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ACTIVITIES
We define "sustainable development" as a way towards a de-globalized economy, which would enable regions to strengthen their economic independence while respecting their environmental limits and social needs. In practice, this means responsible and effective use of local resources to satisfy local needs, decrease in the dependency on import of energy, food, goods and services, development of meaningful jobs and diversification of economic activities in rural areas.
Due to a high extent of economic globalization which is based on concentration, centralization and commercionalization of economic activities, one may not expect any fast changes. Our intention is, therefore, to cultivate a ground for putting sustainable alternatives in selected sectors and regions into effect and to promote demonstration projects that respect sustainability criteria. |
Our activities aim at ensuring economic and social justice and promoting sustainable development. We operate at local, regional, national and international levels. The activities are divided into three major programs which are designed in a way so as to support and complement one other:
Transition of a centrally planned economy that lacks democratic control towards a globalized economy with a dominant role of private corporations is accompanied by unsustainale growth of material consumption and deepening of income and social disparities within society as well as among regions. A deregulated market enables some to profit at the expense of others and, at the same time, promotes short-term economic interests of a narrow group of people at the expense of interests of the majority of society, nature, and future generations. This trend goes hand in hand with the fast process of dismantling of institutions that were created to ensure public interests and to rectify defects of the market.
In our opinion, the market cannot be considered a key factor to determine social status of people. The market needs corrections. This is why we will keep the discussion on social priorities and public interest on. We will open discussion on how to effectively satisfy social needs, how to define welfare as well as on how to measure the welfare. We believe that anybody has the right to worthy life and self-fulfillment without any conditions. Under this program line, we struggle to enforce and implement this principle in public policies. |
Economic policies of the communist regime were based on undemocratic decision-making regarding public money combined with unsustainable technological optimism. The dominant economic policy of the new system is derived from uncritical faith in a deregulated market, and a distorted definition of public interests in public funding in favor of large corporations. Interestingly enough, the protagonists of both systems believe that there is no other way than their own.
We believe that a sustainable and more favorable alternative does exist. In order for it to happen, it is necessary to include a healthy environment and quality of life among top societal priorities, translate them into real public policies and ensure that public funds are used in line with such priorities. This is what we campaign for under this program. |
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