Lately a lively discussion about the post 9|11 world has overshadowed our concern with globalisation. That is regrettable, because a lot of the problems at stake now, can be fixed with more attention on the current global issues.

In the discussion group FixGov we try to find alternatives for the imbalanced strive for an economic globalisation that will foremost benefit big western multinationals.

This one-sided economic (neo-liberal) globalisation should be balanced with regulations that include the values and interests of many people and indigenous nations in the developing world and the interests of the environment and nature - also in the developed world.

Globalisation could result in a global consciousness of the fact that we all live together on this small planet and that the capacity of the earth to feed and nurture us is dependent on well informed and enlightened choices we make together. Now more then ever.

The earth's capability to give us all a humane existence has been exploited until breaking point and that means that we need to take more responsibility NOW – for each other and for the ways in which we engage with the natural resources of the earth.

A globalisation of that urgent responsibility is needed. This asks of us more civic effort than is needed for economic globalisation that seems to grow naturally from capitalist development. That's why we need to think hard and act.

We have to force global corporations and organizations to include social and environmental issues in their policies. Everybody must in one way or another get involved with investing in humanitarian and ecological projects and businesses in the Northern world and in sustainable development of the Southern world.

One project we've proposed is the building of regional centres for information, non-hierarchal learning - supporting alternative lifestyles. That's a great way of acting right now.

Other proposals point to monetary and economic reform. One interesting thread is involved in finding fair ways of creating capital in the developing world.

In the Southern world entrepreneurial people need fair loans to stimulate their businesses to employ themselves and others and to build a strong local economy. An economy where people feel involved and are capable to make in large extent their own business decisions.

Now local businesses and small family farmers are defenceless against the multinational corporations and the international organisations that support them. New entrepreneurs don't have the necessary experience and are struggling with corrupt politicians and magistrates and have trouble creating wealth for themselves and their communities.

Social conscience is not playing a strong enough role within the global forces that want to turn the world into one big market for cheap and efficient products and services. There is not enough interest in quality, true pricing, a healthy environment and human well-being.

Opposition is needed and it is wrongly branded as mere anti-globalisation. It should be heralding an "alternative globalisation" ...

 

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