Overcoming indifference

The 1995 meeting of the World Economic Forum had as its theme "Overcoming Indifference: Building the Fundament for the Twenty-First Century".

1. Indifference is the eighth deadly sin. When an understandable focus on one's own situation turns to neglect for the troubles of others, hostility toward those in different conditions and even conflict can result. In contrast is the will to involvement. Early involvement can solve problems before they grow too great. Cooperative involvement can redound to the benefit of all. Sustained involvement can transform the world for the better. The United Nations is a machine for involvement. Through its mechanisms peoples everywhere can engage their problems together. (Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary-General, UN).

1. Overcoming

1. Recreating value systems
2. Questioning assumptions
3. Opening channels for societal engagement
4. Motivating cooperation
5. Motivating community involvement
6. Maintaining global security
7. Ensuring full employment
8. Developing sustainable population policy

1. Being indifferent

1. Unexpressed social compassion
2. Social neglect of war veterans
3. Social inequality
4. Police indifference to community
5. Passivity
6. Paralysis of social response
7. Neglect of victims of crime
8. Lack of political will
9. Lack of care
10. Indifference to suffering
11. Indifference
12. Compassion fatigue
13. Collapse of common values

1. Indifference