Part 1

Restructuring Institutional Norms

The institution in these chapters refers to an institution of practice. The practice mostly involves those that limit personal or economic freedoms and encourage and support traditional thinking that stifles new and creative ways of relating to the ever-evolving world we live in. As the world progresses ever more rapidly, why are human rights, economic rights, and ecologic imperatives lagging so far behind? Why are so many institution and industry norms still responsible for marginalizing huge portions of the world's inhabitants, and how can we provide or create access to opportunities that would add value to the lives of those who are discriminated against and disenfranchised?

In re-creating an established societal or cultural norm as well as an industry practice in some way, shape, or form, each of the Fellows in this section asked those big audacious questions. They were able to channel their indignation, disappointment, sadness, or anger into a response that satisfied their sense of equality and fairness and fueled their transformation into global citizenship.