'THE GLOBAL COMMONS ACTION PLAN' IN BRIEF

A central concern needs a common platform.

The actions of countless people demonstrate that another world is possible. The list of successful campaigners for the global commons includes Muhammad Yunus, who is helping to lead Bangladesh out of extreme poverty with his program of microloans; Vandana Shiva, who is fighting brilliantly in India for patent rights; the German Hans Küng, who has developed the concept of a shared world ethos; Al Gore, who is making Americans more aware of global warming; Wangari Maathai, who is reforesting the deserts of Kenya; and Amartya Sen of India, who has developed principles for an alternative economic system.

There are also many worthwhile mass initiatives such as the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, Agenda 21, Earth Charter, CIVICUS, Global Call to Action Against Poverty, One Campaign, World Ethos, Helsinki Process, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, World Social Forum, Network of Spiritual Progressives, Globalization for the Common Good, and many, many more.

Building on the work of these organizations and others, we present the first draft of a global action plan. This plan will provide the initial impetus for a multi-stakeholder consultation process, through which we expect eventually to contact thousands of individuals and organizations which are already focused on a particular aspect of the global commons. Our text addresses many complex issues, for each of which there are no doubt thousands of experts. We are also seeking the expression and understanding of many more perspectives as the basis for the development of possible courses of action. Consequently, this draft is a work in progress - an introductory proposal for a Convention on the Global Commons. It is based on what has been learned from the work of many people who have thought about and worked on these issues, and it will continue to grow with time.

The text is divided into the following sections:

Spirituality, Ethics and Values
Whether or not we consider ourselves spiritual, we can all agree that the universal principles of compassion, trust, co-operation, equity, generosity, sharing, nonviolence, and peace are needed at the international level. For these ethics and values to be infused into the rules and institutions of the international system, they must first be honored and practiced in our everyday relationships. Global transformation is not possible unless our daily interactions are based on the kind of deep mutual recognition and connectedness that honors and validates the sacredness, dignity, and worth of other persons as human beings.

Fulfill the UN Millennium Goals by 2015
The United Nations Millennium Development Goals were signed by 189 nations in 2000. The eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, the achievement of universal primary education, as well as the development of an equitable global partnership for development are a few of the goals. In late 2007, halfway to the target date, the world community has fallen behind schedule in meeting many of these standards, primarily because of a lack of funds. But the implementation of the Millennium Goals remains an important step in ending extreme poverty, creating sustainable development, and arriving at a more just world order.

Protect Natural and Cultural Environments
Clean air, water, food, and diversity (biological as well as cultural) are the fundamental requirements for human life and the flourishing of cultures on Earth. The unequal access to natural resources and the increasing hegemony of monolithic western culture leads to conflicts that threaten security in every region of the world. The protection of natural and cultural environments and more equitable access to natural resources for all people must be guaranteed through appropriate treaties and enforcement mechanisms.

Restructure the World Economic System
To restructure economic globalization we need a coherent framework for the world economy. Our world economic system must ensure cultural diversity, the preservation of our natural environment, and prosperity for all people - goals whose achievement we believe is best served by market mechanisms which follow equitable principles and values. To this end, structural reforms are necessary, such as improving access to markets for developing countries (especially the agricultural sector), creating international rules on competition, closing tax havens, fighting corruption, regulating hedge funds and derivatives, and introducing an international bankruptcy process.

Improve Governance at Every Level
Developed nations must restructure their resource-intensive economic practices to help developing countries fully realize their potential to develop following their own pathways and interests, while maintaining good governance. At the global level, we need to create a better framework for the international economy through reforms that connect and expand existing international policies and institutions (e.g. United Nations and its programs, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization). The decision-making process at this level must become more democratic and transparent, which means that developing countries must participate as equal partners and that civil society must also be given much more direct input and oversight.

Link Global Financing with Global Standards
New means of global financing must also be created, with the condition that wealthy countries agree to structural changes in the world economy while developing countries initiate needed reforms for their own development. Financing will be linked to compliance with agreed upon standards, such as human rights, international environ-mental treaties and the basic standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). This follows the example of the European Union, which in its expansion process linked the flow of finances from richer to poorer lands with social, ecological and political reforms in the impoverished nations, as well as the opening of markets and decision-making processes in the wealthier nations. Possible mechanisms of financing are taxes on currency transactions, a fee on the use of resources, the trading of CO2 emission credits, and an expansion of the Special Drawing Rights of the IMF.

Realize Human and Social Potentials
Political will and sufficient financing are necessary but not sufficient in creating real global change. Because the many paths that development can take are influenced by our different traditions and cultures, the principles of self-help and trust in the power of the individual are essential. Muhammad Yunus' program of micro credit loans is a good example. Successful development requires people to take charge of their own development. It also requires universal education, better coordination of different development efforts, and strengthening of the role of women.

Action Plan