Critical and systemic thinking and practice can be used as a vehicle for governance to address knowledge and its implications for those who are excluded from the protection of nationality, citizenship, human rights and animal rights (by virtue of their age, their place of birth, their gender, level of education, income, ability or species). The way to achieve sustainable governance is to enable decision makers to become more mindful or more conscious of the implications of their decisions. Once it is realized that idealism and pragmatism are one, because of the ‘boomerang affect’ (Beck, 1992) of social and environmental injustice, greater progress towards sustainable futures can be achieved. This paper based on a manuscript argues for participatory governance that appreciates diversity to the extent that it supports sustainable social and environmental futures. It confronts terrorism, hegemony and cruelty as challenges for systemic, sustainable governance and international relations.