Being a Pioneer

"Being a pioneer is about effecting change by starting with self, about leading by example, and about being the difference that makes a difference" - 'yemi Adamoleku, Nigeria

"To be a pioneer, you have to have the courage, ambition and the capabilities to bet on yourself and your own vision, then implement it and pass on this vision and confidence to others." - Patrick Ifonge, France

"The art and culture of the Indian subcontinent is not given value in the place of birth - paradoxically, sometimes to be a pioneer is to uphold tradition." - Gunjan Doogar, India

"Being a pioneer is about inner change helping to implement actions which improve the world we live in. And it's about counting on an international network to support you, creating this critical mass, which will allow the successful changes to happen worldwide." - Patricia de Caires Sogayar, Brazil

A pioneer is someone who is willing and committed to go into unknown territory without a manual or a map - to take part in a course of action that leads the way for others to follow. The quest of this particular movement of pioneers, as stated in the philosophy section, is to create or transform systems, that they may come to serve Life, and operate in life-affirming ways.

How does one do that?

All change starts with our perception and understanding of ourselves and our situation. A pioneer needs to think and see possibilities and connections. If we choose to redefine ourselves and others as unique human beings, each with something special to contribute in a world where positive change is possible, then we invite the possibility for transformation. Instead of accepting an external model of the world into which our lives should fit, we have the capacity to reflect and identify which of our deeply ingrained ideas and beliefs work for us and which do not.

Looking around us, we also need to open our eyes to paradox, to unveil illusions, and help each other to build and apply our capacity for change. Being a pioneer means engaging with the world, combining the will to change it, with the willingness to listen to, and observe, how it wants to change.

Being a pioneer is about living with integrity, creativity, and authenticity - and bringing that to bear on the systems and structures around us.

The members of this network are young people, in their 20's and early 30's, who self-select to join by embracing the purpose and principles of the network. We encourage the pioneers to go through a commitment process, committing to the five principles of being yourself, doing what matters, starting now, engaging with others, and continuing to ask questions. Some choose to make this commitment public. This process is meant as an opportunity to reflect on who we are, what we believe, and what course of action we each need to take. It is also our "passport" in the network, and serves as a way for us to introduce ourselves to one another so as to find partners for learning and cooperation.

Being a pioneer is an ongoing journey. Fortunately it is no longer a lonely one!