Consciousness involves intangible thoughts, feelings and people’s subjective experiences. It is exactly these subjective experiences that academia and policy makers insufficiently acknowledge as critical factor in shaping the future of Dutch international development cooperation.

Emotions are very often a taboo when formulating policy and they are hardly recognized as shaping people’s actions. Great spiritual and religious leaders talk abundantly about emotions, compassion and consciousness. Although Dutch NGO’s increasingly talk about these intangible emotions translated in values, discussions at high policy level are scarce. Given the current crises people increasingly look for the fundamental basis for change.

It is my belief that true change, transformation or development has to come from within. When people control their emotions (fear, insecurity and joy); instead of emotions controlling us, we will become able to shape a new world order. It is not only the mind that needs to be ready for change, but people’s entire consciousness. So policy makers wake up, have a look in the mirror and become catalysts of change!