"There is a common meeting ground in the fact that we all need to change – nations as well as people. In a crisis of this kind, if leaders change they can change their people. If people change, they can change their leaders."                                           Frank Buchman, Founder, Initiatives of Change

Change starts with me: Most of us are very good at seeing where others need to change. Initiatives of Change suggests that if we want to see the world change, we need to start with ourselves. We become part of this movement for change as we move beyond denial and blame towards responsible action. A new attitude or behavior in just one person can often be a catalyst for change in a wider situation.

Tools for Change: Initiatives of Change offers tools that anybody can use to help in this process of trustbuilding. The way forward is shaped by choices we make today. In an insecure world the future belongs to those who choose hope over fear, trust over anxiety, and make life choices that demonstrate integrity and serve the common good. It is about a life committed to:

• Listening … a daily time of quiet for connection with God, the inner voice, or the conscience within. This daily practice offers a method for seeking correction and direction and is a source of inner freedom and creativity.
• Values of Integrity … absolute standards of honesty, purity, unselfishness and love applied to daily living. We all need to take an inventory of who we are and be willing to deal with what holds us back; restoring, where possible, for past mistakes, and embracing new motivation.
• Honest Conversation … a way to engage others. This approach replaces blame with an acceptance of personal responsibility. It unites people for action across barriers that have historically divided them.
• Healing the Past … where mistakes have been made and wrongs inflicted to break cycles of guilt or anger and build healing and trust.
• Modeling Community … living the way we want our country and the world to be.

An emphasis on individual responsibility for healing broken relationships is at the heart of this trustbuilding work. By emphasizing the link between personal change and societal change IofC provides common ground for people of all faiths and cultures to work together for solutions.

Read the Affirmations of Initiatives of Change to learn more about these ideas.