Choose the one thing and then stick to it

by Jurij Giacomelli

In the first part of the article, related to the Slovenian development challenges, published on Siol.NET, I propose a radical transition towards the circular economy with the focus on selected economic sectors. The selection of the prioritised sectors derives from the natural, geographical, historic, social and geopolitical factors: transportation and logistics, energy, biological cycle, related both to food and sustainable tourism, and the transformation of a supplier-orientated industry sector, typically SMEs. Remember: circular business model transformation at the level of each enterprise means innovation and the transition to the circular economy at the systemic level means nothing else but the creation of a well-functioning innovation eco-system. This is the real development challenge for the Country in the heart of Europe and committed to the EU, and not the balancing between different spheres of socio-economic progress, which merely focuses on (re)distribution of wealth, rather than on new value creation. Hence, if the radical circular transition should be The One Thing, go for it and stick to it. – Just like Curly (Jack Pallance) revealed to Mitch (Billy Crystal) in The City Slickers as “The Secret fo Life“.

Curly (Jack Pallance) revealing the secret of life in The City Slickers (1991)

Read here the full article in Slovenian.

The importance of a significant improvement of the education system as well as increased, however, targeted investments in science should have a priority over the investments into “hardware”. As explained in more depth in the second part of the article, the radical circular transition must become a political process supported by a wide development coalition. Cultural openness, leadership and cooperation represent the indispensable triad of virtues of such a political project, which should be accompanied by the truth (freedom of speech, the independence of informative media and the quality of journalism), justice (well-functioning judicial system) and knowledge.

Beyond the growing uncertainty, still aching consequences of the largest financial and economic crisis of the modern times and soaring social and environmental imbalances we can observe the making of a new social order, based on a sort of a global caste system. The positioning of individuals as well as entire societies in it will depend upon the success of the transition towards an innovation society in the context of a more balanced economic system, which will not be only more sustainable, but also more circular.

However, if we look into the future with hope, we see the dawn of an era of new humanism. After all, at the end of the circular transition it is man, not a computer or a robot. In the European history, humanism was shaped by strong leaders and thinkers. In this sense we can rely on the history to repeat itself.

Jurij Giacomelli,

Founder and Managing Director, Giacomelli media Ltd