There is no "blueprint" for sustainable, future-proof change.
But by engaging with these concepts, we can identify guiding principles for a world of humanity and a good life for all. The following core elements, in particular, define a sustainable society:
- Ecological integrity of our planet and intergenerational justice
- Solidarity and cooperation (national and international)
- Gender equality
- Economic justice, cultural diversity, and learning from each other
- Democratization, participation and responsibility
Key elements of a comprehensive transformation
Common ways of thinking about economic development are not suitable for shaping the future of our planet and a good life for all in a sustainable way.
Here we present key elements that describe the framework for a global transformation through partnership-based, international cooperation beyond conventional development thinking – towards a good life for all.
The core elements serve both as milestones and as a means to guide the change process. In this process, children's and human rights must form the normative basis for all actions.
The core elements address various levels of action: from the global community, which must ensure fair and sustainable framework conditions, to individuals who are active on the ground. The individual core elements are deliberately not conceived as isolated, potentially delegable issues, but rather as a comprehensive conceptual approach.
These core elements have clear links to children's and human rights and are already common practice in Terre des Hommes projects.
1. Ecological integrity and intergenerational equity
The carrying capacity of the Earth's ecosystem, its natural cycles, and its biodiversity are essential prerequisites for all life and must be preserved. Negative human impacts must be minimized or offset. "Nature" is not only the basis of life for us humans, but also has intrinsic value and must be protected accordingly.
To ensure that existing ecological resources are preserved for future generations, internationally and nationally binding rules for the protection of species and the environment must be expanded and standardized. Ecological integrity, and thus the right to a healthy and intact environment for future generations, must be the benchmark for all political and economic action.
2. Economic justice
All people must be able to satisfy their basic needs and develop their abilities and potential in accordance with the inherent dignity of all people. Children's and human rights cannot be realized without economic justice.
However, today's economic, societal, social, and political conditions lead to global and local inequalities. Economic and trade relations must therefore be developed into fair partnerships in order to change the prevailing unequal economic opportunity structure.
Doing business differently3. Gender equality
Just societies are impossible without the comprehensive realization of gender equality. It must be taken into account that various forms of discrimination, such as those based on age, origin, class, and sexual orientation, overlap (intersectionality).
Gender equality must not only be enshrined in law for all areas of society but also enforced in practice. Fundamental to this is emancipatory education aimed at self-determination and self-efficacy.
4. Democratization, participation and responsibility
Every person – regardless of age, gender, ethnic and cultural background, or socio-economic status – as well as every community, must have the right and the opportunity to participate substantially in all important decisions that affect their lives. This requires an institutionally secured participatory democracy as well as a strong civil society. This, in turn, requires self-confident and critical individuals who network and take responsibility for the common good.
Civil society5. Solidarity and cooperation (conviviality)
Cooperative and solidarity-based thinking, economic practices, and actions should be rediscovered (commoning) and creatively promoted with a view to the common good. This can create a counterweight to economically driven processes of erosion of solidarity. By valuing social relationships, successful coexistence (conviviality) can be fostered.
6. Cultural diversity and learning from each other
A world worth living in can only be achieved if tolerant exchange takes place within and between societies and cultures. Political decisions must be made with respect for the diversity of lifestyles, philosophies, values, and communities of all groups—including the underprivileged—and must be institutionally secured. The framework for this is provided by children's and human rights and human dignity. A critical examination of traditions and practices within the framework outlined here is necessary for this.
7. Resilience
All actors involved in civil society need resilience to achieve sustainable goals in societal transformation processes, despite resistance and obstacles. Building on stable social relationships, personal resilience is strengthened, among other things, by a positive self-perception, problem-oriented solution strategies, and experiences of self-efficacy.