Diego talks to Greenhouse Pioneers about what makes him tick

As published on the Greenhouse PR Pioneers blog here.

“The Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) is a new global network created to help bring about a transformation of the economic system to prioritise shared wellbeing on a healthy planet.

Ahead of the official launch in New York tomorrow (20 September), we invited Executive Director, Diego Isabel, to tell us about WEAll’s mission to empower people around the world to catalyse systemic change.

Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, about the Wellbeing Economy Alliance – what’s its mission?

The Wellbeing Economy Alliance (#WEAll) has the mission to transform the goal of the economy, from profit maximisation to providing wellbeing to people and the planet.

• What drives you?

Change. When I see and feel change for the common good is possible, I go for it.

• What is your greatest achievement to date?

I am very proud of having brought together the main new economy networks and movements to the Global Forum NESI (New Economy and Social Innovation) to work together, to collaborate. #WEAll is a step beyond NESI, now all these networks are willing to keep on collaborating.

• What are the challenges you face?

Putting egos aside, not only individual egos but also what I call “corporate egos”. Collaboration is about agreeing on a common purpose and goals and working together to achieve them, without expecting a reward to feed our egos.

• What are you working on that’s getting you fired up and excited?

Creating positive and practical proposals for governments and cities so they become wellbeing economy governments and wellbeing economy cities. We need to create ecosystems where businesses can have a social purpose and people can have meaningful jobs and enjoy their lives.

• Where do you want to take WEAll next?

On the one hand, to create roadmaps for governments, cities, and businesses so they know how to make the transition towards a wellbeing economy. On the other, WEAll needs to empower people around the world to catalyse systemic change. We aim to develop what we call WEAll Citizens, a campaign to mobilise citizens around the world to support the wellbeing economy and the proposals of the different new economy movements.

• What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?

There are many things that would make a difference in our lives and in the system. We have the power to decide what to buy and from whom. The products we eat, the way we move, the clothes we buy and wear, all these things contribute to a global change.

• How is what you are doing inspiring change in others?

I think that the best way to inspire others is by walking your talk. I try to be coherent with the kind of system I would like to see. Paraphrasing Gandhi: “be the economy you want to see in the world”.

• Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers?

This summer I was inspired reading “Journey to Earthland” by Paul Raskin, Director of the Tellus Institute, one of the WEAll members. On my bedside table I always have some traditional eastern books such as the Tao Te King or the Dhammapada. They contain powerful inspiring messages.

• What do you listen to when you’re cooking dinner?

My wife asking, what have we got for dinner? ?

• What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Life is about giving and being yourself.

• Can you leave us with who’d be your Eco Hero?

Mother nature, or Pacha Mama as they call it in Latin America, is the best Eco Hero, we only need to listen to her and follow her lead.”