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A NEW NARRATIVE FOR HUMAN WELL BEINGCIDSE WORKSHOP14 15 MAY 2013

AN INTERACTIVE

VERSION OF

THIS REPORT IS

AVAILABLE AT

WWW.CIDSE.ORG

CIDSE wo rksho p

Introduction 3Main outcomes of the workshop 4Change has come to Brazil, South Africa, Germany – but is it enough? 5How can we bring about transformative change? 6Debate: Today’s political context: Time for change? 7Holistic transformation: Rethinking development 8Economies at the service of just and sustainable societies 9Living solidarity: Between localisation and globalisation 10Ecological justice: Facing planetary boundaries 11Conclusion 12

2008 Recognition of the systemic nature of global financial & economic, food, energy and climate crises

February 2009 Expert meeting on financial crisis underlines the need to build a vision of alternative development models

2010 Changing the development paradigm for sustainable development and well-being becomes central in CIDSE Strategic Framework

February 2011 Submission to the European Commission on its Green Paper on inclusive growth and sustainable development

September 2011 Conference on growth and alternative development paradigms

March 2012 Note, Principles on Growth and Sustainable Development

June 2012 Delegation at the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development. CIDSE recommendations: The changes we Need for the Future we Want. Church and civil society leaders statement: Time to rethink and regain control over the future of the

human family. People’s Summit workshop on alternative paradigms

July 2012 Discussion paper, How to Bring About Social Transformation and Change

October 2012 Paper, Agriculture: From Problem to Solution - Achieving the Right to Food in a

Climate-Constrained World

January 2013 Working structure on sustainable development strengthened after the mid-term review of the Strategic Framework

May 2013 Workshop, Bringing about a paradigm shift for a just and sustainable world

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS OF CIDSE MEMBERS CAFOD: Building from the ground up- How the foundations of a post-2015 framework should translate

into change for people in poverty, March 2013Center of Concern: Human Well-Being at the Heart of Economics, May 2011Cordaid: Imagining Sustainability - Seven visions on green and fair economies from the global South, June 2012Fastenopfer: Relevance and effects of action in the faith and justice field: Seeking to identify, assess and

document results and impacts of the work of Fastenopfer’s partners, May 2013Misereor: Economic growth and development – Changing course to ensure a better life for all, May 2011Trócaire: Leading edge 2020: Critical Thinking on the future of international development, March 2011Xavier Ricard, CCFD-Terre Solidaire: For a policy focused on viability, April 2013

MILESTONES ON CIDSEJS JOURNEY TOWARDS A PARADIGM SHIFT

CONTENTS

Published in June 2013By: CIDSE, Rue Stevin 16, B-1000 Brussels, BelgiumDesign and layout: Fuel, Brussels, www.fueldesign.beThis document is available in English, French, German and Spanish.

Editor: Stefan ReinholdEditors in chief: Bernd Nilles and Denise AuclairVideos: Markus Drake

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Brusse ls, 14 -15 Ma y 2013

For more than 50 years, the CIDSE alliance and its member organisations have been striving for global justice, for a life in dignity for all, with fair access to resources and participation, in freedom and peace. In our work, we have endeavoured to address many structural causes of injustice and poverty. However, we are also increasingly aware that “we are losing the battle.” Inequalities within and between societies are deepening, and more people are facing hunger. Despite all climate action, overall greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and planetary boundaries are being stretched. False solutions are put forward, that still put corporate interests before people and planet.

Since 2008 with the global crises in finance and economy, climate, food, and energy, with shifting power dynamics between countries and a rising global middle class, it has become increasingly evident that a paradigm shift is urgently needed in both North and South. And yet profound social and political reforms towards systemic change are slow in coming. The re-thinking has started: politicians and economists are starting to question old recipes, like GDP growth as the main measure of progress in society. And public opinion has created some windows for change, for example in international financial regulation and corporate transparency.

There are many initiatives and examples of alternatives that support transition to more sustainable and equitable models of society and economy. What this transition should look like, and how to get there, was at the heart of the CIDSE workshop “Bringing about a paradigm shift towards a just and sustainable world,” 14-15 May 2013 in Brussels, which gathered 70 participants from across CIDSE membership and among our partners on all continents.

Church and faith-based organisations have been amongst those actively speaking out on the need for transformation: this essentially echoes the missions and key values of CIDSE agencies. As faith-based organisations, we have a strong mandate to increase the public’s questioning of the way our current system is functioning. Catholic Social Teaching is one important source of great potential for value-based alternatives and lifestyles that give greater prominence to community and solidarity.

We know we break new ground, and we must walk together. Change will only come with strengthened collective action, with deepened partnerships and alliances across actors and countries. The workshop created a space for a challenging debate on the alternatives for which we stand, the common values that inspire our vision, and our strategies to continue building on our efforts for a better world for all.

Bernd Nilles, CIDSE Secretary GeneralDenise Auclair, CIDSE Senior Policy Advisor

INTRODUCTION

A prophetic new narrative, inspired by our Catholic faith and option for the poor, of human well-being within creation, gender equity, and solidarity, with an economy at the service of society within planetary boundaries.For all to live well requires the realisation of human dignity and rights, and access to resources. With our constituencies and broader education efforts, we work to set an example and promote the freedom to live simply as an alternative to consumerism; sufficiency and ‘being’ in community as an alternative to ‘having’; and economies based on commons as an alternative to individual self-interest and commodification of nature.

Transformation of the dominant GDP growth & development paradigm, towards just and sustainable societies and livelihoods. In view of transition, we build on work towards reforms of the current system, where processes and our proposals have transformative potential that match the urgency of inequalities and ecological limits. We seek to question the harmful sides of globalisation, and to reveal the flaws and dangers of false solutions to systemic crises. We support innovation and experimentation towards a diversity of locally contextualised alternatives and decentralised ownership.

Confrontation of unjust power structures, making common cause with those most affected by inequalities and unsustainability in both North and South. Our work is rooted in the historical and current struggles of our partners against political oppression, inequalities, discrimination, and unsustainable models of development, and we learn from experiences and realities on the ground. We challenge the concentration of power in the hands of transnational companies and vested elite interests, connecting with affected communities and sectors of society.

Bold actors for change, challenging ourselves to deepen our partnerships, and to engage in alliances with those who share our goals of transformation.We re-examine our role and organisational strategies as a network of Catholic organisations and seek to enhance the voice of the Church, in dialogue. We build our work together with social movements, faith-based and civil society partners, identify broader allies across sectors, and take leadership in

view of strengthening our collective action.

FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT

TO WARDS A JUST AND SUSTAINABLE

WO RLD, WE NEED...

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KEY VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

Human dignity, rights, fre e dom and re sponsibility

All huma n b e ing s, wo me n a nd me n, ha ve

the right to fulill their potential, making their contribution to society, and to live a digniied life . Huma n d ig nity d e ma nd s tha t p e o p le a c t

a c c o rd ing to a kno wing a nd fre e c ho ic e tha t is

p e rso na lly mo tiva te d a nd p ro mp te d fro m within.

Justic e , e quity, solidarity, and fa ir distribution

Eq ua lity b e twe e n wo me n a nd me n is a

p re c o nd itio n fo r so c ia l justic e , while so lid a rity

re c o g nize s tha t the we ll-b e ing o f a ll p e o p le s is

inte rlinke d . The re must b e p rio rity a tte ntio n to

the p o o r, ma rg ina lise d a nd d isc rimina te d in the

q ue st fo r the c o mmo n g o o d , with fa ir d istrib utio n

o f g o o d s a nd se rvic e s to a ll.

Care for c re ation

We lo ve , d e p e nd o n, a nd a re a p a rt o f c re a tio n.

As huma n b e ing s, we a re ste wa rd s o f c re a tio n,

a nd a re c a lle d to ma na g e the e a rth in a

re sp o nsib le wa y so a s to p a ss it o n to future

g e ne ra tio ns.

Partic ipation and subsidiarity

Wo me n a nd me n must b e e mp o we re d

ind ivid ua lly a nd c o lle c tive ly to a sse rt the ir rig hts,

to ight against unjust power structures and to p a rtic ip a te a c tive ly in p o litic a l, c ultura l a nd

e c o no mic life . Syste ms sho uld b e b uilt fro m

the b o tto m up wa rd s so a s to g ua ra nte e the

ma ximum d e ve lo p me nt o f sma lle r c o mmunitie s.

Ma in o utc o me s o f the wo rksho p

The workshop showe d that a va lue - base d

approac h and Catholic Soc ia l Te ac hing , a lre ady

at the he art of CIDSE’s work, have partic ular

importanc e for work towards a paradigm shift.

CIDSE wo rksho p

Changing a paradigm doesn’t happen in days or weeks. Still, the apartheid system was, after years of struggle, brought down in South Africa, one day a trade union leader was elected President in Brazil, as was an indigenous leader in Bolivia. There was a week when the German government made a u-turn committing to the ‘Energiewende’, a shift away from nuclear and towards renewable energy. While each was very different in scope and importance, these were all events that CIDSE, members and partners had been campaigning and fighting for, and all carried immense expectations.

Few would deny the positive changes brought by these events, yet they are still not enough. In Germany, despite the shift to renewables, the amount of energy people consume remains almost the same. New cars may consume less petrol, but few question that a family still can have two or three cars. More people shop in organic supermarkets but consumption and food waste is not going down. The underlying philosophy of maximising freedom through consumption remains unchanged.

In Brazil, after the election of Luiz Inàcio Lula da Silva in 2003, living conditions improved in line with growth in the formal sector and social programmes. The poor are doing better, while the rich are not losing out. But where is the money coming from? There has been a ‘reprimarisation’ of the economy, with dams and roads being built to exploit natural resources quickly. This is destroying the Amazon forest with global impact. There is euphoria – a sense that Brazil has now joined the ‘party’ and can keep growing forever – so it is difficult to talk about the need to change models.

With the democratic election of Nelson Mandela in 1994, South Africans achieved freedom, but at the same time South Africa has become the most unequal country in the world. Unemployment doubled and at the same time it became the twelfth largest greenhouse gas emitter, due to its mineral-based economy. Land reform and agrarian issues are among the unfinished business of apartheid.

Social movements that believed they had overcome neo-liberal agendas have instead discovered a new struggle against ‘developmentalism’ agendas that are unsustainable. Other paths must be found.

CHANG E HAS CO ME TO BRAZIL,

SO UTH AFRICA, G ERMANY –

BUT IS IT ENOUGH

Struggles

“The ‘swe e t poison o f the ne w good life ’

is still uninte rrupte d c onsumption, only

now base d on ‘gre e n growth.’ We must

ask inste ad, how c an we live so that the

poor and all o the rs in the world c an live

we ll? ”

Ma rkus Büke r, Mise re o r

Moema de Miranda

Co ntra d ic tio ns in Bra zil

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Social movements and development organisations have engaged in many struggles and won some important victories: at national level, these include democratic participation, access to leadership for those previously marginalised, and women’s rights; at the global level we see debt reduction and, more recently, progress in financial regulation. Yet this good work has not been, and is not, enough to bring about a paradigm shift. We have long been working to reform unjust power structures and policies. Now, we need to measure and choose our strategies according to their ability to plant the seeds of transformative change. Like David with Goliath, we need to find the right stone.

Within civil society, there is growing recognition that new strategies are needed. For example, a network such as Smart CSOs Lab is encouraging organisations to engage in systemic rather than issue-based thinking, targeting connections between policy changes, transformation in values and mindsets and supporting emerging system innovations.

We are called to confront powerful actors and vested interests, particularly transnational companies and large corporate agendas. Transforming the dynamics of power implies raising political awareness about issues and mobilising people. We should be seizing opportunities to connect with those suffering most from the system, such as the ‘indignados’ in Spain and similar movements which have grown in response to austerity measures. Mindsets and systems are interlinked – it is the doing that brings about changes. This dual approach is particularly important with regard to gender equality.

Alternative models apply not only to the South. We must also challenge our societies and models in the North: change starts at home. Within our own organisations, this implies re-examining our political strategies, engagement with citizens, partnerships for social transformation and change, and funding. In light of the global nature of the crises, we must aim to strengthen both the prophetic voice of the Church community and our joint action in new alliances. We do not have a blueprint for transformation – it requires experimentation, so we must allow ourselves a margin for error and prioritise learning.

HO W CAN WE BRING ABO UT

TRANSFORMATIVE

CHANGE

Together

Entra id e e t Fra te rnité (Be lg ium) is wo rking fo r

ne w mo d e ls o f a g ric ulture , b o th in the So uth

a nd in Be lg ium. In the ne w Wa llo o n c o d e o f

a g ric ulture this ha s me a nt p ro mo ting sho rt

ra the r tha n g lo b a l sup p ly c ha ins, lo c a l

p ro d uc ts in c o lle c tive c a te ring , p a rtic ip a tio n

o f fa rme rs in d e c isio n ma king a nd insta lling

yo ung fa rme rs o n p ub lic la nd a s a n

a lte rna tive to la nd c o nc e ntra tio n. An

e ve nt wa s a lso o rg a nise d whe re lo c a l a nd

ind ig e no us se e d s we re so ld o n lo c a l ma rke ts

to p ro te st a g a inst re g ula tio ns o n se e d

e xc ha ng e tha t fa vo ur la rg e multina tio na l

c o rp o ra tio ns.

CCFD-Terre Solidaire (France) has intensiied its wo rk o n ta x justic e a nd re g ula tio n o f

tra nsna tio na l c o mp a nie s. In d o ing so , the y

ha ve a d d re sse d imp a c ts in Fra nc e , re la te d

to missing ta x re ve nue s whic h sho uld b e use d

fo r so c ia l p urp o se s, a nd ne g a tive imp a c ts o n

wo rke rs in Fra nc e o f multina tio na l c o rp o ra te

b e ha vio ur. CCFD-Te rre So lid a ire is inc re a sing ly

a rg uing fo r c ha ng e s in Fra nc e a nd g lo b a lly,

no t just in the So uth.

Mercia Andrews

Imp ulsing c ha ng e in So uth Afric a

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Peter VIS (Head of Cabinet of Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action): The European Commission is trying to make the model of growth sustainable, through resource efficiency, regulatory standards and carbon markets, which is a start in making polluters pay and is politically more feasible within the EU than a carbon tax. The Commission is focusing on incremental change, because radicalisation of the resource-efficiency agenda means marginalisation in the current economic context. Since politicians are conscious of electoral pressure, convincing the public is vital.

Chris BAIN (President of CIDSE and Director of CAFOD): The economic and financial crisis has not only raised questions about how to overcome such crises, but, even more fundamentally, it has also shaken our way of thinking. CAFOD has supported local communities in their efforts to create alternative economic models like cooperatives that put people and their dignity at the centre. Through ethical investment, communities have been encouraged to work together and reform their local economies in creative ways. Living simply and personal action are also vital.

Pablo SOLÓN (Executive Director, Focus on the Global South): We are far from the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed: the current climate debate admits there is a ‘gap’ but provides no concrete proposals to resolve it. Those countries that have a historical responsibility have to do more; binding commitments, with stronger compliance mechanisms are necessary.

The EU will be judged by concrete changes, such as prioritising climate over trade rules by not going to court over domestic subsidies for renewable energy or by banning imports of oil from tar sands.

Barbara ADAMS (Senior Policy Advisor, Global Policy Forum): Confronting finite resources will require redistribution and regulation – this will take us to the sufficiency option. Following the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, those who have profited most from the current approach must shoulder the most burden in the change. The technical focus on mitigation, carbon and clean energy is necessary but we do not have to ‘cut and paste’ existing proposals. Instead, we shall continue pushing for structural change. Government, private sector and civil society are misrepresented as ‘boxes’; instead we have to find and work with those who want to move ahead.

Tina MUSUYA (Executive Director, Center for Domestic Violence Prevention): The problematic capitalist approach to development is intertwined with a patriarchal approach. In order to bring about structural changes we need to target the root causes of gender inequality and resource allocation. Existing norms and behaviours are factors that hinder the promotion of issues of fairness and access rights. We must stimulate participation by all stakeholders, promoting their role as agents of change and raising awareness of the fact that we can’t grow at the expense of others.

Xavier RICARD (Director for International Partnerships, CCFD-Terre Solidaire): The challenge for society is to go beyond the notion of labour productivity, mass consumption and the quest for growth. ‘Growth’ in Ethiopia has been focused on export-based sectors such as biofuels, linked to land grabbing and human rights violations. Considering that economic downturns have worsened unemployment rates and the social situation, we need to look to ‘jobful’ de-growth rather than jobless growth as an answer to the European crisis, making the shift in Europe without waiting for the rest of the world, basing it on carbon taxes rather than carbon markets.

Panel debate highlights

DEBATE TO DAY’ S PO LITICAL CO NTEXT:

TIME FO R CHANG E?

Transformation

Inc re me nta l o r tra nsfo rma tio na l c ha ng e ?

..

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CIDSE is convinced that global justice demands that failures in current models of development and sustainability are addressed. The workshop showed that by ‘rethinking development’ we need also to acknowledge that the very term of development is problematic, associated with GDP growth and consumerism. Today it is widely recognised that GDP growth does not automatically translate into a better living situation for all and that after a certain point, consumption of non-essentials does not increase well-being. For people living in extreme poverty, the main question is how to ensure they can live in dignity.

The limits of today’s models which give primacy to markets have become clear. The untenable concentration of power and resulting inequalities, destructive phenomena such as patriarchy and individualism, and devastation wrought by extractives industries and climate change must all urgently be addressed.

This means seeking holistic transformation, including the cultural and spiritual dimensions. Such a transformation shall democratise power relations in ways that break down divisions between the ruled and the rulers, men and women, humanity and nature, North and South, and East and West. People are at the centre of this transformation, particularly those most deeply affected by the dysfunction of the system, as well as those with aspirations to access and those benefiting most from the current models. The change will need to begin at the level of individual transformation, adapting lifestyles to respect ecological limits, and giving value to community and sharing. It will demand that people organize themselves in popular associations and struggles for change, with the participation of communities in public life.

HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION

RETHINKING

DEVELO PMENT

..

Dignity and Rights

Tina Musuya

G e nd e r e q ua lity in Ug a nd a

In Nig e ria , the Justic e , De ve lo p me nt a nd Pe a c e

Co mmissio n (JDPC) ha s c re a te d a ‘ C itize ns

We a lth Pla tfo rm.’ In the c o nte xt o f misuse o f

na tio na l re ve nue s fro m na tura l re so urc e c a use d

b y the o p a c ity o f e xtra c tio n c o ntra c ts b e twe e n

the g o ve rnme nt a nd o il c o mp a nie s, JDPC ’ s

c o nvic tio n is tha t Nig e ria ns sho uld re a lise tha t

the country can be self-suficient and deal with its p ro b le ms o f vio le nc e a nd ine q ua lity thro ug h

the ir o wn p a rtic ip a tio n. The p la tfo rm e na b le s

c itize ns to fe e l p e rso na lly re sp o nsib le , to mo nito r

b ud g e ts a nd to a sk q ue stio ns a b o ut o il re ve nue s

tha t the g o ve rnme nt sho uld b e c o lle c ting .

Tró c a ire (Ire la nd ) a nd the Ce nte r fo r Do me stic

Vio le nc e Pre ve ntio n (CEDO VIP) wo rk to g e the r

in Ug a nd a to inc re a se the p a rtic ip a tio n o f

d isc rimina te d g ro up s, a nd mo re b ro a d ly o f

c itize ns, to b ring a b o ut struc tura l c ha ng e s

a nd e vo lutio n o f no rms in vie w o f e nd ing

o p p re ssio n. In Ug a nd a , CEDO VIP wo rks to

mo b ilize wo me n to d e ma nd the ir sp a c e s in

d e c isio n-ma king p ro c e sse s, a nd und e rta ke s

c o mmunity e d uc a tio n a nd a wa re ne ss ra ising

o f o p inio n le a d e rs to a d d re ss wo me n a nd

me n’ s ro le s a c ro ss d o ma ins inc lud ing he a lth

a nd a g ric ulture . In Ire la nd , Tró c a ire ’ s Po we r

Up c a mp a ig n – “ Re a l Po we r Lie s Within

Co mmunitie s, Within Ind ivid ua ls, Within Yo u” –

a d d re sse s va lue s suc h a s e q uity, c o mmunity,

a nd so lid a rity to e na b le c itize ns to a c tive ly

e ng a g e , a nd to d e ma nd sa fe sp a c e s fo r

p e o p le to a d vo c a te fo r the ir rig hts.

“Eve ryone c ounts and c ontribute s, thus

the re is a ne e d to ac c e pt dive rsity and

innovation. We ne e d to inspire both

wome n and me n to work towards justic e

and fairne ss, as oppose d to c re ating

hie rarc hie s o f powe r and c ontrol.”

Tina Musuya , CEDO VIP

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Today, the term ‘economy’ is often narrowed to the industrial sector, GDP growth is seen as the key policy serving and measuring economic progress and self-interest is perceived as freedom. In the worst case, it is shorthand for profits for large companies based on resource extraction to serve unbridled, advertising-driven consumption. Today’s economies function only for the benefit of the few, not the many. The economic, social and environmental ‘pillar’ approach in the concept of sustainable development is flawed and ecological limits are not taken into account. New ‘green economy’ and ‘green growth’ approaches do not fundamentally change this equation.

CIDSE’s vision is instead based upon a relational understanding of economy, situated within society and nature: one economy in one planet, with social justice at its heart. Alternative approaches already exist today, such as viable economy, gift economy, economy of communion, and solidarity economy. Whilst moves towards cooperative banking, ethical investment, or fair trade are certainly steps in the right direction, the global economic system does not allow local initiatives to fully flourish. We need to work towards global, systemic changes – such as those offered by financial regulation – that will create the conditions for true alternatives to emerge.

The economic alternatives we support are based on principles and values, informed by Catholic Social Teaching. Ownership, organisation and management of economic structures are decentralised and driven by the ‘commons’, rather than by profit based on consumerism. Redistribution mechanisms address inequalities and the immorality of extreme wealth. Unjust power structures and the concentration of power in the hands of large transnational companies are addressed through regulation, transparency and strong accountability mechanisms.

ECONOMIES AT THE SERVICE

O F JUST AND SUSTAINABLE SO CIETIES

PowerDaniel Mutale

Susta ina b le a g ric ulture in Za mb ia

In So uth Afric a , the O ne Millio n C lima te Jo b s

c a mp a ig n b y so c ia l mo ve me nts a nd tra d e

unio ns le d b y the Alte rna tive Info rma tio n a nd

De ve lo p me nt Ce ntre (AIDC) a nd o the rs, ta ke s

a s its sta rting p o int b o th the urg e nt ne e d to

c ha ng e e c o no mic syste ms in o rd e r to p re ve nt

d isa stro us c lima te c ha ng e a nd the p re ssing

issue of livelihoods and digniied work as a c o ntrib utio n to so c ie ty. Thro ug h a p ro c e ss o f

just tra nsitio n, mo ving fro m a mine ra l-inte nsive ,

lo w-wa g e e c o no my to b uild ing ne w ind ustrie s in

re ne wa b le e ne rg y, p ub lic tra nsp o rt a nd b uild ing

eficiency, the campaign challenges vested inte re sts, q ue stio ning o wne rship o f ind ustrie s a nd

inte lle c tua l p ro p e rty rig hts in inte rna tio na l tra d e

re g ime s. The c o st o f c re a ting c lima te jo b s is to

b e fund e d b y inc re a se d ta xa tio n o n the ric h,

a nd a c a rb o n ta x.

SCIAF (Sc o tla nd ) a nd the Je suit Ce ntre

for Theological Relection (JCTR) work to g e the r in Za mb ia to p ro mo te susta ina b le

a g ric ultura l mo d e ls thro ug h the Kulima

p ro g ra mme . JCTR is e ng a g e d in e vid e nc e -

b a se d a d vo c a c y to wa rd s the Za mb ia n

g o ve rnme nt a nd tra d itio na l le a d e rs fo r a

p o lic y fra me wo rk sup p o rting o rg a nic fa rming

a nd g e nd e r e q ua lity. The y p ub lish q ua rte rly

d a ta o n fo o d g ro wn using a g ro -e c o lo g ic a l

me tho d s sho wing g re a te r yie ld s c o mp a re d

to fo o d g ro wn using p e stic id e s. Two Sc o ttish

a g ric ultura l institute s a re p a rtne rs in the

p ro g ra mme . Thro ug h the ‘ Eno ug h Fo o d fo r

Eve ryo ne IF Sc o tla nd Pla ys its Pa rt’ c a mp a ig n,

SCIAF is stimula ting d e b a te o n ho w the

speciic Scottish model can confront the g lo b a l, syste mic c a use s o f hung e r.

“By quantifying the jobs pote ntial,

the c arbon savings, the c ost o f

c re ating jobs and how to fund this,

we make the just transition as

c ompe lling as mothe r’s milk.”

Bria n Ashle y, AIDC

Today’s societies and economies, with their patterns of consumption and production, are organised according to an international (and often gender-specific) division of labour, with emphasis on global markets and the interests of transnational corporations. The failings of this model are particularly evident in the area of food security, with hunger increasing despite sufficient global food production and in parallel with massive food waste.

CIDSE’s vision gives priority to local, socially-orientated, gender-sensitive and small-scale models and actors. We support agricultural production which guarantees adequate food for all and which recognises the role of food producers as stewards of the earth, as well as the earth’s own capacity to produce sustainably. This is underpinned by values enshrined in human rights, particularly the right to food and the right to dignified livelihoods. More broadly, we seek to build resilient communities which are able to self-organise in their struggles to challenge the structural causes of the shackles that bind them, permitting equal participation, particularly of women and the most marginalised.

Communities must be at the forefront of innovation to bring about change, empowered to seek solutions applicable to their realities, as well as to consciously participate in the policy processes that affect them. In line with subsidiarity, local innovation and solutions must be interlinked with those elements best addressed at the global level, such as human rights standards. Solidarity is a key means by which to achieve this vision. It is important to contextualise and adapt approaches to each situation, with the creation and nourishment of linkages critical to fostering solidarity and learning, while avoiding isolationism and protectionism. Many examples already exist that prove the viability of such an ‘alternative’ system, such as local currencies.

LIVING SOLIDARITY BETWEEN LO CALISATIO N

AND G LO BALISATIO N

Innovation

Ajay Jha

Lo c a lisa tio n o f so lutio ns in Ind ia

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In So uth Ko re a , the Ko re a n Ca tho lic Fa rme rs’

Mo ve me nt is d e ve lo p ing a lte rna tive s tha t

inc lud e a g ro -e c o lo g ic a l mo d e ls o f p ro d uc tio n

a nd so lid a rity-b a se d e c o no mic mo d e ls suc h

a s d ire c t ma rke ting syste ms tha t a im fo r sho rte r

c ha ins, thus b ring ing p ro d uc e rs a nd c o nsume rs

c lo se r to g e the r.

DKA (Austria ) a nd Fa ste no p fe r (Switze rla nd )

wo rk with the Rura l Wo me n’ s Asse mb ly

(RWA) o f the Pe o p le ’ s Dia lo g ue to mo b ilise

rura l wo me n a ro und lo c a l a lte rna tive s to

c o mme rc ia l a g ric ulture . RWA p ro mo te s a

re g io na l p la tfo rm in So uthe rn Afric a a nd La tin

Ame ric a fo r le a rning , sha ring , a nd d e ve lo p ing

so lutio ns, re la ting to rura l live liho o d s,

a g ro e c o lo g y a nd e xc ha ng e o f ind ig e no us

se e d s. To g e the r with DKA a nd Fa ste no p fe r,

the RWA a tte nd e d the 2011 inte rna tio na l

c lima te ne g o tia tio ns in Durb a n, a nd the

2012 Rio +20 c o nfe re nc e o n susta ina b le

d e ve lo p me nt, to b uild re la tio nship s to fo rm a

g lo b a l so lid a rity mo ve me nt in the c o nte xt o f

g lo b a lisa tio n.

“Land, life , love and se e ds re pre se nts the

fe minist pe rspe c tive we want to struggle for.”

Me rc ia And re ws, Trust fo r Co mmunity

O utre a c h a nd Ed uc a tio n

..

CIDSE wo rksho p

The world is facing impending disastrous climate change, demonstrated by the fact that the threshold of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere identified by scientists as a ceiling has already been breached. The delay in taking effective global action to avoid a climate crisis is manifest, distracted by false solutions such as biofuels, based on flawed notions of human beings as masters of nature. This, together with the exhaustion and degradation of natural resources and the risks of commodification of nature, is resulting in critical negative impacts on the world’s poorest.

Life and creation – Mother Nature itself – need to be placed at the centre of policy-making and lifestyle decisions. Living within planetary boundaries must be achieved in a holistic and transformative way, through the promotion of ‘sufficiency’ of consumption, rather than ‘efficiency’ of production. To reach this transformation will require monitoring carbon footprints, localising production and distribution chains and conquering over-consumption through ‘living with less.’ This concept promises a multitude of physical, social and economic benefits, such as reduced obesity rates, increased time for family and friends, happiness beyond products and real prices for real goods. Approaches to ownership and the governance of natural resources must be revised and instead be founded upon justice and equity with regard to ecological debts.

FACING PLANETARY BO UNDARIES ECOLOGICAL JUSTICE

Urgency

tion

“Any ne w soc ie ty has to pursue not only

justic e for humans but also justic e for

Earth. If we don’t fe e d the Earth, it will

die and we ’ll die with it.”

Pa b lo So ló n, Fo c us o n the G lo b a l So uth

Brusse ls, 14 -15 Ma y 2013

11.

Fo c us o n the G lo b a l So uth wo rks to a d d re ss

tra nsfo rma tive c ha ng e s b y ta lking a b o ut

“ syste ms c ha ng e , no t c lima te c ha ng e ” a nd b y

d e ve lo p ing a nd p o p ula rising ‘ d e g lo b a lisa tio n’

a s a n a lte rna tive to ne o -lib e ra l g lo b a lisa tio n,

a sking p ro b ing q ue stio ns a b o ut the so ve re ig nty

o f na tura l re so urc e s, a nd a d vo c a ting fo r le a ving

two third s o f the wo rld ’ s fo ssil fue l re se rve s

und e rg ro und in a b id to a vo id d a ng e ro us

c lima te c ha ng e .

Mise re o r (G e rma ny) a nd Pub lic Ad vo c a c y

Initia tive s fo r Rig hts a nd Va lue s (PAIRVI)

in Ind ia a re wo rking to g e the r to p ro mo te

a g ro -e c o lo g ic a l a p p ro a c he s in a g ric ulture in

the c o nte xt o f c lima te a c tio n. PAIRVI b uild s

the c a p a c ity o f g ra ssro o ts o rg a nisa tio ns to

p ro mo te lo c a l, re silie nt, sma llho ld e r fo o d

syste ms b a se d o n tra d itio na l wa te r-ha rve sting

a nd life style s in ha rmo ny with na ture (e .g .

no ric e o r whe a t, no la rg e a nima ls), a nd

a d vo c a te s fo r p a rtic ip a tio n in the c lima te

a c tio n p la ns a t sta te le ve l in Ind ia . Mise re o r

is e ng a g e d in a so c ia l d ia lo g ue p ro je c t

in G e rma ny a nd in six o the r c o untrie s to

work towards deining how we want to live a nd c a n live in the future , p a rtic ula rly with

re g a rd to fo o d , e ne rg y a nd o the r typ e s o f

c o nsump tio n, so tha t the p o o r a nd e ve ryo ne

e lse c a n live we ll.

..

CONCLUSIONWith the outcomes of the workshop, we will strengthen our prophetic voice across our work on food, climate, finance, private sector and gender, and with an eye to key actions related to a post-2015 global framework and public support for sustainable development. We will stimulate further reflection and discussion within our organisations on our role as actors for change, our strategies, and how we can intensify our work with partners and allies.

As we go forward, we can be inspired by the example of Saint Francis of Assisi: Be pragmatic, in order to go beyond “developmentalism” and open our minds to new ideas. Be persistent, because the paradigm shift is a long-term process of exploring new ways which requires patience. And be polite and sensitive, so as to overcome the dilemmas people are facing all around the world.

This workshop has been an important new step in our journey towards bringing about transformation for a just and sustainable world. We look forward to building the next steps together, with the challenging and warm spirit of the CIDSE family that has infused our debates.

CIDSE members

www.cidse.org

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