Affiliates' Charter Details
Below is a brief explanation of the elements that make up the Charter.
1. Leading a life filled with positive human values
A life filled with positive values is one that is based on the conscious understanding and adoption of universal positive human values, such as respect, peace, honesty, friendship, integrity, peace, love, empathy, care, compassion, justice, dignity and trust. Values such as these guide a person’s thinking and behaviour.
In an organisation, such values underpin its life and work. They guide all decision making at every level.
2. Being a role model for positive human values
When positive values are being fully lived, then the person is a values role model for others to see and emulate.
At an organisational level, the institution agrees to be a role model for positive values.
3. Promoting self-leadership
Self-leadership means acting from our authentic nature – the ‘real’ you. We all play different roles in life; parent, spouse, partner, father, mother, friend, worker etc., and in these different roles, we allow various aspects of our personality to dominate our behaviour. Such varying behaviours may affect the stability of our internal world. The more we are self-led, in all of our roles, the more our internal world is integrated and our relationships enriched. The result is wellbeing. Organisations will promote self-leadership.
4. Having time for reflective practices
Reflective practices are known by many names: mindfulness, prayer, meditation, silent sitting and contemplation. Neuroscience teaches us that such practices help us to still the mind and regulate our emotional responses to life, enhancing our wellbeing and relationships with others.
Organisations will encourage reflective practices.
5. Promoting respectful relationships
As social beings, most humans thrive on good relationships with others. Respect acknowledges the inherent worth and rights of others and ourselves. Relationships thrive where there is respect.
Organisations ensure that their routines and structures encourage respectful relationships.
6. Encouraging values-based living (VbL)
Values-based living happens when individuals and organisations decide to use positive human values as their ethical compass. They appreciate the challenges that this brings but do not shy away from making ethical decisions based on their values. Key to values-based living is the desire to live altruistically, for the benefit of yourself, others and the world.
7. Maintain wellbeing and resilience
To the best of their ability and circumstances,each person takes responsibility for maintaining their wellbeing and resilience. Having adequate sleep, a good diet, appropriate exercise and relaxation helps us to achieve this.
Organisational culture supports the wellbeing of its staff.
8. Supporting the Foundation’s vision for humanity to flourish in the 21st Century
An Affiliate will actively support the Foundation’s vision for humanity to flourish.
Organisations will demonstrate that they are part of the Foundation’s network of supporters by proudly displaying the Foundation’s logo and certificate of affiliation.