[previous] [next] [Table of Contents]
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Embrace the World
By Martin Prieto, Uruguay
I was born, without choosing to, into a Third World country during an era of great conflicts. I never believed in the structures of the system and its dominant values, which were being questioned broadly, particularly by the social movements searching for alternatives. Those structures and values caused direct damage to me during my childhood, which passed amidst violent repression. The dictatorships in Latin America have greatly influenced the young generations, and in my case have caused my experience of the contradictions of exile in a First World country. In the course of colonial and post-colonial history one can discern a repetition of mechanisms of domination.
Making use of the vocabulary and metaphors associated with the environment, the governments and elite as well as international bodies like the World Bank seek to preserve an unjust order. The governors of the planet have been incapable of reaching an agreement, and finding solutions to the imbalances in both the ecological and the social systems. We should not forget that if we want our local communities and the people to have decision making power on their living conditions, through a true participatory democracy, those bureaucrats and professional politicians will be unemployed. Confronted with this enormous threat, the governors see themselves obliged to propose open processes for other sectors of the world population. At the same time they try to spread the responsibility for the imbalances for which only they are responsible, to everybody, and particularly to the poor in the Third World. In reality the poor suffer day after day, and are being kept marginalized. Their tactic is to treat the topics in a global way, sacrificing the parts, against numerous regions and their populations, particularly in the South.
It is time to give another direction to our lives. Young people are a fundamental factor for change. But realize that this change is a task of few old and many young people, against many old and few young ones. We have to choose and choose responsibly; our future and that of the planet coincide. Each one of us starting with ourselves, and together strengthening each other, create a common base, and increase the width of our conscience. We have to withdraw from the systems and the values that have contaminated us, and of which we are part by reason of being born in their womb. And this is only possible through a permanent search for alternatives. We must jointly confront the communication problems, overcome the differences in concepts and symbols that divide us and prevent us from dialogue and cooperation.
Gradually we will be able to define new values, for which we need to create appropriate instrumental, organizational and communication technologies. Break frontiers and cooperate directly among ourselves and with the most threatened sectors of humanity. The follow-up we have to give to our action has to cover different levels that are both fundamental and complimentary. We must clearly define our objectives and adjust our methods, with a profound critique of the current situation and available resources. We need joint action, showing coordination and solidarity and covering the fundamental aspects of the crisis:
1) Denounce the problems, but always with alternative proposals. Practice the principles of self-governance, cooperation, solidarity and social ecology, in works such as recycling, improving our consumption, use of public transport.
2) Produce and elaborate material to maintain a permanent discussion and exchange. Sustain our critical capacity.
3) Initiate alternative solutions and experiences in all aspects of social life and in all bioregional dimensions. Create and support networks that facilitate the communication and spread of our successes and difficulties.
Although it may still be premature, we have to focus on the realization of a planetary network of local groups of ecological action, which coordinate at the regional and continental levels, respecting cultural diversity and moving towards unity in diversity.
We have to embrace the world, taking each other by the hand.