You can change the world

It is easy to feel powerless when politics is failing, inequality is growing, and the climate crisis is accelerating. But ordinary people can change the world. I know because I have seen it happen.

When John Christensen and I helped create the Tax Justice Network, we began with a plan. We identified what was wrong, worked out credible solutions and persuaded others to support them. Years later, policies we had promoted were being adopted internationally. Country-by-country reporting, an idea I created, became part of the rules governing multinational companies around the world.

That did not happen quickly, and it was never the work of one person. It required expertise, cooperation, persistence and the willingness to take risks. But it proves that change is possible.

In this video, I explain how recognising that the world is wrong can become the first stage of doing something about it. Anger is not necessarily a weakness. Properly directed, it can motivate us to find solutions.

Your contribution does not have to be global. You might organise locally, contact your MP, write for a community publication, join a campaign or simply bring together people who share your concerns.

The important thing is to choose an issue, make a credible plan and begin. You are not powerless. You can play a part in creating change.