Why the Center?

The world is going urban at warp speed! Major cities of the world are growing in complexity as competing forces, cultures, and systems seek to gain place and power. To lead in these global cities requires clear thinking and positive action on multiple levels while maintaining focus and integrity...static leadership will not keep pace.  The Center is an educational organization connecting and cultivating leaders so they will bring positive change to the cities of the world.

The Center provides Learning Communities focused on global urban leadership for mid-career and post career people, educational institutions, businesses, faith based groups, and other affinity groups. Learning Communities explore models of global urban leadership, sustainability issues, and provide field experiences where transformational change is making a dramatic difference.

The Center's learning communities provide and environment where leaders from North America and the Majority World come together within the context of the largest cities of the world. Leaders learn from each other as they explore models of effective work and ministry within these varied settings. Learning Communities have proven to be an effective means for leadership change bringing transformation of people, places and systems.

What do leaders need to learn?

In China alone 30 Million rural inhabitants are annually migrating to the urban centers of China. To put our arms around this in practical terms would be to envision the entire population of Canada migrating every year! Urban building is taking place at a pace unheard of in times past. The demand for skilled workers cannot keep pace with consumers’ demands.  Major cities of the world are also growing in complexity as competing forces, cultures, and systems seek to gain positions of power. To be a leader in today’s cities requires thinking and acting on multiple levels at the same time.

Global issues where leadership is desperately needed:

Children at Risk:  Sexual exploitation, child soldiers, AIDS victims, and street kids represent the new chaos of this global growth. Key initiatives and networks are being raised up to address this global epidemic of abuse but the growing need is beyond comprehension.

Systemic Slavery:  Whether it is human trafficking, religious exploitation, or apartheid, systemic slavery continues to exploit populations in our global community.  Recent developments in some parts of the world promise a new day for a world without slavery. Leaders are being raised up who repudiate the evil tyranny of systemic slavery but the global reality demands thousands of leaders standing for freedom and justice.

Reconciliation: Wherever humans interact the need for reconciliation is necessary. Wars and rumors of war fill the news. We rarely hear about reconciliation taking place, but we constantly hear about horrific struggles between people and cultures. Shiite against Sunni, American against insurgents in Iraq, Hamas against Fatah in Palestine, Lebanese Christians against Hezbollah in Lebanon, all vying for rights and power. With global strife increasing, new leaders are needed who will seek wisdom and peace. “We are ambassadors for Christ—he has given us this ministry. That’s what it’s ALL about—isn’t it terrible that we have made reconciliation a little subset? That is the ministry of the church!” -- Dr. John Perkins on Belfast Consultation

Minorities living under dominant culture leadership: The need for innovative leadership chiseled out of systems cast in stone is urgent. Business and educational leaders have the best opportunity to support emerging leaders who will be able to establish new systems addressing the injustices of the past.

Need more information?

info@globalurbanleaders.org