World Future Council

The World Future Council (WFC) is an international, non-governmental organisation, whose goal is to work for a sustainable future in the fields of environment, peace, governance, human development and human rights issues.

History

The [http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org World Future Council] was founded by the Swedish writer and activist Jakob von Uexkull in reaction to politics across the world being dominated by short-term, economic thinking. The idea for a global council was first aired on German radio in 1998. It hit a chord, with German TV immediately expressing an interest in broadcasting the Council’s sessions. In October 2004 the organisation was officially launched in London with funding from private donors in Germany, Switzerland, USA and the UK.

Networks

The Council works closely with international networks of around 25,000 parliamentarians and 8,000 civil society organizations to identify and disseminate long-term solutions to the global issues of the day.

Climate campaign

Climate change is the overarching topic which is being addressed at present. The mission of the WFC is to clearly define climate stabilization as fundamental necessity and human responsibility for a more just, peaceful and sustainable world for future generations. Initially WFC activities will be focus on transforming global energy systems: [http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/projects_and_campaigns.html Projects and Campaigns] ]

:We need a transition to clean, secure, renewable and decentralized energy for all, while reducing the total global demand for energy. Our materials promote existing political solutions that have significant impacts on all these aspects and we seek to build strategic networks between those seeking to act towards this energy renaissance.

Further topics that will be taken up in the climate campaign are: sustainable cities, sustainable food systems, the conservation of rain forest and the establishment of an International Renewable Energy Agency.

The Hamburg Call to Action

The Hamburg Call to Action was unanimously agreed upon by all Councillors present at the Founding Ceremony of the World Future Council, 9-13th May 2007. It calls for the preservation of the environment and the health of communities, the promotion of "systems and institutions based on equity and justice", safeguarding traditional indigenous tribal rights, the protection of present and future generations from war crimes and crimes against humanity, a sustainable production, trade, financial and monetary system, the revival of local democracies and economies, and a universal ban on nuclear and depleted uranium weapons, cluster ammunition and landmines. It aims to generate governmental support for renewable energy technologies, the protection of forests and oceans, secure healthy food and water supplies, environmental security, healthcare, education and shelter, and a strengthened United Nations.Fact|date=February 2008

=Founding CouncilorsFact|date=February 2008 =

* Hafsat Abiola
* Ibrahim Abouleish
* Tariq Banuri
* Maude Barlow
* Tony Colman
* Hans-Peter Dürr
* Nicholas Dunlop
* Prince El Hassan bin Talal
* Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher
* Scilla Elworthy
* Fabio Feldman
* Tim Flannery
* Rafia Gubash
* Olivier Giscard d’Estaing
* Bianca Jagger
* Prabhu Guptara
* Cyd Ho
* Ashok Khosla
* C.S. Kiang
* Rolf Kreibich
* David Krieger
* Ylva Lindberg
* Rama Mani
* Stephen Marglin
* Manfred Max-Neef
* Frances Moore-Lappè
* Youssou N’Dour
* Katiana Orluc
* Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah
* Ferdinando Pisani
* Anita Roddick
* Hermann Scheer
* Vandana Shiva
* Sulak Sivaraksa
* Count Sponeck
* Motoyuki Suzuki
* Kaarin Taipale
* Pauline Tangiora
* Beate Weber
* Judge C. G. Weeramantry
* Francisco Whitaker
* Anders Wijkman

References

Research and publications

* "Shaping our Future: Creating the World Future Council" by Jakob von Uexkull and Herbert Girardet, ISBN 1 903998 46 8.
* "Policies to Change the World" by Miguel Mendonca.
* "Surviving the Century:Facing Climate Chaos & Other Global Challenges"; edited by Herbert Girardet, ISBN 9781844074587 (upcoming!)

External links

* [http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org World Future Council]
* [http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/new-development-model.htm A New Development Model by Herbert Girardet]
* [http://www.iwtnews.com/videoindex The Video Library of International World Television Bianca Jagger et al.]