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ECOPEACE VISION - KAREN READ My vision for the world is to see everyone co-existing peacefully. We know there are enough resources for everyone to live - so they need to be distributed equally. This would involve people eating more beans and less meat. A world where production meets consumption in an ecologically sound way. I also see a world where weapons are not needed, and all military expenditure is spent on development.
How does this pertain to South Africa? Firstly, like the world, there is an unequal distribution of wealth. We’ve got to redistribute resources and focus on development. I believe that we have to develop rural areas as a priority. Mbeki mentioned this in his inaugural speech - I can’t see any evidence at all of this having happened. Jobs need to be created in rural, urban and peri-urban areas. Lack of employment opportunities, I’m sure, is the largest cause of crime - so this needs to be a major thrust of any long term economic growth.
The issue of legalisation of dagga and the institutionalisation of prostitution would also fall under "crime reduction" policies.
Other thoughts:
Housing - all houses to be built with rain tanks and solar heating as well as being built in an energy friendly way. The building industry needs to look at its "regulations" and needs to look at alternative building materials etc.
Transport - if the main problem is global warming, then we need to improve our transport system - less trucks, taxis and cars - more ‘rail’ transportation and other eco-friendly forms of transport - state support of energy efficient vehicles etc.
Agriculture - the whole thing of ‘self-reliance’ also needs to be addressed. People need to be encouraged to grow their own food (subsidies??) - diversification of crops - get rid of sugar cane! Sugar cane is planted in supposedly the most fertile land - so something else should be grown. - education on ‘organic farming’
Crime - see previous paragraphs re; job creation, dagga and prostitution - ‘criminals’ in prison need to be ‘retrained’ - obviously these are people full of ‘initiative’. The person power of the prisons needs to be directed to the area of the ‘most need’ i.e. if housing is a problem then prisoners should be building houses or making blocks or solar panels or water tanks or whatever.
Education - home schooling could be encouraged as an alternative to the conventional schooling (probs - govt. less involved, not enough money for teachers - could also encourage self/community reliance.
HIV/AIDS - speak to Villi Development - speak to Julian May
How are we going to deal with corruption??
Other issues: - Recycling and job creation - Pollution and job creation - air - H2O - chemicals - Policy on plastics - Policy on fishing (depletion of oceans)
Health Policy - look to alternative health as ‘cheaper’ e.g. tissue salts and less side effects - barefoot reflexologists - synergy between sangomas ‘western’ medicine and ‘ alternative’ medicine - HIV/AIDS Michael Graaf’s input into EcoPeace vision We should avoid thinking of, or letting others think of, EcoPeace as a political party. We aren’t competing with other parties for support but offering a platform for people who don’t believe the current system is truly democratic. Participation in electoral politics should just be a small part of the activities of our members, done not because we imagine we can access the levers of power, but in order to express a radical critique, perhaps shaming mainstream politicians into restraining their selfish & corrupt activities. Also, if we get one or more seats in local govt., the salary/ies of such councilors can fund the rest of EcoPeace’s activities. At the centre of our critique should be the idea of seeing the big picture - considering not only the interests of one’s peer group or support base, but of the species and the planet, not only with a view to winning votes in the next election, but with a view to the survival and wellbeing of future generations. We should be comfortable with the idea of belonging to minorities. Even landslide electoral victories represent less than half of the population, and consist of a patchwork of minorities who don’t really have the same interests, although they have been persuaded they do, in order to get their votes. Self-liberation should be encouraged by creating space in EcoPeace for people to appreciate their own and each other’s diversity. The divide-and-rule strategy of authoritarian systems has trained us to fear those unlike us, or parts of ourselves unlike what we have been told we should be. Monique Buckner’s vision for the Ethekwini Ecopeace Party Transport: There is an unacceptable level of pollution in and around Durban which must be tackled. Public transport must be improved, as well as alternative transport investigated, transport methods which are less noisy and which create less pollution.
Education: Values are sadly lacking in our school’s curriculum. Environmental appreciation could be taught by establishing gardens on school property which will instill in learners an awareness of how to nurture the earth, while being taught skills such as responsibility, independence and compassion. The learners will gain firsthand experience in many school subjects such as economics (through the sale of any of the produce), biology, mathematics and geography. Even window-sills can be used to house pots of herbs. All schools should have recycling as a method of raising funds. Why are skills such as conflict resolution not taught at school? The language department should integrate skills and values into the curriculum. Market days can be held at schools to teach learners entrepreneurship and also offering a platform for multicultural programs.
Technology: This is vital for the upliftment of any country. Alternative technology can also be used in tertiary industries, so this will have to be researched and taught at tertiary learning institutes.
Economy: Many people will never have the opportunity to learn to read and write, but learning a craft is a good way for people to assist the tourism industry, while also providing income to the crafter. People should be made aware of the value of buying local, handcrafted products as opposed to environmentally-damaging, imported products. What people should be made aware of is that rubbish that is not bought will not be produced. Each idividual makes a difference as each individual has consumer power. Many people have no access to money, so the barter system will come in handy for many people who have necessary and useful skills.
Health: Vegetarianism should be advertised more as it is healthy for people and the environment too. It is also a peaceful way of existing. Alternative remedies also need to be given the respect and attention they deserve. Aids is a crisis which will have to be tackled from many angles, and with honesty. School children need to be fed - hungry children cannot learn. Social workers and psychologists are also badly needed in schools to locate and heal damaged individuals who are more often than not overlooked and traumatized further by the school system. Providing students with jars (or they can supply their own) in which they will be responsible for growing their own bean sprouts will provide them with enough nutrients for survival, as well as having fruit trees on school property and having local shops sell their spoiled produce to school kitchens at cost or below. Money will be raised for this by recycling and market days at the school.
Crime: Make criminals work for their board and lodging! There is much work to be done to build South Africa, so why not make use of this untapped labour source? The prisoners will learn responsibility and many new skills in the process. They would then be discouraged to re-offend and waste more time, and taxpayers money, in jail.
Racism: A problem experienced everywhere, but which can be tackled once people gain self-respect. Self-respect is learned through loving the earth and being physically healthy and financially secure, etc. Our party offers natural solutions which will empower people through building self-esteem, self-knowledge and ancient wisdom which would banish the evils produced by this spiritually empty world. Earth knowledge is meaningful and powerful and will heal the damage wrought by greed and ignorance. People need to realise the value of meditation and silence, which promotes calm, happy individuals. The party should stand for spiritual values and love and respect for the earth. These values will naturally become extended to all living creatures so that killing and maiming for fun, food and culture will no longer be enjoyed. This is no idealistic dream - this is a real solution which will have enormous social and economic benefits. Housing: A group of rural people should be taught to build their own hoses, and supplied with materials at cost price. They will be less likely to provide themselves with the inferior rubbish that the government has been passing off as accommodation. This group can then travel the country and spread their skills and assist others for a set fee. |