Hillol Ray

GLOBAL COMPACT: A DELICATE BALANCE

Over the past several decades, more and more
New challenges are boggling our mind –
From environmental degradation to drug trafficking,
And spread of AIDS, as we seem to find!
These challenges have a global dimension
And responsibility to show that we do care –
While we strive to build trust with confidence
In our global village and preach where we go from here!

In an age of interdependence, global citizenship
Is a crucial pillar to justify progress and our need –
Through the formation of an inclusive, responsive,
And effective system that will carry the success seed!
Shared responsibility should lie at heart
To set and share any specific goals –
While the attempts to galvanize politics and policy-making
Will move on to display other roles!
Organizational culture and planned change
May sound like jargons to some with a skeptical view –
Still be assured that these are so handy tools
To deal any problems for political review!
Frustrations may bottle up with soul-searching efforts
To carry out the global compact mission –
But the floodgates will open in the long run,
As soon as we create the sense of unity with a clear vision!

With the passage of era, I am convinced that openness
Is the emerging hallmark of our time –
But we need to make it work against
The narrow concepts of the national paradigm!
Countries and peoples might retreat behind protectionism,
Or reject global citizenship to avoid the change –
And this will cause the blow of death
To our interdependent world from a close range!

Developing nations have heard a lot about free
And fair trade, but seen far too little of it –
And they are eager to know if their products
Will have an equal footing on global price list!
Unfortunately that footing is currently denied
Through the impositions of tariffs on their goods –
While subsidies are given to their competitors
In richer countries, based on politicians’ moods!
Issues on debt relief, investment, and corruption
Are also the timely and appropriate factors –
To the developed and developing nations,
And reach a common understanding among various actors!
Respective responsibilities in pursuit of balanced
And equitable developments are also a must –
To construct the foundations of economic growth
And safeguard our resources against the human lust!
Ecosystems for the succeeding generations
Should have a bearing on this global compact issue –
In an attempt to reduce the ecological footprints
On the planet and protect the salient tissue!

As a cheerleader of the global village, may I urge you
To forge the partnership better –
And move forward beyond the politics of confrontations
To reap the benefits later!
Solutions to poverty, environmental degradations,
And other challenges should take priority now –
While the business communities will conduct
Their businesses on a global scale via technical know-how!

I am confident, human well being can be
Dramatically advanced by an open market share –
‘Cause open markets and human well being
Can walk hand in hand without a stare!
But, at times, I am worried by a severe imbalance
In global rule-making for sure –
And it may affect human rights or the environment,
And all the consequences they have to endure!

Global compact has already set the indelible marks
By promoting the importance of universal glue –
Of business potentials in developing nations,
And embrace the brotherhood without a clue!
Still the achievements so far are not enough,
And I urge global leaders and businesses to continue –
To enact their spheres of influence, and stitch
The human family with color and hue!
Together we must move from value to values and from
Shareholders to stakeholders to bring solutions within reach –
And renew our approach from a delicate balance sheet
To a balanced government with a fresher look to teach!!