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Research Agenda
The current research agenda is to examine all the significant dimensions of sustainable development in order to integrate the resulting multi-dimensional knowledge and make it available in a form suitable for use sustainable development groups. Click
here for a list of the dimensions already examined and under consideration. The issues on the "sustainable development paradox" will be incremental attempts at knowledge integration.
The following modes of research are being used:
- Review and analysis of sustainable development concepts and trends.
- Review and analysis of MDG projects and trends.
- Review and analysis of human behavior in response to grow-sustain trade offs.
- Use of system dynamics (causal-loop diagrams) to analyze trend determinants.
- Use of Girardian analysis (mimetic theory) to analyze scapegoating behavior.
- Use of inter-dependency matrices (NxN) to understand precedence relations.
- Sacred scriptures from various traditions are used as a point of reference.
Knowledge Taxonomy and Links Database
The knowledge organization model that has been chosen for The Pelican Web and the Solidarity, Sustainability, and Non-Violence e-journal is a variation of the Knowledge Map of Chaim Zins. This is work in progress, and will continue to evolve in response to research needs. The current taxonomies and links organization are shown in the next table. The columns are defined as follows: mega-discipline, discipline, specialty, sub-specialty (or region, or acronym), MDG , and link name/content. The symbol "~" in a cell of a column indicates relevance to "all" categories in that column . The 5-dimensional taxonomy is shaping up as follows:
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Mega-Disciplines
Divine Wisdom
Empirical Knowledge
Expert Knowledge
General Knowledge
Human Habitat
Human Sciences
Integrated Info
Science & Tech
Teamwork Info
Tools Info
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Disciplines
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Biosphere
Anthropology
Economics
Sociology
Politics
Theology
Etc.
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Specialties
Calculus
Statics
Organic
Biochemistry
Grasslands
Gender
Growth
Demographics
Democracy
Christian
Etc.
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Sub-Specialties
Statistics
Tension
Reactions
Biofuels
Short-Grass
Violence
Finance
Culture
Elections
Protestant
Etc.
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UN MDGs
MDG 1
MDG 2
MDG 3
MDG 4
MDG 5
MDG 6
MDG 7
MDG 8
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To view a list of selected links, click HERE.
To view the entire links database, click HERE.
News Sources
Telecommunication technologies make it feasible for news to reach us practically in real time and from every corner of the global village. There are general news services, customizable news services, news-based alert services, and also specialized news services that filter out all news that are unrelated to a given subject matter. At certain times, it is wise to view news coming from several services in order to ensure a complete and unbiased picture of an emerging situation.
To view the entire menu of links to news sources, click here.
Search Tools
"In the beginning, the cosmos was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with Google brooding over the dark vapors ....".
Indeed, Google (or, preferably, Advanced Google) is a good place to start when searching for information and knowledge content online. But it may not be a good place to finish if the desired information requires a complex query or is buried somewhere in the "invisible web." A huge number of specialized directories and search engines are now available to help the researcher converge on the right file.
To view the entire menu of links to search tools, click here.
Archive
Links and Outlines for Posted SSNV Issues
| Volume |
Number |
Date |
Issue Theme & Topic Outline |
| Vol 1 |
No 1 |
May 2005 |
Cross-Gender Solidarity
Religious Patriarchy and Religious Misogyny
Ubiquity in Social and Religious Institutions
Patriarchy, Solidarity, and Sustainability
Recent and Current Research
Synthesis and Appeal to Religious Authorities
References and Notes
|
| Vol 1 |
No 2 |
Jun 2005 |
The Phallocentric Syndrome
Secular and Religious Patriarchy
Truth, Freedom, and Care
Obstacles to Solidarity
Obstacles to Sustainability
Obstacles to Human Development
An Appeal to Secular Authorities
References and Notes
|
| Vol 1 |
No 3 |
Jul 2005 |
From Patriarchy to Solidarity
Cross-Gender Solidarity
The Phallocentric Syndrome
Transition from Patriarchy to Solidarity
Solidarity and Subsidiarity
Healing of the Phallocentric Syndrome
An Appeal to All Religious People
References and Notes
|
| Vol 1 |
No 4 |
Aug 2005 |
Synthesis of Patriarchy and Solidarity
The Patriarchy-Solidarity Process
Cross-Gender Solidarity
The Phallocentric Syndrome
From Patriarchy to Solidarity
There is no Roadmap for the Transition
An Appeal to All People of Good Will
References and Notes
|
| Vol 1 |
No 5 |
Sep 2005 |
From Solidarity to Sustainability
The Solidarity-Sustainability Process
Some Further Reflections on Solidarity
The Concept of "Sustainability"
Sustainability Requires Solidarity
Is Sustainability a Matter of Survival?
The Micah Challenge
References and Notes
|
| Vol 1 |
No 6 |
Oct 2005 |
Dimensions of Sustainability
The Journey Toward Sustainability
Solidarity-Sustainability Symbiosis
Sustainability of the Human Habitat
Sustainability of Human Institutions
Sustainability of Human Civilization
Summary and Prayer for the MDGs
References and Notes
Invited Article by Adam Werbach
|
| Vol 1 |
No 7 |
Nov 2005 |
Analysis and Synthesis of Objective Evidence
Dynamics of Solidarity & Sustainability
Population and Consumption Growth
Net Effects on Human Wellbeing
Net Effects on Earth Wellbeing
Root Cause Analysis: Gender Inequity
Synthesis: Data, Experience, Wisdom
Prayer, Study, and Action
References and Notes
|
| Vol 1 |
No 8 |
Dec 2005 |
Solidarity, Subsidiarity, and Sustainability
Inner Feedback Loops in the Process Model
The Subsidiarity Principle
The Precautionary Principle
Subsidiarity in Secular Institutions
Subsidiarity in Religious Institutions
Criticality of Gender Equity
A Path Toward Solidarity and Sustainability
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Brian Czech
|
| Vol 2 |
No 1 |
Jan 2006 |
Synthesis of Solidarity and Sustainability
Complex Webs of Feedback Loops
Synthesis of Solidarity
Synthesis of Sustainability
Unity of Solidarity & Sustainability
Patriarchal Resistance in the East
Patriarchal Resistance in the West
Suggestions for Meditation
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
|
| Vol 2 |
No 2 |
Feb 2006 |
Sustainable Human Development
Human Development in Social Webs
Preliminary Causal Loop Diagram
Sustainable Human Development
From Sustainability to Sustainable Development
Patriarchal Resistance in the South
Patriarchal Resistance in the North
Recommended for Meditation
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
|
| Vol 2 |
No 3 |
Mar 2006 |
Patriarchy and Mimetic Violence
The Root Cause of Patriarchy
Mimetic Violence and Wealth Accumulation
Mimetic Violence and Absolute Power
Mimetic Violence and Worldly Honors
How to Overcome the Patriarchal Mindset
From Patriarchy to Partnerships
Recommended for Meditation
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
|
| Vol 2 |
No 4 |
Apr 2006 |
Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions
Synopsis of Girard's Mimetic Theory
The Emergence of Mimetic Violence
Impact on Religious Institutions
Impact on Social Institutions
Impact on the Human Habitat
Outlook for the Perpetuation of Patriarchy
Prayer, Study, and Action
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
|
| Vol 2 |
No 5 |
May 2006 |
Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions 2
Brief Synopsis of Mimetic Theory
An Example of Religious Violence
Social and Ecological Impacts
Renunciation of Violence
Institutionalized Violence
Renunciation of Patriarchy
Prayer, Study, and Action
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
|
| Vol 2 |
No 6 |
Jun 2006 |
Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions 3
Mimetic Desire in Worship
Hierarchical Mimetic Rivalry
Ecclesiastical Skandalon
Renunciation of Violence
Violence to the Body of Christ
Summary of Vatican Example
Prayer, Study, and Action
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Robert Volpicelli
|
| Vol 2 |
No 7 |
Jul 2006 |
Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions 4
The Girardian Breakthrough
Patriarchy & Patriarchal Religions
The Patriarchal Contagion
Human and Divine Scapegoats
The Triumph of the Cross
Patriarchy & Human Development
Prayer, Study, and Action
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Evandro V. Ouriques
|
| Vol 2 |
No 8
| Aug 2006 |
Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions 5
Ubiquity ofSacred Violence
The Abrahamic Religions
Survey of Other Religions
Ubiquity of Gender Violence
The Hope of Non-Violence
Mimetic Theory & System Dynamics
Prayer, Study, and Action
References and Notes
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Michael Hardin
|
| Vol 2 |
No 9
| Sep 2006 |
Sabbatical Activity ~ September 2006
Sabbatical Progress Report
Significant Recent News
Notable Recent Articles
Book of the Month
Website of the Month
Other New Resources
SSNV Website Upgrade
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Pim Martens
|
| Vol 2 |
No 10 |
Oct 2006 |
Sabbatical Activity ~ October 2006
Revision of Mission Statement
Recent News & Commentary
Article of the Month
Book of the Month
Website of the Month
Other New Resources
SSNV Website Upgrade
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Thomas Michael
|
| Vol 2 |
No 11 |
Nov 2006 |
Sabbatical Activity ~ November 2006
Mission Statement
Current Issues
Event of the Month
Book of the Month
Website of the Month
New Website
SSNV Website Upgrade
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Mary T. Condren
|
| Vol 2 |
No 12 |
Dec 2006 |
Sabbatical Activity ~ December 2006
Mission Statement
Current Trends
Debacle in Iraq
Book of the Month
New Website
New Resources
SSNV Website Upgrade
Prayer, Study, and Action
|
| Vol 3 |
No 1 |
Jan 2007 |
Revisiting the U.N. MDGs
-- MGD1: Eradication of poverty and hunger
News and Emerging Issues
Millennium Development Goals
Analysis: Poverty Maps and Trends
Reading Suggestions for 2007
Website of the Month
New Online Resources
Knowledge Organization Model
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
|
| Vol 3 |
No 2 |
Feb 2007 |
Revisiting the U.N. MDGs
-- MGD2: Universal primary education
News and Emerging Issues
Millennium Development Goals
Analysis: Education Maps and Trends
State of the World's Children 2007
Website of the Month
New Online Resources
Knowledge Organization Model
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by John Wijngaards
|
| Vol 3 |
No 3 |
Mar 2007 |
Revisiting the U.N. MDGs
-- MGD3: Promotion of gender equality
Recent News and Events
Millennium Development Goals
Analysis of Gender Equality
GEO Year Book 2007
Website of the Month
New Online Resources
Directory of Knowledge Resources
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by James Alison
|
| Vol 3 |
No 4 |
Apr 2007 |
Revisiting the U.N. MDGs
-- MGD4: Reduction of child mortality
Significant Recent Events
Millennium Development Goals
Analysis of Child Mortality Rates
Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 4
Review of the UNICEF Website
New Resources on the Web
Knowledge Organization & Access
Prayer, Study, and Action
Reflection on Vocational Gendercide
Fun for Kids
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Nicholas Maxwell
|
| Vol 3 |
No 5 |
May 2007 |
Revisiting the U.N. MDGs
-- MGD5: Maternal Health Improvement
Digest of Recent News
Millennium Development Goals
Analysis of Maternal Health Care
Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 8
Review of the Global Good Website
New Resources on the Web
Knowledge Organization Update
Easter Prayer, Study, and Action
Reflection on the Gift of Live & the Gift of Love
Poems on the Meaning of Life & Love
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Patrick Bond
|
| Vol 3 |
No 6 |
June 2007 |
Revisiting the U.N. MDGs
-- MGD6: Mitigation of the HIV Epidemic
News and Signs of the Times
The Millennium Development Goals
Analysis of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 8
Review of the Mimetic Theory Website
New Resources on the Web
Knowledge Taxonomy and Links
Prayer, Study, and Action
Bad Theology and the Mistreatment of Women
Memorable People of the 20th Century
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Patrick Bond
|
| Vol 3 |
No 7 |
July 2007 |
Revisiting the U.N. MDGs
-- MGD7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Recent News & Emerging Issues
The Millennium Development Goals
Analysis of Environmental Sustainability
The Sustainable Development Process
Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 8
Review of the US Social Forum Website
Web Resources & Knowlege Taxonomy
Knowledge Taxonomy and Links
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Therese Carroll
|
| Vol 3 |
No 8 |
August 2007 |
Revisiting the U.N. MDGs
-- MGD8: Global Partnership for Development
Recent News & Emerging Issues
The U.N. Millennium Development Goals
What is a Partnership for Development?
How to Build a Partnership for Development
Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 8
Selected "Global Partnership" Websites
Web Resources & Knowlege Taxonomy
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Philip Sadler
|
| Vol 3 |
No 9 |
September 2007 |
Integrated Analysis of the U.N. MDGs
Selected News & Emerging Issues
The U.N. Millennium Development Goals
Matrix Analysis of MDG Interdependencies
MDG Loop Diagrams & Feedback Dynamics
Mimetic Analysis of the MDG Process
Review of the "Millennium Project" Website
Web Resources & Knowlege Taxonomy
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by
Nicholas Maxwel and Ronald Barnett
|
| Vol 3 |
No 10 |
October 2007 |
Feasibility of the 2015 MDG Targets
Global News & Emerging Isues
The U.N. MDG 2015 Targets
Current Outlook for 2015
Globalization, Egalization, and Cycles of Humiliation
Obstacles to Pursue the MDGs
Incentives to Pursue the MDGs
Web Resources & Knowledge Taxonomy
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by
Ralf Brand and Andrew Karvonen
|
| Vol 3 |
No 11 |
November 2007 |
If Not the MDGs, Then What?
Global News & Emerging Isues
Negative Assessments of the MDGs
Positive Assessments of the MDGs
Balanced Assessments of the MDGs
If Not the MDGs, Then What?
Current Research on the MDGs
Web Resources & Links Database
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Leslaw Michnowski
|
| Vol 3 |
No 12 |
December 2007 |
Review of 2007 State of the Future
The UN Millennium Development Goals
The WFUNA Millennium Project
State of the Future & Global Challenges
State of the Future Index
Education and Learning 2030
Environmental Security Issues
The Future Started Yesterday
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Robley E. George
|
| Vol 4 |
No 1 |
January 2008 |
Religious Dimension of Sustainable Development
Millennium Development Goals + 1
Need for a Cultural Transition
Adding the Religious Dimension
Incentives for Overcoming Patriarchy
Incentives for Solidarity & Sustainability
Incentives for Human Development
Information, Knowledge, Wisdom
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Statement by the USA Assembly of the Baha'is
|
| Vol 4 |
No 2 |
February 2008 |
Spiritual Dimension of Sustainable Development
The MDGs and Religious Freedom
Religion as a Human Initiative
Spirituality as a Divine Initiative
A Critical Analysis of Patriarchy
Alternatives to Patriarchal Governance
Spirituality of Sustainable Development
Information, Knowledge, Wisdom
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Aaron Milavec
|
| Vol 4 |
No 3 |
March 2008 |
Human Dimension of Sustainable Development
The MDGs and Human Development
The Age of Homo sapiens
The Age of Homo economicus
The Age of Homo solidarius
The Age of Homo eucharisticus
SSNV and Human Development
Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Therese F. Hicks
|
| Vol 4 |
No 4 |
April 2008 |
Gender Dimension of Sustainable Development
The UN MDGs & Gender Balance
Gender Balance at Home
Gender Balance at Work
Gender Balance in Society
Gender Balance in Religion
Gender Balance & Human Development
Knowledge Management for SSNV
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Sarah B. Strickland
|
| Vol 4 |
No 5 |
May 2008 |
Nuptial Dimension of Sustainable Development 1
Original Unity of Man & Woman
Nuptial Covenant of Man & Woman
Marriage: Vocation & Commitment
Marriage: Mutual Self-Giving
Marriage, Family, and the MDGs
Marriage & Population Growth
Marriage & Human Development
Continuum of Human Sexuality
Prayer, Study, and Action
Links to Archived Issues
Invited Article by Bert Olivier
|
| Vol 4 |
No 6 |
June 2008 |
Nuptial Dimension of Sustainable Development 2
The Gift of Love and the Gift of Life
Nuptial Covenant and Chastity
Nuptial Covenant and Children
Nuptial Covenant and Parenthood
Nuptial Covenant and Society
Nuptial Covenant and Religion
The Gift of Love and the MDGs
The Gift of Life and the MDGs
Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Evelin G. Lindner
|
| Vol 4 |
No 7 |
July 2008 |
Nuptial Dimension of Sustainable Development 3
Sustainability of Humankind
Sustainability of the Human Habitat
The Web of Love and the Web of Life
Geography of the Nuptial Crisis
Hetersexuality and Homosexuality
The Heterosexual Nuptial Covenant
The Homosexual Nuptial Covenant
Sustainable Human Development
Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Robley E. George
|
| Vol 4 |
No 8 |
August 2008 |
Nuptial Dimension of Sustainable Development 4
Humanity and the Human Habitat
The Gift-Web of Love
The Gift-Web of Life
Nuptial Gifts and Solidarity
Nuptial Gifts and Sustainability
Nuptial Gifts and Nonviolence
Nuptial Gifts and the MDGs
Nuptial Gifts and LGBT
Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Robley E. George
|
| Vol 4 |
No 9 |
September 2008 |
Ethical Dimension of Sustainable Development
Ethical Norms of Human Behavior
Ethics of Economic Growth
Environmental Ethics
Ethics of Sustainable Development
Weak and Strong Sustainability
The Influence of Culture
The Influence of Religion
Outlook for the MDGs
Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Robert J. Egan
|
| Vol 4 |
No 10 |
October 2008 |
Cultural Dimension of Sustainable Development
Culture & Cultural Diversity
Cultures & Sustainable Development
Cultural Issue: Violence
Cultural Issue: Patriarchy
Cultural Issue: Consumerism
Cultural Issue: Globalization
Cultural Issue: Religion
Cultural Issue: Spirituality
Prayer, Study, and Action
The Declaration of Bangalore
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| Vol 4 |
No 11 |
November 2008 |
Community Dimension of Sustainable Development 1
Community: Unity in Diversity
Community & Ethical Behavior
Community & Sustainable Development
The Nuptial & Youth Communities
The Local Communities
The National/Regional Communities
The Global Community
Democracy & Sustainable Development
Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Patrick Bond
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| Vol 4 |
No 12 |
December 2008 |
Community Dimension of Sustainable Development 2
The Global Geography of Poverty
Consumption Growth & Population Growth
Consumption Growth & Human Development
Consumption Growth & the Human Habitat
Consumption Growth & the UN MDGs
Consumption Growth & Solidarity
Consumption Growth & Sustainability
Consumption Growth & Nonviolence
Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Ghassan Karam
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| Vol 5 |
No 1 |
January 2009 |
The Sustainable Development Paradox - Part 1
Dimensions of Sustainable Development
The Sustainable Development Paradox
Dynamics of Human & Social Behavior
Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources
Money as the Driver of Human Behavior
Need for Socioeconomic Human Development
Need for Sociopolitical Human Development
The UN MDGs and other Case Examples
Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Glenda P. Simms
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| Vol 5 |
No 2 |
February 2009 |
The Sustainable Development Paradox - Part 2
Human Dimension of the Paradox
Childhood Dimension of the Paradox
Educational Dimension of the Paradox
Social Dimension of the Paradox
Economic Dimension of the Paradox
Political Dimension of the Paradox
Environmental Dimension of the Paradox
Sustainable Development and the UN MDGs
Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Tanvir H. Bhatti
Invited Article by Michael A. Peters
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| Vol 5 |
No 3 |
March 2009 |
The Sustainable Development Paradox - Part 3
Human Nature: Psychosomatic-Spiritual Unity
Human Nature: Psychosomatic-Spiritual Diversity
Human Nature & Human Behavior/Misbehavior
Behavioral Influence of Secular Institutions
Behavioral Influence of Religious Institutions
Human Use and Abuse of the Human Habitat
Axing the Sustainable Development Paradox
Homo economicus, Homo solidarius, and the MDGs
Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article by Ina Praetorius
Invited Article by Leonardo Boff |
| Vol 5 |
No 4 |
April 2009 |
Education for Sustainable Development - Part 1
Pedagogy for Sustainable Development
Consultation on Gender Equality
Consultation on Health Promotion
Consultation on the Environment
Consultation on Rural Development
Consultation on Cultural Diversity
Consultation on Peace & Security
Consultation on Sustainable Urbanization
Consultation on Sustainable Consumption
Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action
Preliminary Online Consultation Form
Appeal to Endorse the Earth Charter
Invited Article 1 by Soodursun Jugessur
Invited Article 2 by Soodursun Jugessur |
| Vol 5 |
No 5 |
May 2009 |
Education for Sustainable Development - Part 2
ESD Consultation Preliminary Test (V0)
Analysis of Preliminary Test Results
Paulo Freire's Educational Framework
Ken Wilber's Integral Framework
ESD COnsultation Revised Test (V1)
Comparison of the V0 and V1 Surveys
Stepwise Refinement in Monthly Iterations
Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action
Invited Article 1 by Joana Costa and Elydia Silva
Invited Article 2 by Joseph Gelfer |
| Vol 5 |
No 6 |
June 2009 |
Education for Sustainable Development - Part 3
Digest of the V0 Preliminary Test
Digest of the V0 Analysis Report
Digest of the V1 Revised Test
Analysis of V1 Test Results
Combined Assessment of the V0 and V1 Tests
ESD V1.5 Test Based on V0 and V1 Feedback
Evolution of the V0, V1, and V1.5 Forms
Updated Plan for Stewise Refinement
Prayer, Study, and Action
"Limits to Growth" Guest Article by Hall & Day
|
| Vol 5 |
No 7 |
July 2009 |
Education for Sustainable Development - Part 4
Summary of ESD Test Survey V0
Summary of ESD Test Survey V1
Analysis of ESD Test Survey V1.5
Assessment of V0, V1, and V1.5 Tests
A Shorter ESD Test Survey V1.6
Evolution of Test Survey Design
Documentation of Test Iterations
Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action
Living by the Breath of God: A spirituality of God’s Desire, Guest Paper by Andrew Marr, OSB
Determining the Role of Adult Education in Building the Culture of Sustainable Development, Guest Paper by Pauline McLean, PhD
|
Letters to the Editor
Letters can express constructive criticism about the contents of the SSNV e-journal. This includes suggesting totally different views, or paradigms, about the best way to formulate sustainable development plans and strategies. However, letters that are disrespectful to persons or institutions, and letters that use crude or offensive language, will not be published. Letters can be abbreviated and/or edited for clarity . Letters must be dated and signed by the author. Please email your letters to SSNV Editor.
The following letters were received recently:
24 June 2009
Dear Luis,
At least to me, it appears the human community cannot keep growing in the unbridled ways we are now because the gigantic current scale and
rapid expansion of human activities in the wondrous, finite world God blesses us to inhabit could become unsustainable soon. What worries me
most is that many people do not yet even see what we have before us as a formidable predicament, let alone its forbidding and growing magnitude.
From my humble vantage point, many too many leaders who do see the huge global challenges {climate destabilization is one of them} that could
soon be confronted by the family of humanity have chosen not to speak of them, but to remain electively mute and in denial. Although I am an
ageing old worry-wart whose sight is failing and faculties are diminishing, it is necessary for me to fulfill a "duty to warn" by reporting that I see the potential for a colossal, human-induced ecological wreckage looming on the horizon. Hopefully, I am mistaken.
Steven Salmony
ssa.gov
|
22 June 2009
Luis:
Answering/arriving at the answer about the nature, substance and requirements of education and training for sustainable development, to understand and manage existence and development, our natural role and responsibility in sustainable, equitable, secure and peaceful ways will require a bit of discussion. The answers cannot be reached in a direct and easy way. It requires considering and discussing, establishing clarity of mind and understanding, in a step-by-step way, of a number of related issues, setting the stage for the answers to emerge, become clear, obvious and self-evident.
The issues that need to be considered and discussed include; the natural conditions, demands and challenges of existence, which in the first instant define and govern human existence and development, distinct and different from establish socio-cultural beliefs, views, values, conventions and practices; how today we understand and manage existence and development, limits, shortcomings and contradictions, where, how and why they contradict, conflict with or fall short of the natural conditions of existence, problematic results and consequences; traditional education and training, focus and objectives, the knowledge, skills and practices that are developed, limits, shortcomings and contradictions; the direction of the answers and solutions, the understanding, conceptual foundation and framework of understanding, and the mental faculties, our natural mental potential, natural mental powers and abilities, necessary mental skills and practices that must be develop, how to develop and use them, to understand and manage existence and development, our natural role and responsibility in our existence and development, both our mental and physical existence and development, in sustainable ways, within the natural parameters, the boundaries and limits of existence set by nature, which lie beyond human control, without contradicting, conflicting with or falling short of the natural conditions, demands and challenges of existence, and creating persisting and growing environmental, as well as cultural, religious, political, social, economic-financial, interpersonal and individual problems, difficulties and crises, conflicts, confrontations and violence.
Within this context, it is necessary, to avoid misunderstanding and ambiguity, establish common ground in views and understanding, clarify points, issues, misunderstanding, identify points of difference, consider and discuss the reasons and causes behind differences, to engage in the discussion of points and issues raised and responding to questions in a direct, to the point and detailed way. Explaining oneself, one's view and understanding at some length, in depth and detail, not limiting oneself to one-liners, written in the margins, that only marginally relate to the points and issues made or questions raised.
Let me know if you want to proceed down this road, and engage in this kind of discussion.
Axel
Dr. Axel Dorscht, Founder
Institute for Human Conceptual and Mental Development (IHCMD)
9 Second Avenue, Suite 2, Ottawa, ON K1S 2H2 Canada
Website: http://www.ihcmd.org
|
5 June 2009
Dear SSNV journal editor,
There are a large number of different organizations that support
sustainability, solidarity, and non-violence. However, this is in contrast
to the goal of solidarity--how can all of these organizations form a
single whole if they are separated by the sheer number of organizations?
The organizations are also less powerful separate than together.
Perhaps these separate organizations should join forces?
I've spent a number of years knowing that something was wrong with our
society--and spent a large amount of time searching for truth via the
internet. This search landed me at the Zeitgeist movement. The reason I
feel this movement is more powerful than others is that it is
results-oriented; it has been spearheaded by two very creative and
intelligent individuals, Peter Joseph and Jacques Fresco; it has a series
of free movies that encapsulate, very efficiently, the problems our
society faces; and it already has a global force of more than 200,000
people.
The movie that started it all is called "Zeitgeist" and can be viewed for
free at www.zeitgeistmovie.com and is one of the most downloaded movies on
the internet.
I write this letter not as a member of the Zeitgeist movement, but as an
individual inspired by that movement hoping to foster greater solidarity
among like-spirited individuals; individuals that are well aware of (and
educated in) the technological abilities of mankind, yet desire a
peaceful, prosperous, and spiritually grounded future for all.
Thanks,
Jon Spalding
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Rochester, New York, USA
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Greetings:
Your email was forwarded to me in connection with a survey looking for issues that have to be considered when addressing the sustainability challenge. This has been a topic of interest since before sustainable Development was coined as a phrase.
Our study of what citizens' groups are concerned turned up the following definition of sustainability.
Well-being can be sustained when activities:
1 - use materials in continuous cycles.
2 - use continuously reliable sources of energy.
3 - come mainly from the qualities of being human (i.e. creativity, communication, movement, appreciation, and spiritual and intellectual development).
Long-term well-being is diminished when activities:
4 - require continual inputs of non-renewable resources.
5 - use renewable resources faster than their rate of renewal.
6 - cause cumulative degradation of the environment.
7 - require resources in quantities that undermine other people's well-being.
8 - lead to the extinction of other life forms.
We have found that it is a very effective introduction to the topic when followed with the questions:
Is this what we mean by sustainability? If it is not, upon what point or points do we disagree? For what reasons? Is there anything missing?
It's yours if you can use it.
More resulting from our work over the last few decades is offered at http://www.SustainWellBeing.net
Best wishes for your efforts.
Yours, Mike Nickerson
Sustainability Project - 7th Generation Initiative
http://www.SustainWellBeing.net
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We are faced today with an enormous challenge.
Human beings fill the Earth, yet, our tradition is to grow more.
We must change direction and pursue a new goal,
a steady state relationship with our planet.
See "The Challenge and the Goal" at:
http://www.SustainWellBeing.net/challengeandgoal.html
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4 May 2009
Dear Professor Jugessur (cc. SSNV Editor),
It was a pleasure reading your article in the April edition of Solidarity, Sustainability, and Non-violence. I would like to humbly submit a small addition based on my observations of today's society.
I feel a lot of the state of society today has to do with the prevalent model of education.
The education system at large (as followed nearly all over the world) stresses on individual achievements and individual achievements alone. From the day one enters school, the stress is on excelling in exams, keeping good notes, and making sure that one does better than the rest of the class. This ingrains in us a deep sense of cut-throat competition and ego. On stepping out of school, the fight to get into a good university begins. Again, the better the university, the better your respect and status in society and the more it boosts our egos. We go through 20 years of education in this format. And to top it all, at no point of time are we taught compassion, never are we taught how to treat a fellow human being, never are we taught the value of gender equality, the very foundations on which sustainable development lies (the millennium development goals for example) are not addressed at school level for maximum impact. Even the individuals and organizations involved in so called 'environmental education' fail to realize that the environment includes people as well, and if one is not compassionate towards their fellow humans, they cannot be compassionate to the ecology alone, because these have always been inextricably linked.
Sukhi Parivaar, as you may well be aware, is a Sanskrit term, and in the traditional knowledge systems of Sanskrit, education was imparted in the same way as you define a family. Experience sharing, practical knowledge and compassionate overall development was of prime focus.
Unless the entire education system is not revamped to instill such fundamental value systems in children, the family can never sit around the same table and honestly share their daily experiences. The issue flagged by the SSNV journal of 'How to foster changes in human behaviour that are conducive to SSNV' can never be effectively addressed without such a fundamental change in our educational system and training.
How do you feel about this?
Kindest regards,
Gaurav Shorey,
Area Convenor, Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA),
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India
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7 April 2009
Thank you for sending out information about the SSNV consultation. I’ve filled out the questionnaire and have forwarded it to people associated with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Canada, a national body co-chaired by David Bell from EASO and Mary Ferguson from BC Hydro. I’m also ‘blind copying’ this to others who have completed the questionnaire, so they are aware that ESD Canada exists.
I was glad to have a chance to reflect on this topic and to provide input that emphasizes the importance of approaching sustainability with positive outcomes in mind. I find these issues to be overwhelming at times because there is so much justifiable doom and gloom around them. I suspect that the best way for ESD to gain ‘traction’ is to remain cautiously (stubbornly?) optimistic and focus on real benefits that would accrue as we adopt more sustainable practices.
Glenn C. Sutter, Ph.D.
Head Curator of Life Sciences
Royal Saskatchewan Museum
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6 April 2009
I am so pleased to learn that you will do a series on Sustainability education. That is why I would like to introduce you to Caretakers of the Environment International, an environmental education network of high school students and teachers that has reached youth in more than 100 countries. As you can see in the attached file, we have hosted many conferences on sustainability and related themes . Our organization was represented at the 1992 UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro; and honored as a success story at the 1991 Global Assembly of Women and the Environment in Miami, and by Renew America. Would you be interested in a paper that presents some of our insights and experience?
Isabel S. Abrams
Co-founder and Director/Communications
Caretakers of the Environment International
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11 March 2009
Thanks for introducing me to this excellent website of yours. I have been working on SD issues for the best part of 40 years since my behaviour and ecosystem studies in the rainforests of Malaysia, and teach a course on it at Imperial College London.
Best wishes, Jose
Jose Ireneu dos Remedios Furtado
Imperial College London
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9 March 2009
With regard to Genesis and Human Nature: Psychosomatic-Spiritual Unity
See: http://trumpeter.athabascau.ca/index.php/trumpet/article/view/328/504
Discovering Us: The Ecology of God. Trumpeter; v11 n3 p127-30 Sum 1994.
[....]
The word Human has its roots in humus, a fertile forest soil. Just one teaspoon of soil consists of water, minerals and many other species: five million bacteria, twenty million fungi, one million protozoa and two hundred thousand algae. This coincides with our bodies containing water, minerals and ten times as many cells of non-human species as human cells. Over half our body weight consists of the weight of "foreign" microorganism species; over 115 different species live on our skin alone. In addition, the natural world, Us, flows through us. Every 5-7 years every molecule in our body is replaced, atom by atom, by new molecules attracted in from the environment. The natural environment becomes us, we become it. We and nature are Us because we are each other. Converging evidence suggests that the Genesis sequence and its statement ".....And God said `Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,'" spiritually and scientifically makes each of us a seamless continuum of the natural world. We and it are Us.
Mike Cohen
Project Nature Connect
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4 February 2009
As usual, the exhaustive analysis of such economic change as is needed to achieve sustainability stops far short of what is actually necessary. I believe we have had this discussion previously; nevertheless, I shall make one final attempt to trace the essential steps in the required logic:
Anywhere from 75% to 90% of the current energy budget of the US must be charged to the market system itself. Every imaginable market system will absorb a huge share of the available energy even supposing that the four factors that necessitate economic growth are eliminated, which would open a path to a steady state economy but not one that could be fueled exclusively with renewable energy and hence not sustainable.
[....]
Tom Wayburn
http://dematerialism.net/
http://dematerialism.wikispaces.com/
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30 January 2009
How to overcome the current global crisis? The world is in the opening phase of a dehumanizing global crisis. Ecohumanism is a partnership-based co-operation for the common good of all people (rich and poor, from countries highly developed and behind in development), their descendants, and natural environment - commonly supported by science and high technology (including information culture). Two important world crisis management events will be held in the 2009 year: G20 (London, April 2nd) and the UN General Assembly.
I propose to try to include into programs of both above events our strategic proposal: TO START TO CREATE THE WORLD INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND ECONOMY. Without that information system none of the main UN tasks: MDGs, (“three pillars”) sustainable development of the world society, fair globalization, sustained economic growth, decoupling economy growth and resources depletion - are possible to achieve.
See also:
Leslaw Michnowski, Eco-Humanism and Popular System Dynamics as Preconditions for Sustainable Development, Solidarity, Sustainability, and Non-Violence (SSNV) Research Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 11, November 2007.
Leslaw Michnowski, Ecohumanism as a Developmental Crossing, [in:] Sri Sadguru Sainathaya Namah, Transformative Pathways Attainable Utopias, (red. Sangeeta Sharma), Jaipur, India, 2008.
Leslaw Michnowski,
Polish Academy of Sciences
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15 January 2009
I am writing to announce the new Fostering Sustainable Behavior website and digest.
Forums & Digest: As of this email we have replaced the Fostering Sustainable Behavior listserv with a combination of online discussion forums and an html-based digest. Since we have deactivated the old listserv, messages sent to it will not reach anyone. If you wish to ask a question or provide assistance to others, please use the new discussion forums.
Beginning tomorrow the text-based digest that you have been receiving will be replaced with the revamped Fostering Sustainable Behavior digest. The new digest is html-based and substantially easier to read and respond to. If you would like to provide us with feedback on the new site and digest please use the discussion forum thread, ‘Feedback on New Site and Digest’ to do so. We hope that you find the new site, discussion forums and digest useful.
Doug McKenzie-Mohr, Ph.D.
Environmental Psychologist
Fostering Sustainable Behavior
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7 January 2009
It appears that as the subject of "sustainability" is gaining popularity, the definition of sustainability is becoming less focused; although there is a myriad of projects whose concern is professedly "sustainability", "sustainability" is becoming progressively less likely achievable, because it is hard to achieve something that we don't know clearly what it actually is. It is not that individuals would not know what "sustainability" might mean to them, but it is that each person's "sustainability" might be very different, if not even at odds with, from what "sustainability" might mean to others.
"Sustainability" could be modeled, creating a "picture" of what an ideal "sustainable" future of any geopolitical entity on Earth should be, using as input all the various ideas that virtually all people might have about what "sustainability" might mean together with the sum total of what we know of Earth in order to see how each and any of those ideas would fare under "real" conditions in a model.
Would there exist a model of what to all an optimal future should look like, the currently available process of creating our common future that currently is in the hands of people whose interests are not necessarily identical with that of those they represent would benefit by the fact that every one could compare the performance of those who govern to that what actually should be happening. Please, let me know what you think of the idea. There is more about the idea at: http://www.modelearth.org
Thank you, sincerely,
Mr. Jan Hearthstone
Defining Sustainability: Designing a Sustainable Earth
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