GLOBAL ETHICS FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM:
a series of interviews with outstanding personalities
 
Globus Institute, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
 
Mikhail Gorbachev: Caring for Humanity and the Earth
Interview by Patricia Morales with the participation of Ruud Lubbers

Download the word document --->here
 
Q.            Morales (M): You are doing wonderful work as President of the Green Cross International, addressing the world's ecological, social, and economic crisis in the light of fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy, and a culture of peace, as well as having interesting projects and strategies on peace and sustainability. Could you explain why your projects are focused on caring for nature and humanity at the same time?
 
A.        We must learn to live at one with nature. Nature does not bear grudges, but it must not be brought to the point where it can no longer sustain human society and the continuance of humankind on Earth. I believe that one of the most important things is the shaping of a new value system, because nature can live without us, but we cannot without nature. Instead of a hedonistic approach, we should promote an approach that reasonably limits consumerism and which promotes the virtue of "enoughness." If we insist on consumerism as the new utopia, nature will reject such a system, as surely as cultural diversity rejected the totalitarian system. Our generation has to face a difficult challenge, but as recent history has proven, walls of difficulty, like the Berlin Wall, can fall.
 
Q.        M: The world has an enormous debt of gratitude to you, for your unique vision and capacity to make the fall of the Berlin Wall possible. You have stated that "there are still two walls: the wall between rich and poor, and the wall between us and future generations." What is necessary for the fall of these walls to occur?
 
A.        It is a fact that today only one-third of the world's population enjoys good, normal, or acceptable living conditions, whereas two-thirds suffer malnutrition, hunger, poverty, and are behind in their development. This means that the economic choices and way of life adopted in recent history have only served to lead us to a dead-end: a global ecological crisis. We therefore need a new system of values, a system of the organic unity between mankind and nature, and an ethic of global responsibility. To save humankind and all future generations, we must save the Earth. By saving the Earth, humankind saves itself.
 
Q.        M: The Earth Charter is a proposal of global ethics and responsibility for the people and by the people as a response to the global crisis. Could you explain as co-chair of the Earth Charter what role it could play in demolishing these walls?
 
A.        In its essence, the Earth Charter shifts the focus to the people on Earth: their respon sibilities, their morals and spirituality, and their way of consumption. Our Charter gives an answer to the question: what does humankind need to do to provide an answer to the global ecological challenge? I regard this document as very important, and I would like to mention that the idea of the Earth Charter was launched in The Netherlands. From the start, it seemed to be absolutely clear, that we should be working on a document which consisted of some commandments for the next millennium. We have been in that process for more than five years. The process has become very complicated, because we have to put together the opinions of the people, bringing the representatives of different cultures and civilizations into the picture. This document should be adoptable to the world community, which belongs to different organizational groups as well. It is a very difficult process, but finally, as a result of this collaborative work, we have completed the Earth Charter.
 
Q.        M: What is Russia's particular contribution to the Earth Charter?
 
A.        First of all, intellectual. Since environmental awareness began, environmental consciousness has been progressing, and is on the Russian social agenda now. I am glad to say that the environmental dimension of people's daily lives is becoming stronger and stronger. Russia is important in terms of its implications to the global environmental situation: forestry, air pollution, maintenance of the ice of the northern seas. There are numerous important environmental centers that are active in Russia. We have several green parties and movements now. However, the contribution of Russia is limited, because of the economic problems. We have an enormous variety of problems stemming from the Soviet legacy. These problems are really enormous. For example, river problems, including those affecting the biggest river in that part of the world, the Volga. We still have environmental legacies from the Cold War. We have air pollution, especially industrial air pollution, in Europe. We still have not reached any positive result in securing the Balkan water region. We also have problems in some central Asian republics.
 
Q.        M: The Earth Charter is a declaration of interdependence and responsibility that states that we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny, and calls to build a global partnership for sustainable development. What goals of the Earth Charter do you consider most relevant?
 
A.        The Earth Charter will provide goals for the future and it is an appeal to humankind; it is a tribute to our common birthplace: Planet Earth. The main goal of the Earth Charter is the formation of a new outlook; a new set of values. To save humankind and all future generations, we must save the Earth. By saving the Earth, humankind saves itself. We see the future as a cooperation of peoples, which implies a dialogue of cultures, religions, and traditions. I believe that our Charter gives ethical and moral orientations that will help to strengthen the human spirit. Our civilization has already outlived itself, and we all have to think about the difficult transition based on a consensus of the main values that could help us to build our future. Both time and the present ecological situation force us to undertake resolute actions.
 
Q.        M: The Earth Charter promotes sustainable development and protection of biodiversity at the same time. What do we need for achieving these objectives?
 
A. Education, first of all. The young people should start environmental programs; programs on environmental education should be starting from the school level. We have been involved in a joint project with UNESCO in that area for two years. We have developed several versions of textbooks. Various Czech scholars have prepared a very good textbook, and we think it should be translated into foreign languages. I assume that the Globus Institute, which works on this agenda here at Tilburg University, is a very good example of the efficiency of civil society in terms of achieving these goals. I would say, however, that although education is important, it is not sufficient alone. The other point is the creation of a legal framework, at the national and international level. The experiences of The Netherlands, Switzerland, and some other countries advanced in that area, deserve a lot of attention. We should involve the government and the people.
 
I think that civil society will play a decisive role, too. Additionally, I believe that the future economic policy should take into consideration not just the profit values, but also consider the social and environmental implications in civil society. You should see all of civil society involved in preserving nature, not just nationally but internationally as well.
 
Q.            Lubbers: I would like to ask a question about your reference to Ingvar Carlsson and his proposals for the UN structure, and the Earth Charter as a people's treaty and a shared vision of basic values for the emerging world community, given the interdependence of mankind and the present state of science, technology, and the economy. Do you expect that the United Nations will adopt the Earth Charter in 2002, or do you see this as something of interest only to civil society?
 
A.        I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate you, as my colleague and friend Ruud Lubbers, because you have accepted the invitation to be the President of the WWF and I am very happy to speak to you. I would assume that the Earth Charter is a sort of a cross- sectional document, which cannot be confined, because it touches both agendas: that of civil society, and of course, interstate relations as well. We all know that on the table of the United Nations there is an environmental convention, an IUCN convention. Unfortunately, it's sort of blocked in the discussions because it seems to be a document with a lot of specifications. So, I assume that the Earth Charter together with that convention could become a very adaptable document for the future. I believe that in the structure of the United Nations we have a powerful Security Council, and this is the time when we will need similar powerful organizations in the framework of the UN, relevant to environmental issues. I think that the creation of an environmental security body should be comprehensive. Soon we will reach the time when it will be necessary to interfere with national agendas, if there is a danger for the international environment. And therefore, this organization should be enabled to make such decisions in order to avoid environmental disasters in the future.
 
Q.        M: Could you share with us your dreams for the Third Millennium, in particular in relation to the vulnerable groups, such as women and children, and towards a culture of peace for the world community?
 
A.            Generally, I would like to say that my dream is for human survival, which can only be achieved in harmony with nature. That is a challenge for young people, for the younger generation. I would like to say that I hope that they understand that this will be their millennium the millennium of the younger generation.