The challenges currently facing humanity are historically unique, both
in their global reach and their long-term consequences. Yet decisions
are taken by an elite few whose actions are in sharp contrast with the
best interests of humanity. The widening gap between our deeper values
and current policies threatens the legitimacy of our democratic system.
We need a new vision of global governance.
EARTH EMERGENCY
in association with Schumacher Society,
Positive News, LSE
ATTAC, LSE Organic
Conscious Society & LSE
People and Planet
presents
CREATING A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY:
THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
Report by Leonie
Humphreys
London School of Economics
19th March 2003
Derek Osborn, Executive Chair, UNED-UK
Executive Committee Jakob von Uexkull, founder of the Right
Livelihood Award and the World Future Council
Initiative Prof Heikki Patomäki, Research Director,
Network Institute for Global Democratisation John Jopling, founder of the World
Wide Democracy Network Chair:Ann Pettifor, Director,
Jubilee Research
Ann Pettifor introduced the meeting, on
the eve of war with Iraq, thanking the audience for attending this discussion
of issues beyond the war and explaining the need for a more stable and
fair global economy. The work of Jubilee 2000 focuses on global financial
governance and the relationship between international creditors and sovereign
debtors.
Derek Osborn reminded us that in spite
of the war with Iraq, Tony Blair has spoken of the need for long-term
sustainability. The failure of the United Nations is due to the collective
failure of the individual nations since it has no powers of its own; hence
when consensus breaks down the role of the UN is destroyed, as has recently
been witnessed. He emphasised the need for a new international consensus
between nations and for ‘instrumentalism’. For example initiatives
such as the Kyoto Protocol could (in spite of the USA’s refusal
to commit to it) nevertheless be pushed forward by other nations: partial
action is necessary to progress. Sustainable development presents a conundrum:
it is obvious yet elusive. Core values need to guide both public and private
practices. The Human Rights Carter and the Earth Charter represent such
values at the human level. Strategies are needed at national level, led
by heads and centres of governments with support from economic and financial
departments, using indicators, measures and economic instruments. Poverty
is a pressing issue and interconnected common solutions to global problems
are required, such as Agenda 21 which has been of some use, but lacked
focus. There are some signs of monitoring mechanisms beginning and the
need is for slow, steady incremental changes, moving towards sustainability.
Jakob von Uexkull explained the purpose
of the World Future Council initiative. It is not intended to be another
NGO, but a Council of the wise, pioneers, hero’s and youth leaders,
linking also with the e-parliament. Around 20 working groups will be set
up with funding potentially on an individual basis. This new initiative
is intended due to the difficulties of reforming other existing global
institutions, which tend to be captive to current ideologies. It is not
to provide any ‘new ethics’ since humanity does hold common
values such as love, generosity and solidarity/cooperation. However, these
tend to go against the current economic and political paradigm, so the
WFC will ‘fill the gap’, speaking for these common values.
There is widespread trust for certain individuals such as Nelson Mandela
and H.H. the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet and there are many others not so
well known, but it is not anticipated that selection of members of the
Council will be problematic. The LSE may like to become a partner for
one of the working groups.
Heikki Patomaki spoke of various issues,
which are in need of reform, such as human rights, gender issues and land
reform. Democracy could provide the framework and a strategy is required
for global democracy. Some institutions could be reformed such as the
United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. New institutions could
be established such as a global lottery, global justice, global truth
and a people’s parliament. Global civil society will need to provide
the force for change. The work of NIGD concentrates on financial reform
since institutions such as the World Bank and IMF control 80 nation states.
In order to relieve financial dependency, provide autonomy and empower
resources for the global common good NIGD support debt arbitration and
a currency tax (the Tobin tax). The WTO is non democratic and radical
and should be reformed so as to provide an opt-out mechanism, GATT rules
should only be for LDC’s and GATS should be cancelled or renegotiated,
whilst intellectual property rights should be handed back to the UN. The
Currency Transaction Tax Organisation are planning an international conference
which should be led by countries in the global South through financial
and moral support and by their attendance. This conference may be hosted
by either Brazil or India.
John Jopling explained the work of the
Worldwide Democracy Network (WDN). The current system of global governance
is resistant to social justice, environmental protection and economic
competence. Hence the WDN is a new system designed to allow global transformation
to sustainable lifestyles. 100 co-learners are currently engaged in this
systems change to provide a global network of Gaian democracies. The WDN
seeks to imitate nature’s organisation, applying it to human governance
through such systems as ‘nested self-organisation’. The aim
is to provide a system of global governance to which people can contribute.
The motivation and the tools are available and there is a growing awareness
that we are a single human family/society. In other words social justice
and sustainability are not single issues anymore, they are understood
as ‘universal human values’. Yet our governments are not representing
these values. There is currently a crisis of human identity, with the
West living off others and future generations, which have become dehumanising
to such an extent we no longer have any choice, we must change.
Questions from the floor concerned issues of spirituality, human values
and harmony between humanity and nature as well as each other, definitions
of ‘social justice’, concerns regarding resistance to change
and the current domination of the USA in general on the global community.
The general response to which was that humanity has reached a point where
‘moral power’ will become the new global authority, founded
on common human values and pushed ahead through a global citizens force
for transformation, through various mechanisms such as those discussed.
"Creating a Sustainable Society"
is a series of events that takes place monthly in London. The aim of the
initiative is to create a synergy among people and organisations working
towards a better society but in different fields.
