Interesting News in Economic System Change
And some upcoming unique events
In this brief issue I share a couple pieces of hopeful news and let you all know some upcoming online events I’m offering.
Interesting developments in the quest for a saner economy and way of being in our world:
· World’s first-ever cabinet secretary for a Wellbeing Economy
Scotland is a leader among all nations in making an intentional effort to develop a “Wellbeing Economy.” Recently, the new Scottish First Minister, Humza Yousef, appointed a first-ever Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy. This will be an interesting space to watch and learn from.
According to the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, “A Wellbeing Economy is an economy designed to serve people and the planet, not the other way around. Rather than treating economic growth as an end in and of itself and pursuing it at all costs, a Wellbeing Economy puts our human and planetary needs at the centre of its activities, ensuring that these needs are all equally met, by default.”
I’ve worked on beyond GDP metrics and economic approaches in the U.S., Bhutan, Germany, Brazil and elsewhere and I think the Wellbeing Economy approach is an exciting evolution of this movement.
· Tiny island nation makes big climate change history
The small Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu recently won a major victory (perhaps for all of us) by persuading the United Nations General Assembly to ask the International Court of Justice to rule on the obligations of countries to address climate change. This could result in creating a pathway for countries to be sued for failing to take effective action to reduce climate change emission, etc. Vanuatu has worked for this outcome for several years.
Some Upcoming Online Events that Might Interest You:
· Movie screening and discussion of Ants and Grasshoppers. I’ll be moderating.
This powerful documentary, ten years in the making, weaves together the most urgent themes of our times: climate change, gender and racial inequality, the gaps between the rich and the poor, and the ideas that groups around the world have generated in order to save the planet.
When: April 19th, 4:30 to 6:30 PT.
To register go to https://uums.org/event/online-screening-the-ants-the-grasshopper/.
Once registered you’ll be sent a Zoom link for the actual event.
A brief trailer can be viewed here --
Synopsis: Anita Chitaya has a gift; she can help bring abundant food from dead soil, she can make men fight for gender equality, and she can end child hunger in her village. Now, to save her home from extreme weather, she faces her greatest challenge: persuading Americans that climate change is real. Traveling from Malawi to California to the White House, she meets climate sceptics. and despairing farmers. Her journey takes her across all the divisions shaping the US, from the rural-urban divide to schisms of race, class and gender, to the thinking that allows Americans to believe we live on a different planet from everyone else. It will take all her skill and experience to persuade us that we’re all in this together.
· Spiritual Economics workshop
April 30th, 12pm – 2pm PT
This three-part workshop will explore the connections between climate change, the current economic system, and Unity’s EarthCare program. We'll look at how our individual actions can build momentum toward necessary systems change and get real-life examples of the profoundly positive developments already underway. Participants gain tools for becoming directly engaged in creating a world that works better for all beings and making the shift from an economics of separation to an economics of reunion, respect and love.
The global capitalist economic system, based on materialism, consumption and limitless growth, is wreaking havoc on Nature and keeping millions trapped in poverty or unsatisfying, dead-end jobs. There is a better way! The Wellbeing Economy movement is robust and gaining momentum as more and more people, entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations say "enough is enough" and get busy creating healthier ways of making a living and doing business.
Scholarships available - Write to admin@unityofdavis.org.