OPINION (Spotlight Weekly)

Global Greens - A Power To Reckon With

KUBER SHARMA, President of Green Nepal Party

Green Parties of the world are meeting in 2001 at Canberra, Australia to form a world organization "Global Greens". Fifty-two countries from six continents are expected to sign the charter. Once federated as world organization it will be powerful enough to influence the world politics in 21st century. Like the Socialist International, the Global Greens will work for the promotion of Greens philosophy. The Charter of the Global Greens clearly states that the protection of Earth's vitality, diversity and beauty is a sacred duty of mankind. The dignity of humanity and value of Cultural heritage should be respected. Social injustice, poverty, ignorance, corruption, crime, violence and armed conflicts are causing widespread human sufferings and therefore fundamental changes in our attitudes, values, and ways of living have become imperative. Recently the Greens of 12 countries including Nepal met at Brisbane under the aegis of Australian Greens and Green Forum of Sweden and resolved to form an Asia Pacific Greens Network comprising of Green Parties and green political movements in the region. Eventually they intend to form a federation based on Global Greens Charter. The Global Greens will provide international network to their members and Green movement activists. The proposed charter will also give an ideological identity to Green Parties. So far Green Parties of Europe have been defining their policies in the context of their National background and on the basis of resolutions passed at the meetings of European federation of Green Parties. So far where the parties were dominated by left oriented leaders the party's policies tilted towards leftist thoughts and where democrats and liberals were in leadership the party has reflected liberal programs. German Green Party has a leader who worked before in communist party. Whereas Green Party of England is influenced by rightists. Green Nepal Party (GNP) was initiated by persons actively associated with communist party and democratic party. GNP has expressed its strong commitment to National Pride, Constitutional Monarchy and Multiparty Democracy along with anti-War and anti-Pollution stand. These are the issues which broadly shape the National Polity of Nepal. However, the common issues raised by Green parties were :

(i) destruction of atomic weapons for world peace

(ii) protection of environment and ecology

(iii) participatory multiparty democracy.

The democratic Socialists and Marxists who ruled the world in the last century have been gradually voted out as they could not solve the problems faced by the world community to-day. Their ideologies have become outdated and the world needs new vision to guide the society through the new century. The Greens have taken up the challenges and prescribed the solutions and resolved to promote an ethics of sustainability. The ethics that :

* unites humans with nature to prevent the collapse of life support systems of the earth.

* acknowledges the interrelatedness of all ecological, social and economic processes.

* balances individual interests with the common good.

* harmonizes freedom with responsibility.

* welcomes diversity within unity.

* reconciles short term objectives with long term goals.

* accommodates economic progress to the flourishing of ecological systems.

The Greens also commit themselves to :

* a just world order and stable world economy which will close the widening gap between the rich and the poor, both within and between countries; reverse the present flow of resources from South to North; and lift the burden of debt on poor countries which prevents their development.

* the eradication of poverty, as an ethical, social, economic, and ecological imperative.

* a new vision of citizenship built on equal rights for all individuals regardless of gender, age, race, religion, class, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, wealth or health.

* Greens also honor cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity in the spirit of multi-cultural society.

The Greens commit themselves as individuals, communities, and nations to implement these inter-related principles and to create a global partnership in support of their fulfillment.