We at Global Garden believe that our highest calling is to fully embrace the true opportunity of our lives:
- to care for our planet
- embrace our differences
- and make a joyful sound
It is our mission, therefore, to shine a light on the environment, our cultural diversity and the arts, because we believe that when people are exposed to these treasures they will naturally see and appreciate their value and respond with care, and these treasures will be rightly preserved for future generations to come.
The Earth:
At this point in our history we are able to observe the universe with stunning accuracy compared to our ancestors. Our explorations have taken us far beyond our own solar system and still we have yet to discover another planet like Earth. Here, life is expressed in brilliant diversity; the flora, the fauna... And we play a privileged role as the Earth's guardians.
The People:
Human beings are extraordinary. We are all profoundly related and yet completely unique. The paradox of human being/being human, is that we are both limited and unlimited... We are limited to seeing life through our exact and unique position on the planet and through what we've been taught and what we're able to learn through our own observations. But we are also able to enlighten and be enlightened by others, through sharing our visions and observations, now instantaneously and globally through our technology.
The Arts:
Each culture has influenced its people, and although our varied languages may present barriers, we are readily accessible through our arts; music, dance, food, costume...
When the Earth was first observed to be round, our shared observations (Yajnavalkya, Pythagoras, Plato, Copernicus, Columbus...) agreed and determined this to be true. And now the prevalent shared observations warn that we are standing on the precipice of peril, a global trifecta; the economy, environment and humanity... all confronted by enormous challenges.
We ask, how did we get here? We want our leaders to react quickly to protect us from these critical threats. But our leaders look to us to help them help us...
“You say we are on the brink of destruction and you're right. But it’s only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve.”
A quote from Edmund North's 1951 screenplay, The Day The Earth Stood Still.
It may be true that, only when we are threatened with peril, standing on the precipice, do we ever change... But we at Global Garden believe in an even greater motivator, turning our sights towards what we treasure. We believe that this more integral and sustainable motivation will cause and inspire us to find ways to move the mountains that have separated us from fully enjoying our privileged walk through the garden and the rare and unique creatures and beings we are privileged to meet and witness along our way.
Special Announcement:
2/9/09
In the interest of securing a relationship with a local New Orleans' organization, one that knows well the community and the organizations assisting in reconstruction of the Ninth Ward, today, Global Garden's President, Barbara L. George, entered into an agreement, with Bard College's Stephen Tremaine, Director of Urban Studies in New Orleans Program, to assist her charity through the selection of qualified recipients.
"As a native of New Orleans and now the Director of USNOP since 2005, I believe that Mr. Tremaine will advise us, free from any conflict of interest but rather, compliment us with their harmonious mission."
The Urban Studies in New Orleans Program is a summer academic and service program offered in partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana. Students in the program pair coursework in urban geography, policy, and history with substantive internships in a range of community-based recovery organizations. More information can be found at: www.bard.edu/neworleans/study/
"You can count on Global Garden to keep you, our friends, informed of all our associations and transactions, as we believe in full transparency for the benefit of all, not only to fulfill on our word, but to serve as a template for other charities who aspire to serve their community's greater good."