 Global Integration UpdatesCommon Ground for the Common Good Be the people we need--Build the world we need
Special News--May 2023
Into the Towers and Trenches
Crucial Contributions from Global PBS:
Global Psychological-Behavioral-Social Sciences "Our world is in big trouble. Divides are growing deeper. Inequalities are growing wider. Challenges are spreading farther. We need hope — and more. We need action.….the reality is that we live in a world where the logic of cooperation and dialogue is the only path forward. No power or group alone can call the shots. No major global challenge can be solved by a coalition of the willing. We need a coalition of the world." UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ opening remarks to the General Assembly in New York (20 Sept. 2022) ----------- Overview
In this Update (#83) we delve into the domain of the Global Psychological-Behavioral-Social Sciences (Global PBS). This broad, overlapping term, which we are presenting here for the first time, represents a domain of study, research, and practice which seeks to positively impact the major problems facing our world--across cultures and countries, sectors and settings, locally through globally. Global PBS is intentionally and increasingly immersing in the influential towers and the infernal trenches of our world--and many areas in-between.
Specifically we share three recent and representative resources from each of the three multi-disciplinary fields that comprise Global PBS (Part One): - Psychological Sciences: Psychology Day at the UN (event 27 April 2023), Internationalizing the Psychology Curriculum (webinar 21 April 2023), and Going Global: How Psychologists Can Meet a World of Need (edited book, 2023).
- Behavioral Sciences: Behavioural Science for Better Health Initiative (WHO, 2022), United Nations Behavioural Science Report (2021), and Behavioral Science in the Global Arena (book series, 2020-current).
- Social Sciences: Social Psychology Course (Corsera, current), Leveraging Social Sciences for Community Engagement in Humanitarian Action (webinar 18 April 2023), and The Social Psychology of Good and Evil (edited book, 2016).
We also include three recent and representative resources from two other highly relevant areas overlapping with Global PBS (Part Two): Three clarifications and caveats:
1. Good and the bad. Global PBS is a two-edged sword ("tool"). Like any tool, it can be used for either good or for evil and/or with mixed motives--promoting greater peace, economic prosperity, equity, and health or manipulating, exploiting, corrupting, and harming people and the planet. See the The Psychology of Unethical Behavior (Harvard Business Review, 2019) and a short review of it (FPIN, 2019).
2. Skills and virtue. We believe it takes committed people and institutions who are both skillful and virtuous--working collaboratively in tough places and problems with humility, integrity, accountability, and transparency--to apply Global GPS well. See Integrity and Accountability for UN Staff (UN Special. 2017).
3. Sciences and humanities. Global PBS is a new and overlapping term and not solely the purvue of "science." Rather it includes both sciences and humanities, and has a key, integrative role in developing global citizens. See Education for Global Citizenship: The Gyeongju Action Plan (UN DPI/NGO, 2016).
We conclude this Update with some personal reflections on being "people of faith-hope-love" in the Christian tradition who embrace "common ground for the common good."
Suggested Applications--Making It Personal - Review the descriptions of the Global PBS materials in this Update. Which ones are most applicable to the "influential towers" of our world and which ones are most applicable to the "infernal trenches" of our world?
- Probe further into one or more of the items. For example, you might want to watch all or part of the upcoming Psychology Day at the UN on 27 April 2023 (or the video recording at a later date).
- Share this Update with your colleagues, organization(s), and networks. Meet with colleagues to discuss practical applications for your life and work.
Going further--see these Global Integration Updates: Warm greetings,
Kelly and Michèle   MCAresources@gmail.com
Featured Resources
Into the Towers and Trenches
Crucial Contributions from Global PBS:
Global Psychological-Behavioral-Social Sciences
 Source: UN photo “But by acting as one, we can nurture fragile shoots of hope. The hope found in climate and peace activists around the world calling out for change and demanding better of their leaders. The hope found in young people, working every day for a better, more peaceful future. The hope found in the women and girls, leading and fighting for those still being denied their basic human rights.The hope found throughout civil society seeking ways to build more just and equal communities and countries. The hope found in science and academia, racing to stay ahead of deadly diseases and end the COVID-19 pandemic. The hope found in humanitarian heroes rushing to deliver life-saving aid around the world. The United Nations stands with them all. We know lofty ideals must be made real in people’s lives. So let’s develop common solutions to common problems — grounded in goodwill, trust, and the rights shared by every human being. Let’s work as one, a coalition of the world, as united nations. Thank you.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ opening remarks to the General Assembly in New York (20 September 2022) ----------
Part One
Global PBS Resources Psychological Sciences:Psychology Day at the UN (event 27 April 2023), organized by the Psychology Coalition at the UN addn other partners. The theme this year is "Psychological Contributions to Peace, Conflict Resolution, and Equity." This is an annual, three hour event at the UN in New Yolk and live-streamed, now in its 16th year. Save the date and register! You can also watch the video recording at a later date.  Image from he 8th Psychology Day at the United Nations----- Internationalizing the Psychology Curriculum (webinar 21 April 2023). We found this 75 minute webinar to be excellent, totally worth watching all of it--stimulating, instructive, challenging, supportive, and relevant. The many diverse presenters each had 5 minutes to share about their work, and there was a 20 minute time for Q/A. Powerpoint slides are HERE. Where to begin, especially for all of us very busy people? For a short summary about the webinar's relevance--"The Why"--we suggest you watch the 90 second overview by Dr Craig Shealy (from minute 58:00 to minute 59:30). To paraphrase: Students really want to have an impact in our world and they look to their professors to help them make their training as applicable as possible for the issues facing our world... 
A powerpoint slide from the opening comments by Dr. Harold Takooshian----- Going Global: How Psychologists Can Meet a World of Need (edited by Craig Shealy, Merry Bullock, and Shagufa Kapadia, 2023). “This is the authoritative guide for current and future psychologists around the world who are or want to be engaged in international efforts and opportunities and meet pressing global needs. Psychologists are increasingly applying their knowledge, skills, and values to big picture issues such as sustainability, human rights, conflict resolution, global education, and religious and cultural understanding. However, education, training, and professional development often overlook "thinking and acting globally" as a vital component of the professional identities of psychologists. With decades of international experience as scholars, educators, practitioners, policymakers, and consultants, contributors to this book describe exemplary programs, relevant trends, and dynamic possibilities for global engagement. They focus specifically on nine key areas of expertise through which psychologists can make a difference: advocacy, assessment, consultation, intervention, leadership, policy, research, service, [and] teaching. Chapters also highlight opportunities for international and interdisciplinary collaboration while empowering indigenous voices and psychologies.” (quote from the book description on Amazon). You can read the TOC and Introduction HERE.
Behavioural Sciences:Behavioural Science for Better Health Initiative (WHO, 2022). “ The objective of the Behavioural Sciences for Better Health Initiative at WHO is to promote and enable the systematic use of behavioural and social sciences in public health across the work of WHO and that of its partners. Within WHO, the initiative provides support for the use of behavioural and social sciences as part of policy development, programme design, research, communication and advocacy, and capacity building and training.The initiative has five workstreams: Strategy and normative, Testing approaches and piloting projects, Technical assistance and capacity building. Knowledge sharing, [and] Positioning and partnerships. WHO includes behavioural and social sciences in its work in different ways and across a variety of issues; some of these efforts are included here below [in the examples on the website].” ----- United Nations Behavioural Science Report (2021). “The UN cannot proceed with business as usual if it desires to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deliver on its mandates across the four pillars of peace and security, human rights, development and the rule of law. For the organisation to maintain the role of a trusted global leader in the 21st century and to carry out its functions effectively, it needs to look toward innovative ways of working with respect to its operations and administration. In many areas, successful outcomes in the UN’s work depend on changes in human behaviour - for instance, making healthy choices, taking medicine, allowing a child to go to school, finding decent work and saving money. Behavioural science can improve outcomes through facilitating understanding of: the barriers that prevent people from engaging in or following through with their intended actions, n the enablers that assist people in in establishing and achieving their goals, and n the impact of interventions based on an understanding of those barriers and enablers - all premised on commitments to human dignity, transparency and respect for ethical requirements.” United Nations Behavioural Science Report, UN Innovation Network (2021, page 1) ----- Behavioral Science in the Global Arena (book series, various editors, 2020-current). ‘In 2020, the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations (PCUN) launched a bold new series of edited books, describing how evidence- based behavioral research is increasingly used by United Nations and other decision-makers, to address global issues. These issues reflect the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030—such as health, poverty, education, peace, gender equality, and climate change. The first three PCUN volumes bring together concise chapters that are co-authored by leading global experts as well as “rising star” students from many nations--offering readers an excellent overview of each topic, a glossary of key terms, study questions, and references. The volumes are suitable as a textbook for diverse courses in psychology, social work, cross-cultural and international studies. More volumes are en route.’ (adapted from the publisher’s website, Information Age Publishing)
Behavioral Science in the Global Arena
--Volume One: Addressing Timely Issues at the United Nations and Beyond (2020)
--Volume Two: Global Mental, Spiritual, and Social Health (2022)
--Volume Three: Global Health Trends and Issues (2022)
Social Sciences:
Social Psychology Course (Corsera, a "massive online open course" taught by Dr. Scott Plouss, current). "Each of us is dealt a different hand in life, but we all face similar questions when it comes to human behavior: What leads us to like one person and dislike another? How do conflicts and prejudices develop, and how can they be reduced? Can psychological research help protect the environment, and if so, how? This course offers a brief introduction to classic and contemporary social psychology, covering topics such as decision making, persuasion, group behavior, personal attraction, and factors that promote health and well-being. Our focus will be on surprising, entertaining, and intriguing research findings that are easy to apply in daily life. The course will also draw from the websites of Social Psychology Network, the world's largest online community devoted to social psychology. I hope you'll join me for this course, have fun, and learn some useful information that enriches your life.” (quote from the course website) ------
Leveraging Social Sciences for Community Engagement in Humanitarian Action (webinar organized by International Association of Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance and Protection--PHAP, 18 April 2023). “The social sciences have long had a solid connection to humanitarian action. A recent project has aimed to strengthen this further in how humanitarian actors engage communities in their work. In collaboration with more than 70 humanitarian partners across humanitarian practice and academia, the Social Science for Community Engagement in Humanitarian Action (SS4CE in HA) project has been aiming to facilitate community engagement of affected and at-risk communities throughout the humanitarian program cycle. This session will be the first in which the outputs from the projects will be showcased, exploring those that focus on concepts related to decolonization, social justice, and localization. Panelists will be discussing how social sciences and community engagement in humanitarian action can be implemented towards more ethical, inclusive, decolonized, social justice, and effective practices, as well as how to approach resourcing for systematically integrating social science for community engagement.” (quote from PHAP website)  ------ The Social Psychology of Good and Evil (edited by Arthur Miller, second edition 2016). “This timely, accessible reference and text addresses some of the most fundamental questions about human behavior, such as what causes racism and prejudice and why good people do bad things. Leading authorities present state-of-the-science theoretical and empirical work. Essential themes include the complex interaction of individual, societal, and situational factors underpinning good or evil behavior; the role of moral emotions, unconscious bias, and the self-concept; issues of responsibility and motivation; and how technology and globalization have enabled newer forms of threat and harm.” (quote from publisher’s website, Guilford Press) The is one of our favorite books, with 22 fascinating and informative chapters organized in five parts: Conceptual Perspectives, Harming Others, The Self Concept, Group Perspectives, and The possibility for kindness. Some of the most impactful chapters or us include Why are the Milgram Studies [on obedience in harming others] Still So Extraordinarily Famous, False Moral Superiority, Dishonesty Explained: What Leads Moral People to Act Immorally, and the Psychology of Heroism. 
Part TwoGlobal GMH and MHPSS Resources Global Mental Health (GMH): World Mental Health Report: Transforming Mental Health for All (WHO, 2022)."Mental health is critically important to everyone, everywhere. All over the world, mental health needs are high but responses are insufficient and inadequate. The World mental health report: transforming mental health for all is designed to inspire and inform better mental health for everyone everywhere. Drawing on the latest evidence available, showcasing examples of good practice from around the world, and voicing people’s lived experience, it highlights why and where change is most needed and how it can best be achieved. It calls on all stakeholders to work together to deepen the value and commitment given to mental health, reshape the environments that influence mental health, and strengthen the systems that care for mental health." (quote from the WHO website)
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GMH: Collaborating for Sustainable Development and Wellbeing (overview article, 2022, Kelly O'Donnell, Julian Eaton, and Michele Lewis O'Donnell). “Mental health is increasingly being recognized for its pivotal role in health, sustainable development, and wellbeing for all people and of the planet. In this chapter we highlight several markers that collectively reflect crucial developments and directions for mental health’s global impact. These comprise events, reports, manuals, campaigns, consortia, etc., and this body of markers represent the culmination of a series of articles over the past 10 years to orient colleagues in mental health and across sectors to the domain of Global Mental Health (GMH) (GMH-Map Project). We organize the markers into 10 areas of engagement for GMH Collaboration and conclude with perspectives on working together into the future.” (excerpt from the article introduction)-----
GMH Action Network. “The Global Mental Health Action Network is a free to access membership organisation established to connect people and resources to promote better mental health awareness and provision….[The Network has] more than 2,200 members from academia, governments, international organisations, NGOs and the private sector, from over 125 countries there are many reasons to be part of our growing network. Mental health campaigners and advocates – including those with lived experience – come from an incredibly diverse range of backgrounds. We work hard to include the experiences and perspectives often missed in conversations about mental wellbeing. We know that mental health is influenced by everything from socio-economic conditions, gender and ethnicity, to sexuality and the attitudes and beliefs of individual communities. We therefore endeavour to work with partners who reflect that breadth of experience.” (quote from the Network's website)
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS):
IASC Handbook: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordination (2022). “During and after an emergency, many local, national and sometimes international actors respond to support those in need. In many cases, this aid is crucial and can save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity. However, when it is poorly planned, un-coordinated and designed without the participation of local communities,, aid can also lead to harmful outcomes. Therefore, it is essential that the different actors, each responding to the same crisis with their own mandates, missions, interests and working languages, organize their efforts. This coordination is of critical importance because it prevents confusion and conflict, reduces duplication and harmful gaps and supports the efficient use of scarce resources. In short, it can truly save lives. Therefore, coordination is not a goal. Instead, it is a process of collaboration to improve the quality and accountability of a humanitarian response.“ (page 2)
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Top 20 Priority Questions for MHPSS Research in Humanitarian Settings (commissioned by Elrha and conducted by researchers at HealthRight International, 2021). “Humanitarian crises are often associated with significant psychological and social suffering. It is now recognised that the provision of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) should form a key component of humanitarian health response...Recognising the diverse MHPSS needs in humanitarian settings, and the growth in delivery of MHPSS programmes, efforts have been taken to refine a research agenda that is responsive to the needs of different population groups as well as the humanitarian practitioners providing services...Elrha commissioned a second review in 2021 to establish an MHPSS research agenda for the next ten years. The findings of MHPSS-SET2 are presented in an interactive table below. This visualisation presents the top 20 research questions as aggregated across groups. These 20 questions can be reordered by professional category, gender, or region of work using the below filters.” (quote from the MHPSS.net website)
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MHPSS Network. The MHPSS Network is “a growing global platform for connecting people, networks and organizations, for sharing resources and for building knowledge related to mental health and psychosocial support both in emergency settings and in situations of chronic hardship. The network functions as an online community of practice for mental health and psychosocial support in challenging humanitarian and development contexts…We are a hosted online platform that enables members to share resources, join groups and interact with others, based on their work and interests. The platform also plays an important role in mobilizing capacities, resources and supporting coordination around MHPSS response during emergencies. Recognizing that technology alone is not always sufficient to enable exchange or grow communities of practice, the network’s team of online hosts supports members in using the site and in helping members connect with others across the network.” (quote from website)
Personal Reflections
Being People of Faith-Hope-Love 
California Coastline USA--Image courtesy and © ENOD 2016
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.
This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, 1964
We appreciate and enjoy connecting with people
from different faiths or of no particular faith.
People are people.
As people of faith who practice Christian spirituality, we are committed to responsibly engage with others in the challenges facing our world, locally through globally, while holding firmly to our belief that we are in God's hands. We pray that God's purposes "will be done on earth as they are in heaven;" acknowledge that prayer, repentance, and relationship with God are key to human-planetary wellbeing; and live in hope for the time when God through Jesus Christ will decisively intervene in human history with equity--righteousness and justice--to restore all things. And in the meantime, we seek to embrace lifestyles of integrity that prioritize a deep, practical love for truth, peace, and people. We do not want to further problematize our world's plight by focusing primarily on the negative. Rather we want to also promote the many examples of the good going forward, as people of integrity find common ground for the common good.
Finally, we want to highlight that the despair and disillusion that result from seemingly intractable problems like corruption can also be quite positive. They can embody a crucial existential message about reality that can be "revisited"--explored and heeded--rather than simply "resisted." They can point us to Someone who is bigger than ourselves, the SDGs, humanity, and our world--the knowable, Eternal One who is both in and beyond space-time and who loves us all dearly. The above thoughts build upon the Personal Reflections in Perils, Paralysis, Hope: Sustainable Development-Sustainable Destruction? (Global Integration Update, October 2022).
Member Care Associates
MCAresources@gmail.com
 Member Care Associates Inc. (MCA) is a non-profit, Christian organization working internationally from Geneva and the USA. MCA's involvement in Global Integration focuses on the wellbeing and effectiveness of personnel and their organizations across sectors (e.g., mission, humanitarian, peace, health, and development sectors) as well as global mental health and integrity/anti-corruption, all with a view towards collaboratively supporting sustainable development for all people and the planet. Our services include consultation, training, research, resource development, and publications.
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Global Integration
Global Integration (GI) is a framework for actively and responsibly engaging in our world--locally to globally. It emphasizes connecting relationally and contributing relevantly on behalf of human wellbeing and the issues facing humanity, in light of our integrity, commitments, and core values (e.g., ethical, humanitarian, human rights, faith-based). GI encourages a variety of people to be at the “global tables” and in the "global trenches"--and everything in-between--in order to help research, shape, and monitor agendas, policies, and action for all people and the planet. It intentionally links building the world we need with being the people we need. Our Global Integration Updates are designed to help shape and support the emerging diversity of global integrators who as learners-practitioners are committed to the "common ground for the common good." 2015-current (75+ issues). Some examples of foundational ones:
Doomsday?--June 2017
Living in Global Integrity--April 2017
Peace and Security--December 2016
Global Citizenship--June 2016
Faith-Based Partners in Transformation--August 2015
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Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability;
it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be coworkers with God,
and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail (April 1963)e |
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