Humanitarian Work, Social Change, and Human Behavior

This book is based on the view that human existence results from the interplay of four dimensions: mind, heart, body and soul, which find their expression in thoughts, emotions, sensations and aspirations. By combining theory and praxis, including personal lessons learned during the author’s two decades of humanitarian work in emergency areas, the book’s goal is to make the reader understand (thought), feel (emotion), experience (sensation) and want to be part of a paradigm shift that is geared toward local and global change (aspiration). It introduces a methodology to optimize the interplay between individuals and the institutions and societies in which they work, raise families and pursue their dreams. Further, it seeks to reposition purpose at the center of both everyday life as well as humanitarian institutions. The book’s central message is that a better world is not, and should not be, abstract and abstruse, but something that lies in everyone’s hands.

“Cornelia Walther, invite us to have a journey that begins within each one of us and expands in the communities we live and in the institutions that we go through every day … . If you are dedicated to social work … that helps people or is an humanitarian institution, this book will become essential for your daily work … . Thank you very much Cornelia for this important reflection on humanitarian action … .” (Graciela Tonon, International Journal of Community Well-Being, Vol. 5 (3), 2022) “An uppermost achievement, that comes with a caution: this book is for those who accept that questions without a clear answer are more useful than answers that cannot be questioned. All domains of human endeavour have orthodox versions, characterised by beliefs, dogmas and absolute certainties that are usually based on oversimplifications and overgeneralisation.  This book offers an excellent antidote to the view that we are rational, independent individuals, free of emotions or psychological biases. Its great contribution to untangle the many dimensions of social change in a systematic and practical way, at the hand of a concrete case study.”    —Jan Vandermoortele, Co-Architect of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG); former Resident Coordinator of Pakistan; retired UNICEF Representative, Belgium


“My path of existence has taught me that life can only be fully experienced when inhabiting harmoniously all our plans of existence: body, heart, mind and spirit. Leading an organization also requires to balance these dimensions if you want to express correctly its aspirations, to draw its roadmap to success, to gather your team around its objectives, in order to finally bring positive changes for the people. POZE proposes to bring this approach to other levels where the heart and the spirit are often left behind: I’m extremely excited to introduce this approach in our organization.”
—Alexandre Giraud, General Director of Solidarités (NGO), France


“Cornelia Walther’s work is an innovative, comprehensive and well balanced approach that transmits a clear vision to inspire individual and social development. It integrates the central dimensions of learning to cultivate a good life, instilling hope especially in teachers and young people living in underprivileged regions.”
—Andreas Krafft, Professor at the Institute for Systemic Management and Public Governance, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland; Initiator and Director of the international Hope Barometer project

“Cornelia Walther's new book is a lucid and insightful guide to understanding the dynamic interplay between personal and institutional change and transformation. The book is informed by the author’s two decades as a humanitarian worker in the field of social change at the UN.  Her book not only provides a coherent internal logic to understanding the change process but offers practical tools for individuals to apply the theoretical understanding to their own experience.  A must read for anyone seeking lasting change in the world and oneself.”
—Andrew Vidich, Educator, international speaker, and author of five books on personal change including Light Upon Light: 5 Master Path to Awaken the Mindful Self, and Love is a Secret


“This book lucidly presents how the complementary efforts of government officials, development workers, and ordinary citizens are interwoven. One of the most valuable innovative elements in the book is the interdisciplinary framework to explain how individuals’ behavior, based on their aspirations, emotions, and rational thoughts, can not only lead to a more fulfilling life for individuals but also lead to sustainable social change. This is crucial to construct a world free from the penury of child poverty.”
—Enrique Delamonica, Senior Adviser, Statistics and Monitoring (Child Poverty and Gender Equality), UNICEF, USA


“Deeply rooted in the author’s field experience, strong culture in social sciences, and –above all- personal thinking, this is a unique and much needed book, which renews the approach to development and empowerment. The individual’s emotions and aspirations are put right at the center of social change. Altruist actions prove to benefit the one who acts and society as a whole. And the path is paved for international organizations to finally fulfill their true mission… A bunch of positive –and useful- thoughts!”
—Marie Jose Domestici-Met, Founder and former Director of the Institute of Humanitarian Studies, University of Law, Aix-Marseille, France; Founding Member of the EU Network of Humanitarian Assistance, France

Cornelia C. Walther worked for 18 years with the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in West Africa, Afghanistan and Haiti, focusing on innovative communication and advocacy. As a coach and researcher, she collaborates with Deakin University and serves as a mentor within the Harvard Women in Defense and Diplomacy Network. Two of her books are being published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2020.