The Triglav Circle seeks to enrich the public discourse on global problems with moral and spiritual perspectives drawn from universal values. We bring attention to the urgency of considering the non-material as well as material dimensions of life and society. Assuming a continuum between the spiritual and the material realms, we believe forms of dualism including the separation of man from nature mutilate reality.
Gatherings of the Circle provide opportunities to exchange ideas from which participants draw inspiration and intellectual support. Discussions are summarized in reports and notes. Research and papers contributing to the wealth of knowledge and wisdom gathered by the Circle are circulated on this website.
As a non-governmental organization having consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, we participate in various activities of the United Nations.
OUR MISSION
Poverty and Social Justice
Culture
Harmony with Nature
Development and Social Progress
Spirituality and Public Life
Law and Governance
Events
Universal Love (Agape) as a Political Philosophy and Practice
Zoom 3 — 5 Novembre 2022
Participants from Europe, the USA. Japan, India, New Zealand met in the third Triglav Zoom session to discuss Universal Selfless Love [Agape] and how it can serve as the core of an effective ethical approach and motivation to reverse the trends leading to further deterioration of the planet’s Biosphere, and violent and inequitable societal conditions. Four topics were explored during this conversation:
- Defining the politics of love,
- Applying an ethic of love to current global crises,
- The unifying power of Love in politics, and,
- Interpreting selfless love in different societies.
Love speaks to the heart and appeals to values extending beyond immediate physical circumstances and willfulness. It benefits from inspiration and knowledge drawn from the humanities, the arts, and the sciences. It also offers important insight into the central role of love in maintaining human relationships and bringing them to fruition by responding to the need for reciprocity e.g. Love your neighbor as yourself. Such too is the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you or as inferred in the Chinese tradition: Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you. In summary, the focus on love as the virtue directed towards peace, social cohesion and the affirmation of justice and human dignity is commensurate with seeking the Common Good.
Currently an ethic of fear is the most common tool used to staunch the continuous destruction of the environment. ..History shows that striking the intellect with fear is most effective in times of immanent crisis threatening human life and comfort. But when the degree of danger is disputed and/or of a long-term nature— not evident or clearly affecting the general public—, it may not be the best strategy.
News and Ideas
Poverty and Social Justice
[Moral Poverty] Fact v. Fiction – Fake News guide by Walden University Library.
[Attacks against land and environmental defenders] Defending Tomorrow (full report available for download in article) by Benjamin Wachenje, Global Witness, 29 July 2020.
Culture Art and Education
[Peace education] Decolonising peace journalism – and putting it to work in East Africa, by Julie Masiga. The Conversation, 8 June 2020.
Harmony with Nature
UN report: Climate change a worsening threat to human wellbeing and health of the planet
Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption in nature and is affecting the lives of billions of people around the world, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, released on 28 February. People and ecosystems least able to cope are being hardest hit. To avoid mounting loss of life, biodiversity and infrastructure, urgent, ambitious and accelerated action is required to adapt to climate change, at the same time as making rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more ...
WWF Powering Nature : Creating the conditions to enable Nature-Based-Solutions - September 2021
[Human Relationship to Nature] This is my message to the western world – your civilisation is killing life on Earth by Nemonte Nenquimo, The Guardian, 12 October 2020.
Harmony with Nature, Report of the Secretary-General, United Nations, 28 July 2020.
[Nature and the Coronavirus] The Viral Universe – Viruses have big impacts on ecology and evolution as well as human health, The Economist, 20 August 2020.
[Human Relationship to Nature] State of the World’s Birds, BirdLife International, 16 November 2018.
[Human Relationship to Nature] 2020 A New Deal for Nature and People, Brochure and Video, WWF.
[Human Relationship to Nature] Robert Hainard, Ecopsychologie staff.
Development and Social Progress
World Bank PUBLICATION JUNE 30, 2021
The Economic Case for Nature
- This publication was prepared by the Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice of the World Bank by a team led by Giovanni Ruta.
Nature is under unprecedented threat:
The Economic Case for Nature, uses innovative economic modelling techniques to estimate how changes in select ecosystem services impact the economy, helping decision-makers understand the cost of inaction.
The report also lays out options for nature-smart policies that reduce the risk of ecosystem collapse and are “win-win” in terms of biodiversity and economic outcomes.
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[Health and the Economy] “Mass Consumption Is What Ails Us: To Avoid Pandemics, Our Whole Economy Needs to Change,” by Sonia Shah, Foreign Affairs, April 17, 2020.
Spirituality and Public Life
[Climate change policy and Spirituality] Faith, Morality and the Environment: Portraits of Global Warming’s Six Americas by Connie Roser-Renouf, Edward Maibach, Anthony Leiserowitz, Geoff Feinberg and Seth Rosenthal, Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, 19 January 2016.
Law and Governance
[Democracy during a Health Crisis] “Listening as governance” by Amartya Sen, Sixteen – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, 10 April 2020.