Peter E. Pflaum - Golden Globe -

The Synergy Network

http://www.wiredbrain.com/documents// wiredbrain@webname.com

From:Charles W. Cooper IIcharles@oneworld.wa.com@SMTP@`Level:Tel

No: TO: Peter E. Pflaum386428+7924( PFLAUMP@A1 )CC:

bahai-faith@oneworld.wa.com( bahai-faith@oneworld.wa.com@SMTP@FI`

Subject: Re: International community statement

Here is the text of the statement on Sustainable

Development...===================================================

Title: Sustainable Development and the Human Spirit Press

Source: Baha'i International Community Adapted from the

Statement delivered to the Plenary of THE EARTH SUMMIT (the

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development), Rio de

Janeiro, Brazil

========== Beyond such technical and political questions as what

limits should be placed on greenhouse gases, how can sustainable

development be promoted, and who will pay for it all, the

fundamental question facing the world community is this: Can

humanity, with its entrenched patterns of conflict,

self-interest, and short-sighted behavior, commit itself to

enlightened cooperation and long-range planning on a global

scale?

The Earth Summit process highlighted both the complexity

and the interdependence of the problems facing humanity. None of

these problems - the debilitating inequities of development, the

apocalyptic threats of atmospheric warming and ozone depletion,

the oppression of women, the neglect of children and marginalized

peoples, to name but a few - can be realistically addressed

without considering all the others. None can be fully addressed

without a magnitude of cooperation and coordination at all levels

that far surpasses anything in humanity's collective experience.

The potential for such cooperation is, however, undermined by the

general debasement of human character. Although not commonly

discussed in relation to the challenges of environment and

development, there are current in the world certain trends -

including the widespread lack of moral discipline, the

glorification of greed and material accumulation, the increasing

breakdown of family and community, the rise of lawlessness and

disorder, the ascendency of racism and bigotry, and the priority

given to national interests over the welfare of humanity - all of

which destroy confidence and trust, the foundations of

collaboration.

The reversal of these destructive trends is

essential to the establishment of unity and cooperation. This

reversal will require a deeper understanding of human nature.

For, although economics, politics, sociology and science offer

important tools for addressing the interdependent crises facing

humanity, a true resolution of the dangerous state of affairs in

the world can only be realized when the spiritual dimension of

human nature is taken into account and the human heart is

transformed. Although there are mystical aspects that are not

easily explained, the spiritual dimension of human nature can be

understood, in practical terms, as the source of qualities that

transcend narrow self-interest. Such qualities include love,

compassion, forbearance, trustworthiness, courage, humility,

co-operation and willingness to sacrifice for the common good -

qualities of an enlightened citizenry, able to construct a

unified world civilization.

The profound and far-reaching

changes, the unity and unprecedented cooperation, required to

reorient the world toward an environmentally sustainable and just

future, will only be possible by touching the human spirit, by

appealing to those universal values which alone can empower

individuals and peoples to act in accordance with the long- term

interests of the planet and humanity as a whole. Once tapped,

this powerful and dynamic source of individual and collective

motivation will release such a profound and salutary spirit among

the peoples of the earth that no power will be able to resist its

unifying force.

The fundamental spiritual truth of our age is the

oneness of humanity. Universal acceptance of this principle -

with its implications for social and economic justice, universal

participation in non-adversarial decision making, peace and

collective security, equality of the sexes, and universal

education - will make possible the reorganization and

administration of the world as one country, the home of

humankind. Over one hundred years ago, Baha'u'llah challenged the

rulers and peoples of the earth to make their vision world-

embracing: "It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his

own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world."

This challenge has yet to be answered.

=========================================== Baha'i International

Community, Office of the Environment, 866 United Nations Plaza,

Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 USA

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