2nd Enlightenment Movement (2EM)
We are a growing group of individuals from different backgrounds that have come together to create the space for a more positive approach to humanity and the planet. We are calling this a 2nd Enlightenment Movement. We want to secure a better, more positive and loving world for all of us.
Our purpose is to seek out, document, connect and amplify initiatives across the globe that align the 2EM principles and values.
Join us as we deepen the discussions of the 2nd enlightenment as a movement which documents, celebrates & amplifies initiatives in line with our principles.
In addition to building this knowledge base, we are currently hosting a series of online cafes to build the vision for the 2nd Enlightenment movement and envision the systems changes required. Watch this space for the next one, or visit the online forum to keep up to date.
Add your light to the movement
The 1st Enlightenment was a reaction to humanity not achieving its potential. It brought together people from different areas of interest to rethink the systems and processes through which society functioned. Some of the drivers for reform at that time were education, workers' rights, economic innovation and empirical science. It was also a very exclusive, and overwhelmingly the domain of white, privileged men, who often benefited from wealth built upon slavery. For 2EM to be an anti-racist we need to create spaces to talk about race, reflect on and collectively heal from the harm of racism. 2EM will use its purpose as a connector to bridge the passion against racism with other agendas, from human rights, climate justice, to tackling social inequality, in order to ensure the wider system change required.
Our idea is to start with a big positive vision for people and planet and use this to thread together the progressive actions that many people are already doing in many arenas, so we can build a more cohesive, connected and inclusive force for change. We are building a network of people to achieve this.
Join our Basecamp discussion forum.
Guiding principles
At 2EM we acknowledge that language is evolving and often lacking for our new world. Hence, our current language is limiting some of our true expression. Nonetheless, the 2nd Enlightenment movement (2EM) is based on the guiding principle of humanity achieving its potential through:
- Care for the planet and living environment
- Care for human rights and lights (seeking out the lights). Placing our light such that shade does not exist. Shade being an expression of where love is lacking. Look for the shade and dissolve it with love
- Innovation through diversity and shared learning (connecting the lights globally)
Read more at the dedicated 2nd Enlightenment page.
How to engage with this wiki
How this site works?
This wiki has its roots in the The Open Government Pioneers Project, a UK Lottery funded initiative in 2017-2019 to build the capacity of citizens and civil society across the United Kingdom to use open government methods to secure progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
You can immediately start working on developing this wiki, whenever you want (no wiki experience required). No need to register or sign in, unless you want your ideas to be attributed to you (see who’s been contributing). We want you to directly shape these plans by adding your ideas and content to this Wiki.
This site has been set up by Ruchir Shah, Amanda Heenan and Dorothea Christiana.
Why are we using a wiki?
This page is interactive, in that everyone can add to it. It was specifically chosen for this purpose.
- It’s accessible through the government firewalls – many proprietary digital platforms are not
- It’s more robust and road-tested – it uses the same underlying technology as Wikipedia.
- While it’s old tech, it has been evolving extensively over the years
- It’s easier for people to get into, as they don’t need an account unlike many other platforms – this makes a big difference
- Finally, and importantly, it’s machine readable by the software used by people with accessibility needs, which is important for equality / inclusion
Initiatives connected
- Browse the initiatives connecting through the 2nd Enlightenment movement
- Add your own initiative to this growing list
- Check out the events. Find out who is involved.
- Review the reading list and contribute to the list
Most recently added resources