Foundation Overview
One Earth Future catalyzes networks to solve complex problems at the root of armed conflict. Through its unique culture of iterative learning and improvement, OEF designs, tests, and partners to scale programs that work with communities to see problems in new ways and solve them collaboratively.
Marcel C. Arsenault and Cynda Collins Arsenault endowed One Earth Future with the belief that solving complex problems facing humanity calls for a fundamentally different way of working together. Rather than institutions working to achieve mandates, sustainable peace requires a global system of networks working to solve problems.
Because complex problems can only be solved by adaptive organizations, One Earth Future is structured as a portfolio of peacebuilding programs. Each program works for sustainable solutions to a specific problem, while gathering and sharing lessons about cooperative governance more broadly.
Whether we are supporting grassroots coalitions in Colombia, connecting Somali businesses to lenders abroad, or working towards cooperative solutions to maritime security, One Earth Future will remain focused on its vision of sustainable peace through collaboration and cooperative governance. OEF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3).
Values
- We expect excellence - Dedicated, long term resources support our work. We will honor these resources by constantly adding value and becoming the best in the world.
- We are relentlessly empirical - While solutions may be visualized, real progress is confirmed by evidence of success. We innovate and iterate.
- We are stewards of the long term - We act today to benefit humanity in the year 2100. Nevertheless, we hold ourselves accountable for achieving short term, measurable goals of narrow focus.
- We solve problems by engaging stakeholders - We provide the information, the forum, and the structure. Sustainable governance is generated from inclusion, collaboration and sign-off by engaged parties.
The Importance Of Gender Mainstreaming At OEF
Women’s empowerment and gender equality have ripple effects on peace and stability. However, women continue to be overlooked in projects and policies. For this reason, One Earth Future and its programs deliberately incorporate gender sensitivity into our work. Gender mainstreaming is a best practice employed across inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations that promotes gender equality and supports programmatic goals from sustainable resource management to countering violent extremism. At a minimum, gender mainstreaming is necessary to avoid unintentionally exacerbating inequality. One Earth Future envisions peace through collaboration and cooperative governance and values stakeholder engagement that generates inclusive resolutions. In order for One Earth Future to achieve this vision and adhere to our foundational values, inclusion must be a guiding principle throughout our work.
Ideas For Our Consideration?
One Earth Future is a private operating Foundation and does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding. If you have an idea that you wish us to consider, please reach out to an appropriate member of our staff to discuss it.
