I 10 consigli di Dilma all'apertura del G20

Ten Facts Brazil's President Should Tell the World
Written by Cristovam Buarque

 In a debate at the University of Brasília, Ambassador Correa do Lago asked for ten
suggestions for the speech that President Dilma will make at the opening of Rio+20. My
suggestions were the following:
     
1. The speech should begin with the sentence "Humanity is at risk." The environmental and
financial crises demonstrate that the industrial civilization's union among Political Democracy,
Social Justice, Economic Growth and the Techno-Scientific Advance is fraying.
During the Cold War, forces existed that attempted to halt the foolish march towards nuclear
war. Now, it appears that the foolish march has no adversaries. Profit and consumption are
aligned in their voracity, conducting the world towards global warming, unemployment,
migration and inequality.
 
2. If in this meeting the Heads of State and political leaders think merely as politicians, looking
only towards their short-term, local problems, and not as leaders of humanity, looking beyond
them, we will be missing an immense opportunity.
Humanity cannot continue defining its future based upon the size of the countries' GDP. It is
necessary to redefine the concept of progress, find new criteria and indices that in fact measure
Well-Being, Peace, Employment and Harmony among human beings and between humanity
and Nature.
 
3. We need an International Green Fiscal Policy. It makes no sense that taxes on fossil
products should have the same aliquots as products that are in harmony with Nature.
Nevertheless, the importance of a global world demands that the Green Fiscal Policy be the
result of a worldwide accord. Rio +20 must be the moment for this idea to be considered.
 1 / 3Ten Facts Brazil's President Should Tell the World Including GDP Doesn't Equal Progress
Written by Cristovam Buarque
Thursday, 24 May 2012 17:28

4. Certain natural patrimonies, like large forests, oceans and the geographic poles must be
protected from economic ambition and remain free of depredation. Our countries are part of the
great Condominium Earth. International accords must limit national sovereignty itself when this
refers to the use of the national patrimonies that have an impact upon the life and well-being of
future generations.
 
5. The world has a Hague Tribunal to judge crimes against humanity committed by dictators.
We need a Tribunal to judge the crimes against humanity committed by economic agents
seeking to satisfy their voracity, thus degrading the environment and throwing millions into
misery and unemployment.
 
6. In 1945, the statespeople succeeded in creating an economic plan that channeled resources
towards the industrial reconstruction of a Europe devastated by World War II. It is time for a new
boldness, now on a worldwide scale, to avoid the approaching devastation, itself created by the
type of progress that is plundering, concentrating and instable.
Only a generation with a new education will obstruct the foolish march of environmental
degradation and social inequality. The world needs to make a radical educational reform in all
levels and in all its countries to incorporate the ethic values of environmental protection,
eliminate social exclusion, and maintain the natural and cultural diversity. We need a Global
Marshall Plan for the education of the entire world's children.
 
7. We cannot postpone the creation of a World Fund, based upon the Tobin Tax on currency
conversion, to support education and the environment and to fight poverty. Besides more
stability for the crazy financial system, this fund will serve to attract resources necessary for the
projects aiming towards a new type of development.
 
8. It is necessary to implant a United Nations Program for Human Development (UNPHD)
capable of monitoring and influencing development with humanization and humanism, including
ecological equilibrium and lifelong education as part of the concept of human rights.

9. Besides this, the Heads of State and politicians must install in Rio de Janeiro, as a legacy of
Rio +20 an International Institute for Studies about the Future of Humanity, preferably within the
family of the UN University.
 2 / 3Ten Facts Brazil's President Should Tell the World Including GDP Doesn't Equal Progress
Written by Cristovam Buarque
Thursday, 24 May 2012 17:28
 
10. Humanity cannot continue witnessing the shame of a scientific and technological advance
that amplifies the inequality. Without limiting the advance that was made thanks to the incentive
of the private patents, it is necessary to create a Public Fund that will permit the financing of all
humanity's access to the scientific discoveries, especially in the area of healthcare.
 
Speak for us, Madame President. Even if the world leaders do not listen today. Politically, the
moral force of your speech, in our name, will remain for the future, as a call for wisdom in the
world.
Cristovam Buarque ( CBUARQUE@senado.gov.br ) is a professor at the University of
Brasília and a senator (PDT-DF).
 
Translated by Linda Jerome ( LinJerome@cs.com