The Common Good in Times of Crisis

We live in a time when our lives are impacted by complex global crises in both immediate and subtle ways. The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to shape the ways we live, learn, and work together. Climate crises—from floods in China to wildfires in the western United States—are occurring with increasing frequency and intensity. Economic and climate crises are pushing people to cross borders. The pandemic, climate change, global migration, and other global crises can easily feel overwhelming. But they also present us with an opportunity to consider our connections to others, the common good, and how even seemingly small actions can make a difference.

This Teaching Idea invites students to explore how their actions and the actions of their leaders can help to promote the common good in a time of crisis. This framework can be used to discuss any complex global issue.