“We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future.
(This quotation and most of those that follow are from the Earth Charter)
In 2012 the world communitywas looking back to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 with a conference Rio+20 in June which reviewed progress and assessed what the world and each of us needed to do next if we wanted to hand on a planet worth living in to future generations. One World Week 2012 offered us an opportunity to review the findings of the conference and plan the actions we could take to contribute to an equitable, harmonious and enduring future.
"Cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility. "
(United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon)
2012 was also the UN Year of Co-operatives and our theme offered opportunities to celebrate sharing and working together with others.
We all wondered what the world was coming to and what the future hold for our children. How could we cope with a warming world, declining resources, growing inequality and unrest?
“As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise.”
Could our generation take the steps needed right away to ensure that future generations would be able to continue to access the resources they needed to enjoy a fulfilling life? Were we prepared to embrace the changes that could offer hope and a future for all?
“To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one earth community with a common destiny.”
We affirmed that we were all members of one world and that technology had enabled us to move around the globe for work and leisure and to communicate with ease. Also that trade had moved us closer, reinforcing our growing interdependence. However, we also recognised that some people had been forced to move by poverty, conflict and persecution to seek refuge and make new homes. We reflected that living and working together with people of many cultures and abilities had not only enriched our lives but enabled us to find shared ways of surviving as one world.
We acknowledged that our economies, natural environment and societies were increasingly interwoven. Could we cooperate to move towards a global society, which adapted to change while:
- balancing the needs of nature, economy and society,
- respecting universal human rights, and economic justice,
- and building a culture of peace?
We asked we could accept that it was only by working together to meet these challenges could we share quitably the legacy we have received with our descendants?
“Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.”
the Earth Charter here
OWW's partners in the Stop Climate Chaos Coallition offed us a video: "Reasons to be cheerful" documenting progress on environmental protection since the first Rio Conference in 1992 (see it here)
OWWFollow up Rio+20 in your OWW events
In OWW 2012, under our theme of Sharing Destiny,we looked at the outcomes of the Rio+20 conference which took place in June, 2012. Representatives from around the world met at this UN environment summit to “secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development*, ... ”.
The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition (SCCC), of which OWW is a member, encouraged people to organise events to raise awareness of what was at stake at Rio in June and invite their MP to support a Rio Connection Declaration.
You could involve local representatives of other SCCC members in planning your OWW events for October. Have a look at the SCCC site where a Map tells you who is in your local area or you could get in touch with local branches of the SCCC members listed on the website.
In 1992, the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, was unprecedented for a UN conference. It sought to help governments rethink economic development, recognising that economic and social progress depended on finding ways to prevent environmental degradation and preserve our resource base. Government representatives from around the world agreed to put in place:
“A comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally ... in every area in which human impacts on the environment.” (It became known as Agenda 21)
In 2012, twenty years on, the objective of the ‘Rio+20’ Conference was to:
“secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development*, assess progress to date and… address new and emerging challenges”.
(More information at: www.uncsd2012.org )
There was much debate about this term with many feeling it had been highjacked from its original meaning.
A simple and common definition is “... development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Living within our environmental limits is one of the central principles of sustainable development, but it also means meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity.
There was much talk of a green economy - Governments and businesses wanted a green economy that promoted growth through developing energy saving technologies and low carbon technologies. One of OWW's partners, the World Development Movement, warned that it all depended on whose green economy it is! More here
Date: 1 Array 2016 00:00 to 14 Array 2016 00:00
Shadows of the Wanderer
A powerful installation by the acclaimed sculptor, Ana Maria Pacheco.
These outstanding - and thought provoking - sculptures present
ten over life-size darkly robed figures as they witness
the struggle of a young man to carry an older man on his shoulders.
Date & Time: Saturday 16th July – Monday 14th November
Venue: North Transept
Chichester Cathedral
West Street
CHICHESTER
West Sussex
PO19 1RPH
‘Shadows of the Wanderer’
presents a complex scene of twelve figures, each of them
larger than a human and carved out of a single lime tree.
Ten of the figures stand in the shadows around a young man
who is carrying an older man on his back.
These two central figures have been symbolically carved
out of the same piece of wood and draw from virgil’s Aeneid.
In Virgil’s ancient poem, dating from 29BC, a young man,
Aeneas, carries his lame father on his back and flees from
the burning ruins of Troy.
Pacheco’s contemporary – and challenging – depiction of this
scene resonates powerfully with current debates about exile,
migration, and the displacement of people who are trying to
escape persecution in our own day.
(This exhibition is supported by Amnesty International).k
For more Details go to the Chichester Cathedral Website
Admission : Free
The Cathedral is open
from 7.15am until 6.30pm (Monday to Saturday)
and from 7.15am until 5.00pm (Sunday).
There is no charge for entry.
Date: 19 Array 2016 00:00 to 29 Array 2016 00:00
One World Week
Welcoming the Stranger
Display and Event
Display runs from:
Wednesday 19th October at 9.30am
to
Saturday 29th October at 5.00pm
Event:
Monday 24th October 2016
Venue: Bradford on Avon Library
Bridge Street
Bradford on Avon
Wiltshire
BA15 1BYy
Displays by Local Community Groups including
Oxfam, Amnesty International, Quaker Outreach
Save the Children, Fairtrade, Climate Friendly Bradford
and Churches Together
There will be information and stories that illustrate global issues
A member of the organising group will be present to answer questions
For more details contact the library
Telephone: 01225 863280 or 01225 868127
Date: 23 Array 2016 09:00 to 30 Array 2016 17:00
OWW Exhibition
Date & Time: Sunday 23rd October - Sunday 30th October 2016
9.00am - 5.00pm
Venue: Truro Cathedral
TRURO
TR1 2AFH
A One World Week Exhibition
featuring local groups and organisations
that are trying to make a difference in the world.
Admission Details: Free
Contact Name : Colin Reid
Contact Email : colin@trurocathedral.org.uk
Date: 25 Array 2016 10:00 to 29 Array 2016 17:00
Free Chocolate Tasting
Date & Time:
Saturday 22nd, Tuesday 25th - Saturday 29th October 2016
10am - 5 pm
Venue: Fair Do's/Siopa Teg CIC
10 Llandaff Road
CARDIFF
CF11 9NJ
Free tastings of Divine Chocolate all week long!
Come and taste this delicious chocolate,
made all the sweeter by the fact that it is fair trade.
Divine Chocolate is a company co-owned by the
chocolate farmers themselves and one of the only
chocolate companies in the world to provide
real fair conditions and wages to their workers,
as well as many other benefits.
Admission Details: Free
Contact Name: Jan Tucker
Contact Email: info@fairdos.com
28 October 2016
An Evening with Claire Rhodes
General Manager Cafédirect Producers' Foundation
Date & Time: Friday 28th October 2016
7pm - 9pm
Venue: Devon Development Education
The Global Centre
Exeter Community Centre
17 St David's Hill
Exeter
Devon
EX4 3RG
An evening with
Claire Rhodes, General Manager Cafédirect Producers' Foundation.
The Foundation supports the development of
smallholder Fairtrade tea and coffee farmers
across East Africa and Latin America,
helping them to develop innovative solutions
to the farming and livelihood challenges they face.
Admission Details: Free
Contact Email : dde@globalcentredevon.org.uk
Contact Telephone : 01392 438811
28 October 2016
Peace Talks and Party
Peace Talks: Is war necessary and peace possible?
Followed by Halloween Party
Date & Time: Friday 28th October 2016
7pm till late
Venue: The Environment Centre
Pier Street
Swansea
SA11RY
In the Exchange Café at the Centre we're talking
about the biggest issues that face our planet
and this is undeniably one of the biggest.
Over hundreds of years humans have been going to war and
working to bring about peace. Have you ever considered
whether war is a natural part of human nature or a necessary
part of human international relations?
Do you wonder about how we can bring about a
more non-violent world and is it even possible?
Come and tell us what you think and listen to
other peoples views and ideas.
We're inviting special guests with interests and experience
in this subject too.
After the talks we'll be celebrating
One World Week with a Halloween Party
featuring war and peace themed tunes.
War and peace themed fancy dress is optional.
Please do bring a bottle of your favourite
alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverage.
The talks starts at 7pm and will finish around 8.30pm.
Party afterwards till late
Come along or just the talks or just the party or both!
Admission Details: Book Tickets at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/peace-talks-party-for-one-world-week-tickets-2856
Contact Name : Sarah Kersey
Contact Email : info@environmentcentre.org.uk
28 October 2016
International Food Evening
Date & Time: Friday 28th October 2016
7.30 pm
Venue: Parish Centre
Church of Sacred Heart & St Peter the Apostle
356 London Road
Waterlooville
HAMPSHIRE
PO7 7SRH
The ninth year of this popular event.
Food cooked, prepared and presented
by people from many countries.
A chance to meet and share with those from different cultures.
Those attending are encouraged to come in national dress
and join the parade.
Admission Details: By ticket
£4 per person £10 per family
Contact Name : Philip Hayllar
Contact Email : philiphayllar@hotmail.com