| Existing paradigms for governance, leadership, society, communities, family, work, business processes, organizations, and markets are facing formidable challenges. Internet access, computers and mobile devices are connecting people and organizations in real time across national and international boarders; cultural and ethnic enclaves; class and beliefs systems. Quality and quantity of information once inaccessible because of cost, location, and distance are now available for free. In real time and delivered using multi-media. P2P networks and social media allow individuals and groups to reach beyond their traditional social networks for resources, persons, and support systems needed to enrich their lives; for self-improvement; for economic empowerment; for securing self-liberties. Resources are surgically allocated like never before in know history: inventories are delivered just in time to meet demand, saving money for distributors and retailers; medical care is made available for remote areas; governments are forced to be more accountable for expenditures and policies. Challenges to culture and traditions are occurring over much shorter time periods and at higher frequencies as compared with previous generations. Cultures that have long defined how we live our lives are becoming unworkable. Unfortunately, much of our world still relies on paradigms developed to address realities and problems of the latter part of 19th Century and early 20th Century for these new realities. In their book Managing Cultural Differences, Philip R. Harris and Robert T. Moran define culture as a "distinctively human capacity for adapting to circumstances and transmitting this coping skill and knowledge to subsequent generations." Culture impacts behavior and productivity. How can leaders, community members, the private sector, and civil society organizations working for sustainable communities ensure rapid changes resulting from information technologies do not result in chaos and self-destruction, rather than creativity and growth? VillageDirect.Org Values and Ethics are Based On: | 
