A Change that Matters

Scott London is a man with something to say, and I am a ready listener. Recently, London highlighted the work of various "changemakers," which struck me because of my interest in social entrepreneurship. His site, linked on the right hand side of this page, is full of interesting articles, interviews, reports, photos and more. From London's postings, I have delved into the thoughtful musings of Robert Coles, browsed an interview about the "politics of place," and much more. He's one of the people whose stuff I read over and over beginning to end; and those, my loyal readers, are few and far between.

London just wrapped a project showcasing the work of common good social innovators: people seeking to better the world by serving as lighting rods for social development. I, for one, am all for social innovation-when it is thoughtful, intentional, and sustainable. But, when it comes to real, lasting change, what counts? According to London, "What sets [public innovators'] work apart is that they are not just committed to advancing the common good but to serving as agents of meaningful change and lasting impact." (London, "Public Innovators," 2009)

Meaningful change, lasting impact? London's words might hit a nerve or two these days in a culture that is scrambling for change at all costs. So many-including our new President-are razzed for new ideas and a push beyond the status quo. Just turn on your television for proof. Even General Motors is trying to reinvent itself. If i'm totally honest, though, I must admit that I am getting a bit leery of the change and reinvention buzzwords. As we continually ponder ways to innovate, I often step back and wonder if we're really any closer to the "it" than we were when the unsuccessful League of Nations launched after World War II. I'm all for positive change, don't get me wrong, I just want people to consider what kind of change we really need. Is it the answer to this year's Davos questions? (see The Davos Debates) A new economy? A better system of representative government? More tightly knit, eco-friendly, and well-designed cities? Again and again, it seems the magic formula is just beyond reach and i'm wondering what people really think it takes to get there.

What kinds of value judgments and worldviews sustain the lasting change our souls and bodies ache to see instated? And, further, what kinds of changemakers have the capacity to inspire such changes? In his changemaker project London strikes at the less-obvious core: "They stressed again and again that change and renewal in the community is meaningless unless it is rooted in some deeper and more fundamental change in the human condition." (London, "Public Innovators," 2009) I couldn't have said it better myself.

Looking at the course of history, those who made the books were those who harnessed their gifts in a manner that commanded the attention of others-often even without their knowledge or after their demise. However, the change that lasts a very long time is not necessarily the change that matters. The change that matters, in the end, is the change that perpetually endures. It's a change comprised not of material goods, aesthetic appearances, or degrees of power. The enduring change is the one that's deeper, the one that cuts to the heart of man, and transcends the barriers of time. As T.S. Eliot might say, it's the change built around "the life of significant soil."