Newsletter for Affiliates April 2026

This is a copy of my newsletter sent by email to each of you. Please let me know if you didn't receive it. It may have gone into your spam.

Dear Affiliate

I hope you are well and will find my thoughts as Founder of IVET supportive.

For me, current world events emphasise the urgency to create a new paradigm that enables humanity to flourish. I know that many of you, such as Paul Barnett, are actively working to encourage new ways of thinking and behaving.

Are you like me curious about why the highest levels of leadership create division, unrest and war amongst people? Having had the privilege to travel to so many parts of the globe and witness our common humanity, it deeply saddens me that the world is led by people whose psychological makeup fosters limiting values, such as greed, prejudice, intolerance, jealousy and inhumanity. 

It challenges me to understand why the general population allows leaders who lack ethical intelligence to dominate international politics.  Why do people vote for politicians who gain power by polarizing public opinion, demonising groups in society and using rhetoric to inflame public opinion? Can we do anything?

As an educator, I think the answer is partly rooted in education systems, which do not generally educate young people in ways that help them decide who they want to be in the world.  Schooling emphasises what they want to do.  Hence a curriculum with a focus on discrete subjects and the gaining of examination passes that show proficiency in them.  Character Education, as espoused through Values-based Education (VbE), is sometimes seen as a useful addition but is not understood as the bedrock of culture and society.  In other words, the foundation of civilised thinking and behaviour.  

Affiliate and Patron of IVET, Andrei Stupu and I have recently written a research article on the power of ethical-moral intelligence – the ability to ethically self-regulate behaviour to create values-based leadership. My analysis of many audits of schools that have gained our Values Quality Mark shows the amazing culture they create which gives moral agency to young people.  In other words, they proactively use enhancing values, such as integrity, dignity and trust to shape their character and be compassionate leaders. 

I am thrilled to see how appreciated Affiliates are who join me in our podcast series, Noble Conversations.  In sharing their unique experience, they give the hope that positive change can create a new reality.  I will be contacting as many of you as possible to join me on a podcast. You can listen to them on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts and other platforms. Here's an example: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3hxTZhwbYOYajSBwvrgtt5?si=1394784f1cd849e0

I would love to hear your ideas for a new more humane paradigm, so that IVET can share them with others. Please email me – your thoughts will be valued.  May I suggest you keep your ideas as ‘simple’ as possible, as I am realising that simple, yet profound ideas, well communicated, have the biggest impact.    

With heartfelt thanks for being who you are and making a difference in the world.

Warmly

Neil

Founder of the IVET Foundation

Other News

The Foundation would like to offer school leaders mentorship from our inspirational Affiliates.  Please let me know if you would volunteer your help to support ethical leadership in schools.

News just in: Jane and I have just returned from Iceland where we attended the Spirit of Humanity Forum.  I was humbled to be congratulated on my work by the President of Iceland, who inspired the Forum with his vision for the flourishing of humanity .  

Please keep in touch with me and other Affiliates and let's together be a major force for, as Affiliate Paul Barnett said in his Videocast, a new Enlightenment. Individually we are making a difference but together we can help this planet to flourish.

Neil Hawkes

Trustees: Neil Hawkes, Bridget Knight, Nigel Cohen, Jane Hawkes and Sue Jones

Patrons: Sir John Jones, Professors: Mick Waters, Ruth Crick, Bart McGettrict, Mark Chater and Doctors: Gladson Chickwa, Andrei Stupu and Tessa Willy