The following notes are the result of an effort to present a synthesis of the commonalities of the different global movements that have occurred in various parts of the world between 2011 and the present.
They were written with the help of members of 15M, Occupy Wall Street, Occupy, Indignés and Yosoy132.
It is a presentation of common ideas and values that have been expressed independently from the different political and social conditions in which the aforementioned movements have arisen.
We therefore recognise that this may be an incomplete, partial and perhaps unrepresentative proposal. But we hope that it will be useful for everyone and that there will be debate, dialogue and reflection to move quickly from theory to action.
Point 1. Awareness – “We were asleep… but we woke up…” We have recognized our strength. It’s not a dream, it’s the opposite. “It is the revolution of consciousness” that reveals itself and shows new possibilities.
Point 2. Freedom – We did not choose the country, the place, or the time when we appeared as human beings.
Point 2.1. The path to freedom is called liberation. It means that we liberate ourselves step by step, it is a movement and it is a process.
Point 2.2. “We are not afraid”. Liberation takes place when we overcome fear.
Point 2.3. We begin with the lack of freedom to obtain the freedom we share with others. True liberation takes place with others and for others.
Point 2.4. Human evolution moves toward greater social freedom and personal liberation.
Point 3. Historicity – Accumulate history.
We use the knowledge and experience of the men and women who have facilitated our journey.
We learn from the social environment in which we live and evolve.
We use all the tools, objects and structures created and improved over time.
Point 4. Learning
Point 4.1. We have learned about the factors that contribute to human progress:
– Increase citizen participation in all social and political spheres,
– Improve the quality of life,
– Improve education, health, housing and nutrition,
– The economy must serve the interests of the people and not the other way around, that is, the people serve the economy..,
– Reduce the cost of military equipment,
– Strengthen dialogue and minimize institutional violence in all its forms,
– Ensure social inclusion and consensual resolution of differences between individuals, groups or peoples.
Point 4.2. We have learned to stop human progress:
– Blocking citizens’ participation in social rights and freedoms,
– Giving the economy a particular direction, the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few at the expense of the majority,
– Imposing degrading living conditions on citizens. First the slaves, then the proletarians and now the consumers,
– Putting money above people and creating exclusion, sickness and death,
– Creating armies with more and more destructive capabilities. Funding research and production of weapons of mass destruction,
– Supporting the political mechanisms of countries that subordinate, invade or intervene in other countries,
– Applying different forms of violence: physical, economic, racial, religious, sexual, moral or psychological.
Point 5. Equality. We are all equal in rights and opportunities. Not in theory, but in practice.
Horizontal organisation. We apply, explain and develop horizontal organisation in all areas.
Point 6.1. Horizontal organisation in peer relations, cooperation and exchange. We are done with representatives and leaders. Nobody rules.
Point 6.2. We support the creation of instances to deal with collective problems as needed. Functions that change and are accountable to the whole.
Point 6.3. We are against the competition, the extreme and devastating individualism of this system. In this way, we express the sensitivity of non-protagonism, anonymity and working as a whole.
Point 7. Diversity – We are all different, with different ideologies, aspirations and beliefs, so we have highlighted the wealth of this diversity.
Point 7.1. This diversity grows because we are more, we are in constant change and evolution.
Point 8. The focus – We go further with inclusion, rapprochement and connection.
Point 8.1. “We really listen.” We understand what is different, that is, to open new paths of understanding and communication.
Point 8.2. We want to approach any violent person, because we believe that they will cease to be violent when they realise the error in practice and behaviour.
Point 9. Sociability – “Together we can” resolve conflicts. Although they are presented to us as individual problems, conflicts are social conflicts. By making conflict visible and connecting it to society as a whole, we create conditions for solving problems that we could never solve individually.
Point 10. Collective Intelligence – We are in a network. The result of working with respect and networking with others in search of collective intelligence is not the same as the sum of individual ideas. So we are multiplying the answers and finding better solutions. Collective intelligence raises the level of our common action.
Point 11. For peace – Human beings move faster when they do not waste time and energy in violent confrontations. We create alliances that promote social progress.
Point 12. Nonviolence – “We don’t need violence, we’re right.”
Point 12.1. We support nonviolence as an eminently courageous position.
Point 12.2. We live with violence on a daily basis and our job is to neutralize it.
Point 13. Voluntary action – Our actions have no financial reward. We work with and for everyone. “We also put a few drops of water in the great river of the human species.”
Point 14. Coherence – Our action is based on our principles. We try to match our thoughts, feelings and actions. “When we say something, we commit ourselves and we do it.”
Point 15. The system – I discover myself through the “we”.
Point 15.1. Starting with the we, we can seek our personal liberation.
Point 15.2. The best part of each of us expresses itself as a whole.
Point 15.3. In general, we find the human within us and the human being in the other.
Point 16. Respect – We want everyone to express themselves freely and without feeling judged. The only condition is that no one tries to impose their views on others.
Point 16.1. We respect others and ourselves. This is how our dignity grows.
Point 16.2. We respect others even if they have an ideology, belief or behavior different from our own.
Point 16.3. We respect ourselves when we are consistent in our lives.
Point 17. Spirituality.
Point 17.1. We are witnessing the emergence of a religiosity without God.
Point 17.2. There is a search for spirituality without gods or temples.
Point 17.3. We are neither better nor worse because we are atheists or believers.
Point 17.4. Religions have played an ambiguous role in human evolution: sometimes helping, sometimes hindering and sometimes causing immense suffering.
Point 18. Inspiration – We experience the “connection” between us, being on the same wavelength, sharing the same things. We managed to create an atmosphere that have filled the streets with freedom, possibilities, interactions between people in a common struggle.
When this happens, everything seems possible, there are no limits. This action is part of our inspiration…
Point 19. For universality – We know the importance of local action, but we also know that it does not solve global problems by itself. The world is in the process of globalisation and solutions must now be found on this scale. For example:
Point 19.1. The priority is to solve the problem of hunger throughout the world.
Point 19.2. Direct the amounts spent on armies and armaments towards social needs so that they no longer block human progress.
Point 19.3. To deepen democracy making it more participative and advancing in issues of justice, transparency and equality without social exclusion.
Point 19.4. Give priority to health, education and housing for all.
Point 19.5. These proposals are not utopian or unattainable, but realistic and achievable. Technological and resource conditions exist to make these proposals a reality. Ninety-nine per cent of the world’s population shares this desire. There is already a common feeling among the peoples of the world that will make all this a reality. New movements are a symptom. Our goal is a global network…” Our dreams are not defined in their ballot boxes.”
Point 20. Evolution/Revolution – In the 21st century, we can and must redefine social action and the kind of society we want.
Point 20.1. This Evolution/Revolution is nonviolent. And that is the next step for us.
Point 20.2. Forms of social struggle based on violence strengthen the old, violent and patriarchal system.
Point 20.3. One form of struggle is lack of cooperation with illegal laws, civil disobedience.
Point 20.4. The best form of struggle is to propose alternatives to what does not work. The demonstration of the new work we want.
Point 21. The awakening of a global generation.
Point 21.1. We are facing the birth of a world generation, which expresses itself in the new social movements.
Point 21.2. A generation that seeks the support and encouragement of the past without meeting them.
Point 21.3. The massive use of direct communication technologies worldwide creates the conditions for greater networking and thus a new phase of human evolution.
Point 22. The new example – These positions are a new example of civilization that can produce profound changes at the social, cultural and existential levels.
Point 23. The new example already exists. Freedom, these proposals can be freely discussed, rejected, challenged, implemented, ignored, be part of our lives or not.
Depending on the options, the future will be closed or open. All of this certainly cannot be erased, forgotten or prevented from evolving because it is already in the minds of many people, and in yours. It is here to stay. “We are already in your consciousness. If you don’t let us dream, we won’t let you sleep.”
Point 24. The new example has multiplied. Throughout society there are many demonstrations in favor of change.
Point 24.1. Our objective is to discover what is really useful to improve and above all to create what is new. We do not have to fight against the old system because it is collapsing on its own.
Point 24.2. At a time that we cannot determine, this new example will enter a phase of geometric reproduction.
Are you ready? Are you ready?
Let’s take it easy, because we’re going to go far!
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Source: World without Wars and without Violence
Translation Pressenza London
