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Global self-governance, education and co-operative economy
Gary ALEXANDER
Monday, November 18, 2002 12:01 AM
ººº Abstract: First purpose of the World Parliament should be the cause of the
unity of humanity, seen as one big family. Other values are: Self-governance
at a global level, based on voluntary coordination of behavior for the benefit
of all, decision making by the people who are most affected; Education, as
only educated population can contribute to that self-governance, and finally a
co-operative economy, outside of the logics of moneyººº
Dear friends,
This is my first contribution to the content of the discussions on purpose and
values.
1) Purpose of the World-Parliament: Overall, it must further the cause of the
unity of humanity, seen as one big family, looking after each other and the
natural world. This is expressed by the phrase 'Planetary Citizenship'. The
goal of a world-parliament should be to encourage Planetary Citizenship, on a
basis of co-operation and mutual respect, not competition.
2) Self-governance: Our existing governments are either based on 18th century
ideas of representative democracy, or are heavily centrally controlled. New
governance initiatives for the 21st century should move well beyond that. We
have more than enough governments and international governmental agencies like
the United Nations. The World Parliament should focus on self-governance,
voluntary coordination of behavior for the benefit of all, decision making by
the people who are most affected.
Modern technology makes this possible. The World Parliament should work to
influence governments through the power of informed public opinion.
3) Education: Self-governance requires an educated population. If people are
to make decisions based on more than their narrow self interest, they must be
informed of the wider issues and of other people's views.
4) A co-operative economy: At the center of many of our problems is that the
driving force for much activity is the need for money. We need an economy
whose direct driving force is social and environmental need. We need an
economy which takes problems of poverty, fair trade, environmental destruction
as its primary considerations, not issues which take second best to the need
for money. This will require major new ways of thinking and infrastructure.
Much of the values underpinning a World Parliament are built into such
documents as the Earth Charter and Agenda 21. These discussions on values are
already well advanced and there is much agreement on them.
Regards, Gary
WP21 Alliance Forum on a World Parliament for the 21st Century
E-mail : world-parl@forums.alliance21.org
Fax 1 717 264 5036
Information, inscriptions, désinscriptions: germa@alliance21.org
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