A broad consensus is easy to reach on a general statement that the world should follow the path of peace, justice and environment protection. Several international institutions keep saying this, and so do several governments. Even some billionaires and their foundations may endorse this.
However at various community meetings when we start discussing the application of these broad precepts in detail, then a lot of what is stated by people is unlikely to be accepted by governments and international institutions. If the application of these precepts is discussed in terms of the wider world situation, then again what many people say is not likely to be acceptable to the most powerful governments and international institutions.
This is because when people discuss the basic precepts of justice, peace and environment protection freely, then they suggest what are truly the most ideal solutions based on these precepts, whereas governments and international institutions start with a particular framework they have created and they are not used to thinking beyond this. Quite often they do not even want to think beyond this. Whatever narrow agenda can be achieved within this framework is all that they are willing to consider.
As has been repeatedly seen, their agenda of peace, environment protection and justice is often only a matter of paying lip sympathy to these noble precepts. Grave injustices, terrible violence and ruthless environmental ruin are committed even while paying lip sympathy to these noble precepts of justice, peace and environment protection.
Hence it is very important that people and communities should discuss more and more what a true agenda of peace, justice and environment protection really means in the context of these communities and their surroundings, and they should extend this conversation also to what a world truly based on justice, peace and environment protection would look like, what essentials it would definitely have and what serious flaws and dangers it would definitely avoid.
It is when millions of small communities start getting seriously involved in how these noble precepts are to be applied in their own life and environs as well as at the world level that a truly better, safer, just and sustainable word will start emerging.
I have some experience of this because as a writer I have been working at two levels. Apart from writing on global issues from a perspective of peace, justice and environment protection for several decades, I have also been visiting remote villages and joining community discussions. Here I listen carefully to what various communities tell me, but in addition I also have a chance to share some of my understanding and experiences with them.
My experience tells me that initially people are likely to speak more in the context of the ongoing discourse, but when encouraged to speak in a wider context they come up with very important suggestions and comments. To give an example, at a time when land redistribution is not progressing at all, initially those in the discussion do not mention this, but when told that all steps which can help the poor and landless people are welcome to be discussed, then they not only emphasize this issue but give several important detailed suggestions regarding how and where land for the landless households can become available.
Recently we were having another discussion on ecologically protective farming and an elderly lady Gudiya started describing in detail how the use of tractors can be harmful for soil and how it is still better to use bullocks as was done traditionally.
In my latest such meeting when my turn came I tried to raise some of the most important international questions such as the grave risks of the arms race and the weapons of mass destruction. People expressed shock and concern and said that it was really very important to do something about this. At the same time they added that they cannot understand what they themselves can do about such a big issue. When I answered that they by themselves may not be able to do much but when several hundred thousand villages and urban settlements from all over the world start sending a message for peace and disarmament then this will have an impact at world level, then they expressed agreement.
The reason why the agenda of peace, environment protection and justice needs to be expressed by communities worldwide is partly that this will strengthen the agenda, but in addition another important factor is that the details of this agenda that will emerge from such involvement of people will be along the lines of what the people really need, what the world really needs. Otherwise, powerful interests have their own ways of distorting even very good precepts and then imposing their distorted agenda from top to bottom, using their enormous resources.
Another related and important aspect is that when an agenda of peace, justice and environment protection emerges from among people, then they will be able to carry this forward with a lot of understanding and enthusiasm as their own agenda.
This is the way forward for integration of agenda of peace, justice and environment protection at local level with global level.
Despite the great importance of this task, this has been a neglected task as various organizations which work in remote villages have a project-oriented approach and hence, even when a good project is implemented, the wider task of promoting justice, peace and environment protection is promoted at best only in a limited way.
On the other hand when people discuss more broadly and freely for evolving an agenda based on peace, justice and environment protection, then they are likely to achieve more valuable results including an understanding of how to integrate the objectives of peace, justice and environment protection in their local programs and also at the world level. Such understanding, such integration is of the greatest importance.
Bharat Dogra is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Protecting Earth for Children, A Day in 2071 and India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food.
