Al Gore calls for new Marshall Plan at UN
24 September 2007
A new Marshall Plan is needed to simultaneously tackle global warming and poverty, the environmental activist and former United States Vice-President Al Gore told an audience at United Nations Headquarters in New York today.
"We now face a global crisis that makes it abundantly clear that increased carbon dioxide emissions anywhere are a threat to the integrity of this planet’s climate everywhere," Mr. Gore told a luncheon event called "Global Voices on Climate Change."
The event, hosted by Denmark, Indonesia, Kenya and Poland, was held on the sidelines of the largest-ever gathering of world leaders on climate change.
Increased emissions are responsible for rising temperatures and rising sea levels, which combine to elevate both food and water insecurity worldwide, Mr. Gore said. "The old divide between North and South, between developed and developing, is now obsolete," he told the event’s participants, who included 40 heads of State or government, nine deputy prime ministers and vice presidents and 70 cabinet ministers from all over the world.
"We must link poverty reduction with the sharp reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," he noted, calling for a plan of attack like that of the Marshall Plan, the post-World War II European reconstruction initiative of the US – to tie the struggles against climate change and poverty.
Mr. Gore also urged the completion of the negotiations for creating the successor to the Kyoto Protocol – the current global framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions which will expire in 2012 – by 2009. "We simply cannot wait longer," he said, calling on heads of state to convene meetings every three months until a post-Kyoto treaty is agreed upon. "We cannot continue business as usual," he added. "We cannot continue at a slow pace."
Source: UN
Listen to Al Gore's full speech (mp3, 5.4 MB)
Press release by the Eco-Social Forum: Franz Fischler unterstĂĽtzt Al Gores Forderung nach einem globalen Marshallplan gegen Klimawandel und Armut. (pdf, 310 kB)
Merkel demands for CO2 emissions to be measured on a per capita basis and a new climate convention under the umbrella of the UN
Within four weeks, German Chancellor Merkel spoke out twice on the international stage for more efforts on climate protection.
During her visit to Japan, on 30 August 2007 Angela Merkel suggested to measure CO2 emissions on a per capita basis. This shall be an incentive for emerging coutries like India and China to join the worldwide efforts for the protection of the climate. It is also a demand of the Global Marshall Plan Initiative.
At the "High Level Event on Climate Change" on 24 September 2007 in New York, the German Chancellor called for a new climate convention under the umbrella of the United Nations (UN) and underlined the necessity of industrialized countries taking a leading role in the reduction of greenhouse gases. Merkel furthermore emphasized that "to achieve a follow-on agreement, all nations must be taken on board".
Chancellor Merkels' efforts for a new climate act met with positive resonance by members of the Balaton Group – an international network for sustainable development initiated by Dennis and Donatella Meadows. They expressed this in a letter to Angela Merkel.
Overwhelming number of participants in Bad Schallerbach / Austria
120 participants visited the Global Marshall Plan biannual meeting in Bad Schallerbach (Upper Austria) on 25 and 26 September 2007.
Additionally to many interesting discussions, the SPES Academy introduced their catalogue of measures.
We cordially thank the organizers of the Upper Austria Academy for Environment and Nature, the Eco-Social Forum Europe and the moderator GĂĽnther Humer. The professional organization guaranteed a perfect balance between heart and mind.
The results will be published on 6 October 2007 at www.lebensraummitzukunft.at.
Get involved!
Thousands of copies of the brochure for the International Consultation Process have been sent to our supporters and many of you did already order extra copies (for a nominal charge of 1 Euro per copy) to distribute them.
During the presentation of the process at the Austrian partner meeting on 25 September 2007 and the biannual Global Marshall Plan meeting in Bad Schallerbach (Upper Austria), wurde sehr konstruktiv
diskutiert und sehr groĂźe Bereitschaft gezeigt, an diesem Projekt
mitzuwirken. Der Bitte fĂĽr die interne Vorkonsultation mehr Zeit
einzuräumen, kommen wir selbstverständlich nach und haben mit unseren
Partnern in Nordamerika abgestimmt, dass wir auf den Medienkonferenzen
Anfang Dezember ĂĽber den erreichten Stand informieren und dort den
offiziellen Starttermin der weltweiten Konsultation verkĂĽnden werden.
We express out thanks to all those who have contributed ir
danken allen, die bisher mitgewirkt haben und freuen uns ĂĽber jeden,
der sich in den Prozess einbringen möchte. Contact Maike Sippel if you want to get involved.
We need your expertise and activities for this hostoric procject. Please help us to finance this project.
Ukrainian Workers' Union press release
Press-release of the All-Ukrainian Union of Workers Solidarity (VOST) of 17.09.2007
On the 13 – 16 of September in Budapest 19th Conference on Trade Union Cooperation in Europe was held. The Conference was organized by the Austrian Centre for Workers’ Education (ÖZA) in cooperation with Hungarian Trade Union Confederation MOSZ and supported by the European Commission and the European Centre for Workers’ Questions (EZA).
In the Conference representatives of Christian Trade Unions from 10 countries of Europe (7 from which are members of European Union), and also members of the European Parliament, representatives of the Ecosocial Forum Europe took part. At this Conference Ukraine was presented by the representatives of the All-Ukrainian Union of Workers Solidarity (VOST).
Theme of the Conference: The Global Marshall Plan and its significance for the work of Christian Trade Unions.
How originated the idea of the Global Marshall Plan?
In the course of UN Conferences many documents have been prepared and many agreements reached about ways to meet global challenges – but all too frequently these were never implemented.
In 2003 representatives of science, politics, the media, culture, the economy and NGOs cooperated to meet the challenge of an ever-deepening crisis in human development. Their contribution was to be in the framework of the Global Marshall Plan (www.globalmarshallplan.org) for a worldwide eco-social market economy, based on the idea of the Marshall Plan after World War 2 as well as concept developed, which would link (co-) financing with the setting of environmental and social standards to create a win-win situation for both North and South.
In the conclusions of Budapest Conference is indicated: The Global Marshall Plan for a worldwide eco-social market economy is in search of a new balance. Whereas in the free market economy the economic interests are prevalent and the capitalist market economy is centred on the maximation of profits from capital, the aim of eco-social market is to pursue a balance between an achievement-friendly economy, social solidarity and protection of the environment on the basis of the polluter-pays principle and the real costs.
The participants of the Conference touch upon the basis of Christian values and develop joint strategies for the implementation of a social and just policy in favour of the workers. The participants also indicated that they will endeavour to implement the conclusions of the Conference in their national action and to influence with them the international trade union action (within ITUC).
Phone of VOST: +380 44 425 06 09, +380 50 694 59 24
Information centre of VOST
Pope inspired activities for a world in balance
9 September 2007
After Pope Benedict's visit to Tyrol in September, Elisabeth Rathgeb from the diocese's counselling office stated: "This year we will set the focus on the sociopolitical dimension the Pope mentioned during his visit. We will do this by organizing a year on the Global
Marshall Plan - working actively for worldwide justice for the poor and equity and respect for creation."
Source: ORF Tirol
Global Marshall Plan on state level
On 7 September, the Global Marshall Plan Initiative North Rhine-Westfalia was founded in Langenfeld. Michael Fromm was elected coodinator. The group will serve as "umbrella" for the existing regional groups in the federal state of North Rhine-Westfalia (NRW).
The NRW initiative sees itself as catalyst for the activities of the regional groups of the Federal State, not as higher-ranking entity.
If you want to get in touch with the group, contact Michael Fromm by email.
October update
Report by Aghogho Careca Akarue
Nigeria celebrates her 47th independence and the future is bright!
October 1 1960, 40 million Nigerians cheered as the Union Jack was lowered and the green-white-green flag of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was hoisted in the firmament as an independent member of the comity of nations.
The independence celebration marks the beginning of a journey, and a journey indeed. With enormous abundant material and human resources, expectations were high that the new nation would lead the black race to take its rightful place among other races of the world.
Though, Forty-seven years on, that great expectation has not been realized.
Politically, Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is still groping. The country has experienced six successful and numerous failed military coups, a civil war that cost well over a million lives, three inconclusive transitions to democracy, an elected government that is still learning the ropes of democracy and endemic factional violence.
In the midst of our transition into a well-developed democracy; the Global Marshall Plan Initiative has a vital role to play in her sustainable development and Liberty 4 Africa is spear heading this motion. For more regular update, please visit our international website.
Our Global Marshall Plan Initiative Nigeria Update
Liberty 4 Africa is pleased with the results and expectation from the bold step taken to Delta State Government, multinationals, organizations, commissions, churches and other stakeholders in step to endorse the Global Marshall Plan Initiative for a worldwide Eco-Social Market Economy, in delta state, Nigeria.
The Delta State Government is pleased the initiative and is seem good to mention, that Liberty 4 Africa intends to launching of Global Marshall Plan Initiative in Delta State, Nigeria with a pilot project which is one of the UN MDGs poverty reduction and improving lives-
Youth Empowerment / Development project to commission this initiative tagged "E-skills360", 21st century employability skills for economic development and transformation in the Nigeria.
So that it is ready to compete in the global economy, attracting corporate investment into the local economy by cultivating a well-trained workforce base from which multi-national and local companies can hire employees.
The Project is a joint collaboration between Liberty 4 Africa (L4A) and International Commission on Workforce Development (ICWFD), USA. Throughout the project, professional guidance and expertise will be provided by, Liberty 4 Africa (L4A) and International Commission on Workforce Development (ICWFD), USA. (See www.icwfd.org): In addition, other Global Marshall Plan Initiative Nigeria Endorsers (organizations, Churches, Institutions etc).
The L4A and ICWFD is committed to bridging the digital divide in marginalized and disadvantaged sectors of society worldwide, but especially in Nigeria - (other African nations) by providing training in vital job skills to reduce poverty and unemployment, enhance employability, empower youth to become productive citizens, enable entrepreneurship, stimulate broad-based economic development, and accelerate social transformation.
For more information on this project, please visit our international website.
From our last meeting on the Global Marshall Plan Initiative Nigeria, the have expand in numerical growth by 15% in the last 3 months. We now have state coordinators in the Eastern Part of Nigeria, and coordinating the eastern zone.
Presently we are preparing a book/brochure of Global Marshall Plan Initiative Nigeria, with all the signatories and supporters.
Therefore, one of our key daily and weekly activities is building the network of organizations, companies and all stakeholders etc, in respect of this vision.
When will the launching of Global Marshall Plan Initiative Nigeria finally commence? Lots of expectation has arisen over the months, we quite pleased with where we are, and despite the delays; doors of opportunities has opened for this vision of Global Marshall Plan Initiative in our country.
Today, Global Marshall Plan Initiative Nigeria is her way to visit the presidency with this vision for a nationwide support and this is the season of our expectation to receive the long awaited supports from the state government of Delta state and as well as the multi-nationals and all stakeholders.
In the next update we pleased to relate more specific things put on ground our supports and the final date for this launching in Nigeria.
Long live Nigeria and all the nations of the earth…we are almost there…brighter future ahead!
The Global Marshall Plan in South Africa
Our supporter Ulrich Bartosch from the University of Eichstätt seized the opportunity to distribute the books European Hope and Towards a World in Balance to the participants of the conference Technological Innovation is the Key to Economic and Social Development - The Role of Government, Business, Research Institutions and Religious Networks at the Protestant Academy Tutzing. The conference is part of the Dialogue Programme of the Western Cape and Bavarian Partnership.
The delegates of the Western Cape Delegation, among them the Minister for the Environment, Planning and Economic Development and the Rector of the University of Stellenbosch, were very interested in the issue. 
Ulrich Bartosch and Tasneem Essop (Minister for the Environment)
In addition, the participants were invited to get involved in the Initiative's International Consultation Process.
Started by the Bay Area group (SF, USA)
Still growing
News articles about the Global Marshall Plan
Es liegen keine Termine vor.
There are currently no international events planned, please visit the Global Marshall Plan website for events in Austria and Germany German website
Editorial office
Global Marshall Plan Initiative
Helge Bork, Frithjof Finkbeiner (V.i.S.d.P.R.)
Global Marshall Plan
Coordination office
Am Sandtorkai 62
20457 Hamburg
Germany
www.globalmarshallplan.org
office@globalmarshallplan.org
The Global Marshall Plan Initiative works towards a worldwide Eco-Social Market Economy by the means of a Global Marshall Plan. Global Marshall Plan News is the means to inform all supporters about the latest developments.
Global Marshall Plan News is usually published monthly on the first Thursday of the month. All relevant emails, which are submitted by the editorial deadline (last Friday of the month 14:00) through news@globalmarshallplan.org, will be included in the next edition.
.
