Common Vocabulary Vision

“Despite the huge imbalance between the modest cost of action and the huge consequences of inaction, the world remains paralyzed. The types of steps needed to avert the worst outcomes are clear to many specialists, though not to the public. The main problem…is not the absence of reasonable and low-cost solutions, but the difficulty of implementing global cooperation…”

The compelling case for our society to work together to respond to global issues such as extreme poverty, environmental degradation and health crises such as HIV/AIDS, as presented in public health and economic development literature, is difficult to understand due to the complexity, scale and interrelated nature of the concepts. This lack of understanding is especially true among secondary students.

We believe that if the terms, concepts and relationships defining global issues can be communicated in a simpler and synthesized way, then great progress can be made toward solving these issues on all fronts – personal, cultural, economic and political – though promoting a culture of personal responsibility.

In this process, Common Vocabulary seeks to set a comprehensive standard for economic development and daily personal decisions that considers the full spectrum of circumstances that allow humans to live healthy and happy lives, in which their dignity is affirmed and their environment is sustained.

Common Vocabulary Goals

To inspire a generation of students, educators, community leaders, and employees who:

Understand the interrelated nature of the global economy, environment, public health crises and governing bodies
Have a clearer sense of the role their decisions play in promoting, or damaging, the health of our planet and so promote a culture of responsibility
Believe that economic and social growth in developed and developing countries can be held to a higher standard, namely achieving the comprehensive health of our planet and population
Appreciate that without a global network of partners working together, major global issues will never be appropriately addressed
Dedicate themselves in school, on the job, or in a community, to making a difference

Common Vocabulary Strategy

CV Global Development Workshop (Summer 2009)
A two-hour multi-modal workshop for high-school students led by teams of development experts and social entrepreneurs. Designed to introduce students to the integrated nature of global issues, to assess their current knowledge of and passion for such issues, and to conduct brainstorming sessions in order to develop a highly-engaging menu of future programs.

CV Guide to Global Health for Students & Educators
An introductory package of materials that provide a straightforward presentation of the terms, concepts and institutions needed to understand global health issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. Content includes a guidebook, a menu of community programs, stories of successful social entrepreneurs and information on existing efforts to join.

CV Global Health Student Ambassadors
The Common Vocabulary leadership team identifies, trains and mentors teams of leading college and high-school students to serve as ambassadors for Common Vocabulary by coordinating educational efforts among local businesses and organizations within their community.

Glossary of key terms and concepts
CV Blog addressing current issues
Profiles of social entrepreneurs
Global health success stories
Forum for students and educators
Media to use in the classroom
Industry–specific CV applications
Forum for community leaders