Common Purpose Charter
Vision
In every democracy, there is an invisible, open space. It lies between the citizen and the state. Between the immediate responsibilities facing each individual and the institutional responsibilities of the government. It is political, but not party political: a place where people come together and act for a greater good. And it is open to everyone, from every sector of society.
In an unhealthy democracy, this space is empty. People may exercise their votes but, other than that, they leave the decisions to the governments they elect. They are active in their private lives, but passive towards the society around them.
In a healthy democracy, this space is full. It teems with individuals, businesses, community organisations and political groups. It is alive with energy and entrepreneurial activity. People hold institutions and the powerful to account. They oppose and propose. And, free from the short-term pressures of the election cycle, they can think and act for the longer term and in the wider interest.
At Common Purpose, we have a passionate belief in the importance of this space. In our view, this is the true meaning of democracy. Active not passive. Every day not just every election. Involving the best leadership from all parts of the community, not just from the people we elect.
Aim
Our aim is to fill this space with as many people as possible - and to give them the knowledge, inspiration and networks they need to be effective. To encourage all kinds of people into it - and to see all kinds of initiatives come out of it. To discover new leaders in the bustling crowd - and to show the lone voices that they are not alone.
We develop leaders who can lead beyond their authority, beyond their direct circle of control. Who can lead networks as well as organisations. Who can produce change even when they can't instruct or elicit trust in familiar ways. Who can sustain broader perspectives and who are confident in making connections between quite different groups of people and reconciling different worlds.
We believe that they will then be able to counterbalance the forces of fragmentation in society, getting communities to work better together. They will be better at using and combining scarce resources. And though they may only seldom produce huge shifts, they will deliver the accumulation of many small ones from which most change emerges.
Ethos
As we create a common educational experience within and across many countries, Common Purpose remains independent and non-aligned. We are always balanced and owe no historical or other allegiance to any other group. Our independence is reflected in our governance, finances, partnerships, behaviour and curriculum.
The Chatham House Rule is respected on all programmes. Professional teams create innovative and ingenious ways of working to ensure that all Common Purpose activities are high quality, stimulating, imaginative and fun. We draw on the widest possible variety of sectors, areas, beliefs and social groups. We would only exclude organisations or individuals if they deliberately promoted the use of violence, incited race or religious hatred, or set out to undermine democracy. We aim to be self-financing but work hard so that inability (as distinct from unwillingness) to pay is not a barrier to involvement in our activities.
Common Purpose staff behave as leaders themselves, delivering quality, taking risks, building on successes, adapting and evolving as society does across time and place and context. They seldom give up.
