Mana manifesto

From: soren.groth@mailbox.swipnet.se (Soren Groth)
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 1996 10:37:20 +0200 (MET DST)

    The MANA DECLARATION on A WORLDECONOMY with
               ECOLOGICAL and SOCIAL RESPONSABILITY

   As we recognize that the human being in physical existence is part of
and depending on nature, and
      as we recognize the equal right of each human being to live a
dignified life,
  we declare our will to work for a worldeconomy with ecological and
social responsibility.

   A. ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITY

   We recognize  human economic activities as depending on the
greater ecological sphere.
   We declare the need for understanding of these activities as a
partsystem of the ecological sphere, which urges us to work for making
these activities into a functioning system within the ecological sphere.
  So far the economic systems have not regarded this relationship, other
than counting on the natural resources. It is time to be economic in the
relationship with the ecological sphere in a sustainable way.

   Action:

  a) To develop ecological controlled agriculture:
 The production of food is fundamental. Agriculture should be a
harmonious way of enjoying the fruits of nature, not a battle for
survivial, as the one "agrobuisness" fights with pesticides, fungicides,
herbacides and artificial fertilizers. Agriculture should work with nature,
not against it.
 We therefore will encourage the implementation of agricultural
practises, according to the rules of the International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements, and support the development of proper
control instruments of ecological/organic products.

  b) To develop use of renewable and sustainable energysources:

  The use of energy should be in balance with the amount of energy
input in the ecological sphere, which means the inflow of sunenergy.
Today we live on a saved energy "capital" in the form of fossile fuels
(coal and mineral oil), which originally was sunenergy, too, stored in the
ecological sphere billion of years ago.
   We therefore will encourage
 1) The development of renewable and sustainable energyproduction,
which means:
   i) Biomasses - Energy through plants intake of sunenergy in
photosynthesis. Outtake through firewood, methane gas production and
alcohol.
      ii)  Water- and Windpower  -  Energy through climatic effects of
sunenergy. Outtake through powerplants.
     iii)  Sunenergy - Energy directly from the source. Outtake through
sunheating and photovoltaic cells.
2) The development of energy saving measures, such as more energyefficient
technologies.

  c) To develop ecologically sustainable use of resources and reduction
of waste:

  Most resources are determinated, which means that the present level
of use can not be sustained. Production must be based on a recycling
use of resources, leading to a reduction of the amount of waste, which
today exceeds the  absorbation capacity of the ecological sphere.
  We therefore will encourage
1) The development of recyclable products and the necessary
infrastructure for recycling.
2) The minimal use of packaging

  d) To develop environmentally sane transportation systems:

   We see the development of communications as a positive step for
humanity, especially when it comes to the exchange of thought.
However the biggest stress on the ecological sphere is imposed by
transportation.
  We therefore will encourage
1) The development of decentralized production units, bringing
producers closer to consumers, when appropriate
2)  The development of energysaving, less polluting transportation
technologies.

      Conclusion:

   As we recognize the interdependence between humanity and the
ecological sphere, we conclude that necessary action must be taken
immediately to secure a common future for us all.

     B. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

     We recognize the equal right of human beings to a dignified life.
  We declare that no man nor nation nor race have a greater right than
others to enjoy the fruits of their work, as the ecological sphere is our
common condition of life. This urges us to work for building economic
systems which secure the right of each individual to a dignified life,
which includes freedom from starvation, malnutrition, war and tyrany,
also the freedom of speech, thought and participation in the
decisionmaking process.
  So far the economic systems have not regarded these rights. Humanity
have been victimized by their own economical activities.  A few get
enormous outputs, the most live in misery. It is obvious that, the
ecological sphere can't support the standard of living which today are
upheld by the industrialized countries. It is also obvious that, the present
distribution of wealth can not be upheld without causing serious social
unrest, which in the long run will hit back on the privileged groups.
  It is time to see the resources as our common ownership, and create
systems of distribution, which give each individual enough for a
dignified life.


  Action:

    a) Primarily the development of economic structures
         i) without private ownership to the means of production, and
        ii) with worker management.
    The development of advanced economic structures have had the
result, that it is no longer the producers who really own the means of
production. Companies have to finance their investments by taking
loans, on which they pay interest. This set the making of profit before
anything else in the production and distribution of goods, while it ought
to be human needs that set the frames of production.
    We therefore will encourage the idea of regarding the means of
production as common ownership, which shall be managed by those,
who will do it for the best of humanity. As all producers also are
consumers, we believe that the producers (=3D the workers) can mange
production for the best of the consumers.

        As we realize that it will take a long time to realize this, we set
as:
    b) Part goals
         i) better workingconditions for salary workers and
        ii) increased influence for them over the means of production, as
well locally as globally

     c) Also to work for global justice by
        i) supporting trade on non-exploitive conditions with the poorest
communities.
       ii) supporting the development of economic structures in these
communities with ecological and social responsability
      iii) supporting the development of non-exploitative financial
systems for these communities.
      iv) to support projects which promotes development of
infrastructures with ecological responsability in these communities.
       v)  to support movements promoting social responsability in these
communities.


  MANA-FOUNDATION c/o S=F6ren Groth, Eriksh=E4llsgatan 40, 15146
SWEDEN
  eMail soren.groth@mailbox.swipnet.se