A Joint Declaration on the Environment, Social Inequality and Elimination of Nuclear Threat, with a Proposal for UN Reform
UNITED NATIONS, 6 Jun 2016
Joint Declaration – TRANSCEND Media Service
We, individuals and institutions that are profoundly concerned about the earth’s present state, particularly by potentially irreversible social and environmental processes, and about the lack of an effective, democratic multilateral entity respected by all that is essential for world governance at this extraordinarily complex and changing time,
URGE YOU
to adhere to this joint declaration in order to contribute to the rapid adoption of the following measures, the grounds for which are attached hereto as Document I and Document II.
- Environment
The current tendencies, resulting from a deplorable economic system based solely on making fast profits, must be urgently reversed to avoid reaching a point of no return. Both President Obama –“we are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it”- as well as Pope Francis –“(…) intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice, since the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us”- have with wisdom and leadership warned of the immediate actions that must be taken concerning climate change. We must invent the future. The distinctive creative capacity of human beings is our hope. As Amin Maalouf has underscored, “unprecedented situations require unprecedented solutions”.
We live at a crucial moment in the history of mankind in which both population growth and the nature of our activities influence the habitability of the earth (anthropocene).
All other interests must be subordinated to an in-depth understanding of reality. The scientific community, guided by the “democratic principles” so clearly set forth in the UNESCO Constitution, should counsel political leaders (at the international, regional, national and municipal levels) concerning the actions to be taken, not only in their role as advisors, but also to provide foresight. Knowledge to foresee, foresight to prevent.
It is clear that accurate diagnoses have already been made but that they haven’t led to what is really important: the right and timely treatment.
Communications media and social networks must constantly strive to achieve a resounding outcry, a sense of solidarity and responsibility, adopting personal and collective resolutions at all levels –including radical changes in institutions- capable of halting the current decline before it is too late.
As President Nelson Mandela reminded us, “the supreme duty of each generation is to properly take care of the next”.
- Social Inequality and Extreme Poverty
It is humanly intolerable that each day thousands of people die of hunger and neglect, the majority of them children between the ages of one and five, while at the same time 3 billion dollars are invested in weapons and military spending. This is particularly true when, as is currently the case, funds for sustainable human development have been unduly and wrongfully reduced. The lack of solidarity of the wealthiest toward the poor has reached limits that can no longer be tolerated. For the transition from an anti-ecological economy of speculation, delocalization of production and war to a knowledge-based economy for global sustainable and human development, and from a culture of imposition, violence and war to a culture of dialogue, conciliation, alliances and peace, we must immediately proceed to do away with the (G7, G8, G20) groups of plutocrats and re-establish ethical values as the basis for our daily behaviour.
- Elimination of the Nuclear Threat and Disarmament for Development
The nuclear threat continues to pose an unbelievably sinister and ethically untenable danger. Well-regulated disarmament for development would not only guarantee international security, but would also provide the necessary funds for global development and the implementation of the United Nations’ priorities (food, water, health, environment, life-long education for all, scientific research and innovation, and peace).
For these so relevant and urgent reasons
WE PROPOSE
Calling an extraordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the necessary urgent social and environmental measures and, moreover, to establish the guidelines for the re-founding of a democratic multilateral system. The “new UN System” with a General Assembly of 50% of States representatives and 50% of representatives of civil society, and adding to the present Security Council and Environmental Council and a Socio-Economic Council, has been studied in depth. In all cases, no veto but weighted vote.
***
In view of the poor progress made toward fulfilling the Millennium Objectives (ODM) and, given the present lack of solidarity, increased social inequality and subordination to the dictates of commercial consortia, no one believes that the Sustainable Development Objectives (SDOs) to be adopted in September will actually be implemented.
The solution is inclusive participative democracy in which all aspects of the economy are subordinated to social justice.
Jose Luis Sampedro left a fantastic legacy to young people: “You will have to change both ship and course”. The attached report (I) outlines recent events and projects that leave room for optimism. Human beings, who today may express themselves freely thanks to digital technology, now have global awareness while, moreover, decision making is increasingly influenced by growing numbers of women, the cornerstone of this new era. A historical turning point is drawing near that will enable us to take the reins of our common destiny in our own hands.
First Signatories:
Federico Mayor (President of the Foundation for a Culture of Peace and former Director General of UNESCO)
Mikhail Gorbachev (Former President of the Soviet Union, President of Green Cross International and World Political Forum)
Mario Soares (Former President of Portugal and President of the Fundaçao Mario Soares)
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (Former General Secretary ONU)
Garry Jacobs (Chief Executive Officer of the World Academy of Art & Science)
Colin Archer (Secretary General), Ingeborg Breines (Co-President) and Reiner Braun (Co-President) of the International Peace Bureau
Roberto Savio (Founder and President of IPS- International Press Service)
François de Bernard (President and Co-Founder of the GERM (Group for Study and Research on Globalization)
Alexander Likhotal (Green Cross International)
Miguel Ángel Moratinos (ex Ministro Español de Asuntos Exteriores – Presidente de REDS)
Ricardo Díez Hochleitner (Presidente de Honor del Capítulo Español del Club de Roma)
José Manuel Morán (Vicepresidente Capítulo Español del Club de Roma)
Trinidad Bernal (Secretaria General Fundación ATYME)
Julio E. Celis (Danish Cancer Society)
Jean Paul Carteron (Chairman and Founder Crnas Montana Forum)
Anwarul Chowdhury (Ambassador, Founder Global Movement for the Culture of Peace and former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN New York)
Denis Torres (Instituto Martin Luther King – Managua, Nicaragua)
María Novo (Catedrática UNESCO de Educación Ambiental y Desarrollos Sostenible Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) – España)
Rustem Khairov (Director International Foundation for Survival and Development Humanity)
Alejandro Tiana Ferrer (Rector Universidad de Educación a Distancia (UNED))
Negoslav Ostojic (ECPD)
Prof. José María Sanz (Rector Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)
Prof. Rafael Garesse (Vicerrector de Innovación y Política Científica de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)
Anaisabel Prera Anaisabel Prera Flores (DEMOS Institut Guatemala – former Minister of Culture of Guatemala and Director of FCP in Madrid (2000-2004)
Frank LaRue (Demos Institut Guatemala)
Anabella Rivera (Demos Institut Guatemala)
Jordi Armadans, Director de FundiPau (Fundació per la Pau)
Enrique Barón Crespo
Carlos Jiménez Villarejo
Juan José Tamayo
Manuel Núñez Encabo (Fundación Antonio Machado)
Juan Manuel de Faramiñan
Emilio Muñoz
Natalia Muñoz-Casayús
María Quintana Romero
Jerónimo Asensio Rueda
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