Pope John Paul II puts it best in his social encyclical Centesimus Annus when he stated, “Development is the new name for Peace.” Peace can only be achieved when there is a secure environment. Sustained development can only be achieved in a secure environment, and a secure environment can only be achieved when individuals invest in reforming economic and social policies that ensure that the dignity of each human being is respected.

God gave us a free will and the ability, with His grace, to control our selfishness. Mankind is capable of, and benefits from, living peacefully in solidarity with others. Yet, sometimes we forget to live for others. I have been certainly guilty of selfishness, and seek daily to be at the service of others, for personal and societal benefit.

As a Creative Capitalist I believe we have the responsibility to develop products and services that add value to society and to the individual. What is created is a reflection of how one values oneself, others, and one’s relationship to society.

The Creative Capitalist has the responsibility to innovate, improve and redefine convention, yet must consider how it is developed and sold, as well as, the effects of such products and services on society, taking into account the social, psychological, political, economic, physical, environmental and structural changes over its life cycle.

The Creative Capitalist, in collaboration with others, must design a win/win business vehicle to maximize production efficiency, while providing sustainable fair wages; and must invest in developing a quality product or service in prime consideration of the consumer, while ensuring a substantial return on investment. This vehicle must be a stable legal and business framework in order for creativity to flourish, for strategic process to operate smoothly, and for capital funding to take hold and be effective.