#collective solutions

[projecthires]

What if we actually come out of these converging crises stronger?

Here's a story to consider: It takes us through a transition based on equity and justice, while being firmly rooted in the reality of the challenges ahead. This is the second part of the series by Naomi Klein and The Leap, focusing on how we will have fixed things.

Check out the first part narrated by Alexandria Ocasio Cortez:

Both are highly recommended watching!

[ideasforsolutions-blog]

myintrotoletyouknow

Having spent years researching conspiracies and corruption, I've been encouraged by the Arab Spring and Occupy protests that have spread throughout the world.  I think our collective tipping point is approaching.  We're beginning to define our collective problems and shape our solutions.  I've grown tired of making banal facebook status updates reflecting my thoughts about current events; I want to use this space to document ideas I've researched that point towards a way forward.  Hopefully this blog can serve as launchpad for more thoughtful conversations between my family, friends and some strangers. 

Chuuuuch!

[ex-intimo-blog]

Mr. President, The world is going through an extremely delicate moment, which is also a great historic opportunity. We face an economic crisis that, unless it is overcome, could become a grave political and social rift. Such a rift would be unprecedented, capable of causing serious imbalances in the relationship among people and among nations. More than ever, the fate of the world is in the hands of its leaders - all of them, without exception. We can either unite and together emerge victorious; or we can emerge defeated. At this moment, it is not so important to know who caused the situation we face – after all, that is already sufficiently clear. Our focus must be on finding collective, rapid, and real solutions. This crisis is too serious to be managed by a small group of countries. Their governments and central banks continue to bear greater responsibility in taking the process forward. Yet as all countries suffer the consequences, all of them have the right to participate in the solutions. It is not for lack of resources that the leaders of the developed countries have not yet found a solution to the crisis. If you will allow me to say so, it is the lack of political resources and of clarity of ideas that are to blame. Part of the world has not yet found the balance between appropriate fiscal adjustments and proper and precise fiscal stimuli to demand and growth. They are caught in the trap that does not distinguish between partisan interests and the legitimate interests of society. The challenge posed by the crisis is that of replacing outdated theories, originating in an old world, with new formulations for a new world. While many governments shrink, unemployment – the bitterest face of the crisis – grows. There are already 205 million unemployed people in the world: 44 million in Europe and 14 million in the United States. It is vital that we fight this scourge and keep it from spreading to other regions of the planet. We women know better than anyone that unemployment is not just a statistic. It strikes at families, at our children, and at our husbands. It snatches away hope and leaves behind violence and pain.

STATEMENT BY H. E. Dilma Rousseff, Brazil, At The Opening of the General Assembly of the United Nations.