Topics:

1. When was this site started?
2. What is the concept behind this site?
3. What are the goals of the Towards Unity project?
4. Who is behind this website?
5. Why are some emerging unions left out?
6. Where did the idea for the Grand Union come from?
7. What is the meaning of the logo?
8. Have you considered writing a book on this topic?

1. When was this site started?

Towards Unity was officially launched on July 1st, 2008. The site was created over a period of 6 months and went through 12 revisions before culminating in its current design.

2. What is the concept behind this site?

The original idea behind Towards Unity was to create a small place on the web that could demonstrate the inevitable and desirable trend towards human unity. Thus, the website attempts to compile all known information about emerging and proposed continental unions into one place. Hopefully, this information in turn can be used as a starting point for some fruitful discussion on the forum.

3. What are the goals of the Towards Unity project?

The goal of our project is human unification, through political and economic means. As human beings we are bound to each other by our political institutions and shared markets. History has shown that by expanding common markets and the institutions that govern them, greater numbers of human beings are able to share in the benefits of peace and prosperity.

4. Who is behind this website?

This website was created by Stuart Hastings. I am actively looking for more people to join in this cause, by writing articles, talking to their friends, and debating in the forum. Get in touch with me at stu@towardsunity.org.

5. Why are some emerging unions left out?

The selection of emerging and proposed unions highlighted in this website is based on extensive research and analysis. The most important factor in determining which international organizations could be considered emerging continental unions is their stated goals and objectives. For instance, the African Union seeks to create a common market, currency, parliament, and government. It may take 25, 50 or a 100 years, but some day, Africa will be federated into a single political entity.

Conversely, the Mediterranean Union has no such goals, and despite including the word "union" in its title, is merely a forum for regional dialogue. Likewise, NAFTA is simply a free-trade agreement, with no stated agenda for further political or economic integration. No political leader in Canada, the United States or Mexico has ever called for a "North American Union". Though conspiracy theorists may state otherwise, given the enormous challenges associated with political and economic integration, it is impossible to form a continental union without the will of the public.

6. Where did the idea for the Grand Union come from?

The concept of reuniting (I say reuniting because the English-speaking world was at one point united, albeit under the draconian rule of the British Empire) the English-speaking world into some form of democratic federation is not my own. In fact, countless individuals have independently come to the conclusion that an English-speaking federation is logical, desirable and in many ways inevitable. I have borrowed the term "Grand Union" from the flag which bears its name - The Grand Union Flag, which in my opinion is the most likely candidate for a common flag, given its historical use as the first flag of the U.S., and resemblance to the flags of that of the constituent nations.

7. What is the meaning of the logo?

The human hand has traditionally been used as a symbol to remind us of the commonalities that bind us together as a species. The hand used in Towards Unity logo is that of Nelson Mandela's. The colourization of the fingers (black, green, yellow, blue, and red) is borrowed from the Olympic rings, which in turn symbolize the 5 inhabitant continents, and the notion that every flag on Earth uses at least one of those colours.

8. Have you considered writing a book on this topic?

Actually, nobody has ever asked me this question. But, yes I am currently working on a book that will make the case for continental unification as a precursor to achieving humanities long held goal of global peace and prosperity. If you have any interest, ideas or comments about what the book should include, just send me a quick email.