The latest news from this Global Marshall Plan Foundation Initiative
Throughout Germany and Switzerland the Plant-for-the-Planet Initiative is spreading. This spring more than 60 cities will take part in tree planting action, and several more organizations have adopted the Plant-for-the-Planet movement in their own actions. Discourse has developed around the actions of the Plant-for-the-Planet students - from "is tree-planting just for the privileged?" to "what more can children do to protect their environment?" But one thing remains constant – real work is being done that has an immediate impact on the environment. Each plant off-sets CO² emissions and each plant represents a dedication and striving for climate justice.
If you are not yet familiar with the Plant-for-the-Planet initiative, please feel free to visit our website www.plant-for-the-planet.org or contact us directly. Below you will see links to the updates of the progress and connected projects that are on-going.
New partners and an on-going call for support
The World Youth Foundation (WYF) has teamed up with the Global Marshall Plan Foundation to develop a (soon-to-be) on-line catalogue of the 10,000 most influential people. Together we will reach out to enlist as many people as possible to compile a comprehensive list of people who make a difference in this world.
We are aiming at diversity and breadth in terms of background, areas of expertise, gender, age and location. We cannot tackle global problems alone.
On September 29, 2009 the children participating in a Plant-for-the-Planet action will present their hopes and fears to the international participants of the World Commons Forum at the Residence in Salzburg. At the same time, on the same day, the children will send their requests to the “10,000 Most Influential” and display all the responses they receive on a website. The goal is to provoke an inter-generational dialogue. The power of such an initiative done by children for their future will also have a direct influence on the UNFCCC Conference in Copenhagen, where the likelihood of a global contract for climate protection will be debated.
For more on the WYF go to their homepage at www.wyf.org.my.
Contact Sumiko at sumiko.tanaka@globalmarshallplan.org for your suggestion (put "10,000 Most Influential" in the subject line). For more information on the World Commons Forum, please get in touch with the Global Marshall Plan Foundation head office at info@globalmarshallplan.org or call us +49 (40) 822 90 420.
Updates for the Conference on "A Global Contract Based on Climate Justice"
Relive or experience for the first time the conference "A Global Contract Based on Climate Justice – The Need for a New Approach Concerning International Relations". This high-level conference was held in the European Parliament in Brussels on 11 November 2008 and was organised by the Ecosocial Forum Europe in cooperation with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), and hosted by a delegation of Members of the European Parliament.
Besides the Concluding Memorandum produced by the conference’s end, presentations, audio and video clips, photos, as well as the overviews of all the speeches, presentations and discussions are now available on-line at www.global-contract.eu.
To keep updated on developments and upcoming events, you can bookmark the Global Contract Homepage.
Source: Eco-Social Forum, Europe
A Global Marshall Plan Foundation Project for Education for Sustainable Development
Plant-for-the-Planet Academies have been developed to help children increase their knowledge of the climate issues and to become multipliers. Several hundreds of children have already been trained and have given presentations themselves. More academies are scheduled to take place throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The academies are recommended by the German Ministry of the Environment.
If you would like to start a Plant-for-the-Planet Academy in your own country, please feel free to contact us or go to akademie.plant-for-the-planet.org.
Position of Heiner Flassbeck, supporter of the Global Marshall Plan Initiative
Heiner Flassbeck, Chief, Macroeconomic and Development Policies Branch at UNCTAD in Geneva, on financial markets, market economy and economic stimulus plan.
"Banks must have a serving function."
To the video (in German, source: Monitor)
An on-going political dialogue on peace in the Middle East
Dr. Zeki Ergas is troubled with the on-going "peace process" in the Middle East. His latest short essays for the Media for Freedom publication emphasize finding a two state solution, a perspective that is seen by many as the only possible solution.
"Revisiting the Age of Innocence in Israel" and "Touching Bottom in Israel" both are heartfelt analyses written to find a way out of a seemingly impossible situation.
Dr. Zeki Ergas continues his quest of peace in Israel Palestine. A viable and sovereign Palestinian needs to be created without delay alongside Israel. The Americans appear to be convinced that that is the way to go ...
05/31/2009 - 06/04/2009
Chicago
Conference Themes
The Conference will focus primarily on a critique of the role of the United States in the current dynamic of world affairs. We will examine the positive and negative dimensions of America’s global stance. Finally, we will explore some of the very real challenges that America must meet if globalization is to be guided toward the common good, both within the US and in the larger world.
Other thematic areas will also be addressed. They include (but are not limited to) the following:
* Globalization, Civilizational Dialogue, and the Role of the Global Interfaith Movement
* The Global Environment: Climate, Habitat, Water, Energy, and All Life
* The Struggle for Social and Economic Justice and Universal Human Rights
More information can be found here
10/16/2009 - 10/18/2009
Worldwide
Join the global movement to end poverty.
In 2006, 23 million people stood up, in 2007 47 million people, last year 116 million people Stood Up and Took Action.
For the fourth year in a row, millions of people around the world will Stand Up and Take Action to show their support for the fight against poverty and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This year Stand Up will take place against the backdrop of a deepening financial crisis and a slowing global economy.
It is a time of great challenge for development in general and the MDGs in particular. Already we are seeing the potentially devastating impact of this on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. We know that the current economic climate threatens to undo and possibly even reverse the very significant gains that have been made towards achieving the MDGs. With just six years left to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the Goals, we cannot afford to let this happen.
The achievement of the MDGs must remain a priority on the global political and public agenda. In this environment, Stand Up is a vital opportunity to send a clear and urgent message to world leaders and decision makers and raise the political stakes. Our policy messages and actions must reflect the urgency of the situation and must be an instrument to convey the sense of our growing impatience and intolerance of excuses for and distractions from the implementation of policies and programmes that address the poorest and most vulnerable.
Join millions worldwide to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.
STAND UP and TAKE ACTION against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.
When?
October 16th, 17th, 18th, 2009: From 12 a.m. GMT (relevant local time) on the 16th October to 11.39 p.m. GMT (relevant local time) on the 18th October
More information at www.standagainstpoverty.org
