Twenty Five years ago today, November 19, 1985, Harmony Foundation of Canada was born. Convinced that endless confrontation over environment and development was a losing proposition I was determined to pursue a more constructive approach. This is not to say that working against harmful proposals and practices is not worthwhile, it is, but rather that it is insufficient without the participation of informed people from all walks of life working together to solve problems and prevent new ones.
My how time flies; it seems that only yesterday I put aside my career as wildlife biologist and began to develop a comprehensive program of cooperation and education for positive change. That is to develop a society aware of and concerned about the world and with the knowledge, skills and commitment to work together to solve our current problems and prevent new ones.
Without a rich uncle or patron I rode the rails, stayed with friends and crashed conference buffets as I searched for like-minded people and organizations. I learned a lot about human nature, the life of a travelling salesman and the importance of a positive approach, even in the face of scepticism or opposition. One works to make the world a better place because that’s the kind of person you want to be not because anyone promised you easy success.
As Pete Seeger once told a reporter who asked him if he was wasting his time on lost causes, “I don’t know if they are lost causes or not and neither do you. What I do know is that’s where people with good hearts and minds hang out and that’s where I want to be too. “
“Over the past 25 years I have had the privilege of working with some outstanding people and organizations too numerous to mention in this short blog.” They all deserve a big thank you as exclaimed on our website.
However, I want to specifically thank our Chairperson Robert Bateman whose early confidence and personal integrity made a huge difference getting started as did the support of Robert Franklin and Ontario Hydro, Allan Taylor and the Royal Bank as well as the Bank of Montreal, GE Canada, Hazel Gillespie and Petro-Canada, Bell Canada, The Co-operators, CIDA and IDRC.
Of course, our success would not have been possible without dedicated staff and Directors to whom I am grateful for their hard work, creativity and support. Without them we could not have produced 25 innovative publications and numerous pioneering programs and projects to help educators, community leaders, businesses, government, schools, families and concerned people like you to make a difference in Canada and 35 other countries with whom we have worked. It’s quite a track record for an independent Canadian “boutique” determined to be catalytic rather than institutional in its approach.
As we began our journey many said we were naïve to try to work with business and government and there wasn’t enough time for education to work. My how things have changed over 25 years!
As I look forward I see reasons for hope and pessimism. The issues are larger, more complicated and more threatening as the world confronts climate change, and the decline of virtually every ecosystem and life support. Too many governments, businesses and others still see the environment as a marketing opportunity or a cost of doing business. Too many people put their aluminium can in the recycling box before they drive their SUV for donuts or ice-cream. That is if they are one of the world’s lucky ones, wallowing in far more than their fair share as billions of others live on a few dollars a week and without adequate food, shelter or education.
However, a new generation is rising, informed and determined to create a world of peace, social justice and environmental stewardship. If we truly want a sustainable future we need to give hope to our young people and prepare the world’s citizens to work together to respond to changing environmental, social, and economic realities. We possess the means to create a world where every man, woman and child can live free of hunger and discrimination and obtain the health, education and opportunity to reach their potential while ensuring that human development does not squeeze other life towards extinction. We just need to find the compassion, creativity and foresight to make it happen.
Michael Bloomfield
Founder and Executive Director
Harmony Foundation of Canada
November 19, 2010
