This summer, over 300,000 people gathered in Paris to watch the opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics. People from all over the world came to witness a spectacle that included a stunning performance by Celine Dion, athletes parading down the Seine, playful nods to French culture with fashion, Marie Antoinette references, and traditional music filling the air.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to be a part of a global change summit organized by World Merit. Our team of change makers from around the world was tasked to create an action plan for one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations. The culmination of the nearly three-week experience was presenting these action plans at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. I chose to focus on goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. I can still remember the excitement and nerves the first day of this experience as I met the teammates I would be working with for the next few weeks. We went around the circle and shared why we chose goal #11 and what the idea of community meant to us. A new friend, Wandile, from South Africa, shared with the group the Zulu word ubuntu which roughly translates to, “I am because you are.” This word and sentiment has stayed with me ever since and captures the reverence and the wisdom of community better than I could ever articulate myself.
It is election season in the United States of America, causing excitement for some, trepidation for others, and perhaps even apathy for a few. It also means, when it comes to government, the public’s focus tends to be on two specific people: the presidential candidates from the major political parties rather than the nearly 22 million government workers who serve our communities in a variety of important functions, from health and safety to education and transportation and more. These workers are all too often part of a bureaucracy that does not get the positive attention—or credit—it deserves. So, it is a good time to remember how public service can take a backseat to politics, overshadowing the importance of the community impact and well-being of government workers beyond those in elected office, like the ones we encounter teaching our children, processing mail at our neighborhood post offices, ready to jump into action at our local fire departments, or picking up the trash from our curbs.
In this article, Dr. Lomas explores the complexities and nuances of community and collective well-being and distinguishes it from the related topic of flourishing. Read on for some of his newest insights and personal musing about the importance and urgency to not only consider the culture and context characteristic of positive psychology’s third wave, but also to move beyond it.
