Country: Nigeria

Idea: This idea is premised on the notion that "to whom do we return the nature and culture we have inherited from our predecessors if not our successors? Who are then our successors? Undoubtedly, they are the youths and are the leaders of tommorrow. This conceptual fromework depicts the linkages of the past through the present to the future. Consequently, it is by recognising our position in the historical process that we can envisage our responsibility with regard to future generations. How can young people and adults together create a more empathetic and courageous society encompasses logic of distributive justice and a degree of equality. Seeing humanity as an heritage conceptualizes it as a loan granted on the condition that it is passed on.

How do you do it: Every individual that desires peaceful coexistence in his society should embrace the concept of "common humanity". In this instance, the individual interest should coincide with respect for common ethics. If we show respect for humanity of others, that means that we also show respect for our own humanity. Conversely, to ignore human solidarity leads to isolation and to being excluded from the human community.This exclusion leads to explosion of unethical values in the society such as drugs addiction and alcoholism, epidemics of diseases, human traffickking, prostitution, transnational crimes and armed banditry. These social menaces are catching our youths in its protruding belly.

Innovation: The afore-mentioned notion of common humanity is a major vehicle for entrenching values in the society. Youths and adults are the builders in the society and the prevailing values mould their consciousness, perception and development. A society where humanitarianism, tolerance, meekness, fairness and justice, faithfulness and trustworthiness are upheld and sustained, the youths and adults grow to be more emphathetic and morally courageous.

Impact: Youths and Adults grow and learn the ethical values passed on to them by their predecessors. With their consciousness and persistent plea to humanity,they can bring about desired and principled changes in the society. This idea will bring about positivism and real idealism of an ethic- driven society.

Ethical Action: I am of the opinion that the world will be more empathetic and morally courageous if this doctrine of mine is embraced and practised by all; "I am passing this world but once, if therefore, there be any good deed or service I can render to humanity, let me do it now or rather assist me to do it now, let me not defer it or postpone it, for I shall not pass this place again".

Replication: This approach of ethical development premised on common humanity is absolutely replicable by individual. It aims at activating the humanitarian conscience of an individual in the society. And once the light of humanity is awoken, it knows no sex, colour, race, religion, social or political group and boundaries. It brings full satisfaction and sense of fulfilment to the individual. The individual wakes everyday and is always excited,asking himself what to do for humanity, realising that death can come knocking anytime and once death comes the power to assist humanity is gone. I am a proud testimony of this common humanity concept, this is not self-praising. The tie of kinship is thereby solidified and propagated in the society.

Sustainability: As stated earlier, this concept is self-propagated. Once an individual is enliven by the humanity, he goes in search of one humanitarian activity or another. Perhaps the nobility and relevance of various humanitarian organisations such as Red Cross Society, Doctors without Borders, Doctors of the World, Oxfam, CARE, Amnesty International, etc can attest to this notion of common humanity. Humanitarian organisations aim to address various forms of inhumanity to man. Likewise, the works of Immanuel Kant on ethics give explicit explanation of the concept of humanity. I recommend it to all.

Position in the Ethics Mosaic of Solutions:

Factor: Fatalism

Principle: Revealing common ideals, principles, and language