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At a meeting of the Munich Global Marshall Plan group, the concept of the plan was discussed
The group which was recently founded talked about the underlying ideas of the Global Marshall Plan. Mario Wagner started off with the question What is globalization? Within two hours all of the participants of the meeting had developed a common idea of globalized markets, an efficient but not always effective market and the difficulties of global governance.
This is a good starting point for the next meeting in order to get from feel and think global to act local.
The group gets together again on December 2nd. New members are welcome. Please contact Ellen Weller if you would like to attend.
Global Marshall Plan group in the Rhine-Main area planted trees together with children from local schools
250 new trees were planted near Wiesbaden simultaneously with tree plantings by students in Uganda. For the Global Marshall Plan group members in the Rhine-Main area planting trees is their eco-social project.
"It's an attempt to balance the world" said Roland Gramenz, one of the members stated. In 2007 the entrepreneur started to plant trees together with students. Two years ago they planted 500 local species. Gramenz is landscape architect by profession and always has the environmental benefit in mind when planning plantings. The Petersaue where the trees were planted is a protected islet in a river which provides a unique habitat for birds and other species.
The group's activity was welcomed by the authorities. The five schools involved enjoyed the change from school routine. Some of the students tag the trees they planted with their names.
At the same time children in Uganda planted 500 local trees donated by Roland Gramenz. "It is an act of solidarity of students here and any other place on earth" Gramenz said. "We are not alone on this planet. This also is globalization." Laura (14) is also thrilled by the idea: "It was interesting that we planted simultaneously with Ugandan children. That is so far away." This links the Global Marshall Plan group's activities to the Plant-for-the-Planet project where children around the globe want to plant a million trees in each country of the world.
By Zeki Ergas
Geneva, November 3, 2009
Dear Mr Netanyahu,
I am writing to you as a Jew who cares about Israel. I have lived in Israel for three years between 1978 and 1981. I would not have written this open letter to you if I had not felt obliged to do so. My intuitive intelligence, which for the important things has rarely failed me in the past, tells me that you are on a very wrong and very dangerous track, not only for Israel, but also for Jewish people around the world.
First, I would like to draw your attention to an essential distinction between the appearance of things and the reality. When, in her recent trip to Israel, Ms. Clinton dropped the request of the U.S. government to freeze the building of settlements and appealed for a start to negotiations without conditions, you appear to have won a victory because, in the past and until now, negotiations have dragged on and on, and led nowhere, and so, again, it may appear that Israel, and its unconditional supporters around the world – to a large extent, the wealthy and influential Jews and the evangelical Christians in the United States -- will, after all, be able to achieve the dream of a Greater Israel.
That is not likely for several reasons.
One: Despite its back-pedalling for internal political reasons, the Obama administration will not give up on the two-state solution. And it will insist moving to final status negotiations. The U.S., together with its three partners of the Road Map -- the U.N., Russia and the European Union -- will still try to impose, at the end of a reasonable period, perhaps after two years, the two-state solution. And the large majority of the occupied territories and the settlements that are on them will still have to be returned.
Two: More importantly, there is a crucial new element on the world stage which means that the strongest player in this conflict may not be, in the future, the American government (and its partners of the Road Map), even if it (and they) will obviously remain an important player. The strongest player in the future will be the civil societies of the world (especially those in the West) which consist of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), groups and associations in a variety of fields including culture, sports, education, labour unions, religion, and so on. Currently they already constitute the driving force of change - and the world is changing because it has to change. The better and sustainable world that must be built will be defined by new values of solidarity, equality, justice, moderation and qualitative development, as opposed to individualism, inequality, waste, power-mongering and unlimited economic growth. The civil societies of the world will become even stronger in the future. Their relevance and importance in world affairs is growing by leaps and bounds, and they will, I believe, be the decisive element.
In such a world there will be no place for an apartheid state imposing its will on, and repressing, another people, under the pretext of realizing a dream belonging to another time and age.
The civil societies of the world (especially in the West) have already launched a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. That campaign, which is gathering steam, will increase in potency as time goes on and is unlikely, in the long run, to be defeated.
Three: Research published recently by Israeli authors (and others) has shown that close ethnic and historical ties exist between the Arab-Palestinian and Jewish-Israeli peoples. The Arabian peninsula, for example, appears to have been largely populated by Jews before Islam was victorious and many of these Jews converted to Islam. Many Palestinians were Jewish before they converted to Islam. Those important ethnic and historical ties, once acknowledged, could serve as a means, or as a bridge, to launch in the sub-region a new era of democracy, prosperity and peace. A new era of democracy, prosperity and peace that, hopefully, will spread to the whole region, and beyond.
In addition, this new approach would be in conformity with the true vocation of the Jewish and Israeli peoples: to be a Light unto nations, to be (like Don Quixote, my hero) a symbol of liberty and justice in the world.
Instead, Mr Prime Minister, your government’s policies are sowing division, hatred and discontent, and, throughout the world, causing the beast of anti-Semitism to raise its ugly head again. So, if these policies persist, you will certainly go down in history as the modern Israeli leader who caused unnecessary suffering in Israel and among the Jewish people around the world. You might well even be cursed by future generations of Israelis and Jews. History can indeed be harsh on stubborn leaders who persist in negative and counterproductive policies.
To conclude, Mr Prime Minister, what you need to do is crystal-clear. You must dissolve the present government and form a new national unity government with Kadima and other progressive forces. This new national unity government must immediately embark on genuine and sincere negotiations with the Palestinians who have every reason to respond very positively. The goal is to conclude a warm peace and to build the future together. A future that will bring prosperity and happiness to the two peoples.
One of the priorities of this new national unity government, Mr. Prime Minister, will have to be to take action to ban religious parties from political life. As you well know, in a true secular democracy there is no room for religious parties. Religion and politics must remain distinct.
A final point, Mr. Prime Minister: Owing to decades of irresponsible propaganda, the Israeli Jewish public widely supports your government’s misguided policies. This reflects also the failure of the Israeli intellectual and cultural elites who, despite their unquestionable good will, were not able to play the constructive role required of them, which is to properly educate the Israeli public on what is right and on what is wrong. They must, therefore, immediately, and in tandem with the new national unity government, apply themselves to this noble and essential task: educating the Israeli public.
I hope, Mr. Prime Minister, that, somehow, you will be, belatedly, touched by the grace of Providence, see the light and find in your heart the great courage that you will need to do the right thing.
With my heartfelt wishes.
Dr. Zeki Ergas
Copyright mediaforfreedom.com
at the opening session of the 'Third Convening of the Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention and Human Security'
(Amman – Majlis El-Hassan)
HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, in his keynote speech today at the opening session of the 'Third Convening of the Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention and Human Security' (Wednesday, November 4 2009), reiterated "that the region must establish a supranational commission for water and energy for the human environment in West Asia and North Africa".
HRH said that the region faces the challenge of "carrying capacity for human, natural and economic resources". It is one of the principal regions of stateless persons, displaced persons, internally displaced persons, migrants and refugees under different mandates.
Prince El Hassan outlined what is required to develop a road map for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to reach a new world solidarity concept, so that global commons can meet regional commons.
During the conference, which focused on the theme of improving regional cooperation on water, HRH said that the new global challenge faced by the region is to actively participate in the essence of the next round of discussions regarding the MDGs.
The Prince added that "winning the human race" needs global efforts to address the real issues of population, environment, poverty, terrorism, drugs, women, youth and weapons of mass destruction.
In her address, HRH Princess Sumaya bint Al Hassan, President of El Hassan Science City and the Royal Scientific Society, said that El Hassan Science City via its key institutions (the Royal Scientific Society, Princess Sumaya University for Technology and the Higher Council for Science and Technology) had a major role to play in the development of Jordan and the wider region.
The Princess also pointed out that the RSS monitors and assesses water quality (as an external body) and that the results are reported to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Ministry of Environment, the Food and Drug Organization, and the Institute of Standards and Metrology. The RSS also takes full account of the resources available and introduces sustainable production and consumption tools such as the life cycle analysis where water is a key component.
“Environmental health and security is a topic that deserves our attention in such a changing world, and there is a major role for preventive diplomacy to play. For me at least, preventive diplomacy is via participation, role play, and sharing responsibilities as well as the benefits,” Princess Sumaya said.
Vice President of the EastWest Institute, Ambassador Günter Overfeld, said that there is a need for preventive policy in the context of water security, and a process of networking to exchange the views of experts and specialists in this area. He added that there is considerable knowledge of water scarcity in the world, but what we need is to consider ways that contribute to addressing this scarcity.
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, stressed the importance attached by the Parliamentarians Network to the issue of water security, conflict prevention and human security, and called for the development of a cooperative program of water usage to help communities across Palestine and the region.
The event, which was held in Amman, was organized by the EastWest Institute and El Hassan Science City with the support of the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy. A number of international figures attended as well as local Members of Parliament including Senate President Zeid Rifai, Lower House Speaker, Abdul Hadi Majali, Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Saud and Minister of Environment, Khaled Irani.
(Amman, 4 November 2009)
Child Ambassadors and YUNA Zambia planting trees to support Plant-for-the-Planet
The UNICEF Child Ambassadors of Zambia in conjunction with YUNA Zambia planted trees at a children hospital tress to support the Plant-for-the-Planet Initiative. Lucky Musonda, secretary general of the United Nations Youth Association Zambia and Green Kids Ambassador Chola Mumba are together with other kids right now preparing the big announcement for the million tree planting exercise in Zambia.
The CISV Environmental Group has planted over 500 native bur oak trees
The CISV Environmental Group is making a difference to the biodiversity in our ecosystem by helping to re-establish the bur oak to its natural habitat in the Saint John River Valley in New Brunswick, Canada. Over the years, farming, forestry, urban development and river damming have destroyed much of the bur oak habitat. The CISV Environmental Group has planted over 500 native bur oak trees and has collected local seed (acorns), germinated them, planted them in pots and will plant them outside when they are ready. They have also produced a brochure detailing their conservation plan for distribution to landowners and naturalists.
Currently CISV is planting trees outside the city up and down the river valley out into the trees historic natural habitat. It is their goal to plant trees out into the full historic range of the bur oak.
The photos were taken at one of CISV’s planting sessions this fall. They plan to continue planting these at risk trees next spring when the snows melt and the ground thaws in the Saint John River Valley.
Source:
Ralph Simpson
Forest Health Biologist
Natural Resources Canada / Ressources naturelles Canada
Canadian Forest Service / Service canadien des forêts
Mayor of Munich congratulated the children on their ambitious goal
On October 2nd the Mayor of Munich Hep Monatseder congratulated the children on their ambitious goal of 350,000 trees to be planted within the next three years. More trees will be planted on 24 October. Then the children will not only plant 350 trees but also create awareness for 350.org.
To learn more about 350.org, watch the 90 second video.
Video by 350.org
The initative and Plant-for-the-Planet in the media
Global Marshall Plan
(in German)
12/12/2009
Worldwide
More information will follow soon
12/13/2009 09:00 am (local time)
Santa Clara
Community Non-Violence Conference an Pre-Parliament Meeting including a Workshop on the Global Marshall Plan
Experience the difference that one community can make when those who are part of religious and spiritual communities, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, business, and grassroots community groups come together to reflect on issues of mutual concern, explore the good work that is currently being done in our community, imagine possibilities, and discover the inspiration to take simple but profound steps toward hearing each other and healing our earth.
OVERCOMING POVERTY & THE MILLENIUM GOALS WORKSHOP: Realizing a Global Identity (Marshall Plan)
An open process to consider the moral premises behind the Global Marshall Plan. It is the only viable plan, yet, to address Earth's twin crises of global starvation & environment. We'll inquire why Europe is already implementing much of the Global Marshall Plan while America seems indifferent. What can we learn about the US and ourselves from this continental divide? Is it Individualism? History? Cynicism? Surplus Powerlessness? How can we best make a difference?
Workshop host: Dr. Michael Glandon, Director of Multidisciplinary Laboratory for the Global Marshall Plan
Workshop contributors: Neil Penn, Bob Burns and Llyod Ferris.
Where:
Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
For more information, please visit www.carrythevision.org
