ARC: Building a better narrative
Panellists at the Inaugural Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference: Jordan Peterson, John Anderson, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Os Guinness. Source: Alliance for Responsible Citizenship.
The inaugural alliance for responsible citizenship conference was an opportunity to look beyond the daily political and policy debates towards the larger forces shaping our world and our future. by nick cater.
The war in the Middle East was a sobering backdrop to the inaugural Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) in London, which Freya Leach and I were privileged to attend on behalf of the Menzies Research Centre.
The inhumane slaughter of civilians in southern Israel by Hamas terrorists supported by Iran was a confronting reminder of the threat to international norms, democratic freedoms and institutions ARC was established to defend.
Yet, as Jordan Petersen, Niall Ferguson, Philippa Stroud, John Anderson and others reminded us on day one, our Judaeo-Christian heritage is also being undermined from within by a powerful narrative of permanent crisis that despises our history and achievements.
The inaugural ARC conference was an opportunity to look beyond the daily political and policy debates towards the larger forces shaping our world and our future.
The 1500 invited guests from 71 countries included the sharpest, most sober minds in the public square from around the world to develop a better story, one grounded in truth rather than ideology and prejudice.
It focussed on strengthening families, the social fabric, free enterprise, good governance, affordable energy, environmental care and promoting Western civilisation.
The database discussions on energy and climate change by speakers including Michael Shellenberger, Alex Epstein and Bjorn Lomborg were directly applicable to the Australian debate, reinforcing the importance of nuclear power in our energy future.
Speakers on the economy, including Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor, made a powerful case for reigning back state spending and debt and restoring hope and aspirations. Affordable home ownership is of critical importance.
The pressures on families and the social fabric provided some of the most challenging discussions, reinforcing the importance of the MRC's focus on restoring hope for a generation of young people who are deeply pessimistic about the future.
The US social psychologist Jonathan Haidt shared data from his forthcoming book showing a clear link between the introduction of smartphones and a rise in anxiety-related disorders, self-harm and suicide across multiple jurisdictions.
ARC is not an organisation that intends to deliver top-down solutions to these challenges. It is a catalyst for further discussion and a call to action for all of us to play our part in pushing back the poisonous narrative of the cultural Left.
The networks forged in London are the foundation for a movement that is certain to grow in importance and influence.