Delegate of the Confraternity of St George in France

Mr. Jacques Marceau

• Fondateur et Président Directeur Général d’Aromates Relations Publiques
• Fondateur et président de l’Institut Syntec des Etudes et Conseil (ISEC)
• Administrateur de Syntec Relations Publiques et du Groupement des Syndicats Syntec des Etudes et du Conseil
  
  
  

The 21st Century needs Knights!

It is quite clear that our 21st Century does not correspond to the hopes we had for it, nor to our faith in an all-saving progress and a science that could cure all ailments, including those of the soul. It is, however, how our society developed, in direct line from the Promethean myth and the main ideas of The Enlightenment; based on a paradigm that is now, ironically, challenged by the dangers issuing from the very things that were to save us.

Modern urbanism has gnawed away at solidarity, and created new forms of poverty, isolation and violence.

Globalization has made economic exchanges immaterial, triggering a loss of control of financial markets, which are now incapable of regulating themselves.

Human activity, based upon exploitation of fossil fuels, the sea and the land, has led to climate change and the exhaustion of resources vital to maintaining Human life on Earth.

From these dangers, fears very much like those held by our medieval ancestors spring back to life, fears that crystallized at the end of the first Millennium; fear of barbarian invasions, fear of poverty and famine, fear of plagues.

And thus, fed with these fears and devoid of reference points, our world is structuring itself around a modern version of the 'Golden Calf': money, material possessions, consumerism and what we refer to as 'standard of living'. These things have come to occupy the spot left empty by God and religion, with the consequences that we know.

The temptation in this frightening world is self-isolation or the return to a sort of post-modern 'tribalism', as claims sociologist Michel Maffesoli.

In such context, serving others, helping the weak, caring for the sick, defending the Earth and biodiversity, promoting the values of solidarity, honesty and trust with courage, humility and faithfulness no longer appear as old-fashioned or obsolete values, but rather as overwhelmingly needed ones.

Many are the humanitarian organisations that struggle all over the world against poverty and disease, or work for peace. Among these organisations, some originate in chivalric tradition (such as the Knights of the Order of Malta) and are especially active and universally known.

The Confraternity of Saint-Georges of Burgundy, after over a century of slumber, has re-structured itself around these same values to pursue the same objectives. If these values are in accordance with the ideals and traditions of chivalry, the battlefield, and the weapons, have changed. For these 21st Century Knights, the fight must be joined at the root of all inequalities and misery; in other words, at the top of the new hierarchies of wealth and power. This is why the Knights of Saint-Georges of Burgundy are primarily business leaders, politicians, diplomats, high-level executives in international groups, financiers or academics who are currently close to or in power. With the levers of economy in hand, they want the world to change at last! Their means of action are simple and in direct contrast with their ambitions: their exemplary work and behaviour, a refusal to compromise, trust, their constant search for meaning in their actions, and at all times their care for others.

It is upon this road that I wish to lead, in France, the Confraternity of Saint-Georges of Burgundy.