“In my profession as cultural manager of Forum 3 I have to select and invite speakers that are able to address urgent questions of our time, be they social, economical, cultural, ecological or spiritual, in a way that truly deepens the experience and understanding of the audience and shows practical and healthy solutions that are of help and can be applied by those wanting to be activists in their own life. . . Here meeting personal integrity and natural authority in a speaker is key for making a difference in other people’s lives.

“Nicanor Perlas through his warm-hearted and encouraging empathy towards others, his long and enduring personal engagement as a social activist, and his deeply penetrating ability to conceptualize the driving principles and ideas at work in the social phenomena of today, make him an outstanding individual, a true leader, able to empower others with positive vision for action. Among those invited to Forum 3 on similar topics, Nicanor Perlas stands out in addressing and dialoguing with all age groups and all societal sectors.” - Ulrich Morgenthaler, (2001), Manager for Public Events, Forum3, Stuttgart, Germany

“The spectrum of the activities of Nicanor Perlas is so wide [that] his work seems hardly achievable for one person – not even in 35 untiringly dedicated working years. Yet those who meet Nicanor Perlas, experience the unquenchable energy of a person, determined not to be defeated by obstacles or setbacks, who unwaveringly continues to work wherever people and tasks call him. . . . . Nicanor Perlas [has been in situations where] he chose to follow his conscience and thus face [the possibility of] death. The strength of this decision is tangible still, when one listens to him talking of the inner conflict he faced. . . . The warmth, joy and strength of will he exuberates enable him to encourage people to leave their secure habits and begin [to walk the untravelled] road to discover new paths towards the future.” - Carol Bergin, global activist, in a 2003 article on Nicanor Perlas in Info3, a German newsweekly.

In these days of high economic growth and business optimism, the environmentalist . . . Perlas could be accused of being a killjoy. . . . Perlas has been persistently warning of the dark side of recent trends. . . . People listen because Perlas is an engaging speaker who is as familiar with farming practices as he is with national government policies. . . . He has been instrumental in shaping Philippine Agenda 21, a set of principles for the country’s future . . . Perlas is one of a credible few who offer a true alternative view of the country’s development. . . . . As business picks up, and the government’s management gets rave reviews, some observers wonder whether Perlas is out of touch with reality, or simply ahead of his time. . . . That is a perception with which he has long learned to live, for he is a gadfly with a track record.” (A few months later after this article was written, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries plunged into the Asian financial crisis, one that the Philippines still has to recover until today.) – Howie Severino, “Gadfly with a track record”, September 9, 1996, The Manila Times.

“Nicanor Perlas has written a brilliant exposition of a new viewpoint in social theory and practice, one that applies to all of us in our everyday lives. Not many new ideas can say that!” - Paul Ray, Ph.D., social scientist and author of The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World. Ray’s social science research predicted the possibility of new politics in the US.

“Ecostructure Leadership Institute (ELI) is looking for world leaders who take personal responsibility for ecosystems on a large scale and who speak about the environment in a way that transcends cultural and geographic distinctions. We would like to feature these kinds of leaders in our upcoming book,??Our Moment On Earth: 30 Ecosystem Leaders Share Their Action Plans.??ELI’s mission is to solve ecosystem challenges at their current rate and scale, and to create a $1 trillion annual Ecosystems economic sector by 2010. The specific goal of this book is to highlight the bold and visionary actions of world ecosystem leaders, share their work with the general public, and inspire emerging leaders to accomplish their own personal dreams for ecosystem vitality. I am the Project Coordinator for Our Moment on Earth. My research has led me to you. Your projects are remarkable, and it is clear to me that you are a leader in this field.” - Cathy Colvin, Project Coordinator, Ecostructure Leadership Institute

“Nicanor Perlas is a well-known man in the Philippines, a sage, almost a movement. . . . Nicanor Perlas is a wonderful symbol, showing how we in the North can learn from the wisdom of Southern peoples.” Ernst Ulrich von Weizsacker, Ph.D., member, German Parliament.

“It is rare to find a book on globalization that blends erudition with common sense, rigorous analysis with compassion, concern for the poor with fidelity to one’ faith tradition. I found these in Dr. Perlas’ book, and have been influenced greatly in my own reflections. This book should not be missed by any serious thinker on globalization and its impact on the world, the poor, and the Christian vision.” - Bishop Chito Tagle D.D., Diocese of Imus, Cavite, Philippines

“We face, at all scales, problems of increasing dynamic, social, and generative complexity. The only way we can address these problems peacefully is through tri-sector generative dialogue and action. Nicanor Perlas’ book–and his real world experience, on which the book solidly rests–represent brilliant and original contributions to this vitally-important new way. Adam Kahane, Ph.D., Managing Partner, Generon Consulting, Conflict Mediator in over 50 countries, and author of Solving Tough Problems: An Open Way of Talking, Listening, and Creating New Realities

“In a time, when most analysts seek the security of narrow specialties, Nicanor Perlas embodies courage. He offers an integrated, holistic picture — just what we need to make sense of our world. When we feel distinct global problems pummeling us, we can feel like throwing up our hands in despair. But when, with the help of Perlas’ experience and wisdom, we can see a causal pattern, we feel empowered to find our own entry point for healing the whole. Perlas offers us what I like to call “honest hope” because it is grounded in experience and calls us to become hope ourselves by taking action. What joy to find both a doer and a scholar – a practical visionary that our planet so desperately needs.” - Frances Moore Lappé, co-author of Hope’s Edge the Next Diet for a Small Planet and You Have the Power: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fear (Tarcher Penguin 2002 and 2004).

“Nicanor Perlas is one of the profound thinkers of our time. In Shaping Globalization, he brilliantly articulates the competing cultural and intellectual constructs driving the competition between elite globalization and global civil society and outlines a path forward by which we may resolve that conflict in the favor of life. A must read for all who work for a positive future” – David C. Korten, Ph.D., best-selling author, The Post Corporate World and board chair, The Positive Futures Network, publishers of YES! magazine.

“Nicanor Perlas, who is a man with a fully developed sense of humor and imagination, who while remaining pragmatic, embodies inner feelings, aiming to give life to another possibility of future history, other values and other ways of looking at things. . . . Nicanor Perlas is one of the voices of the south. It is therefore special. But by the quality it attains, it shows itself to be universal. However no lowest common denominator universalism is involved, but on the contrary a universalism based on the principle of diversity and even a universalism which is at the same time both ecological and cultural. In listening to that voice, we have the opportunity to renew contact with a part of ourselves, a non mutilated earth and a still living cosmos. More than ever the re-enchanting of the world is on the horizon for women, men and free peoples. – Agnes Bertrand, globally renowned social activist and Mohammed Taleb, Ph.D., President of “L’Universite Transdisciplinaire Arabe” (the Arab Transdisciplinary University) From the Forward, French edition, of Shaping Globalization.

“We live in a world of massive cross-institutional failure. Nicanor Perlas’s work in the Philippines and in the emerging global civil society shows how societies can confront that failure by convening and mobilizing diverse forces and players. In Shaping Globalization Nicanor Perlas lays out a framework that integrates the social, the ecological, and the spiritual in a simple and yet profound view of the 21st century society. This view has the potential to open up a new path for development: as a global revolution that emerges from within.” - Dr. Otto Scharmer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Author of Theory U and Co-Author with Peter Senge et al., Presence: Human Purpose and The Field of the Future.

“We send our warm congratulations for your [Alternative Nobel] award. . . . Your work has inspired us and thousands of others to promote Social Threefolding as the necessary building block for any sustainable development. We are proud to be associated with you and all [Global Network for Social Threefolding] members, worldwide and wish you strength and further insight for your future work.” - Ralph Shepherd, Ph.D., South African Regional Node, Novalis GN3

“About 400 hundred people came (rural and urban). Nicanor had to share the speech time with the two others, and with the translation [from English to French] he had not much time. But his condensed vision launched a real ovation. All feedbacks were nearly enthusiastic. J.C.Pierre, [a famous French environmentalist], encouraged strongly the public to read Nicanor’s book. He said, through this evening Culture Bio went up a step higher and should now reframe its mission far beyond the one of a simple consumers association, maybe in the direction of a ‘people university’ . . . . “The last but not the least event . . . Nicanor’s expertise, after having heard the description of the work of all these [30] different . . . [civil society and business] leaders, gave a sudden clarity of what it means strategically to take into account the particular identity of each sphere, the economical, the cultural and the political one. . . . He pointed out a disease which often plagues the social dialogue in France : confusion between vision and contextual action. He pleaded for a kind of idealistic empiricism where the right path is not straight. Thus he emphasized a new radicalism which consists in being able to work with [transitional social] forms [in grounding a societal vision].” - Christine Ballivet, Report of Seminars Given by Nicanor Perlas in France in 2003.

“In all of the various groupings as well as ours now, we experienced what [Nicanor Perlas] gave to us as golden seeds which have attained an even deeper inward quality. The conference was a wonderful event, a great success both outwardly as confirmed by the large number of participants [over 800 total] - and inwardly by giving impulses to many. So once more our deepest appreciation and gratitude for all [that Nicanor] gave to us.” - Conference Organizers of “Clash or Dialogue of Civilizations: Towards A New Global Social Impulse”, Germany

“I was really impressed and inspired by your speach. As a reader of the Scandinavian journal of the alternative banks (Cultura and Merkur), I have read about the conference in Jarna, where you were a main speaker. As I am now working as a consultant in a Serbian project, I would like to say that I have had good use of your book on Civil Society. I think your analysis make a lot of sense to my work.” - Lars Wang, Ph.D., Consultant, Norway

“. . . New Academy University . . . in Hawaii . . . is philosophically based in “Threefold . . . Society” as foundational work for offering alternative educational models that are inclusive of a cultural emphasis that combines the attributes of the other sectors of society, business and government. This University hopes to be the beginning of many models that will carry the message of a global interaction that benefits and re-routes the engine of mankind to be self sustaining and ecologically responsible. This would never have been possible without the work of Nicanor Perlas and others who have been the trail makers of Threefold Civil Society in practice and theory . . . [His] work in these areas . . . have made such a difference to many people in the world.” - Linde Kanahele, Develpoment Director, New Academy University, Hawaii

Nicanor . . . described the effect of WTO on the development for the Philippines and the developing countries. He did it in his usual inspiring way, so that the conference got a lift from the [very] first moment. . . . Nicanor related to what [he] heard, and [his] ability to widen the perspective and give hope for the future, was impressive. . . . I want to express our gratitude to Nicanor for bringing life and inspiration to Scandinavia.” - Hans Brodal, Consultant on Organizational Transformation and Co-Organizer, Scandinavian Conference on “Food Supply during the 21st Century – Global Monopoly or Local Opportunity”

“Sa ngalan ng School of CED [Community Enterprise Development], maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong pagdalo sa aming Colloquium Series.  I have been receiving extremely positive feedback from faculty and students on your thought-provoking and inspiring presentation.  I particularly liked the fact that LifeBank’s initiative is embedded in a holistic and comprehensive framework/theory of change.  Your presentation also reinforced my belief in the agency of individuals and communities in charting their own development, yet cognizant of the structural/macro institutional context where they operate. Maswerte ako at dito ako nagpi-Ph.D. sa Southern New Hampshire University (kahit hindi ito kilala sa Pilipinas) dahil pinag-aaralan namin lahat ng inyong tinalakay. Bilang Pilipino, lalo akong maswerte at mayroon akong kabayan na tulad ninyo na patuloy na nakikibaka para sa isang makatao, makatarungan at maunlad na Pilipinas. - Jolan Rivera, PhD student, Southern New Hampshire University.

“Allow Steve and me to add to the deluge of warm congratulations!  We, who have had the immeasurable benefit of your inspiration for years, look forward to having the light of your ideas and your spirit reach yet further as a result of the RLA [Right Livelihood Award]! Our daughter . . . is studying at Mt. Holyoke College and is taking a seminar entitled “Globalization and its Discontents” for which [your book] Shaping Globalization is a required text.  [She] is miserable at college and says she is only staying for that class and waiting in joyful anticipation for discussion of your book-which the professor says she has saved for last because it is the inspiration she wants the class left with.” - Pam Balmer, US.

“The book [Shaping Globalization] is original in the same way that Small is Beautiful was original. The author has the nerve to not only attack the world-dominating corporate giants but also to propose an entirely fresh way of thinking about how to contain them. …Perlas’s book . . . helps to launch a new paradigm that could make a world of difference.” - Christopher Nye, Editor, Orion.

The work and ideas of Nicanor Perlas have been or are being taught worldwide in dozens of schools including, but not limited to, American University, Washington DC (US). University of Innsbruck (Austria), Vienna University, Catalysta Networks, a global online education forum, California State University Northridge (US), University of Bath (UK), University of St. Andrews (Scotland), Malaspina University-College (Canada), Oxford Brookes University (UK), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US), University of Victoria (Canada), Miyasaki Municipal University (Japan), Iowa State University (US), University of Plymouth (UK), University of Hawaii at Manoa (US), Mt. Holyoke College (US), The Development School (UK), Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), School for International Living (US), Central Philippines University (Philippines), Salish Kootenai College (US), New Academy University (US), Asian Social Institute (Philippines), Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute (Philippinws), Southern New Hampshire University (US), Rotterdam University (Netherlands).

Hundreds of articles have been written on Nicanor Perlas and his work. There are over 10,000 entries on a Google search for Nicanor Perlas. Among others, the Philippine Sunday Inquirer magazine wrote a cover story on Perlas calling him a “Green Warrior”.

There are also numerous editorials from mainstream newspapers and magazines in the Philippines favorably citing the work of Nicanor Perlas. Extracts from these editorials will be made available in due time.