate the truth of these concerns, the consequences of inappropriate development policies, and the benefits of policies that are more environmentally appropriate and socially acceptable. This alone cannot encourage dialogue among the globally diverse interests involved. A systems approach, however, can facilitate such an inclusive dialogue by developing the idea of service as the desired relationship between systems thinkers and those to be served. I believe this to be an important ideal, one that will greatly enhance the appeal and relevance of systems thinking and systems sciences in general, and ISSS activities in particular.

As a consequence, the following theme has been developed in cooperation with the Chairs of the Program and Organizing committcee for the 45th Annual Conference of the ISSS – (A World Development Congress, held in cooperation with the University of Stellenbosch from July 8-13 in Stellenbosch South Africa – will be: Africa and the emerging world system – unity, diversity, humanity.

My intention is to champion the idea of service, utilizing a systems approach to development that enables the emergence of diverse cultural/social/political/economic systems in an interconnected global context. I am concerned that terms like "world system" connotes for some the dominance of a particular perspective of how the world is/should be ordered. Many opportunities for dialogue around legitimate global concerns are thereby missed because of the perception people have of a dominant "development" paradigm being forced upon them, one that falls outside their own interests, realities and needs for development. I think this is a common concern among many citizens of technologically developing countries, as well as growing numbers of people in technologically "developed" countries. This fear of "power over" pervades many other areas of human activity as well, and represents an urgent and legitimate concern.

As President of ISSS I would like to help make the case that a systems perspective is invaluable in service of human needs, allows for diverse expressions of human potential anywhere in the world, and is not deterministic. I believe that the challenge for systems theoreticians and practitioners alike is to engage in a dialogue around how systems thinking can help celebrate and achieve a diversity of interests within an interrelated and interdependent global environment.

I would therefore like to invite you to engage and participate with ISSS on this important issue through any means you consider appropriate, including supporting and attending our conference.

Sincerely,Harold G. NelsonPresident ISSS 2001