Two decades of rapid global economic integration have brought increased innovation, productivity, and financial growth to the world. Nonetheless, globalization is marked by extreme contrasts. There are now greater connections among markets, people and ideas than ever before. Yet, more than ever, there are deeper divisions globally and within societies, between the rich and poor, the powerful and powerless, and the privileged and unprivileged.
Global income distribution provides a telling story. Of total world income, 94% goes to 40% of the population, while the other 60% of the world's people live on just 6%.
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Each day, more than 1.2 billion people - one in five on Earth - survive on less than US$1 a day, a majority of them women and children.
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Each day, 16,000 children die of hunger and malnutrition.
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And beyond this glaring social disparity lays an equally unfair imbalance in global power politics. Only a minority of the world's rich countries have a say in the global decision-making processes, whether in the G8, the UN Security Council, the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank. The fact that these same rich countries derive the greatest benefit from undemocratic global structures, while arguing for the spread of democracy throughout the world, reduces the illusion of global democracy to absurdity. This economic and political injustice is further compounded by the cultural hegemony of wealthier nations. Many perceive the 'standard' Western culture, which is transported to virtually every corner of the globe, as a significant threat to their own unique cultures and traditions.
Furthermore, current worldwide production and consumption patterns working in the interest of the minority of rich countries have devastating effects on the ecosystem that supports all human life on earth. Climate change is but one dramatic example. As countries like China, India, and Brazil try to follow the example of the rich nations, the pressure on global ecosystems multiplies. Environmental degradation also has a strong inter-temporal dimension since it affects both today's and future generations.
This is no formula for peace, and it is obvious that within our globalized world, turmoil in one region can spread rapidly to others through war, terrorism, armed conflict, and through the pressures of migration, environmental degradation or disease as well.
If we step back a moment from this precarious situation, we also see another reality. In the midst of our magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are essentially one human family and one global community with a common destiny. This international community that is so well connected by trade and technology must now adopt a responsible course of action to manage its increasing interdependence. We need to create a global regime and institutional framework based on the universal norms of social justice, generosity, equality, and love that flow from human civilization as a functioning whole. This requires an inclusive design that establishes binding links among the many dimensions of peace, security, development, and the environment.
The process of globalization needs to be regulated similar to the way that communities, cities and regions agreed to form the nation-state in earlier times. This can be achieved through a better interlinking of existing global conventions and institutions, as well as through a new set of standards, which are based on our common values and geared to produce greater prosperity, social harmony, cultural balance, a healthy environment, stable infrastructure, and fair access to global resources. We also need to ensure that these benefits reach all local communities, creating open societies and open economies through an equal exchange of goods and services, ideas, and knowledge. This will allow people to live free from fear and want, with the opportunity to develop their full personal and social potentials in a creative and supporting environment.
Social change is grounded in personal transformation, as we are reminded by Mahatma Gandhi's timeless call to action, "Be the change you want to see in the world." So let us take the first step on this journey of global change for a better future by declaring our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life and to future generations. Let us create a world
... with deep respect for nature,
... at peace between cultures and religions,
... in which prosperity is widely shared,
... where solidarity is a reality within societies,
and in which every human being is free to realize his or her highest potential. Let us stand in this light and transform reality. Let us overcome our cognitive barriers and build powerful new alliances. Let us join together now and focus our energy on a common plan for a better world.
To this end, we see seven essential directions for action:
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