Earth Democracy (continued)

The global Earth Democracy movement is based on principles of inclusion, non-violence, reclaiming the commons, and equitably sharing the earth’s resources. Founded by Vandana Shiva, the movement provides an alternative worldview in which humans are embedded in the Earth Family, and connected to each other through love and compassion. Ecological responsibility and economic justice replace greed, consumerism and competition as objectives of human life.

The 10 Earth Democracy Principles set out the path toward a just, sustainable , and peaceful future. The first principle Ecological Democracy—Democracy of all Life states: “We are all members of the Earth community. We all have the duty to protect the rights and welfare of all species and all people. No humans have the right to encroach on the ecological space of other species and other people, or treat them with cruelty and violence.” Adapted from Navdanya International.

Navdanya founded by Vandana Shiva in 1984 is a “women centered movement for the protection of biological and cultural diversity." 

Program:

Were do we want to describe Guardianship for Present and Future Generations and Precautionary Principle here, along with how the themes of the four sub-committees focus on specific aspects

(Maybe keep this for later: calling all Teachers: WILPF might try to develop Elementary School curriculum for the Alliance for Democracy’s Tapestry of the Commons. Might get Foundation funding; right now Susan Friess 4-5th grade teacher in Madison, WI is using it in her classroom.)

Statement on Rio+20

Take Action:

Join Sustainable Cities Movement (Link coming soon)
Create a Green Belt Movement or an Orchard Project (Link coming soon) in your community
Start a Garden Project in Your Community

Materials:

Brochure

Need brochure for Earth Democracy program overall

Books and Articles

Thomas Berry, The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future
Thomas Berry, The Dream of the Earth
Gar Alperovitz, America Beyond Capitalism: The Pluralist Commonwealth
Gar Alperovitz, The New-Economy Movement
Vandana Shiva, Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace (2005)
Frances Moore Lappé, EcoMind:Changing the Way We Think, to Create the World We Want
Justice Rising: Building an Economy for People and Nature

Organizations

Navdanya International
Center for Ecoliteracy (United States)
New Economics Institute
Thomas Berry and the Earth Community